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RAF 100 celebrated at Belfast Cathedral

The RAF's centenary was celebrated in a packed service at Belfast's St Anne's Cathedral today, attended by the Senior Officers of both the RAF and the Irish Air Corps. Both air forces have their roots in the Royal Flying Corps and the early days of the Royal Air Force, which was 100 years old on April 1st 2018.

Belfast's St Anne's Cathedral Celebrations

Throughout the RAF100 celebrations, the air force is highlighting its service to the country, from the challenging times of the Second World War and the Cold War to recent intensive flying in actions in the fight against Daesh terror groups in Iraq and Syria. The RAF is proud of its technologically advanced focus, delivered by a diverse and well-educated workforce.

The service in Belfast was attended by leading political and civic figures from Northern Ireland, as well as veterans and relatives of some of those who served in World Wars One and Two.

 AIR CHIEF MARSHAL SIR STEPHEN HILLIER and Brigadier General Sean Clancy

Speaking to many of the guests at an event reception, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Hillier said:

"Today gives us the opportunity to celebrate the RAF's centenary here in Northern Ireland which has a long history of connection with the RAF going back to the 1920s. We are delighted to be joined by my counterpart from the Irish Air Corps, Brigadier General Sean Clancy, as we share a common heritage of military flying on the Island, with roots in the Royal Flying Corps and the Royal Air Force pre-partition.”

Brigadier General Clancy said the history of the two air forces had been inextricably linked and he was humbled to be in Belfast “with many of those who stood tall in times of peril.”

“In 1922 when the Irish Army Air Corps was established , the origingal 15 pilots had all flown in the First World War and served in the Royal Flying Corps and the Royal Air Force,”

said Brigadier General Clancy.

“In World War Two, ten RAF Aces were from Ireland. Whatever their motivation I am here to acknowledge those men and women and the strength of our union is more important than ever.”

Among those attending were veterans and relatives of those killed in service, including Robin Brown, the Great Grandson of William Robert Gregory from Co Galway who was the subject of several  poems by WB Yeats. At the age of 34 and with 3 children, he joined the war effort. In 1916 as a fighter pilot on 40 Squadron Royal Flying Corps, Gregory was credited with eight victories and became one of the first Irish pilots to achieve the status of being a wartime ace.

Outside the Cathedral, a life-size replica WW2 Spitfire aircraft was displayed in Writers Square. The aircraft is a replica of Spitfire Mark 2a and is owned by the Ulster Aviation Society. It has been painted in the design of Spitfire P7823 of 504 Squadron which served with the RAF. The original P7823 was based with 504 Squadron at Ballyhalbert County Down in the autumn of 1941. It was one of 17 Spitfires purchased through the Belfast Telegraph Spitfire Fund, set up through donations of thousands of individuals as well as businesses and private organisations.

 AIR CHIEF MARSHAL SIR STEPHEN HILLIER and Brigadier General Sean Clancy next to spitfire

Northern Ireland became a vital base in World War Two, with over 28 airfields from the Ards Peninsula to Lough Erne primarily focused on winning the Battle of the Atlantic. Aircraft based in Northern Ireland successfully sank many U-boats and assisted in the sinking of the most famous German battleship of the war, the Bismarck. These war efforts were assisted by a secret agreement with the Neutral Republic of Ireland which permitted overflying of a corridor to the Atlantic in Donegal which meant faster access to the sea for the Sunderlands and Catalinas operating off Lough Erne.

During the Second World War, almost 12,000 men and women from Northern Ireland volunteered to serve in the RAF, with 1352 of them losing their lives. The area also played host to several Polish Fighter Squadrons whose sacrifice is marked by the graves which can be found in many local churchyards.

There has been a tradition of people from all parts of Ireland volunteering to serve in the RAF, a tradition which still exists: Today's air force has many talented and valued people serving from Ireland at all levels.

Today the RAF is present in Northern Ireland through 502(Ulster) Squadron RAuxAF, which has around 140 members, and the newly formed Northern Ireland Universities Air Squadron, which hosts undergraduates from the area’s two universities, Queens Belfast and the University of Ulster. 502 Squadron is the oldest Reserve squadron in the RAF as it was founded in 1928 and has a note-worthy record of service in World War Two flying against and sinking U Boats and German Maritime patrol aircraft.

Summing up the day Air Vice-Marshal David Niven, Air Officer Northern Ireland said:

"An important part of RAF100 is to commemorate those who have helped to build the Royal Air Force into the world-class Service it is today. From the earliest pioneers of British aviation and those first to serve in the Royal Air Force in 1918 and in World War II, to our most recent veterans, RAF100 gives us the opportunity to reflect on the proud history of the Service, the important milestones, achievements and legacy of our first 100 years. The last 100 years have taken us from the early days of flight, through years of dedicated service to the present day where our servicemen and women now continue to aid and protect people around the world with dedication, skill and cutting-edge technology."