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The following D&S staff were all awarded the Commandant's Commendation for Meritorious Service late last year:
Squadron Leader WJ Vinnicombe RAFVR(T).
Flight Lieutenant D Rogers RAFVR(T) Ret.
Civilian Instructor MJ Boyle.
Civilian Instructor CB Watkins.
624 Volunteer Gliding Squadron (VGS) played host to two famous World War II pilots at their annual dining in night, held in the Officers mess at the Royal Marines Barracks Chivenor on the 20 January.
The squadron hosted Squadron Leader Geoffrey Wellum DFC, a former Battle of Britain fighter pilot and author of the book First Light and Captain Eric "Winkle" Brown CBE, a retired naval chief test pilot and author of several books, including the Wings on My Sleeve. Both pilots had distinguished flying careers in the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy respectively. Sqn Ldr Wellum was just 17 when he joined the RAF and became the youngest Spitfire pilot on 92 squadron. He flew over 100 fighter / escort missions and was awarded the Distinguished flying Cross (DFC), and went on to fly many different aircraft before retiring from the RAF in 1961. Cpt Brown flew with the Royal Navy during the war and was awarded both the Distinguished Service Cross (DSC) and the Air Force Cross (AFC). He went on to become chief test pilot for the Royal Navy and made the first landing of a jet aircraft onto an aircraft carrier. He also holds the record for the most number of different types of aircraft flown by one person, 487 in total.
Sdn Ldr Wellum and Cpt Brown were given a tour of 624 VGS, including a chance to look around the squadron’s 3 Grob 109b Vigilant Motor Gliders. "It is a real honour for us to have two such renowned pilots visit our squadron and attend our annual dining in night", said Squadron Leader Gregory North, Officer Commanding 624 VGS. "The Squadron holds a dining in night each year to thank its 30 strong staff of volunteers and their partners for all their hard work over the year and the presence of such renowned aviators really makes it a special occasion".
Captain Brown was asked to present a range of flying awards achieved by members of the squadron over the last year. These included first solos and advanced glider training wings to several of the staff cadets and instructors qualifications to members of staff. He added "it is good to see such well mannered young man and women taking such a keen interest in aviation".
624 VGS started flying, from what was RAF Chivenor, back in 1965 and continues to fly from what is now the Royal Marines Barracks Chivenor Airfield. The squadron’s Vigilant Motor Gliders are used to give cadets the chance to experience flying and also the opportunity when they are over 16, to go on and learn how to fly solo as part of a Gliding Scholarship Course.
The squadron flew over 400 cadets from across Devon, and Somerset last year. It also often takes cadets from much wider a field for its week long Gliding Scholarship Courses.
The day started sunny but cold and the walk through the grounds of the Bishop’s Palace in Wells for those of you who have not been before are something to be seen. Sweeping lawns, large gothic arches and the ruin of the old Great Hall of the palace was a fantastic sight.
We were greeted by two members of the Army Cadet Corps who showed us through into the Under Croft where we found to our pleasure a roaring fire. Once we had been briefed we were taken into the presentation room and shown to our seats.
There were 12 presentations and out of these only two were for the ATC, one for W.O. Phil Sturgess and the other for myself W.O. Jane Tonks. Each person in turn had there citation read out and then received their award from the Lord Lieutenant, Lady Gass. For myself I found it a moving experience to have so many of my achievements read out. Although we do not do the things we do with the cadets for these awards it was lovely to receive and get the acknowledgment for over twenty years service.
Once the presentation was over we were invited, with our guests, to afternoon tea and have group photographs taken in the long hall. We ended our day with a walk around the grounds and a fantastic day was had by all.
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