Dear All,
Yesterday, Remembrance Sunday, 11 November 2007, 44 members of the RAF Police Association, marched as Contingent C7 at the Cenotaph in London.
For the fifth year we were led by former Provost Marshal and President Air Cdre (Retd) Fizz Hales. The wreath from the Provost Marshal and serving RAF Police was carried by Alan Cook (1954-1957). The wreath from the RAF Police Association, was carried by Mr Tom Jackson (1937-1947). As ever, our Right Marker was Brian Burgess and our Left Marker (and TV identifier extraordinaire), was George Brookes.
Once again, the Provost Marshal kindly permitted Flight Sergeant Bill Veazey MBE to guide us both visually and verbally! For the first time, two former Kennel Maids joined us on parade. Bobbi Stennings assisted Julie de Candia (Candy) in her wheelchair.
You will recall at the march past at the National Memorial Arboretum on 23 June 2007, Aircraftwoman Joanne Board pushed 91 years old Mr John Dixon in his wheelchair. Sadly John died before he could join us at the Cenotaph. The Provost Marshal however, kindly decided that the now Corporal Joanne Board (QPD), could still attend the parade and assist with pushing Candy in her wheel chair. This she very proudly did, and we hope the sight of the very young RAF Police helping the now not so young, will be repeated on many future occasions.
The weather was a bit iffy on Horse Guards and Whitehall, but on the whole caused no problems. The salute was taken by the extraordinary HRH Prince Phillip, who at 86, stood at the salute for over an hour!! Alongside him was the President of the Royal British Legion, Air Marshal I D Macfadyen. FS Veazey made sure both HRH and the Air Marshal knew precisely who we were!
Approximately 70 of us, along with our wives, partners, children, grandchildren and friends gathered in the basement bar of the Silver Cross on Whitehall. There we enjoyed as usual a drink and the very good buffet at the amazing price of £5.00 per head.
The Association is grateful to the Provost Marshal, Group Captain Gary Horscroft, for allowing FS Veazey and Cpl Board to assist us at this annual national event. What a weekend for positive publicity with the RAF Police participation in the Lord Mayor's show on Saturday morning; the security duties and participation at the Royal Albert Hall on Saturday afternoon and again in the evening. Finally on Sunday at the Cenotaph, besides the two RAF Police with us, there was another taking part in one of the uniformed RAF Flights at the Cenotaph.
Congratulations to all concerned.
Please let us see reports from the parades at Edinburgh Castle, Southwick Park, the Arboretum and where individuals took part in parades.
Please send your photographs (with explanations) to Mitch O'Neill, the Griff Editor. Please also for those at the Cenotaph send me a copy.
Finally, please reserve Sunday 23 June 2008, in your diary. This will be the first Anniversary of the dedication of the RAF Police Memorial and just over 90 years after the RAF and RAF Police were formed. There will be some sort of commemoration at the Arboretum, details later from the Vice Chairman Brian Flinn.
Regards
John Walton
Chairman, RAF Police Association.
Yesterday, Remembrance Sunday, 11 November 2007, 44 members of the RAF Police Association, marched as Contingent C7 at the Cenotaph in London.
For the fifth year we were led by former Provost Marshal and President Air Cdre (Retd) Fizz Hales. The wreath from the Provost Marshal and serving RAF Police was carried by Alan Cook (1954-1957). The wreath from the RAF Police Association, was carried by Mr Tom Jackson (1937-1947). As ever, our Right Marker was Brian Burgess and our Left Marker (and TV identifier extraordinaire), was George Brookes.
Once again, the Provost Marshal kindly permitted Flight Sergeant Bill Veazey MBE to guide us both visually and verbally! For the first time, two former Kennel Maids joined us on parade. Bobbi Stennings assisted Julie de Candia (Candy) in her wheelchair.
You will recall at the march past at the National Memorial Arboretum on 23 June 2007, Aircraftwoman Joanne Board pushed 91 years old Mr John Dixon in his wheelchair. Sadly John died before he could join us at the Cenotaph. The Provost Marshal however, kindly decided that the now Corporal Joanne Board (QPD), could still attend the parade and assist with pushing Candy in her wheel chair. This she very proudly did, and we hope the sight of the very young RAF Police helping the now not so young, will be repeated on many future occasions.
The weather was a bit iffy on Horse Guards and Whitehall, but on the whole caused no problems. The salute was taken by the extraordinary HRH Prince Phillip, who at 86, stood at the salute for over an hour!! Alongside him was the President of the Royal British Legion, Air Marshal I D Macfadyen. FS Veazey made sure both HRH and the Air Marshal knew precisely who we were!
Approximately 70 of us, along with our wives, partners, children, grandchildren and friends gathered in the basement bar of the Silver Cross on Whitehall. There we enjoyed as usual a drink and the very good buffet at the amazing price of £5.00 per head.
The Association is grateful to the Provost Marshal, Group Captain Gary Horscroft, for allowing FS Veazey and Cpl Board to assist us at this annual national event. What a weekend for positive publicity with the RAF Police participation in the Lord Mayor's show on Saturday morning; the security duties and participation at the Royal Albert Hall on Saturday afternoon and again in the evening. Finally on Sunday at the Cenotaph, besides the two RAF Police with us, there was another taking part in one of the uniformed RAF Flights at the Cenotaph.
Congratulations to all concerned.
Please let us see reports from the parades at Edinburgh Castle, Southwick Park, the Arboretum and where individuals took part in parades.
Please send your photographs (with explanations) to Mitch O'Neill, the Griff Editor. Please also for those at the Cenotaph send me a copy.
Finally, please reserve Sunday 23 June 2008, in your diary. This will be the first Anniversary of the dedication of the RAF Police Memorial and just over 90 years after the RAF and RAF Police were formed. There will be some sort of commemoration at the Arboretum, details later from the Vice Chairman Brian Flinn.
Regards
John Walton
Chairman, RAF Police Association.
