Royal Observer Corps Association
  • Home
  • National Events
    • Remembrance 2022
    • National Reunion 2022
    • HM Queen Elizabeth II
    • Battle of Britain 2022
    • International Bomber Command Centre 2022
    • Seaborne Memorial 2022
    • RIAT 2022
    • Capel le Ferne 2022
    • Jubilee Beacons/Events 2022
    • REMEMBRANCE 2020
    • NATIONAL REUNION 2018
    • Alrewas 2018
    • Capel le Ferne 2017
    • Alrewas 2016
    • Capel le Ferne 2016
    • St Clement Danes April 2016
    • The Banner at St CLement Danes
    • Alrewas 2014
    • National Memorial Dedicated
    • Alrewas memorial stone
  • Local Events
  • National Heritage
    • ROC in pursuit!
    • Heritage Awards 2022
    • Special Constables
    • Bury War Room May 2022
    • Falklands remembered
    • Cosford 2022
    • Heritage Snippets
    • NAFD 2018 Llandudno
    • NAFD 2016 Cleethorpes
    • Armed forces Day 2014 Stirling
    • Bury St. Edmunds Ops room restoration
    • Bentley Priory Museum
    • Armed Forces Week 2013
    • Bentley Priory Tours 2012
  • National News
  • Current Group News
  • Organisation - National
    • Organisation - Groups
  • Links
  • Archive
    • Group News 2010-2021
    • 2014 A year to Remember
    • St Clement Danes April 2017
    • 31 Group Belfast Dedication of Group Standard
    • FAIRFORD 2015
    • Remembrance 2017
    • Banner at Cranwell
    • 2014 National Reunion
    • Stoke Golding 2016
    • Channel islands Liberation Parade 2014
    • Bentley Priory reborn Sept 2013
    • No. 1 Group Maidstone 2014 Parades
    • D-Day 70 Years on
    • ROCA President
    • Battle of Britain Services 2016
    • The Battle of Britain
    • National Arboretum Group trees
        In response to the invitation from the ROYAL AIR FORCES ASSOCIATION to participate in their CENTENARY SERVICE, celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the Formation of the ROYAL AIR FORCE,  our annual gathering at the National Memorial Arboretum this year was held on SUNDAY MAY 13th 2018
      
       Under a cloudless sky, with temperatures in the 20C's all attendees were duly seated by 10.30a.m. Dozens of RAFA Branch Standards formed up along footpaths surrounding the National Memorial's grassy mound. A Drum Head Ceremony signalled the start of the service with the laying of the RAFA National Standard together with the Union Jack.
      The ROCA National Standard was carried by Gordon Johnson of 8 Group Coventry accompanied by ROCA Group standards from 1 Group Maidstone (Jacqui Giles), 3 Group Oxford (Rosemary Ward), 7 Group Bedford (Mike Quincey), 12 Group Bristol (Chris Shire), 15 Group Lincoln (Bill Warwick), and 31 Group Belfast (Richard Scott).  
     
      The service was led by The Venerable (Air Vice Marshal) Jonathan P M Chaffey CB QHC BA MA RAF - Chaplain-in-Chief Royal Air Force, assisted by The Reverend (Wing Commander) Alastair Bissell - Station Chaplain RAF Shawbury.
   Readings were given by the President of the RAFA Air Marshal Sir Baz North KCB OBE MA FRAes and Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Hillier KCB CBE DFC ADC MA RAF Chief of the Air Staff.

      Wreaths were laid at the RAFA Grove and the procedings came to a close with a splendid multi-pass display by a Spitfire of he RAF Memorial Flight.

     The
usual gathering of ROCA members followed, after lunch, when the National and Group Standards.marched down the ROCA Grove between the Hawthorn trees. National Chairman John Sharpe and National Secretary Jenny Morris led the short Service of Remembrance with members assembled round the ROCA Memorial Headstone.

Photos supplied from Jenny Morris and David Peace

The official website of the Royal Observer Corps Association

Data Protection
Links to external sites
Email Website Editor