RAF memories

A couple of weeks ago was of course the royal wedding, and there were RAF personnel lining the route. Did anyone do anything like that when they were in? I didnt do any freedom parades, I did step lining at St Giles cathedral in Edinburgh for Battle of Britain day. Did AOCs parades, and also took part in the largest all military parade on the 50th anniversary of VJ day.

I carried Lord Mountbatten and two others back from Ireland in August 79, not on my own obviously and with the help of a couple of Herc's..

I participated in a parade in Royal Leamington Spa at which RAF Gaydon was bestowed with 'the freedom of the city' signified by a large key. Put to the test some years later when I was given a parking ticket by an elderly Leamington Traffic Warden . When I pointed out that I had been given the 'freedom of the city' and produced my RAF ID card (Form 1250) he graciously let me off with a warning!

Freedom of Western-Super-Mud, 81, 86 and 89!! Reckon I must've got Mr Canberra's share!!

The first parade to get it and the second and third to celebrate?

I was on Christmas Island when the Duke of Edinburgh visited. We who were on parade to officially welcome him, were issued with plastic macs. The day was fine, so we were told to leave the macs in the vehicles that took us to the Parade Ground. Of course, during our prolonged wait, it rained, so we all got wet. Nuff Said

EGDG, that must have been the first time airmen of the RAF wore uniform in southern ireland for quite some time.

And the step lining was a parade that people volunterred for. Why I hear you ask. Well it was a sunday morning, you stood there for about 15 minutes and then went for a brew, and when the service ended you stood for about 20 minutes. If you had to do a parade that was the one to get. And there was an amusing bit when the duty drunk turned up and started getting amorous with one of the girls who was stood at the bottom, suddenly a copper shouted out to him to p iss off!

And on the subject of parades in Edinburgh, some of you may remember when the "stone of destiny" aka "jock rock" was returned from Westminster abbey in 96? Well we had two scopies in ops at Leuchars who were very keen on being Scottish and they volunterred for route lining for the return. It was only a week of living at Redford barracks in Edinburgh with lots of drill oh and three days on the trot 0400 rehearsals on the Royal Mile!

And I see that the RAFs finest havent changed. Two Flight Lieutenants have been sent back in disgrace from Gioia del Colle, what happened to the two can rule when on operations?????

happened in march, one was in a drunken coma in the gutter,, I expect they have both been promoted since the event !!