The Association Memorial, created and dedicated in 2004 by the RAFBEA, is located at the National Memorial Arboretum,

Croxall Road, Alrewas, Staffordshire

DE13 7AR

 

Telephone Number: (01283) 792333

The Arboretum and Visitor Centre is open daily throughout the year (with the exception of Christmas and New Year’s Day) from 9am to 5pm, or dusk if that falls earlier. There is plenty of parking for all visitors at a modest cost and there is no charge for admission. The Visitor Centre has a large shop which provides more details about the Plots and also shows some of the many and varied crafts which are produced in the area. A licenced restaurant, “The Arbor” is open daily from 9.30am until 4.30pm and picknicking is allowed at specific places on the site. The Millenium Chapel is the only place of worship in the country specifically dedicated in the Millenium. The Arboretum is sited in the centre of England and is signposted from the A38 and A513 and is close to the Midlands motorways.

 

M1 (Southbound) – exit at Junction 28 and take the A38 south, bypassing Derby and Burton, or exit at Junction 24 and take the A50 west until you reach the A38 south.

 

M1 (Northbound) – exit onto the M6 (Northbound) and exit M6 at Junction 4 taking the A444 north until it joins the M42 (Northbound) – exit at Tamworth and take the A5 west until you reach the A38 Derby/Burton exit.

 

M6 (Southbound) – exit at Junction 12 and take the A5 south until you reach the A38 exit.

 

M54 (Eastbound) – exit at Junction 1 and take the A460 towards Cannock passing 

over the M6 and continue turning right onto the A5 south and then leave the A5 at the A38 Derby/Burton exit.

An easily obtainable RAFBEA Wreath, incorporating our Crest as its centrepiece, is available from the Royal British Legion “Poppy Appeal”.

 

Members wishing to lay a wreath – on their own behalf and at their own expense – at any appropriate occasion local or personal to them, may do so by calling the RBL on (01622) 717172, or by writing to The RBL Poppy Appeal, The RBL Village, Aylesford, Kent, ME20 7NX, requesting an “RAF Boy Entrants’ Association Wreath” and specifying the type required.

 

The cost for the “C” Class (Standard Poppy) is currently £18.50, with the “K” Class (Red, Whte & Blue Roundel) being £25.00. All prices include Postage & Packing and Members may also make an additional donation towards the “Poppy Appeal”. It is recommended that you enquire as to the preferred method of payment at the time of order.

 

The Boy Entrants’ “Book of Remembrance” is located within the Church of Christ the King, at RAF Cosford, where each day a page is turned. Anyone is welcome to visit, but please by prior arrangement as follows:

 

Contact: Lyn Allen at the Church Centre – Direct Line (01902) 377398, Mon-Fri.

 

If you experience difficulty, you can contact Dave Morgan, RAFBEA Museum & RAF Cosford Liaison Officer, whose telephone number appears on the Contacts Page.

 

8am to 4pm (answer facility at all other times).

There are no security requirements as the Church and Centre are located outside the perimeter of RAF Cosford.

Useful Information Page

 

Despite ever decreasing available personnel RAF Cosford continues to try andmeet the wishes of “Vets” by accepting as many “Trips Down Memory Lane” visit requests as possible. Not all requests can be accepted but the more notice given and the wider visit window you offer, the more chance you have of your request being accepted. If the Station Engagement Committee accepts a request, the office responsible for liaising and organising the visit is the Media & Communications (MCCO) Office. If you contact this office first, before writing to RAF Cosford, you will be given all the information, guidance and assistance necessary. The MCCO Office can be contacted on (01902) 377176.

 

RAF Cosford does not accept individual visits or anyone who “turns up” at the gate. However, if you wish to visit as an individual, or a very small party, you may well be able to join an already booked visit. Again, information on this can be obtained from the MCCO Office, who offer the following advice:

 

• Give as much notice as possible (6 months or more is quite usual).

• It is unwise to book accommodation before your request is accepted.

• Weekend and mid-week requests are very likely to be turned down.

    A Friday afternoon or during block leave periods are usually the most requested and most successful.

• Wives tend to find the visit boring. If attending suggest you consider David     Austin Roses or Iron Bridge Gorge Museums.

 

Remember, there have been many changes since you were a Boy Entrant, including trade titles and training techniques, so the more information you can give the better the chance of having a more “tailored” visit. Security is paramount so avoid the embarrassment of arriving with individuals whose names are not on the submitted list; they will have to wait outside the wire until your tour is completed. Also, on arrival, please avoid asking for itinerary changes and interupting any of the presentations by insisting it is wrong, because it’s different from the way you were taught.