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Aviation History
1952
1952 - 0364.PDF
i68 FLIGHT' SERVICE AVIATION Royal Air Force and Naval Aviation News The Queen with No. 600 Squadron O N Thursday eveniag of last week the Queen paid her promised visit to Finsbury Barracks to present a new badge to No. 600 (City of London) Squadron, R.Aux.A.F., of which unit she is Honorary Air Commodore. On arrival Her Majesty was met by the Regular Adjutant, F/L. Jagger, and escorted to the dais in the drill hall, where No. 600 was on parade in review order under the command of S/L. J. P. Meadows. D.F.C. Addressing the squadron before the presentation, the Queen said : "The men who formed No. 600 City of London Squadron set a high standard, which their successors have always maintained. At the same time they laid the foundations of a very great tradition. Not only do you have the tradition of the Royal Air Force behind you, but as the City of London Squadron you are fortunate—and, I know, proud—to carry some part of the traditions of your great city." Referring to the squadron's descent from the historic Train Bands, the Queen concluded by saying : "You have joined a proud company of free men who, down the ages, have taken up arms in defence of justice and right." The Queen then presented the new badge. In his reply S/L. Meadows thanked Her Majesty for the trouble she had taken to enable No. 600 to incorporate the City of NEW BADGES FOR OLD: The original badge of No. 600 Squadron, now officially granted by the King. WITH HER SQUADRON; The Queen at No. 600 Squadron's town headquarters for the presentation of the new bodge. She is talking to SjL J. P. Meadows, D.F.C. On the left are A.V-M. Lees and the Lord Mayor of London, while behind the Queen is A.V-M. Yool. London crest in the badge. "We fought under it," he said, "and it is symbolic of our squadron." His final remark was : "We now have two loyalties—to the R.A.F. and the City of London. We cannot say which we value most." After the ceremony the Queen visited the airmen's canteen and the sergeants' mess, and received a number of officers and guests in the ante-room. She met several of the older members of the unit, including Capt. A. G. Lamplugh and F/L. J. Courtis, both of whom were pilots with No. 600 when it was first formed in 1925. The presentation of the new badge— which in reality is the original—brings to an end a struggle which has continued since the R.Aux.A.F. was re-formed in 1946. During the war, when so many badges were issued to squadrons, the Chester Herald designed one for No. 600, which was then on night-fighter duties. The sword and crescent moon then in corporated appeared to be appropriate enough; but on returning to London, and becoming once more an Auxiliary unit, the squadron felt that the City's crest would be. more suitable. The Queen's advocacy has enabled them to achieve this aim, but the standard official badge has not been withdrawn, so No. 600 has the dis tinction of being the only unit to have two official badges. Class "G" Call-up T HE first warning notices for the call-up of 4,700 R.A.F. class "G" reservists of the Control and Reporting organization were despatched last week. Reservists being called this year are mainly radar operators and radar and wireless fitters. The officers involved in the call-up, which will total 5,500, will be notified shortly. In addition to those being called up, the service is prepared to accept volun teers who are released officers or class "G" reservists, and who have the necessary specialist qualifications. Last year nearly 9,000 officers and men of the Control and Reporting organization were recalled for 15 days' service. NINETEEN HOURS OUTWARD: Princess Eliza beth and the Duke of Edinburgh inspecting the R.A.F. guard of honour at Nairobi Airport. They are attended by A. Cdre, L. T. Pankhurst, and F, L. A. Roberts is the officer of the guard.
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