View Full Version : 203 Sqn RAF - Centenary Celebration 2014
PercysPeople
21st Jan 2013, 11:01
203 Sqn RAF will reach its Centenary in 2014. To mark this milestone, a weekend of events is being planned on Anglesey in May. The celebrations are open to all those who have served or are serving tours on 203 or 203 (R). Due to space limitations, it will sadly not be possible to fit in those whose sole link to the Sqn has been as a student in the 203 (R) era. Places will be allocated on a first-come, first served basis; please act quickly to avoid disappointment. Please PM me for further details of the event and how to book a place.
There will also be a limited edition 203 Centenary watch produced by Christopher Ward if there is sufficient interest - again, please PM for details.
Snarlie
21st Jan 2013, 13:45
How can 203 Squadron RAF celebrate a centenary in 2014 when the RAF itself was not formed until All Fools Day 1 April 1918?
BossEyed
21st Jan 2013, 14:04
Renumbered RNAS squadron? There were a few of those.
Snarlie
21st Jan 2013, 14:19
So it`s not a centenary of 203 Squadron RAF then?
Gene Genie
21st Jan 2013, 15:06
Snarlie
If you're going to be pedantic, then at least get you're date right.
Gene
It would appear that 203 was formed out of 3 RN Sqn on 1 Sep 1914 and only became 203 Sqn RAF on 1 Apr 1918 so May 2014 is premature on both counts!
Does OC 203 know this?
topendtorque
21st Jan 2013, 19:20
You're talking about an April fool, right?
Spanish Waltzer
21st Jan 2013, 20:51
Guess it will be the disbandment party too. Can't imagine many more RAF SAR boys and girls need training with SARH just around the corner.
PercysPeople
22nd Jan 2013, 08:11
It would appear that 203 was formed out of 3 RN Sqn on 1 Sep 1914 and only became 203 Sqn RAF on 1 Apr 1918 so May 2014 is premature on both counts!
Does OC 203 know this?
Yes. The unit was in existence as the Eastchurch Squadron before the numerical designation, hence a Centenary is justified.
So it`s not a centenary of 203 Squadron RAF then?
203 and 'Naval 3'. There might not be much response to a thread entitled '3 Sqn RNAS Reunion'.
Snarlie
22nd Jan 2013, 11:23
Gene,
So sorry, it was such a dark date in history my fingers were trembling approaching the 8 on the keyboard and mistakenly hit the 7, now corrected.
cyclic
22nd Jan 2013, 16:45
Snarlie
Your profile:
Ex RAF Wessex and Pumas. Tried running own business on leaving RAF but failed. Now trying to recover by freelancing on AS 355
Strange...
PercysPeople
4th Feb 2013, 10:50
Meanwhile...
Most of the places are now taken, so if you are interested, please get in touch quickly!
Percy
Spanish Waltzer
27th Mar 2014, 13:54
So is this milestone of sorts still being celebrated in May or has 203 quietly slipped away as the first step in the demise of military SAR? Surely can't be that many students still being trained with only 18 months left?
End of an era and a shame if the lads and lasses at Valley aren't given the chance to have a party...
A new course starts shortly.
Democritus
27th Mar 2014, 18:42
Maybe 203 are trying to upstage the centenary celebrations of the formation of the Royal Naval Air Service on 1st July 1914. At least we are celebrating that exactly 100 years to the day on 1st July this year.
The Admiralty unofficially adopted the title Royal Naval Air Service for the Naval Wing of the Royal Flying Corps. The strength of the RNAS on formation was 55 seaplanes and "shipborne" aircraft; 40 aeroplanes; seven airships; 111 officers and 544 men. (Extracted from Admiralty Circular Letter CW.13964/14 'Royal Naval Air Service Organisation Adm. 1/8378).