Remembrance Sunday always falls on the second Sunday in November. Remembrance Sunday falls on the 8 November 2020

The National Service of Remembrance, held at The Cenotaph in Whitehall on Remembrance Sunday, ensures that no-one is forgotten as the nation unites to honour all who have suffered or died in war.

If you wish to register for the parade you will need to provide Keith Davies:- keithdavies150@btinternet.com with the following information by  (date to be notified)

• Title/Rank
• First Name
• Second Name
• Date of Birth
• First Line of Address
• Town
• Post Code
• Former Service Number
• Medals

Remember to march with the RAF Police Association contingent you must be a currently fully paid up member of the Association – if you are unsure please check using the email address webmaster@rafpassociation.com or ring Mike Thornton on 07771 716 229.

The post parade lunch will be held at the Silver Cross and will cost £9.00 per person.   Cheques made payable to the RAF Police Association should be sent to David Budd (Association Treasurer).

2019 – Cenotaph Report

On Thursday 7 November 2019, Bill Veazey once again looked after the corner of the Garden of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey, dedicated to the RAF Police and the RAF Police Association.

On Saturday 9 November 2019, Nigel Lacey paraded the Association National Standard at both performances of the Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance, in the Royal Albert Hall.

On Remembrance Sunday 10 November 2019, and for the 17^th time, the Association contingent took part in the annual parade at the Cenotaph.   This year we were only 30 actually marching, so obviously age and ill health is taking its toll. As usual the meeter, greeter and caller of the roll, was Mick Griffin.

Our joint leaders were former Provost Marshal and Association Vice President, retired Group Captain Ted Scaplehorn OBE, and Association Chairman, Alan Mitchell. They were “escorted” this year, by only retired Group Captain David Stanley.   As usual our Right Marker was Big Brian Burgess.  Our Left Marker and TV target was as ever, George “Badger” Brookes. George was wearing our contingent identifying badge of C17 (i.e. Column C, contingent number 17). We know it works because David Dimbleby immediately picked us out (however briefly)!! The rear Right Marker was Alan Cook and the rear Left Marker was (as usual) Brian Flinn.

The RAF Police Contingent was (as usual) under the command and control of Bill Veazey MBE.

The two traditional wreaths were carried by Ian McIntosh (PM and RAF Police) and Keith Davies (Association members).

Instead of the traditional 6 columns of ex-service personnel, there were this year, only 5. Column C was the last to leave Horse Guards Parade and last onto Whitehall. We were positioned on the MOD side of Whitehall opposite side to Downing Street and the Foreign Office. As ever, eventually we gave a smart “eyes left” to the Cenotaph and later on, equally smart “eyes right” to HRH Prince Andrew, accompanied by the Royal British Legion National President, Lieutenant General James Bashall.

Back again on Horse Guards Parade and after the National Anthem, Bill Veazey ordered “dismiss”. Then it was into the cellar bar in the Silver Cross pub on Whitehall to join our friends and families for a finger buffet and drink. Bill Veazey made a short speech remembering Jeremy Fenton, the Association Secretary and Treasurer who very sadly died a few weeks ago. Jeremy had been on every parade since 2003.

Bill also thanked John and Clare Walton for their 17 years of organising the Association contingent on the parade. John in turn thanked everyone who has marched over the years for contributing to the success of our contingent, in particular to Bill and Clare. John also appealed to all members to keep supporting our contingent and the new organisers Ian McIntosh (ianmcintosh265@btinternet.com and Keith Davies.

Also, on parade were several members who are patients and carers from Blind Veterans UK (formerly St Dunstan’s).

Once again with the Garden of Remembrance the Festival of Remembrance and the Cenotaph Parade, it was a great weekend for the RAF Police Association.

John Walton

2018 – Cenotaph Report

The weather on the Saturday was truly awful, with about 10 hours of heavy rain.  However on Remembrance/Armistice Sunday (11.11.11), from 08.30 the sun shone throughout the day and so once again we managed to remain dry on the outside.  Some 52 of us gathered on Horse Guards Parade and signed in with Mick Griffin, who as usual took the roll call.  As this was our 16th appearance, many of our contingent know each other and greet old friends and colleagues.  Someone reported that Stew McArdle was seen to smile, but it turned out to be fake news!!

