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Old 14th Apr 2008, 09:03
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debsh
 
Join Date: May 2006
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Fg Off Wales' Wings

Churchill's wings were honorary.

Herings's Customs and Traditions of the Royal Air Force states:
'A unique and singular departure from the strict tradition regulating the award of the Royal Air Force flying badge was made in the case of Sir Winston Churchill, Honorary Air Commodore of No 605 (County of Surrey) Squadron of the Royal auxiliary Air Force. Because of his great services to the nation during the Second World War, his unflagging support of, and interest in, the activities of the flying Service, and perhaps because he was the first Prime Minister to hold Honorary Air rank in an active squadron, the air Council decided to make an honorary award of the flying badge to him'

Hering also notes that George V exercised his royal prerogative as Commander-in-Chief of all the Armed Forces to wear the badge although there is no record of him ever flying even as a passenger.

And who was going to argue with him?
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