Freedom Parade for Founder Squadron
As part of its 80th anniversary celebrations, Sunday 22nd September saw 42F (King’s Lynn) Squadron Air Training Corps exercise their Freedom of the Borough of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk by marching through their town to its historic Tuesday Market Place where they were inspected by the Mayor.
King’s Lynn’s 42 (Founder) Squadron, formed in January 1939, received the Honorary Freedom of the Borough in 2014, a privilege only granted to two other organisations: The Royal Anglians and RAF Marham.
This was the third time the Squadron had exercised its right and a large crowd had gathered to see the arrival of the cadets into the square. A short display was performed by members of the Norfolk & Suffolk Wing ATC Marching Band before the Squadron arrived. They were shortly followed by the Borough Mayor and invited dignitaries including the Deputy Lieutenant of the County, Sir Jeremy Bagge, who were themselves preceded by the Town’s regalia carried by ceremonial Mace Bearers.
Following the formal inspection by Borough Mayor Councillor Geoff Hipperson and Officer Commanding Norfolk and Suffolk Wing, Wing Commander David Miller MBE RAFAC, and a March Past, the Squadron marched off back through the town, this time led by the band, to its Saturday Market Place and a reception in the Town Hall.
Commenting, 42F’s Commanding Officer Flight Lieutenant Pauline Petch said “This was a fantastic day, the cadets have done the Squadron, their parents, the town and of course themselves proud.”
The Squadron’s latest intake of new members who had only joined three parade evenings earlier were excited to be involved and also to be able to chat with Norfolk & Suffolk Wing’s boss Wing Commander Miller.