Centenary Celebrations 16

Wing Commander Kidd took his seat to a standing ovation from all assembled who, when the applause had died down, stood in reverent silence whilst Flight Lieutenant Brown marched out the Squadron Standard for the very last time.

Entertained on the way out by Mr Vice, the guests then repaired to the Bar for post-Dinner celebrations which, in the finest tradition of the Squadron, continued into the small hours. The continuing rain could not dampen the spirit of the graduating officers, the fireworks, or the impressive bonfire (or was it really a piano……?).

And so ended a most fitting celebration of 100 years of Naval Eight / 208 Squadron. Many toasts were drunk, and many famous quotations recounted. But, perhaps the most fitting words to mark the passing of our most famous Unit were coined in 1918:

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“There never was anything like No. 8 Naval,

and there can never be anything quite like it again.

It exists no more as an actual unit,

but I hear its soul goes marching on.

All good luck to it!”