All Saints Church - Eglantine Lisburn, Saturday 4th. October 2014
For many months previously, there had been a flurry of activity in Belfast, as the 31 Group Committee planned the design, procurement and Dedication of their new Group Standard. Meticulous planning was needed to ensure that they got it right on the day, and so it proved to be. Even the weather was good as the sun shone brightly.
Having heard the news of the Service, four members of the National Committee - Jenny Morris Secretary, Edwina Holden Heritage Officer, Michael Marks Website Editor and John Shere Heritage Team - all asked if they could come over, and were welcomed most warmly on arrival in Belfast. An enjoyable tour of the city, courtesy of Roy Coulter, was followed by a visit to the Ulster Aviation Society Collection at Long Kesh airfield. The ROC exhibits there are a sight to be seen. Spread out in three rooms they vividly tell the story of the development of the Nuclear reporting role, of the Corps, and invoked many memories of the days when we served together.
The aircraft exhibits too are quite splendid, many of which reflect on some aspect of their Belfast connections, such as Short Brothers, who designed and manufactured several different types of aircraft. Pre war types included the Stirling Bomber and the Sunderland Flying Boat. Post War production included the Skyvan, Canberra, Britannia, and the Tucano Trainer.
The Dedication Service was held at All Saints Church in Eglantine, where we were able to see the Airmen's Memorial Window presented by 31 Group back in September 1990. The old Group Standard was duly marched on for laying up, carried by Group Standard Bearer Paddy Malone. The new standard - as yet unfurled - entered the church carried by Brian Fitzsimons to be received at the Altar by the Rev Canon Tim Close - Rector. Escorts were Richard Scott and Cyril Leathers.
The service was enjoyed by a packed congregation among which was Warrant Officer Graham Spark MBE RAF representing the CO of Joint Helicopter Force at Aldergrove. Afterwards we gathered for several group photographs before departing to the Reception and meal laid on in the church hall. After the meal, National Heritage Officer Edwina Holden MBE presented Group secretary Paddy Malone with the award of the "John Simmonds Trophy" for his outstanding contribution to the Heritage of the Royal Observer Corps in Northern Ireland.
On Sunday morning our Hosts had laid on a visit, for their visitors from England, to see the splendidly restored ROC Monitoring Post at Portadown. A great credit to Alistair McCann for his four years of restoration work that has culminated in what is one of the best restored ROC Posts in the UK. Fully equipped, with simulated Warning message from the WB1400, and a working Teletalk too, it gives the uninitiated visitors a real insight of an operational ROC Underground Post.
Our final 'Thank you' goes to Alistair McCann who kindly took us back to the airport in good time to catch our flight home.
Photo Gallery:- Pictures by Jenny Morris and Mick Marks For larger image click on photo. Scroll left or right to see others.
For many months previously, there had been a flurry of activity in Belfast, as the 31 Group Committee planned the design, procurement and Dedication of their new Group Standard. Meticulous planning was needed to ensure that they got it right on the day, and so it proved to be. Even the weather was good as the sun shone brightly.
Having heard the news of the Service, four members of the National Committee - Jenny Morris Secretary, Edwina Holden Heritage Officer, Michael Marks Website Editor and John Shere Heritage Team - all asked if they could come over, and were welcomed most warmly on arrival in Belfast. An enjoyable tour of the city, courtesy of Roy Coulter, was followed by a visit to the Ulster Aviation Society Collection at Long Kesh airfield. The ROC exhibits there are a sight to be seen. Spread out in three rooms they vividly tell the story of the development of the Nuclear reporting role, of the Corps, and invoked many memories of the days when we served together.
The aircraft exhibits too are quite splendid, many of which reflect on some aspect of their Belfast connections, such as Short Brothers, who designed and manufactured several different types of aircraft. Pre war types included the Stirling Bomber and the Sunderland Flying Boat. Post War production included the Skyvan, Canberra, Britannia, and the Tucano Trainer.
The Dedication Service was held at All Saints Church in Eglantine, where we were able to see the Airmen's Memorial Window presented by 31 Group back in September 1990. The old Group Standard was duly marched on for laying up, carried by Group Standard Bearer Paddy Malone. The new standard - as yet unfurled - entered the church carried by Brian Fitzsimons to be received at the Altar by the Rev Canon Tim Close - Rector. Escorts were Richard Scott and Cyril Leathers.
The service was enjoyed by a packed congregation among which was Warrant Officer Graham Spark MBE RAF representing the CO of Joint Helicopter Force at Aldergrove. Afterwards we gathered for several group photographs before departing to the Reception and meal laid on in the church hall. After the meal, National Heritage Officer Edwina Holden MBE presented Group secretary Paddy Malone with the award of the "John Simmonds Trophy" for his outstanding contribution to the Heritage of the Royal Observer Corps in Northern Ireland.
On Sunday morning our Hosts had laid on a visit, for their visitors from England, to see the splendidly restored ROC Monitoring Post at Portadown. A great credit to Alistair McCann for his four years of restoration work that has culminated in what is one of the best restored ROC Posts in the UK. Fully equipped, with simulated Warning message from the WB1400, and a working Teletalk too, it gives the uninitiated visitors a real insight of an operational ROC Underground Post.
Our final 'Thank you' goes to Alistair McCann who kindly took us back to the airport in good time to catch our flight home.
Photo Gallery:- Pictures by Jenny Morris and Mick Marks For larger image click on photo. Scroll left or right to see others.
