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RAF REGIMENT ASSOCIATION AUTUMN AGM AND REUNION 2009
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The RAF Regiment Association AGM will be held at the Autumn Reunion at the Britannia Hotel, Coventry, Warwickshire from Friday 2nd - Monday 5th October 2009. The cost will be £139.00 pp for three nights half-board and all accommodation is en-suite. This includes full English breakfasts and evening dinner. There will be evening entertainment nightly and a Gala Dinner in the Connaught Suite on the Saturday evening. Reunion bar prices all weekend. Arrive on the Friday evening 15.00 - 16.00 hours. All the en-suite accommodation has colour TV and tea and coffee making facilities. All rooms are accessible by lift. The AGM will be held at 10.45 hours on the Saturday morning. A coach trip to Stratford on Avon and Warwick will be included for those not attending the AGM. At 10.00 hours on the Sunday morning, a Muster Parade that will include an Act of Remembrance will be held outside Coventry Cathedral which is right next door to the hotel. At 11.00 hours, there will be an optional coach trip at £4.00 pp to the the National Memorial Arboretum at Alrewas, Staffordshire, where the RAF Regiment Memorial Garden can be seen.
The Coventry Transport Museum is just a few hundred yards away and with free admission, this is also well worth a visit as it is a superb museum and displays the world's largest collection of British road transport. And in the simulator of Thrust 2 and Thrust SSC - a truly supersonic car, you are able to experience for yourself what it is like to travel faster than the speed of sound. And it’s all free, the museum and the simulator.
Depart after breakfast on the Monday morning. All Association members are invited and any Corps members wishing to attend would be warmly welcomed. We are also pleased to announce that for the first time, the RAF Regiment Warrant Officers and Non-Commissioned Officers Association will be joining us this year and we look forward to welcoming them.
To obtain a Booking Form contact Frank Xavier on 07974 981619
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Find the RAF Regiment Association Branch Closest to You
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Join The RAF Regiment Association
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In Memory of Those Who Have Left Us
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Keep Up To Date With RAF Regiment Events
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RAF Regiment Commemorative Painting - 'THE BATTLE OF AL WAKI - 2007'
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RAF Regiment Commemorative Painting - 'THE BATTLE OF AL WAKI - 2007'
AL WAKI PRINTS
On 7 Aug 07, a Patrol of 1 Sq, RAF Regt was engaged in a furious firefight with approximately 50 Iraqi insurgents in the Al Waki Market in Basrah. For some two hours, the two sides fought a pitched battle that left at least 16 insurgents dead. However, a heavy price was paid. With one man already wounded in the initial exchange of fire, LAC Martin Beard, his Sectn’s LMG operator, was then shot while providing covering fire for his comrades. His Sectn Comdr, Cpl David Hayden, evacuated him over 200 metres – all the while under fierce enemy fire - to medical aid but, unfortunately, Martin Beard had been wounded fatally. Cpl Hayden received the MC for his gallantry that day, and SAC Ben Wharton received a Mention in Despatches.
The Corps commissioned Stuart Brown, a distinguished British military artist, to capture the scene at Al Waki on that fateful day. The result is a truly stunning piece of military art, entitled ‘Al Waki’. The original painting is in oils and measures 130 x 90cms framed. High quality reproductions have been commissioned to allow others to enjoy the painting in their own environments. The first version is a full-size Giclée print, printed on canvas, varnished and framed; from a very short distance, it is virtually indistinguishable from the original painting and is designed for display in Messes, Clubs and training establishments. A half-size version is also be available. Also available are Limited Edition lithographs; high quality A2-sized prints, signed by the artist and numbered, with Special Editions also being signed by Corporal Hayden MC and the Commandant General. Details – incl prices and an order form - may be obtained from the Regt Sec (preferably by Email).
The first tranche of Limited and Special Edition lithographic prints has been dispatched. These prints, limited to just 65 in number, are selling well (only some 30 are left) and the stock may not last too long. Stuart Brown’s website is at www.skipperpress.com). Potential purchasers are urged to speak to the Regt Sec before ordering specific numbered copies to check whether their required number is available.
Download Flyer and Order Form
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The RAF Regiment Through The Years
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From the Chairman of the RAF Regiment Association
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Group Captain Steven Brereton Martin CBE RAF (Ret’d) National Chairman
 The RAF Regiment Association offers a warm welcome to all members of the RAF Regiment, whether still serving or long-since retired.
As you will see from this website, the RAF Regiment Association has a number of Branches where members can meet and socialise with friends, old and new, to share and extend the fellowship of service. If you cannot, or prefer not to, join a Branch, you can hold individual membership of the RAF Regiment Association by joining the HQ Roll. Either way, you will be made very welcome.
