RAF Lossiemouth’s 8 Squadron have celebrated the birthday of a veteran who served with the Squadron during the Second World War.
Mr Peter Lemon, who turned 103 this week, was joined by Squadron Leader Leon Tidbury as Peter celebrated at his care home in Kent.
Former Warrant Officer Peter served as a Wireless Operator and Air Gunner. His wartime service took him to the Middle East where he flew in Wellington bombers on valuable maritime patrol operations.
Operating from Aden, Peter and 8 Squadron conducted anti-submarine and convoy escort missions, protecting shipping transiting to and from the Suez Canal. Peter eventually logged an impressive 419 hours on Wellingtons.
The Mayoress of the London Borough of Bromley also joined Peter’s family for the celebrations at Orpington’s Foxbridge House care home.
"It was our great privilege to be able to celebrate Peter’s birthday with him.
"The RAF has a proud legacy of maritime reconnaissance operations, which RAF Lossiemouth now hosts, so to be able to thank one of the wartime maritime reconnaissance trailblazers was a real honour.
"We owe so much to the men and women of Peter’s generation and we continue to be inspired by them as we continue our work in defence of the United Kingdom.
"Whilst the Squadron has now moved from maritime operations to airborne early warning, it is important that the history carved out by airmen like Peter lives on in the Squadron history books."
Squadron Leader Leon Tidbury
8 Squadron was relocated to Lossiemouth from RAF Waddington in 2021, following the retirement of the E-3D Sentry. Squadron Officer Commanding, Wing Commander Sarah McDonnell recently qualified as E-7 Wedgetail mission crew in readiness for her role commanding the Squadron.
