Former RAF flight engineers Messrs Williamson and Cammish missed the New Zealand Government-sponsored trip because it was open only to RNZAF members of Bomber Command.
It cut no ice that because the RNZAF did not train flight engineers, RAF members were supplied to Kiwi bomber crews in the heavy Stirling and Lancaster aircraft.
"I was a bit browned off when I was told," said Mr Cammish. "We've been Kiwis for 50 years and I thought they could find room for half a dozen Poms in that big Air Force 757.
"But I thought, I'm 89 and have trouble sitting in a chair for some time let alone sitting in an aircraft for many hours."
Mr Williamson joined the RAF as a 19-year-old from Edinburgh and was posted to 75 (NZ) Squadron for 32 missions over Germany. In 1974 he moved to New Zealand and over the years all the three New Zealanders in his crew passed away.
"I had hoped to represent them at the memorial but I'd rather be here."
Another Aucklander, Harry Furner, an air gunner who lost an eye three days before he turned 20, said he would pay his way to London in August to see the memorial.
Representatives of the British Ministry of Defence and British High Commission invited the men to the Whenuapai reception after the British Government refused requests for trip assistance to Commonwealth residents.