Watch this Imperial War Museum video of the role of the Observer Corps during the Battle of Britain
Battle of Britain – Medway Town
On Battle of Britain Sunday, 18th September, we attended the Service at St Barbara’s Garrison Church, Chatham with the Medway Towns Air Cadet Squadrons. It was a much reduced and changed event due to circumstances. It had been cancelled, reinstated and instructions amended such that there was no bands and no Cadet Banners. Three Veterans Standards gave colour and the service a more formal occasion.
Led by Medway Towns RAFA followed by Jacqui Giles, No 1 Group ROCA and RBL Gillingham. The Last Post and Reveille were sounded, note perfectly by a Salvation Army Bandsman. There was no Reception hence a limited chance to talk to the Mayor, Jan Aldous, and other dignitaries about the role and contribution of the Observer Corps and our Royal title.
Next year we may return to normal but this year has been overshadowed by the death of HM Queen Elizabeth who was to be laid to rest the following day. We traveled home with the thought that we had completed our final duty to Her Majesty, our Sovereign and Patron.
Terry Giles
Led by Medway Towns RAFA followed by Jacqui Giles, No 1 Group ROCA and RBL Gillingham. The Last Post and Reveille were sounded, note perfectly by a Salvation Army Bandsman. There was no Reception hence a limited chance to talk to the Mayor, Jan Aldous, and other dignitaries about the role and contribution of the Observer Corps and our Royal title.
Next year we may return to normal but this year has been overshadowed by the death of HM Queen Elizabeth who was to be laid to rest the following day. We traveled home with the thought that we had completed our final duty to Her Majesty, our Sovereign and Patron.
Terry Giles
Battle of Britain Day at the Memorial
15th September was a warm sunny day with only a gentle breeze at the memorial site at Capel le Ferne. It was planned as a short simple service with just two Standards present, the No 1 Group ROCA carried by Jacqui Giles and the RAFA Dover Branch, with me as the Standards Marshall. Circumstances with the death of HM Queen Elizabeth changed the atmosphere as not only was there a larger turnout of local people but also they came from a much wider area. They all sought a focal point to display their affection and loyalty with a wider group of people and share in the poignant moments of a remembrance event. The presence of the BBC News South East Team and Radio Kent Teams indicated much was expected. Before we even started I was interviewed on air by Radio Kent.
The opportunity to share the history of the ROC in Kent was taken with details of the trials based on Cranbrook to the OC Centre in Maidstone, the County Town. How the efforts of the Corps during the Battle of Britain led to the Royal title being granted were shared, their raison d'être in the story of the RAF’s Finest Hour. Jacqui and I were inundated with questions including from couples from the US and the Netherlands who looked across the Channel to France and could clearly see what a close thing it was in 1940. We could have done with some more ROCA members present to deal with the questions from the public and they too could have had their photographs taken.
The Service went according to plan as laid out in the service sheet and the crowd were delighted to see a Spitfire fly past before and after the service. BBC News filmed throughout and their reporter Chrissie Riedy wanted to speak to me once it was known that I had met and spoken to Her Majesty at the Royal Review of the ROC in 1991. The busy period meant that have we have no photographs of the proceedings. Jacqui did take one of me with Chrissie Riedy from BBC News in front of the wall. We then had to get home and find a couple of photographs from the Royal Review and send them to the BBC as Chrissie wanted to include them in her piece that evening which I hope some No1 Group members saw.
What was anticipated as a laid-back event turned into a very busy few hours with the relaxation coming from the sounds of the Merlin engines and the crowds facing sky wards. We certainly were not forewarned or forearmed for such a busy but enjoyable day.
Jacqui & Terry Giles
The opportunity to share the history of the ROC in Kent was taken with details of the trials based on Cranbrook to the OC Centre in Maidstone, the County Town. How the efforts of the Corps during the Battle of Britain led to the Royal title being granted were shared, their raison d'être in the story of the RAF’s Finest Hour. Jacqui and I were inundated with questions including from couples from the US and the Netherlands who looked across the Channel to France and could clearly see what a close thing it was in 1940. We could have done with some more ROCA members present to deal with the questions from the public and they too could have had their photographs taken.
The Service went according to plan as laid out in the service sheet and the crowd were delighted to see a Spitfire fly past before and after the service. BBC News filmed throughout and their reporter Chrissie Riedy wanted to speak to me once it was known that I had met and spoken to Her Majesty at the Royal Review of the ROC in 1991. The busy period meant that have we have no photographs of the proceedings. Jacqui did take one of me with Chrissie Riedy from BBC News in front of the wall. We then had to get home and find a couple of photographs from the Royal Review and send them to the BBC as Chrissie wanted to include them in her piece that evening which I hope some No1 Group members saw.
What was anticipated as a laid-back event turned into a very busy few hours with the relaxation coming from the sounds of the Merlin engines and the crowds facing sky wards. We certainly were not forewarned or forearmed for such a busy but enjoyable day.
Jacqui & Terry Giles
Headcorn Battle of Britain Memorial Service
Headcorn Branch RAFA once again invited the Royal Observer Corps Association to join them for their Annual Act of Remembrance at St Michaels and All Angels Church followed by a Service in the Memorial Garden. This year there were additional challenges as the Council decided to do road repairs along the narrow road leading to the Church hence a rather circuitous route around the lanes to get there. When we arrived there was the news that the BBMF had left the Bournemouth Air Show the evening before due to the threat of thunderstorms. The promised Hurricane with its wooden propellor and fabric covering was too much at risk and was now back at RAF Coningsby. A pity as it was a glorious sunny Sunday for the two services. It was, as ever, a very unforgettable and emotive occasion. The research by the Reverend Fiona Hackett led to some further pieces of information on the background of Pilot Officer Robert Shaw that led to his death in the orchard at Parkhouse Farm. Read the full story - Link here.
The Mayor of Maidstone, Cllr Derek Mortimer, attended. He had heard about the event and he wasn’t disappointed on the day. Last year’s Mayor also came as she had been amazed at the story behind the service and the Memorial Garden. Jacqui and I (as Standard Bearer and Wreath Layer) attended to represent the Observer Corps to remember those who earned our title Royal by their efforts during the Battle of Britain. For those of us who followed in their footsteps it is our duty to reflect at every opportunity on the stresses and strains at that point in our nation’s history and remember their service.
The afternoon ended in the nearby School Hall where the warm hospitality and the pleasure of the company of RAFA members over tea, that was much appreciated
Terry Giles
The Mayor of Maidstone, Cllr Derek Mortimer, attended. He had heard about the event and he wasn’t disappointed on the day. Last year’s Mayor also came as she had been amazed at the story behind the service and the Memorial Garden. Jacqui and I (as Standard Bearer and Wreath Layer) attended to represent the Observer Corps to remember those who earned our title Royal by their efforts during the Battle of Britain. For those of us who followed in their footsteps it is our duty to reflect at every opportunity on the stresses and strains at that point in our nation’s history and remember their service.
The afternoon ended in the nearby School Hall where the warm hospitality and the pleasure of the company of RAFA members over tea, that was much appreciated
Terry Giles