KEY EVENTS
50th Anniversary Parade
In 1966 a very special event took place : Naval 8 / 208 Squadron's 50th birthday attended by AVM Sir Geoffrey Bromet, the squadron's first CO, accompanied by his wife Dame Jean(nee Conan Doyle) Bromet and many
other distinguished names, including the Squadron's second CO, the legendary Major Chris Draper of flying-under-the-London-Bridges fame! Here the Standard Party [19], the Standard Bearer Fg Off Bob Partridge, unusually for him, shell shocked by the occasion – somewhat removed from his accustomed, singlies, carefree social life. There was an immaculate diamond nine flypast but the picture was very faded. Afterwards, Sir Geoffrey inspected the Squadron [20]. This is Dame Jean signing the Visitors Book in the Officers Mess at the subsequent Guest Night and Birthday Party [21]. Here also, is a very rare photograph of the entire Squadron the morning after the parade. Seated in the centre are Christopher Draper; the Squadron Commander (Tony Chaplin); and Sir Geoffrey Bromet [21a].