31 Group - Commemoration of the 85th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain
On Friday 5th September 2025, by the kind invitation of The Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly, Mr Edwin Poots, 31 Group’s Paddy Malone, Tracey Malcolm and Alistair McCann attended Parliament Buildings, Stormont to commemorate the 85th anniversary of the Battle of Britain as guests of our friends at 502 Squadron, RAF Aldergrove.
We had been “forewarned” that a very distinguished “local” man would be in attendance, the new Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Harvey Smyth CB, OBE, DFC, ADC.
After being ushered to the seats at the front, the Speaker welcomed the small group of guests, who included representatives of the Irish Air Corps, the US Airforce and NATO along with the Lord Lieutenant of Co. Antrim and high ranking RAF Officers, the Air Marshall of Northern Ireland, Sean Reynolds CB, CBE, DFC introduced the CAS, who regaled us with wonderful stories before singing the praises of the Ulster Aviation Society of which he is the extremely proud Patron.
We then moved to the steps outside the front of the building where the almighty Battle of Britain Memorial Flight’s Lancaster flew straight up the avenue and overhead, before turning around and coming back again. When we thought the fly past was over, we were delighted to see that incredible aircraft turn again, straighten, then “wing wave” as it roared overhead again.
As everyone went back inside for a drinks reception, we were asked to stay as Wing Commander Rankin knew we had a gift to present and introduced us. Al stepped forward with pride, explaining the significance of the picture – the print is of the Observer Corps spitfire, which co-incidentally is the “gate guardian” outside his office at RAF High Wycombe. The same print flew in the Lancaster over Bentley Priory in 1991 on presentation of the new banner. That same Lancaster that had just flown over us at Stormont. 1991 was the year the CAS joined the RAF, having grown up and went to school in Northern Ireland. The print was presented by a man who went to the same school, which led to stories of chemistry classes and teachers.
To say the CAS was taken aback and moved is an understatement. As were his adjutants and others from RAF Aldergrove present. He kept saying to Al “how did you get this” and “this is amazing” . Al laughed and commented he hoped he could find a space on a wall somewhere for it - the response? “It’s going up in my office where I can look at it every day”
Congratulations on your appointment Sir, we’re proud to call you a friend of 31 Group.
Tracey Malcolm
31 Group
Click on images for full size
We had been “forewarned” that a very distinguished “local” man would be in attendance, the new Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Harvey Smyth CB, OBE, DFC, ADC.
After being ushered to the seats at the front, the Speaker welcomed the small group of guests, who included representatives of the Irish Air Corps, the US Airforce and NATO along with the Lord Lieutenant of Co. Antrim and high ranking RAF Officers, the Air Marshall of Northern Ireland, Sean Reynolds CB, CBE, DFC introduced the CAS, who regaled us with wonderful stories before singing the praises of the Ulster Aviation Society of which he is the extremely proud Patron.
We then moved to the steps outside the front of the building where the almighty Battle of Britain Memorial Flight’s Lancaster flew straight up the avenue and overhead, before turning around and coming back again. When we thought the fly past was over, we were delighted to see that incredible aircraft turn again, straighten, then “wing wave” as it roared overhead again.
As everyone went back inside for a drinks reception, we were asked to stay as Wing Commander Rankin knew we had a gift to present and introduced us. Al stepped forward with pride, explaining the significance of the picture – the print is of the Observer Corps spitfire, which co-incidentally is the “gate guardian” outside his office at RAF High Wycombe. The same print flew in the Lancaster over Bentley Priory in 1991 on presentation of the new banner. That same Lancaster that had just flown over us at Stormont. 1991 was the year the CAS joined the RAF, having grown up and went to school in Northern Ireland. The print was presented by a man who went to the same school, which led to stories of chemistry classes and teachers.
To say the CAS was taken aback and moved is an understatement. As were his adjutants and others from RAF Aldergrove present. He kept saying to Al “how did you get this” and “this is amazing” . Al laughed and commented he hoped he could find a space on a wall somewhere for it - the response? “It’s going up in my office where I can look at it every day”
Congratulations on your appointment Sir, we’re proud to call you a friend of 31 Group.
Tracey Malcolm
31 Group
Click on images for full size
