Veterans Celebrate The 90th Anniversary Of The RAF

Posted on: Apr. 1st, 2008 || Source: Royal Air Force (UK) | E-mail Article | Print Article

Veterans Celebrate The 90th Anniversary Of The RAF

A Chinook helicopter from RAF Odiham landed at the RAF Museum in North London yesterday to deliver badges for dozens of veterans on the eve of the RAF’s 90th anniversary.

The Chinook – which flew from its home in Wiltshire – landed outside the museum where the badges were handed to MOD Veterans Minister Derek Twigg and Commander-in Chief Air Command, Air Chief Marshal Sir Clive Loader, for the presentation.

Among the recipients was retired Sqn Ldr Ian Blair, also 90, who trained as a gunner when he joined the RAF in 1934 at the age of 16 and flew in Blenheim bombers over Egypt before going on to earn his wings and flying Spitfires. He said: “It was fantastic to be given a Veterans badge from the Minister and shows the nation has not forgotten the sacrifice so many soldiers, airmen and sailors made, especially during the Second World War, but also since. And it was great to see some of the old aircraft I use to work on preserved so well here at the RAF Museum.”

Said Derek Twigg: "The RAF has an esteemed history and it gives me great pleasure to celebrate the 90th anniversary by honouring some of those who have served with such distinction. The RAF has been at the centre of military achievements within recent and ongoing operations as well as the wartime campaigns such as those undertaken by Fighter, Bomber and Coastal Command during the Second World War.

"We owe a great deal to our veterans, not only for their courage and commitment in Service, but also for the contributions they continue to make through the skills they bring to their communities. This is why we established the Veterans Badge in 2004. It has proved enormously popular, with over 560,000 badges issued to date. I am sure everyone who receives their badge today will wear it with pride."

Among the badge recipients was 45-year-old Andrew Raggett, from London. Andrew served in the RAF for 7 years from 1979, following in the footsteps of both his father and grandfather. He now works as a resource co-ordinator for the London Ambulance Service.

Andrew said: "I am delighted to receive my Veterans Badge. I think it is a fantastic idea and a great way to show that I am proud to have served in the Armed Forces. I have good memories of my time in the RAF and the skills I learned have certainly helped later in life. I am really pleased to be part of the RAF's anniversary, like the other Armed Forces it has a proud history and one that I am delighted to be part of."

The RAF celebrates its 90th anniversary today. To mark the occasion, the Red Arrows will at one o'clock fly in formation along the Thames for the first time with 4 Typhoon aircraft. Many other events have been planned throughout 2008 to mark the anniversary.

As well as today’s formation flypast, the Royal Air Force will celebrate its heritage throughout 2008 and a number of key events will be held, including a dinner at the Royal Air Force Museum and the presentation of both the Royal Air Force and Royal Air Force Regiment Colours in July at the Royal International Air Tattoo. The Battle of Britain weekend in September provides an ideal opportunity to celebrate the contribution that RAF personnel have made to the defence and security of the Nation across the 90 years of its existence and show that the ethos remains as strong today as it was in 1918.

The home of the RAF Museum is on the site of the former Hendon Aerodrome where RAF pilots in those fledgling years learned to fly and thrill spectators with aerobatic displays. The museum occupies some of the original hangars but much of the rest of the site gave way to the Metropolitan Police Training School and residential development.

The HM Armed Forces Veterans Badge is available to all those who have served in the Armed Forces and can be obtained from the Service Personnel and Veterans Agency.
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