120 Squadron were joined by families of fallen personnel to dedicate a new Roll of Honour Board listing the names of all 104 Squadron members who lost their lives in service to our country.
Attendees included current serving personnel, retired members of the Squadron, and the families of those being dedicated in the Roll of Honour. The Roll of Honour Board, located in 120 Squadron’s Crew Room in the Atlantic Building at RAF Lossiemouth, will provide a historical and personal reminder of the personnel the Squadron has lost over the years.
The board, made from Inverness oak, was carved by a local artist and contains intricate details reflecting all 107 years of the Squadron’s history.
The Squadron was honoured to have the Chaplain-in-Chief of the RAF, the Venerable Dr (Air Vice Marshal) Giles Legood, lead the dedication service, while His Majesty the King was represented by Deputy Lieutenant of Moray, Mrs Sue Finnegan.
Opening the day’s events was Officer Commanding 120 Squadron, Wing Commander David Higgins, who said:
"120 Squadron is busier than ever in its constant endeavour to keep our country safe, protect our nuclear deterrent, track submarines far out into the North Atlantic, and provide vital intelligence over Eastern Europe and the Baltic, often all in the same week. While our Squadron has a proud reputation of being the best in the world at what we do, at times this has been earned through great sacrifice.
As we face an uncertain future, we draw strength and inspiration from the deeds and selflessness of all those who came before us. This new Roll of Honour, and the names of the 104 heroes on it, will be a continual reminder of what our Squadron motto – Endurance – really means, and a reassurance that all those who made the ultimate sacrifice in the name of 120 Squadron will never be forgotten."
It is hoped that the presence of the Roll of Honour Board will give all who visit the Squadron a moment of stillness, acknowledging the commitment of all who have served and the realities of the sacrifice many have made for their country.
The 2nd of September is a sombre date for the Squadron, marking the anniversary of fatal Nimrod crashes in both 1995 and 2006, making the timing of today’s event even more poignant, and offering the opportunity to combine the dedication service with a memorial service for those two crews.
Following the Chaplain-in-Chief's reading, the names of those lost in on Nimrod XV239 and Nimrod XV230 were read by the former OC 120 Squadrons in post at the time of those accidents, (Ret’d) Gp Capt Bob Henry, and (Ret’d) Gp Capt Martin Cannard OBE.
The Roll of Honour was then blessed and dedicated by the Chaplain-in-Chief, who said:
“May all who visit here in times to come, pause and be still. May they acknowledge, and give thanks for, the commitment of all who have served on 120 Squadron and in the wider Royal Air Force...
...May all who gaze upon this solemn board be inspired by the example of those commemorated today”
The service concluded with some words from the Chairman of the 120 Squadron Association, (Ret’d) Wg Cdr Dave Allen, who stressed the role of the Association in providing ongoing fellowship, camaraderie, and support for both current and former Squadron members, as well as being a focal point for arranging future memorial events.
The list of names on the Roll of Honour board can be viewed on the 120 Squadron Association’s website at: https://cxx.org.uk/about-cxx-squadron/roll-of-honour/
