On Monday 11th January, first parade was over and the air cadets of 42F (King’s Lynn) Squadron were well into classroom lessons when the Station Commander of RAF Marham, Group Captain Rich Davies arrived at their Loke Road Headquarters for a low key visit.
Having met with 42F’s Commanding Officer, Flight Lieutenant Pauline Petch, her staff and helpers, that included two of his own RAF personnel, the Group Captain was given a tour of the building. During the latter part of his visit he addressed the cadets giving them an insight into what his job as Station Commander involves. He explained that he had been an air cadet himself and that the experiences gained by themselves whilst members of the cadets would assist them greatly in adult life in whatever fields of employment they chose.
He spoke also about the history of RAF Marham which celebrates its 100 birthday this year having been established at nearby Narborough as a result of the first air-raids on England by German airships in January 1915. The airship dropped bombs on King’s Lynn which resulted in the first civilian deaths ever on British soil by enemy air raids.
Group Captain Davies finished his talk with a ‘question time’ during which, in his own words, he received “some very good and challenging questions.” His talk received an enthusiastic round of applause at its end.