Royal Air Force Commemorative Service at St Clement Danes - April 2024
ROCA Representatives with the National and Group Standard attend the Annual Royal Air Force Formation Commemorative Service St Clement Danes Church
The 106th Service to Commemorate the Formation of the Royal Air Force was held at St Clement Danes Church on a bright and sunny morning of 14th April 2024.
The theme of the service was volunteering and marked the 100th anniversary of the formation by Lord Trenchard in 1924 of the Auxiliary Air Force. Granted Royal status by King George V1 in 1947, some ROCA members who served in the ROC subsequently joined the Royal Auxiliary Air Force to continue their voluntary service after Stand down.
Prior to the service Alan Lawley and I joined by Terry Giles were able to enjoy the smartly turned-out Standards formed up outside that included our National Standard carried by Rosemary Ward 3 Group and Jacqui Giles with 1 Group Standard. In the presence of The Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton the service was conducted by the Resident Chaplain the Reverend Mark Perry. There was an opportunity for me to meet Mark at the Reception that followed the service in the Royal Courts. I look forward to working with him to help us plan our Commemoration Service in 2025.
At the Reception we were drawn to the unusual medal worn by one of the Veterans. Tim told us about his seconded service to the Australian Air Force in the 1960s when he was an RAF transport pilot. The rare medal was awarded to him for his deployment to provide transport support in the Vietnam War. Evacuating the wounded and dropping supplies. The medal ribbon has three red stripes on a yellow centre. The ribbon also has a blue stripe to represent the Navy, a red stripe for the Army and a light blue stripe for the Air Force. The ribbon also has a brown stripe for the colour of the earth and waterways of Vietnam.
The Church service was very moving and especially relevant today in these uncertain times. Next year I hope more of you will be able to attend to enjoy the wonderful ambience of the Church and to pay tribute to our RAF and RAFA family, that we are proud to commemorate and remember our part in its history.
Jenny Morris
National Secretary
(Click on images below for full size version)
The 106th Service to Commemorate the Formation of the Royal Air Force was held at St Clement Danes Church on a bright and sunny morning of 14th April 2024.
The theme of the service was volunteering and marked the 100th anniversary of the formation by Lord Trenchard in 1924 of the Auxiliary Air Force. Granted Royal status by King George V1 in 1947, some ROCA members who served in the ROC subsequently joined the Royal Auxiliary Air Force to continue their voluntary service after Stand down.
Prior to the service Alan Lawley and I joined by Terry Giles were able to enjoy the smartly turned-out Standards formed up outside that included our National Standard carried by Rosemary Ward 3 Group and Jacqui Giles with 1 Group Standard. In the presence of The Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton the service was conducted by the Resident Chaplain the Reverend Mark Perry. There was an opportunity for me to meet Mark at the Reception that followed the service in the Royal Courts. I look forward to working with him to help us plan our Commemoration Service in 2025.
At the Reception we were drawn to the unusual medal worn by one of the Veterans. Tim told us about his seconded service to the Australian Air Force in the 1960s when he was an RAF transport pilot. The rare medal was awarded to him for his deployment to provide transport support in the Vietnam War. Evacuating the wounded and dropping supplies. The medal ribbon has three red stripes on a yellow centre. The ribbon also has a blue stripe to represent the Navy, a red stripe for the Army and a light blue stripe for the Air Force. The ribbon also has a brown stripe for the colour of the earth and waterways of Vietnam.
The Church service was very moving and especially relevant today in these uncertain times. Next year I hope more of you will be able to attend to enjoy the wonderful ambience of the Church and to pay tribute to our RAF and RAFA family, that we are proud to commemorate and remember our part in its history.
Jenny Morris
National Secretary
(Click on images below for full size version)
