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Aviation History
1952
1952 - 2115.PDF
FLIGHT, i August 1952 139 SERVICE AVIATION The Queen Presents Her Colour to Halton ON Friday of last week No. 1 School of Technical Training received the Queen's Colour from Her Majesty's hands. A blazing sun was already beating down on the parade ground at 1130 hour, wnen the "still" was sounded, and the Royal Standard broken to mark the Queen's arrival. She was received by Lord Cottesloe, Lord Lieutenant of Buckinghamshire, Marshal of the Royal Air Force Sir John Slessor, Marshal of the Royal Air Force Lord Trenchard, Air Marshal Sir Victor Groom (who has recently returned from the Middle East to become A.O.C.in-C. Technical Training Command), A.V-M. R. O. Jones (A.O.C. No. 24 Group, of which Group Halton forms a pan) and the Commandant of Halton, A. Cdre. J. G. W. Weston. There were some 1,700 appren tices on parade. The Colour to be presented lay cased against the piled drums in front of the royal dais as the parade commander, G/C. D. O. Finlay, reported the Escort Squadron and the main parade as ready for inspection. Her Majesty then stepped into a special Land-Rover to be driven slowly along the ranks; meanwhile the band played the two traditional slow marches of the R.A.F., Green Sleeves and the Skye Boat Song. On the return from the inspection the two Queen's orderlies uncased the Colour and placed it, draped, upon the piled drums, waiting the request of the Com mandant (A. Cdre. Weston) to the Chaplain-in-Chief to consecrate it. With the parade called to attention, the Rev. Canon L. Wright said, "We are gathered here to consecrate this Colour, the solemn symbol of our loyalty, and with it ourselves, our service and our life. May this Colour never be unfurled save in the cause of justice, righteousness and truth." At the conclusion of the dedication service, the Queen received the Colour from A. Cdre Weston and made the presentation, Sgt. App. F. M. A. Hines being appointed Colour Bearer to receive it. With the parade standing at ease, Her Majesty then addressed the assembly. She said : "A. Cdre Weston, officers, staff and apprentices of No. 1 School of Technical Training, I am very glad to be here to present your new Colour. "As you know, your school was founded in the reign of King George, my grand father, and it owes its existence to the fore sight and inspiration of Lord Trenchard, wno is here with us today. "It was clear then, as it still is, that the Royal Air Force must be able to place the same reliance on the technical skill of its tradesmen as on the gallantry of its pilots and tne experience and imagination of its commanders. Halton was tne first school to be started for tnis purpose, and today it gives you not only tecnnical sfcill, but a spirit which is acclaimed wherever the Royal Air Force serves in defence of our country and our Commonwealth. "It is right, therefore, that Halton should be the first apprentice school to earn the award of a Colour and I am sure that you will always remember this occasion—as I shall—as a great day for yourselves and your service. "Your traditions have been well and firmly established by those who have gone before you. For tney have made tneir mark and have justified the confidence which the Royal Air Force, has always placed in them, while many of their number have given their lives in carrying out their duties. From what I have seen on this parade, I am sure that you will be very worthy successors to their example of honour, service and sacrifice. (Be/ow) Her Majesty passing down the lines of apprentices before the colour presentation. (Left) Having received the dedicated Colour from A. Cdre. Weston, the Queen makes the presentation. "I congratulate you on your drill and on the smartness of your turnout, which are proof of your keenness and your quality, and I give you your Colour in the know ledge that while you are here you will guard it well. "Let it also be a reminder to you of the trust that I place in the Royal Air Force. During your future service you will, I know, strive to the utmost to be worthy of that trust and to maintain the unsullied standards of which this Colour is a symbol." The Commandant thanked Her Majesty and the general salute was given to the Colour as it was marched in slow time to its position. Upon the return of the Queen to the dais the Escort Squadron, composed of the 63rd Entry to Halton, marched past in both slow and quick time. Finally, the whole parade advanced in review order to give a royal salute and three cheers for Her Majesty before marching off. The Queen took lunch in Halton House, which is now the officers' mess but was, at one time, a private residence of the Roths child family, where the Queen's great grandfather, King Edward VII, then the Prince of Wales, was a frequent visitor. Some of the rooms are entirely decorated in gold leaf. After lunch a tour was made of the camp before the royal entourage left for Windsor. A.V-M. David Atcherley MEMORIAL services for the late David Atcherley were held last week in the Canal Zone (July 17th) and at St. Margaret's, Westminster (July 23rd). Representatives of the Air Council were present at St. Margaret's, together with many of the A.O.C-in-C.s of the Com mands. Canon Charles Smyth officiated, assisted by Canon L. Wright, Chaplain-in-Chief, R.A.F. At St. George's Church in Moascar, in the Canal Zone, the Rev. C. B. Verity officiated and the lesson was read by Air Chief Marshal Sir Arthur P. M. Sanders, A.O.C-in-C, M.E.A.F. At both services the churches were filled to capacity and A.V-M. R. L. R. Atcherley, David's brother, was present on both occasions.
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