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Christmas Cheer for the Afghan Desert

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Christmas Cheer for the Afghan Desert Focus on 42F The Newsletter of 42F (King’s Lynn )Squadron Air Training Corps January 2013 42F—Norfolk & Suffolk’s only Founder squadron! 42F (King’s Lynn) Squadron’s annual Dining-In Night and Presentation of Awards Ceremony took place on .Monday 19th November, as tradition now dictates, in the town’s historic Town Hall. One hundred people, Squadron members and guests, that included parents, Borough Mayor Councilor Geoffrey Wareham, Major Gary Walker representing RAF Marham, 42F’s Honorary President the Earl Romney and ‘Founder’ members of the Squadron from 1939 gathered for pre dinner drinks in the 15th century Stone Hall before moving through to the 18 th century Assembly Room. Here under glittering chandeliers and watched over by life sized portraits of past monarchs and sons of Norfolk, they were served a three course meal by the aptly named West Norfolk Flying Chef caterers. Following the ‘Loyal Toast’ to Her Majesty, the Squadron’s Commanding Officer Flight Lieutenant Pauline Petch gave a short speech outlining the numerous and varied achievements of the cadets over the preceding twelve months. She went on to explain that, due to the close liaison between Major Walker of RAF Marham’s Tactical Imaging Wing (TIW) and the Squadron, 42F now had strong ties with TIW and at this point Major Walker officially presented the Squadron with a certificate of affiliation. Flight lieutenant Petch then went on to inform everybody that the King’s Lynn Army Cadet Detachment would, following an imminent building programme, also be parading at the ATC’s Loke Road Headquarters. She concluded her speech by saying “Although the building has always been an Air Training Corps Squadron times change and we must look on this as a new challenge and make it into a positive experience for the youth of the town. With funds ever decreasing the way forward is to join services wherever possible to make the most of the resources available. It matters not what colour uniform they wear, as staff and volunteers we are all trying to do a very similar thing, to help guide, train and develop these young people into respectful disciplined and helpful adults. So please stand for a toast to the Youth of Kings Lynn”. To loud applause the cadets were then presented with their awards for exceptional work and commitment in numerous and varied activities. Christmas Cheer for the Afghan Desert It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas at the King’s Lynn Air Cadets headquarters. Over the past few weeks 42F (King’s Lynn) Squadron have been Santa’s little helpers as they put together ‘Surprise’ gift parcels. RAF Marham is the cadet squadron’s par- ent station and assists them in numerous ways. Recently members of 9 Squadron based at RAF Marham have deployed for an extended tour of duty in Afghanistan which will see them there well into 2013 and so separated from their loved ones at a time of year when all families would wish to be together. With this in mind the cadets decided that they would send some festive cheer to the personnel of this Tornado Squadron by filling shoe boxes with items that are not readily available in their desert camp. 24 boxes have been packed and notes of appreciation enclosed by the cadets. The parcels, each addressed to an individual member of the Squadron arrived in time for Christmas day and the squadron has had some thank you letters from those overseas. 42F (King’s Lynn) Squadron ATC Cadets attend the Gallipoli Remembrance Parade Military representatives from Britain, Australia, New Zealand and Turkey joined a congregation of over 100 in St Nicholas Church Dersingham to remember the fallen of World War 1’s Gallipoli campaign. The service on Saturday 15th September. saw the Standards of 42F (King’s Lynn) Squadron ATC and the local Sea Cadets and Army Cadets join those of the British Legion and other organisations to honour those who died during that ill fated campaign. Prior to the service two of the Air Cadet contingent handed out sprigs of Rosemary, a herb that symbolises remembrance, to all as they entered the church and further representatives of all three cadet corps conducted the collection during the service. The Gallipoli campaign was a failure and by the time the al- lied forces had been evacuated in January 1916 they had sustained casualties of almost 290,000. Of the 60,000 killed some 43,000 were British troops. One of the Turkish Colonels’ repulsing the allied attacks was Mustafa Kemal, who in the years after the war was to become the first President of the Republic of Turkey, and was known as Ataturk (Father of the Nation). In 1934 this once adversary spoke the following words in reconciliation. Those heroes that shed their blood and lost their lives, you are now lying in the soil of a friendly country, therefore rest in peace. There is no difference between the Johnnies and the Mehmets to us where they lie side by side here in this country of ours. You the mothers, who sent their sons from far away countries, wipe away your tears; your sons are now lying in our bosom and are at peace. After having lost their lives on this land they have become our sons as well. This moving passage was read out during the church service by Colonel Erdinc Kocayanak, Military Attaché at the Turkish Embassy in London. After the service the cadets had the opportunity to meet with the visiting military representatives and other dignitaries whilst taking refreshments and trying the famous ANZAC biscuits in the nearby church hall. Remembrance Service Terrington The firing of the guns on the Western Front on 11th November 1918 was symbolised by the muffled bells of Terrington-St-Clement parish church, as one by one they fell silent, before the Union Flag, escorted by a contingent of nine 42F (King’s Lynn) Squadron Air Cadets, made its way at the head of numerous local uniformed organisations into the church for the annual Remembrance Day service. Following the service the congregation made its way to the village memorial garden on the recreation field where poppy crosses were placed in memory of each one of the more than 130 young men who gave their lives during the two world wars from this one village alone. Page 2 Issue 21 01/2013 . RAF Bircham Newton Remembered On the afternoon of Sunday 30th September the cadets of 42F (King’s Lynn) Squadron ATC played a pivotal role in a ‘Sunset Ceremony’ at the site of Royal Air Force Bircham Newton. The occasion was to celebrate the stations distinguished history and to mark the 50th anniversary of its closure. RAF Bircham Newton was in continuous operation for 44 years, from early 1918 until December 1962. For most of the inter war years it was Norfolk’s only flying station. The afternoon saw hundreds of people attend the airfield which is now home to the National Construction College. They were able to enjoy a programme of popular and military music performed by the Fakenham Town Band, a flypast by two vintage aircraft and a number of other displays within the RAF Bircham Newton Memorial Project building and by other groups and organisations. At the end of the afternoon, in the presence of a number of distinguished guests, the Sunset Ceremony re-enacted part of the original ‘Beating Retreat’ ceremony held when the station closed in 1962. A trumpeter from the band played the Last Post as the RAF Ensign was lowered by a cadet from 42F Squadron Air Training Corps and the various RAF and British Legion Standards were lowered. The salute was taken by Marshal of the Royal Air Force Sir Keith Williamson GCB AFC and a Guard of Honour by the cadets of 42F (King’s Lynn) Squadron ATC added further dignity to this simple but moving act of remembrance. Remembrance Sunday In King’s Lynn itself the large Remembrance Parade, which had a strong presence from RAF Marham, saw 42F parade staff and 28 cadets at the towns Memorial Gardens wreath laying ceremony before they marched through the town together with the various Standards, Service personnel and the Army and Sea Cadets to Lynn Minster for the traditional Service of Remembrance. A mayors cadet from each cadet force assisted the Civic party and dignitaries with their wreaths and were also involved in the receiving of the standards in the Minster at the beginning of the Remembrance Service Also this year, Springwood High School in King’s Lynn erected a memorial and flagpole to remember those lost from the schools in the locality . On Friday 9th November at 11am . The school held its first formal remembrance service. Flt Lt Petch arranged for cadets from all three cadet forces to be involved and after the Last Post was played by Ian Fraser-Barker – ACF, and the flag lowered by Cpl Mohan –ATC, The Kohima epitaph was read by Aubrey Clack –SCC, Chris Ward –ACF and Cdt Kidd –ATC. Two minutes silence was then observed before a wreath was laid by Aubrey Clack and a Poppy Cross by Mr Gerry Tann – British Legion. All were thanked for their involvement by the Head Teacher and it is hoped that this will become an annual event. Page 3 42F King’s Lynn ATC Phone : 01553 661240 Loke Road Email : Kings Lynn [email protected] Norfolk PE302BP Coming Events 2013 Feb 3rd ATC Parade RAF Marham London Trip D of E Expeditions March Iceland Trip May Stradsett Rally +much more and the normal round of flying .
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