The Museum's conservation centre is named the Michael Beetham Conservation Centre in his honour. Beetham was also President of the Bomber Command Association. In 2005, Beetham took part in his second flypast over London, this time as part of the celebrations marking the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II. He joined the crew of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Lancaster bomber prior to its takeoff from Duxford. Beetham wrote the foreword to three books: Bombs Gone: Development and Use of British Air-dropped Weapons from 1912 to Present Day – Patrick Stephens Ltd (1990) In Cobhams' Company – Published by Cobham Plc (1994) The Strategic War Against Germany – Frank Cass Publishers (1998) In 2010 Beetham spent time working with the author Peter Jacobs on a biography entitled "Stay the Distance: The Life and Times of Marshal of the Royal Air Force Sir Michael Beetham". The book was published in February 2011. In retirement he lived in South Creake, near Fakenham in Norfolk. Beetham died on 24 October 2015, aged 92. The then Chief of the Air Staff, Sir Andrew Pulford, was to say of Beetham that he was "one of the greatest leaders the Royal Air Force has produced." Personal life In 1956 he married Patricia Elizabeth Lane; they have one son and one daughter. Lady Beetham died in January 2016. References Sources |- |- |- |- 1923 births 2015 deaths Marshals of the Royal Air Force Chiefs of the Air Staff (United Kingdom) Royal Air Force pilots of World War II British military personnel of the Aden Emergency Royal Air Force personnel of the Falklands War Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath Commanders of the Order of the British Empire Recipients of the Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom) Recipients of the Air Force Cross (United Kingdom) Recipients of the Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air Deputy Lieutenants of Norfolk People educated at St Marylebone Grammar School People from King's Lynn and West Norfolk (district) Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve personnel of World War II Military personnel from London