Battle Of Britain Commemorations Hobart

The 77^th anniversary of the Battle of Britain was celebrated at a ceremony in Hobart over the weekend and Friends of the Odd Bods Patron, AVM Peter Scully (Rtd) has been good enough to send us a report and photos.

Our B of B commemorations went very well his year;  DCAF AVM Gavin Turnbull, AM  was Guest of Honour and overall attendance was probably the best yet.

Events started with a ‘hails & welcome’ at the RAAF Memorial Centre which was bursting at the seams.   A long standing supporter Gordon Kennett, a past owner of Rosebank Engineering in Melbourne, provided $1000/- for ‘drinks for the boys & girls’ at this function.  Gordon has been a long standing supporter of RAAF Veterans and was closely involved with the ‘Save Point Cook’ campaign and the replica Box Kite project.  Indeed, if it were not for Gordon, the Box Kite would not have got off the ground.

A Memorial Service at St David’s Cathedral was held on Saturday afternoon, conducted by the Dean, the Very Rev. Richard Humphrey and the RAAF senior chaplain at Air Command, Group Captain the Rev Peter Friend.  The Cathedral was packed for the occasion.

Then followed a formal Dining-In Night at Luxbet Reception Centre which has looked after us for many years.  There were over 170 in attendance, including the Defence/Air Attaches from Canada, Germany, The Netherlands, Poland (all the way from Djarkarta where he resides), New Zealand, United Kingdom and the United States.  Also present was a Senior Vice-President of Rolls Royce, all the way from the UK.  She observed that:  this was the last place in the world where a traditional Air Force Dining -In was held.

The following morning a wreath laying service was held at the Hobart Cenotaph in bright sunny weather, attended by all & sundry including representatives from the Federal and State Governments and Oppositions.  A flypast of Hawks from No 79 squadron and a Harvard warbird coincided with the first wreath.  At the conclusion of the service which was conducted by GPCAPT Peter Friend  the Roulettes put on a splendid aerobatic display followed by a lone Harvard ‘Warbird’.  The address was given by the DCAF, AVM Gavin Turnbull, AM.

Following the Service there was a BBQ at the RAAFA which was again very well attended. All together a most successful weekend.

The final photo shows Peter with the Roulettes all in mess kit. Peter was an earlier member of the roulettes for three years and this occasion brought back fond memories. 

A Visit To Yorkshire Air Museum

One of our UK Correspondents, Bryan Wilcockson, has made another pilgrimage to the Yorkshire Air Museum, primarily to tend the Rowan tree dedicated to F/Lt Harvey Randell (Father of our Secretary, Peter Randell) and Harvey’s Pilot Ken Dean DFC.

Tending to the tree and the brass plaques usually includes a ceremonial drop or two, in this case Norwegian Firewater. Bryan has informed our readers in the past that he usually works on the ratio of “one for the tree and one for me.” We notice that the tree is bearing fruit in this photo so the fertilising seems to be working fine.

Bryan was good enough to send some photos from around the museum as well.