General News
 


John H Allison. Station RAFA Liaison Officer, Station Headquarters,
Royal Air Force Linton on Ouse. York YO30 2AJ
Tel/Ans: (H) 01904 761077. (M) 07762 333843
E Mail: johna.rafa@talktalk.net
Squadron Leader Lorraine Reynolds. OC PMS, Station Headquarters,
Royal Air Force Linton on Ouse. York. YO30 2AJ
Tel/Ans: 01347 847304
E Mail: LIN-SptOCPMS@lintononouse.raf.mod.uk

Joint Project Officers

The 70th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain Parade & Service. York.
Sunday 19th September 2010.

The highlight of this year, the 70th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain, in the second most important City in the United Kingdom - York, is being led by the Royal Air Force Linton on Ouse, and will take place on Sunday 19th September. The station are to exercise the Freedom of the City, and it is expected that along with flights of personnel from Linton on Ouse, there will also be a large contingent of Air Training Corps Cadets, their Squadron Banners, and a large flight of Veterans along with their Standard Bearers

After the recent success of the Battle of Britain Service & Parade, in September 2009, a civilian has joined forces with the RAF to assist in the organisation of what will be the best ever parade in the centre of this great City. The Station Commander from RAF Linton on Ouse, Group Captain Mike Longstaff OBE, will be one of many senior officers from the Royal Air Force, the Royal Air Forces Association, the British Army and Royal Navy who will be in York to witness the event. The Lord Mayor of York, his Deputy, also the Sheriff of York and Consort will take pride of place for this special occasion. The Parade, which will include many Veterans, not only from World War 2, but also from recent conflicts, will form up in Duncombe Place at 1030hrs. Flypasts by a Spitfire, and a diamond Nine of Tucano aircraft from RAF Linton on Ouse will take place, just prior to the parade marching off, taking a route through the centre of the City, and back to Duncombe Place for the salute, before dismissing to enter York Minster by the West Entrance

Standards from 72 and 207 Squadrons based at RAF Linton on Ouse, along with the York Branch RAF Association Standard, the Northern Area Standard of the RAF Association, accompanied by the Air Crew Association (White Rose Branch (York), the National Standard of the Royal Observer Corps, and the Banner of 110 (City of York) Air Training Corps Cadets, will be presented to the Altar, after the Air Training Corps Cadets Banners and Veterans Standards are paraded along the nave, and take up their posts on the outer edges of the congregation

During the Service, the Book of Remembrance will be ceremoniously marched along the nave by four RAF Officers, escorted by the Parade Commander, Station Warrant Officer Fred Dawson, and come to rest below the altar in preparation for the Turning of the Page Ceremony. The Book, containing over 18000 names of personnel from various parts of the world who flew with the Royal Air Force and were killed during the Second World War whilst flying from bases in Yorkshire, Durham and Northumberland, will be the centre of attention. In this special year, there will be three separate pages 'turned' in the Book of Remembrance, one by Veteran of World War Two and a member of York Branch RAF Association, Terry Clark BEM Ae, a second by an Officer of the Royal Air Force, and a third by a Senior Air Training Corps Cadet

The Battle of Britain is always a very important occasion, when we remember all those who gave their lives that we could live in peace. This Parade and Service is extra special, and is a 'one off' when everyone is encouraged to support what will be a fantastic day. Ex Servicemen from all the three Services are asked to come and join in the parade and Service. Many civilian associations such as the Fire Brigade and Police, plus the Ambulance Services are also welcome

Interested parties who wish to be involved with this special event and who would like further information should contact the Station RAFA Liaison Officer, details of which are shown at the heading of this information package.


A Pilots Prayer (Author Unknown)

My presence shall go with thee
Heavenly Father, as I ascend the clouds
Into the purer air of Thy Heavens.
Surround me with they presence.
uphold me with thy strength.

Protect me from the fiery darts
of those who would destroy me
and if it be thy will, give me a safe landing.
Should I fall as a bird from the blue,
grant that I may fall into the ever loving arms of thy love.

The original script belonged to 207 Squadron Navigator Jack Briggs, who's aircraft crashed near Holmpton, but he survived, and passed away on 12th September 2008. A memorial has been erected to the Crew of the Halifax at St Nicholas Church, Holmpton. I attended the Service of Remembrance and dedication at Holmpton on Saturday 7th November, with Officer's of 207 Squadron, RAF Linton on Ouse. It was a very moving ceremony, and in particular when meeting Jack Briggs son Russell, who has given permission to use the words in this way.

John Allison
Chairman York Branch RAF Association.


For those who do not receive the RAFA Air Mail, the following poem is taken from the October-December 2009 edition, and shown on a wreath laid at Bayeux British Cemetary during the D Day anniversary celebrations;

 

They ask us why we do it
Why we still parade
Now that we are getting older
And just a little frayed
It's not for the sake of glory
Or the medals on our chest
It's simply that we are comrades
Who stood the final test
On the 6th June, that fateful day
A day that we will never forget
Many a lad lay down his life
And paid the final debt
So when you see a veteran
Give the man your hand
For the medals on his chest
Were won in foreign lands
And when God asks the question
'"Who are you my man"
I will proudly answer
"Sir, I am a veteran"

Sponsored by

Yorkshire (Eastern) Region RAF Association

A Battle of Britain Service & Parade - Sunday 6th September 2009

Wow! What a Day! With around 450 on parade, a full Hangar, and a visit by the new Chief of the Air Staff Sir Stephen Dalton and the President of the RAF Association Air Marshal Philip Sturley amongst many other dignitaries which included the full Civic Party, the Deputy Lieutenant of North Yorkshire AirCdre William Gambold, and AVM Nigel Bairsto the RAFA Northern Area President.

