Ruislip & Eastcote & Northwood Gazette
A centenary of service
THOUSANDS TURN OUT TO SEE MARCH CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF THE RAF
THOUSANDS of people lined the streets of Uxbridge last week to enjoy the Freedom of Hillingdon Parade marking the centenary of the Royal Air Force.
The parade on Thursday, June 14 was a spectacular celebration organised by Hillingdon Council and RAF Northolt to pay tribute to the borough’s long and fruitful association with the Service, which at one point had nine Royal Air Force units stationed within its borders.
Personnel of RAF Northolt and the Central band of the Royal Air Force marched down Uxbridge High Street, from Vine Street to the Civic Centre forecourt.
They were received by Mayor of Hillingdon Councillor John Morgan and the leader of Hillingdon Council, Ray Puddifoot, who said: “Over the past 100 years, Hillingdon has been home to nine different RAF establishments, including RAF Northolt and RAF Uxbridge, home of the Battle of Britain Bunker, which was at the very heart of the defence of this nation as the Battle of Britain was fought in the skies above us.
“We are proud of our long association with the RAF and its personnel, and their families are an integral part of our community. We are delighted they are exercising their freedom of the borough, not least because it gives us the opportunity to express our thanks for their sacrifices and ongoing commitment to service.”
RAF Northolt’s Station Commander, Group Captain Mike Carver, said: “It’s a real privilege to be able to celebrate the Centenary of the Royal Air Force today with the Freedom of Hillingdon parade and an honour to be able to commemorate and celebrate the Royal Air Force,
its achievements and personnel past and present. We hope it will also inspire future generations to carry the Service onwards. The freedom that we all enjoy today has always been fiercely defended by airmen and airwomen along the entire 100 years of the Service’s history. Though RAF Northolt is now the last remaining station within Hillingdon – within London – and the last remaining Battle of Britain fighter station, we continue to this day in that role of defending the United Kingdom and its people.
“Since my first day as Station Commander at RAF Northolt I have been overwhelmed by, and very grateful for, the huge level of support that we receive from the local community; not only from London Borough of Hillingdon Council but also from residents’ associations, schools, businesses and many others in the local community. I’d like to thank everyone for that support; it is vital to us in delivering our outputs for Defence.
“I must also thank Hillingdon Council in particular for the superb support their team have given us in organising the Freedom of Hillingdon Parade, and for the entire RAF 100 campaign”.
The parade featured a wide selection of RAF Northolt personnel of all ranks and trades, and The Central Band of the Royal Air Force. The Queen’s Colour for the Royal Air Force was also proudly on parade. Several VIPs attended the parade, including Leader of Hillingdon Council Cllr Ray Puddifoot, Mayor of Hillingdon Cllr John Morgan, other council representatives and Armed Forces veterans.