We were all members of a unique and respected fighting force and it is right that we should continue to share in the pride of our service as Rock Apes.
Per Ardua
Steven Brereton Martin
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Find Out More About The History of The RAF Regiment
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Calling all WWII veterans and specifically in the war against Germany
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THE RAF REGIMENT IN THE WAR AGAINST GERMANY & ITALY 1942-46
Dr Nigel Warwick is the historian who wrote the book: Constant Vigilance: The RAF Regiment in the Burma Campaign. He is seeking information from those veterans of World War 2 to inform future volumes of the Corps History.
To enable Dr Warwick to make contact with appropriate people for follow-up communications, interviews etc. he would like our veterans involved in World War 2 and specifically in the war against Germany to complete a questionnaire, which can be downloaded by clicking this link.
You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to read this PDF document, you can download Adobe Reader here
This material will be used in the preparation of further volumes of the history of the RAF Regiment in the Second World War. An important aspect of gathering material for a book of this kind is to obtain personal accounts from those who actually served in the Regiment during these campaigns. Historical documents such as the Operations Record Book (Form 540) and official reports will be used to provide a solid structure to the book, however, personal stories and views of those involved on the ground provide a further and vital dimension.
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Membership of the RAF Regiment Fund
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The RAF Regt Fund membership stands at around 1600, which is significantly less than the number of both Serving and Retired members. The Fund is established to support the preservation of the good name, history and traditions of the Corps, and also to support members' activities.
The Fund Committee's mission in 2008 is to have every member recruit another member. Please help YOUR FUND to achieve its aims for the Corps. If you are not a member already, why not contact your unit representative (if you are still serving) or the RAF Regt Fund Sec (Flt Lt Andy Gaskell), or the RAF Regiment Secretary at Honington for details and a membership form. Membership brings with it the annual subscription for the 6-monthly Centurion journal, rated as one of the best Regimental journals in the British Services.
Please consider joining and supporting YOUR Regimental Fund.
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Buy Your Regimental Cufflinks Here to Support The RAF Regiment Museum
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MOD Videos of II Squadron RAF Regiment in Iraq
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II Squadron RAF Regiment are featured on the RAF Careers website which tells the story of II Sqn's deployment to OP TELLIC (Iraq). Find our more and look at the videos.
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United Kingdom National Defence Association (UKNDA)
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The United Kingdom National Defence Association (UKNDA) purpose is:
To campaign for SUFFICIENT, APPROPRIATE and FULLY FUNDED ARMED FORCES that the Nation needs to defend effectively our Country, its people, their security and vital interests at home and worldwide.
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Copyright of Photographs on this Site
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Many of the photographs used on this website have Crown Copyright and are reproduced courtesy of the Ministry of Defence (MOD), RAF Regiment Squadrons, RAF Regiment Association and individuals. Reproduction of these images may only be done for personal use and not for any commercial purpose. Reproduction of these images in other publications is only allowed with the written authority of the appropriate MOD representative via the National Secretary of the RAF Regiment Association.
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Find Out More About The RAF Regiment Today
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QUEEN'S BIRTHDAY HONOURS - 2009
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The following Corps personnel received National Honours in the 2009 QBH List announced on 13 Jun 09:
- Air Cdre R La Forte - CBE.
- Wg Cdr P Holland - MBE.
- Wg Cdr D Tait - MBE.
- WO C G Marshall - MSM
- FS A Robertson - QVRM
The following Corps personnel were awarded RAF Commanders' Commendations in conjunction with the QBH List:
- Sqn Ldr D Merrick - AOCinCs - HQ 2 Gp.
- FS R W Snowden - AOCs - 4001 Flt, RAF Honington.
- FS D Johnson - AOCs - RAF Honington
- A/Sgt C J Perrio-Stone - AOCs - 15 Sqn RAF Regt, RAF Honington.
- Cpl A C Austen - AOCs - RAF Northolt/Uxbridge.
- Cpl H D Thomas - AOCs - 2620 Sqn RAuxAF Regt, RAF Marham.
- RAF Honington Team Commendation: 1 Sqn RAF Regt Rear Party.
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RAF Regiment Association Announcements
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| AWARD OF THE NCO LEADERSHIP AWARD FOR 2009The Worshipful Company of Security Professionals (WCoSP), to which the RAF Regt is affiliated, presents an annual award to recognize outstanding leadership by an NCO of the RAF Regt. The winner for 2009 is Cpl Peter Wallis-Eade of the Special Forces Support Group, and the trophy was duly presented at the Annual WCoSP Master's Installation Lunch, held at Drapers' Hall in the City of London on 9 Jun 09. Cpl Wallis-Eade, accompanied by his fiancée, Michele, received a standing ovation from the 300+ distinguished guests following the reading of the most impressive citation.
