On 13th December 2023 Wing Commander Martine Verhulst, Air Force Attaché at the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in London awarded John Monaghan the  "Thank you Liberators" medal.

John joined 166 Sqn at RAF Kirmington in Feb 1945 as a wireless operator on the Lancaster.

He flew on 18 operations from March to May and participated in several Operation Manna missions, and humanitarian food drops to relieve a famine in the German-occupied Netherlands.

This is a recording of that moving ceremony honouring John’s service held at the Avro Heritage Museum attended by his family, many friends, and the museum staff.

If you want to hear more about John’s service listen to our interview with him here. https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/e0lD4ivcvFb