South West Air Cadets mark RAF Centenary in Windsor

Air Cadets and Adult Volunteers from Bristol & Gloucestershire Wing joined hundreds of others from across the South West to proudly parade through Windsor, as part of the RAF100 celebrations.

During the morning cadets arrived from across the South West before stepping off from Victoria Barracks, to march past the Guild Hall and Windsor Castle, before a service of thanksgiving and celebration to mark the 100th anniversary of the formation of the Royal Air Force.

Lord Lieutenant Mr James Puxley and Air Vice Marshall Bruce Hedley received the salute at the Guild Hall in the company of a number of distinguished guests including Group Captain Eddie Cole and the High Sheriff Mr Graham Barker.

The service to over 1000 people at the Windsor Parish Church was led by Deputy Regional Chaplain, Flight Lieutenant C.A Lewis and Reverend K.M Harrison, Chaplain of 459 (Windsor) Squadron. A number of cadets gave readings during the service and Reverend (Squadron Leader) John Baptiste, the Station Chaplain at Royal Air Force Odiham, gave an enjoyable and interactive sermon prior to the cadets renewing their Cadet Promise.

Afterwards, the Thames Valley Wing Band led the parade, accompanied by the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Band, back to Victoria Barracks where all of the cadets, VIPs and volunteer staff took part in a massed group photograph before taking the opportunity to meet with the other cadets who volunteered for the parade over a well deserved lunch.

The Parade Commander, Squadron Leader Mark Trevena, summed up the event:

“To parade so many cadets through the centre of Windsor was certainly a once in a life time experience for many of us who took part. It was simply an honour to take part in such a large parade to celebrate the first and oldest independent air arm in the world; the Royal Air Force”.