In what turned out to be a very special and moving occasion here at the Allied Air Forces Memorial & Yorkshire Air Museum, the Women’s Section Royal British Legion held their annual Memorial Day on Sunday 14th August. Members of RBL Women’s Section Branches from across the Yorkshire and North East regions gathered during the morning in readiness for the Parade of Standards, which led into the unique Memorial Garden to the Women’s Air Services for the colourful Wreath Laying Ceremony. In a strong turnout, 19 Standards were presented, including support from York Royal Air Forces Association.
Both the Museum and RBLWS organisers were delighted that HM The Queen’s representative the Lord Lieutenant of North Yorkshire, Mr. Barry Dodd CBE and Lady Feversham, President North Yorkshire RBLWS; attended the event to take the Salute from the Parade and lead the wreath laying ceremony. Wreaths were also laid by Mrs. Wendy Bromwich JP Life Vice President;(who followed the Lord Lieutenant to lay the wreath); Mrs. A. J. Murray MBE, Vice President Durham RBLWS; Mrs. D. Ingham OBE, President East Riding RBLWS; Mrs. H. Crosby, South & West Yorkshire RBLWS and Mr. Ian Reed ONM FRAeS, Director of the Allied Air Forces Memorial & Yorkshire Air Museum.
Following this, the Parade reformed to march to the Chapel for the Memorial Service. What made the ceremony so significant and poignant this year was the official Laying Up of the three Regional Women’s Section Standards of North Yorkshire County, East Riding of Yorkshire and South & West Yorkshire County. Additionally, following a last minute decision by Branch Members, the Crofton, Walton & Warmfield cum Heath Branch (South West Yorkshire) also presented their Standard to be Laid Up. The Laying Up of these Standards followed the recent decision by the Royal British Legion to amalgamate the Women’s Section into the core body, to no longer be a distinct group.
Emotions were welling, but stoically kept in check, as the Standards were taken into our care by our Honorary Chaplain, the Revd. (Squadron Leader) Charles “Taff” Morgan MBE, with each Standard Marched forward in turn. In his typically eloquent sermon, “Taff” paid tribute to the dedication of women in Service from WWI and the Battle of the Somme, which saw women tending to the horrendous wounds suffered by infantry and indeed airmen, engaged in the bloody battles on the fields and, for the first time in history, in the skies above. He reflected also on those women at home, who were left to deal with the consequences of menfolk away from home, and the damage to mind, body and soul of those returning from the front. This dedication has continued to today, where women are now serving on the frontline and piloting the latest aircraft in service, with no distinction between them and their male counterparts. Perhaps it is this modern ethos that has led the decision to streamline the Royal British Legion.
Not surprisingly, after the ceremony was complete, the tears flowed as the significance of the occasion sank in.
Ian Reed, Museum Director comments: “We are very proud and indeed humbled to take these treasured Regional Standards into our care here at Elvington. Our Station Chapel is indeed a fitting place for these symbols of friendship and Remembrance to rest. They mean so much to those that have carried and marched with them at many Memorial Ceremonies, and are honoured that this Memorial & Museum was the past place they were Paraded to the public.”
