Centenary Celebrations 15

…... for their long-standing commitment and support, without which 208(R) Squadron could not have achieved everything that it had done.


Sadly, despite the Squadron having closed twice before in its history, refusing to go quietly and being brought back into service, it would finally disband on Sunday 22 May 2016 when the Squadron Standard would be Laid Up in Royal Air Force St Clement Danes.


It was time for Wing Commander Kidd to close, but it would have been remiss of him not to comment on the Centenary Celebrations. Everyone agreed that the events of the day had been a very fitting anniversary celebration and send off for a Squadron that had achieved so much in its 99½ years, by so many people in so many different roles. However, all of this had not happened by itself. The organization of the day began back in June 2015 and had been a Herculean effort by all involved to provide not only the day’s events, but the beer, the glasses, the watches, the prints, the photos and so on. The whole anniversary had been masterminded and executed by a very small team and everyone agreed that they had done an absolutely outstanding job.


Wing Commander Kidd personally thanked Squadron Leader Skids Harrison and his team, Flight Lieutenant Paddy Kershaw, Flight Lieutenant Kev Brown, Flying Officer Mike Jones, Flying Officer Lewis Travers and Sergeant Clare Loughran for all their exceptional work over the previous 9 months. Without their dedication and commitment, none of this would have been possible.


On a personal note, Wing Commander Kidd noted that this had been, without doubt, the hardest tour he had served in the RAF, but it had also been without doubt the most rewarding and, for all her efforts and support to both him and 208(R) Squadron, he sincerely thanked his long-suffering wife Elise.


All that remained was for him to ask everyone to be upstanding for one final toast:



“To 208(R) Squadron: gone but not forgotten.”



Centenary Celebrations Page 1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10  11  12  13  14  15  16

…... Continued

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