Exercise Hawker is XXIV Squadron’s annual staff ride to Ligny-Thilloy, in France, paying respect to Major Lanoe Hawker VC.
The force development trip took place over 4 days and included visits to numerous airfields, memorials and battlefields, which prompted group discussions relating to multiple aspects of Air power during WW1, with comparison to the present day. Sergeant Ed Becket (Project Officer) along with six XXIV Squadron members, and Officer Commanding Staff Rides, made up the eight strong contingent.
Day one saw an early departure from RAF Brize Norton, and safe arrival at St. Omer Airfield later that day; a place that has been described as the spiritual home of the Royal Flying Corps. During WW1, it was the largest airfield on the Western Front, housing multiple squadrons and support units, and was used intensively as a hub and spoke location, allowing for greater reach, while trying to defeat the enemy.
We then travelled to the crash site and burial place of Captain Albert Ball VC, who was, at the time of his death, the UKs leading flying ace, with forty-four victories. He was buried with full military honours by the Germans in Annoeullin, the only British grave within the German cemetery.
Day two was primarily spent visiting multiple Somme battlefields and memorials. We then drove to The Sunken Road, which is where the Lancashire Regiment positioned themselves prior to attacking German lines on the 1 Jul 1916. The troops were filmed prior to the attack for a documentary that was shown in cinemas around the UK. Next, we visited the Lochnagar Crater, a deep hole in the ground, created using miners tunnelling under German lines and placing 60,000 lbs of explosives that was detonated prior to the attack on the 1 Jul 1916. Close by, was the cemetery for the 163 men of the Devonshire Regiment who lost their lives at the Somme. These men had been aware of a German machine gun post, that would go on to decimate the Regiment, but were powerless to disable it prior to going over the top.
The final visit of the day was to the incredibly moving monument at Thiepval, dedicated to 72,332 allied soldiers who have no known grave. That evening we met with twelve members of the XXIV Squadron Association, and listened to their stories of previous service, which were an interesting insight into XXIV Squadron over the years.
Day 3 started with a visit to a Somme battlefield fixed position on top of a slag heap. Sergeant Wright (Mechanical Transport Section) delivered her presentation regarding Major Lanoe Hawker VC, discussing his unfortunate death, which occurred after a dog fight with the Red Baron, and the aircraft used by both sides.
Meeting again with the XXIV Squadron Association, we were introduced to the local dignitaries and residents of Ligny-Thilloy, who were very pleased to have Royal Air Force representation at the memorial. A short ceremony with the laying of wraths at the Ligny-Thilloy and Hawker memorials took place, followed by us all being hosted in the local village hall. The hospitality of the local residents was second to none.
To the delight of all, 2267 Squadron Air Training Corps (ATC), based at RAF Brize Norton, arrived at the monument and paid their respects by laying a wreath. Following the memorial, the Staff Ride continued to the Arras Flying Service Memorial, where Major Lanoe Hawker VC is also memorialised.
Day 4, the final day, saw us visit Vimy Ridge. The visitor centre took us on a tour of the tunnels, which were used to deploy Canadian troops right in front of the German front lines. The impressively large monument is dedicated to the Canadian Expeditionary Force.
Overall, this was a remarkably successful staff ride, that encompassed multiple visits despite the poor weather conditions. The visits cemented relations between XXIV Squadron, XXIV Squadron Association, the residents of Ligny-Thilloy, and 2267 Squadron ATC, paving the way for future Ceremonies and visits.
For those interested in aviation history, it is of note that a short film, regarding Major Hawker, ‘The first pilot to mount a machinegun, helped to shape modern warfare’, will be released shortly:
In Omnia Parati "Prepared for all things"
Sergeant Ed Becket, XXIV Squadron
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