Planning for the event began in August 2008, booking aircraft, a Band, and ensuring that the Air Training Corps were on board. Establishing contact with people was problematic, as I personally had not been 'hands on' with a Battle of Britain event since 2005, and contacts and people do change over a period of time. Once thing was certain, I had an ATC Project Officer on board, who relieved me of everything to do with the Parade element, all I needed to do was keep up with the Administration.


The reception marquee area where guests congregated prior to the VIP Buffet Lunch in the Elvington Room.


The Chief of the Air Staff had arrived by helicopter at spot on 1100hrs, to be met by the Museum Director Ian Reed and myself, and once changed he joined other senior guests at the RAFA Marquee where Tea and Coffee were being served.

By 12 noon, there were so many people inside the Yorkshire Air Museum, you could hardly move. On parade were 275 Cadets in three flights and their Officers, a group of RAF Personnel from Leconfield, and a fairly decent number of Veterans. There over 40 Standards and Banners on Parade too, what a sight to see.

The six 'main' Standards that took part were the RAFA National Standard, carried by Mike Facey, The ROC Association National Standard, the RAFA Northern Area Standard, The Yorkshire (Eastern) Region, and the RAF Police North Yorkshire Area Standards, and the ATC North Group Banner - all were escorted by Cadets from various squadrons.

A Guard of Honour by Air Training Cadets was formed whilst the Guests proceeded to the Buffet Lunch in the Elvington Room. The Museum did very well putting on such a spread for our guests. A Guard of Honour by ATC Cadets was formed whilst the Guests proceeded to Lunch in the Elvington Room, and shortly after Lunch the first Parade from the rear of the Museum to the T2 Hangar took place, and guests were moved from the Elvington Room to the Hangar, for the Commemoration Service. The Parade arrived at the Hangar and participants proceeded in to the Hangar, quickly followed by all the Standards. The backdrop of the Halifax Friday the 13th never ceases to draw, and this was no exception, to have the aircraft as the backdrop was magnificent. Once everyone was in place, a short welcome was made by the Museum Director, followed by further longer presentation given by myself. The Presentation of the Yorkshire (Eastern) Region Young Person of the Year Took place prior to the service, when the Chief of the Air Staff carried out the presentations of 3 Certificates and the new Trophy.

The Service was conducted by the Revd(SqnLdr) David Norfield, Station Padre RAF Linton on Ouse, music for the Service was provided by the York Railway Institute Band.


The Hurricane and Spitfire 'strutted their stuff' carrying out Four passes,
much to the delight of the large crowd that were present

After the Service, there was a short break until the forming up of the massive parade took place. The salute on this occasion was taken by the Chief of the Air Staff, and Air Marshal Sturley. The entire parade then formed up in a 'hollow square' formation around the Ensign Mast for the Sunset Ceremony. The York Railway Institute Band played Sunset, whilst we awaited aircraft from the Battle of Britain Flight. The Sunset was extended by a lone Piper (Jim Sharpe) playing from the top of the Control Tower.

The 60 strong Northern Group ATC Band were marched off, taking the salute of the Chief of the Air Staff, before the Parade was dismissed.

 

Before departing the Chief of the Air Staff, and Air Marshal Sturley spent some time talking to both Mr Reed, the Civic Party, the YER President, Mr Maurice Voase and myself, and expressed their delight at being present at such a well organised event.

John H Allison
Project Officer


SOMEONE ELSE

For any club it is not uncommon to have a shortage of members to see events through and the following might be of interest/use:

"We were saddened to learn of the death of one of the committee's most valuable members - Someone Else. His passing creates a vacancy that will be hard to fill since Someone Else had been with the Committee from the beginning and did far more than the normal share of the work.

Whenever there was a job to do, a helping hand needed or just an ear required the words on everybody's lips were "Someone Else will do it". Whenever there was need for volunteers everybody assumed that "Someone Else will volunteer".

Someone Else was a wonderful person, indeed sometimes appearing super-human. But a person can only do so much. And, were the truth known, everyone expected too much of Someone Else."

THINK ABOUT IT !!


RAFA House Flags are available from the Area HQ on loan for use at funerals when requested by the family. They must be returned to the Area Office as soon as possible after the funeral. There are one or two Branches who have their own Coffin Drape, again, it is up to the family of the deceased whether they wish to give permission for use of a drape.


Display Equipment - Please be advised that display equipment is available from both the Northern Area HQ, also for the Eastern side of the Pennines, John Allison (01904 761077 E Mail johna.rafa@tiscali.co.uk ) The present stock is being reviewed, with the possibility that the 4 x 3 mtr Marquee will no longer be available from York, and will be replaced by a 3 x 3 mtr unit, which is easier and more manageable. The York store will have 2 x 3 x 3 mtr Marquees, with RAFA livery, 2 x 'Pop Ups', 1 x High Table, 1 x Set of Marler Hayley Boards, Poster Boards, and there may be more added in early 2009.


Branch Websites

Having your own Branch Website can be a powerful tool, available 24/7, it serves to keep members up to date with forth coming events, news, contact details, reports on past events and much more.

The cost may not be as much as you think and could possibly be offset by advertising local businesses on your site.

RAFA York have negotiated a favourable rate to enable Branches to set up their own Websites with Sprocket Internet Services. Once the site is up and running, keeping it up to date couldn't be easier, simply send an email and the alterations will be carried out for you.

If you would like to know more please contact John Allison or directly to Ian at Sprocket Internet Services.


Please Note - The purpose of this site is to provide a portal of information for the Yorkshire (Eastern) Region of RAFA,
to it's members and other interested parties. It is not the intention of the webmaster to use any material that may
offend or be inaccurate, if you object to any of the content please contact me so that we may resolve the issue.

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