Our joint leaders were former PM and Vice President Group Captain Ted Scaplehorn OBE and Association Chairman Mr  Alan Mitchell.  They were “escorted” by retired Group Captains John Rose OBE and David Stanley.

The contingent Right Marker was Big Brian Burgess.  The Left Marker and TV target was George (Badger) Brooks.  The rear Right Marker was Ken Rider and the rear Left marker Brian Flinn.  The RAF Police contingent was as usual, under the command and control of the Association Parade Marshal, Bill Veazey, MBE.   Bill Thompson carried the wreath from the Provost Marshal and  RAF Police.  Roger Bishop carried the wreath from members of the Association.

This year as contingent No 2, in column C, we were positioned on Whitehall well towards the Cenotaph.  Just ahead of us was positioned the Blind Veterans UK – some of our members are both carers and members,  among them were Tony Harbour and Archie Heath along with serving Warrant Officer Kevin Roberts.

After waiting on Whitehall for an hour or so, we smartly “eyes left” to the Cenotaph and later “eyes right” to HRH Princess Anne.

The Silver Cross Pub as usual provided a great buffet which was enjoyed by marchers, relatives and friends.  There we were joined by serving Warrant Officer Lee Close, also on duty in London.  On the previous Thursday, Bill Veazey as usual, was present in the Garden of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey along with HRH Prince Harry.

So our 16th successive presence on the Cenotaph Parade, was a great success and the RAF Police Association contingent, was proud to be part of the 100th Anniversary commemorations of the Armistice, the RAF and the RAF Police.

2017 – Cenotaph Report

On Remembrance Sunday 2017 in Central London, it rained until about 7.30, but for the rest of the day, it was fine with a cool northerly wind.  This year, our very cheerful contingent numbered 50 (ish), and included 5 first timers on the better side of 70!  With the kind permission of the Provost Marshal (Group Captain Steve Horne MA RAF) we were joined by Warrant Officer Dale Woolman-Lane MBE  RAF.  Our meeter and greeter was principally a happy Mick Griffin.  The joint leaders of our contingent were former Provost Marshal and Association Vice President, retired Group Captain Ted Scaplehorn OBE and Association Chairman, Alan Mitchell.  They were as usual “escorted” by retired  Group Captains John Rose OBE and David Stanley.   Our Right Marker as usual was BBB,  Big Brian  Burgess.  Our Left Marker and TV target was as ever George Badger Brookes, wearing the contingent identifying badge of C23 (Column C, contingent number 23).  The rear Right Marker was Graeme Sparke MBE, with Brian Flinn as rear Left Marker.  The RAF Police Association Contingent was under the control of the Association National Parade Marshal, Bill Veazey MBE.  

This year Eddie Snailum carried the wreath from the Provost Marshal and serving RAF Police, while Mark Newsome carried the wreath from all members of the Association.  On  Whitehall we were positioned way down towards Trafalgar Square, so when about 11.45, Bill called us to attention and “quick march”, we had quite some distance to go before we gave a smart “eyes left” to the Cenotaph. 

Some minutes later we gave an equally smart “eyes right”, to HRH Prince Edward and the Royal British Legion President, Air Marshal David Walker.

Back on Horse Guards Parade, we did not have long to wait for the National Anthem and Bill issuing the great order of “Dismiss”.  We retired through Horse Guards Arch, crossed over Whitehall and down into the basement bar of the Silver Cross pub.  There we joined our relatives and friends for a drink and excellent finger buffet.

Also on parade were several members who are patients and carers from Blind Veterans UK (formerly St Dunstans).  Bill Veazey as usual, attended the Garden of Remembrance on the Thursday before Remembrance Sunday and there he once again met HRH Prince Harry.  For the 15^th successive year, there was an RAF Police Association Contingent marching on the annual parade at the Cenotaph.  Next year’s parade will commemorate not only 100 years (precisely) since the end of the First World War, it will also celebrate 100 years of the RAF and the RAF Police.  (John Walton)