The Naval Eight / 208 Squadron Association had been formed by Geoffrey Bromet in 1919 and had run in parallel with the Squadron throughout its history, meeting for a reunion dinner every year since then, apart from the years of the Second World War. The President promised that the Association would continue with that tradition, perpetuating the spirit and ethos of the Squadron, for as long as surviving members remained.
The President then recounted the tale of how the Sir Geoffrey Brome
t Memorial Trophy had been created, and of his engagements with the Association as Buccaneer flight commander in the mid-1970s, particularly his honour at meeting Sir Geoffrey Bromet himself. In his tenure as President, he had been determined that the Association would met at reunions in the various ‘Chapters’ associated with the Squadron’s aircraft types throughout history, and that the historical presentations to those reunions would concentrate on the life, spirit and ethos of the Squadron at that particular time. Beginning with Ken Pugh of the Spitfire era, these had continued for 11 years through the Meteor, Hunter and Buccaneer chapters until the final Hawk presentation in 2015. By recounting these stories, the Association had remembered, and helped to maintain, the enduring spirit of the Squadron.
And so, the President came to a close on the Squadron’s 100-year history. It had begun as Naval Eight in 1916, and what better a potential future could there be for the Joint Strike Fighter OCU, than to be named as ‘Naval Eight / 208 Squadron’. He urged everyone to spread the word!
Regardless of the future, the President assured all present that the Naval Eight / 208 Squadron Association would continue to nurture the spirit and ethos of the Squadron, and he warmly invited everyone to attend the 100th Anniversary Dinner at the RAF Club on Saturday 22 October 2016.
He concluded by quoting one of the Squadron ‘Aces’ from WWI, who had eloquently captured the essence of that spirit:
‘No idea can be successfully given of the affectionate mutual regard and esteem which gave the Squadron its spirit, and which made us all, officers and men, anxious to do our best for fear of failing each other.’
Stay Forever Vigilant!
