Overview
RAF Cosford
RAF Halton
RAF Lossiemouth
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502 (Ulster) Sqn RAuxAF

RAF Central Scotland

About

502 (Ulster) Squadron is the first Northern Ireland based RAF band, not counting the original RAuxAF band that was a part of the 502(Ulster)Sqn from the 1920s through to the 1950s. The band comprises members of the Reserves and operates within the wire at Aldergrove Flying Station. The Squadron band play as part of ceremonial events in Northern Ireland and occasionally play alongside other RAF bands as part of wider Force events. 

502 Squadron has the distinction of being the very first Reserve squadron formed following an Act of Parliament in July 1924 and an Order in Council that October when work began to set up Auxiliary Air Force units to enable Lord Trenchard’s vision of civilians serving their country in flying squadrons in their spare time. By the following May the first of those units was ready to start recruiting as a Special Reserve Squadron at RAF Aldergrove whose personnel would learn to operate heavy bomber aircraft and was given the number 502 (Ulster) Squadron.

Key Dates

1925 The Air Ministry awarded a grant of £40 to set up the Squadron Band, under the direction of Band Instructor Flight Sergeant Carver. Wearing the Saffron kilt, the band performed at many high-profile ceremonial events in Northern Ireland up until the Sqn was disbanded in 1957.

1937 The band played at RAF Donibristle on the coast of the Firth of Forth, marching from City HQ before boarding the ferry at Donegal Quay.

1938 The band proudly led the Squadron to camp at Hawkinge, near Folkestone, when five officers and 102 airmen travelled via the Heysham ferry. The band continued to be a popular element of 502 Sqn after World War 2. 

1948 The Squadron Order Book noted that “the pipe band has been vigorously practising on Thursday evenings at the City HQ and [the musicians] have reached a high standard of proficiency, being chosen to participate at the celebration of the Battle of the Somme Anniversary by the Royal Ulster Rifles in Belfast on July 1st.”

1951 In their newly purchased saffron kilts, the band Beat the Retreat on the promenade at Watchet to the great delight of the local inhabitants and holiday-makers.

1957 Like most of the RAuxAF squadrons which flew jet aircraft in the 1950s, 502 Sqn was disbanded in March 1957 following long RAF strategic discussions as jet aircraft became ever more sophisticated and unsuitable for part time airmen to operate, and Vampire jets were phased out. 

2013 The Sqn was reformed as a General Service Sqn, with volunteer reserves trained to deliver support to the RAF across 19 specialist ground trades.

502(Ulster)Sqn Pipes and Drums were reformed by the new Sqn WO Stephen McGuinness, an ex-Regular with RAF Music Services with 32 years’ service who retired to NI and then joined the Reserves at Aldergrove.  As well as being a military musician full-time he was a voluntary member of the RAF Pipes and Drums at RAF Halton since joining in 1988, performing throughout the world. Since reforming the band has undertaken over 25 engagements including the PM playing at the Basel Tattoo in Switzerland and in front of His Majesty King Charles at Balmoral Castle.  

Rehearsals & Joining the band

Band rehearsals take place on Wednesday evenings as part of Reserve training nights, and Saturday afternoons as part of monthly Squadron training weekends. Membership is currently restricted to Regulars or Reserves, for whom tuition is available to those willing and interested in drumming, piping or becoming a pipe major.