Air Cadets from across Leicestershire Proudly marched through the City of Leicester with their parent service, the Royal Air Force, and veterans from the Royal Air Forces Association.
Almost 100 cadets joined officers and other ranks from Royal Air Force Wittering and the RAF veterans in a celebration Parade through the busy shopping centre of Leicester watched and applauded by the throng of Sunday shoppers.
Marching to the beat of the band from the Royal Air Force College,
Paying Compliments to the Chief of the Air Staff
Cranwell, the Parade paid their respects to Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Hillier KCB CBE DFC ADC MA RAF who took their salute in the company of RAF Wittering’s Station Commander, Group Captain Tony Keeling, Lady Jennifer Gretton, Lord Lieutenant of Leicestershire, Leicester’s Lord Mayor, High Sheriff and the Leicestershire County Council Chairman.
The Parade processed to Leicester’s Cathedral where a service of commemoration was held led by the Dean of Leicester, the Very Reverend David Montieth. During the service Cadet Warrant Officer Molly Satterthwaite, the Lord Lieutenant’s Cadet, with great confidence and presence, delivered the first Lesson. Lady Gretton read the second Lesson.
During his address, the Air Chief Marshal mentioned the role of the Air Cadets and their position within the RAF Family. Following the Address the Bishop of Leicester, The Right Reverend Martyn Snow, delivered his Sermon and spoke of the Military virtues upheld by the Royal Air Force and quoted Sir Winston Churchill’s words famously spoken after the Battle of Britain; “never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few.
The ACM and RAF Wittering’s Station Commander with some of the cadets and staff
The Parade attracted the attention of local television and three cadets showed their unflappability giving excellent interviews to the camera. Cadet Laura Mayoh-Smith, Cadet Sergeant Ravneet Sokhi and Cadet Warrant Officer Tom Chambers, all of 2070 (Glenfield) Squadron all passed on the message that the Air Cadets were part of the future of the Royal Air Force whilst showing admiration for those currently serving and the greatest of respect for those who have served. Interviews and film of the parade were later shown on both BBC and ITV local television news.