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| RAF REGT FUND SUBSCRIPTIONSThe RAF Regt Fund continues to have severe problems in correcting the errors of the recent Direct Debit run (in Nov 08) and we continue to receive notifications of incorrect sums, multiple payments and, in many cases, no payments at all. If any members have suffered such problems, please advise the Regt Sec who will pass the details on to the Fund's Membership Sec for action. It is clear that the problems will not be overcome quickly and we ask subscribers to be patient while we try to unravel a very complicated software problem. The likelihood is that we will need to cancel all previous Direct Debit Mandates and start afresh. This would require the submission of a new Application Form, which was predicted earlier in 2008 for other reasons. Details will hopefully be available in the next Centurion journal.
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| ANNUAL CORPS COMMEMORATION - 27 JUNE 2009
The Annual Corps Commemoration will take place at the National Memorial Arboretum (NMA), Croxhall Road, Alrewas, Staffordshire DE13 7AR, on Sat 27 Jun 09, National Armed Forces Day. The Regt's Service will commence in the Arboretum's Chapel at 1130 after the NMA's Daily Homage and Act of Remembrance. The Queen's Colour for the RAF Regt will be paraded, as will the new RAF Regt Assoc National Standard, and it is intended that a number of Trainee Gunners will also be on parade. Following the Corps Service, the contingent will move to the RAF Regiment Memorial Garden where a further Commemoration Service and Laying of Wreaths will take place. Chapel seating will not be reserved other than for official guests and Corps VIPs, and a Park-and-Ride system will be in operation at the NMA that day. RAF Regt Assoc members should register their interest to attend with their respective Branches, which should then advise the Nat Sec of their numbers no later than 17 Jun 09. The names of those Service persons who died in 2008 (including RAF Regt SACs Livingstone and Thomson) will also be unveiled on the National Armed Forces' Memorial. This is traditionally an excellent Corps day at a superb facility and strong support is encouraged.
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| MEMBERSHIP OF THE RAF REGT FUNDThe RAF Regt Fund membership stands at around 1600, which is significantly less than the number of both Serving and Retired members. The Fund is established to support the preservation of the good name, history and traditions of the Corps, and also to support members' activities. The Fund Committee's mission in 2008 is to have every member recruit another member. Please help YOUR FUND to achieve its aims for the Corps. If you are not a member already, why not contact your unit representative (if you are still serving), the RAF Regt Fund Sec, or the RAF Regt Secretary at Honington for details and a membership form. Membership brings with it the annual subscription for the 6-monthly Centurion journal, rated as one of the best Regimental journals in the British Services. Contact the RAF Regiment Secretary on 01359 23 7824
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| II SQN RAF REGT BADGE FOR RAF CHURCH OF ST CLEMENT DANESAmong the many RAF and RAF Regt badges embedded in the floor of the RAF Church of St Clement Danes in London, some sqns have yet to be represented. II Sqn RAF Regt is one of those and, quite naturally, the Sqn would like to remedy that omission. The capital cost will be in the region of £600 and donations are invited towards the project. The unveiling and dedication will be carried out later in the year and details of that event will be publicised in good time. If you wish to support this initiative, please send any cheques direct to the Proj O - Fg Off Gary Butler at II Sqn RAF Regt, RAF Honington, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk IP31 1EE. Cheques should be made payable to: 'II sqn Charity Account'.
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| NEW COMMANDANT GENERAL ANNOUNCED
It has been announced that Air Cdre Russ La Forte MBE MA BA will assume the appointment as the Corps' 29th Commandant General from Air Cdre Steven Abbott CBE BA RAF on Friday 5th February 2010.
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| IMPLEMENTATION OF LANCE CORPORAL RANK FOR THE RAF REGT
The rank of lance corporal (LCpl) is to be introduced to the Gnr trade in Apr 10 to identify the critical leadership role undertaken by nominated and experienced Gunners on RAF Regt front-line units. Experience on Operations HERRICK and TELIC has highlighted the key role played by RAF Regt SACs appointed as comdrs of small combat elements, leading up to three other Gnrs, such as in the role of ground close combat section 2IC/fire team comdr. The introduction of new weapon systems, tactics and structures has meant that, to a greater extent than before, these SACs have had to operate independently and make command decisions in combat situations. The Air Force Board Standing Committee's (AFBSC) recent decision to introduce the rank of LCpl to the RAF Regt will ensure that these jnr comdrs are recognized officially in the vital leadership roles that they undertake. Gnrs selected to fill these posts will be trained, remunerated and given formal command authority through promotion to the rank of LCpl. Appropriate specialist training will commence in Aug 09 and the first LCpls should be 'badged' with effect from 1 Apr 10. Further details will be published in Centurion No26.
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