Remembrance commemorations at Royal Air Force Wittering were marked with the arrival of special guest as retired RAF Warrant Officer Bert Salvage visited the Station today.
Image By: SAC Jack Welson
96-year-old Mr Salvage was present at the annual commemoration of the Battle of Britain in Stamford on Sunday 15th September, when he met Group Captain Jo Lincoln, Station Commander at Royal Air Force Wittering. The meeting was especially poignant as Mr Salvage had served at the Station during the V-Bomber era.
Image By: SAC Kim Waterson
The moment was captured in an oil painting by local artist Terry Preen, who thoughtfully chose Group Captain Lincoln’s words “Thank you for your service, Sir” as a fitting title for the picture.
Image By: Artist Mr Terry Preen
Having crafted the painting, it was only right that Mr Preen and Mr Salvage should be invited to RAF Wittering. Both gentlemen were given a tour of the Station’s history rooms before taking part in the Act of Remembrance at 11 o’clock. As he arrived, RAF Wittering’s personnel greeted Mr Salvage with warm and heartfelt applause.
Image By: SAC Jack Welson
Image By: SAC Kim Waterson
Mr Salvage retired from the Royal Air Force and departed RAF Wittering in 1970, having served for 35 years. Before his retirement, Mr Salvage maintained the instrument systems for the Blue Steel missile and remembered perfectly the old hangar and training rooms in which he worked.
Image By: SAC Jack Welson
A host of RAF Wittering Warrant Officers turned out to meet Mr Salvage at the Seniors’ Mess for lunch. Organiser of the visit, Warrant Officer Hywel Greening said: “All of us enjoyed meeting Bert, it was absolutely a pleasure. Days like this don’t come along very often, so you have to take the time to listen and also to say thank you.”
Image By: SAC Kim Waterson
Lisa Herbert is the activities coordinator at the residential home where Mr Salvage lives. She said: “The visit has gone amazingly well, I can see the happiness in Bert’s face.”
At the end of his visit, Mr Salvage described his trip to RAF Wittering as simply: “A wonderful time, unbelievable.”
Image By: SAC Kim Waterson
The Station Commander said: “Armistice Day, quite properly, focuses our thoughts on the people who have given their lives to defend their country and be grateful for that sacrifice. I believe we also have an opportunity and obligation to thank the veterans who are still with us.”
Group Captain Lincoln concluded: “We must say thank you to Mr Salvage for adding something special to our Remembrance Day commemorations. We have enjoyed his company immensely and it has been an honour to host Warrant Officer Bert, Lisa and Mr Preen as our guests today.”
