LAST POST - RAF Veteran Roy Newbury 2 July 1928 - 23 Nov 2022
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It is with very great sadness that the Branch came together on a cold snowy morning in Cambridgeshire in Dec 22, to say our final farewell to our friend and long standing Branch Member Roy Newbury.
Roy had joined the Royal Air Force as an engineer serving in Palestine after WWII, and Stations in the UK. 
Having served on the Branch Committee for many years, Roy would always volunteer for vacant positions, this is how he became our Branch Standard Bearer for a long period. His exacting standards and eye for military detail were evident in all he did. He researched Lancaster crews who were shot down, keeping detailed records. He wrote extensive and detailed instructions for the Standard Bearer role. As an honorary member of the Air Crew Association, he often attended parades and memorials in France honouring those bomber crews, he was very highly thought of member in that Association too. A very loyal Wings Appeal collector, he would charm everyone whom he met, often with a cheeky smile, or quick line of introduction and explanation about our Branch and charity. 
A frequent attender at Branch NAAFI Breaks, Roy once he lost his driving licence through age, would regale stories to our Branch Padre who would collect him. He always liked to arrive early for breakfast, and pick up fish and chips on his way home. Sadly many never witnessed his epic playing of the spoons, as a means of entertaining folk, or his singing whilst collecting for Wings Appeals, as our former Chairwoman Lisa reflected. Perhaps most fitting is his parting words of goodbye as on many occasion, he would say to you, goodbye God bless.
Roy Newbury a light in all our lives, you will be deeply missed by us all, and always very fondly remembered as a loyal friend. 
Per Ardua Ad Astra. 

Warrant Officer Shaun Griffin Branch RAFALO
Lord Hugh Trenchard
Branch President Appintment
The Branch are delighted and hugely honoured to announce the appointment of Lord Hugh Trenchard as our Branch Honorary President.

Lord Trenchard served in the British Army from 1972 – 1980 as a Captain in the 4th Battn, the Royal Green Jackets. In 2006, he became Honorary Air Commodore of 600 (City of London) Squadron RAuxAF. Furthermore, Lord Trenchard served as a member of council and trustee for our sister charity the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund from 1991-2003 and again from 2006 – 2013.

Lord Trenchard has been a loyal supporter of the Branch for many years, most recently joining with the Branch in our Services 100th anniversary celebrations back in 2018. We warmly welcomed him at our recent Battle of Britain 'Service of Thanksgiving and Re-Dedication'.

Of course, being the grandson of the ‘Father of the Royal Air Force’ Marshall of the Royal Air Force Hugh Montague Trenchard GCB, OM, GCVO, DSO, the honour bestowed on our Royal Air Forces Association Branch is of the highest order. We look forward to many years of your Honorary Presidency.
INFORMATION

NAAFI Breaks

Branch NAAFI Break is well and truly lodged in our monthly schedule. We get together on the last Wednesday of the month for friendship and support. Details will be found on our Meeting page under Menu item About.
ANNOUNCEMENTS

Branch Merger
Our Branch has recently merged with the Stevenage RAFA Branch; our title remains Letchworth Hitchin and District Branch. One thing that has changed is our membership which has increased but 176 to a wonderful 235.

We are very pleased to welcome all of the Stevenage Branch to our number, and we look forward to forging a new network of support for RAFA members and the wider RAF family spanning an even larger geographical area.

Branch Committee
Following the AGM our 2021/22 Branch Committee is now shown under menu item About.

Our Previous Branch RAFALO Meets Her Majesty The Queen
The Queen views a new portrait, commissioned by the RAF Regiment
W.O. Shaun Griffin, Branch RAFALO,  said, "It was an absolute honour to be part of the Corps representatives presenting our Air Commodore in Chief this amazing portrait. This has been the proudest and most memorable day of my 33 years service".

Armed Forces Day 2018
See how the Branch took part in Armed Forces Day 2018 in the Events Gallery here.

Branch Rules
A page linking to our Branch Rules is available under the About menu.

Facebook
Click on the logo at the bottom of this page to fnd us on Facebook.

Latest RAFAGEN
The Winter 2024 edition of our newsletter, RAFAGEN, is available from an option under About on the menu above.

Battle of Britain - Service of Thanksgiving and Re-Dedication on 2nd October 2022
See a gallery of our photos when we took part in the event

Last Post
It is with deep regret that we have to announce the death of Life member William (Bill) O’Donavan in February 2023.

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