A night to remember
By Corporal R. Phillips
This year’s annual Dining
in Night theme was based
on
the
seventieth
anniversary of the Dam
Busters Raid.
Operation
Chastise
was the mission to carry
out an attack on German
dams. The bombing of
two out of three dams
were carried out between
16th and 17th May 1943.
Haughton Hall was
yet again chosen as the
spectacular and historic
location of the squadron’s
annual Dining in Night.
After the guests and
top table entered the
dining hall, Sgt. Street
gave the command for FS.
Frost
to
march
the
squadron banner in –
while the Dam busters
march
theme
music
played.
the
8
Following grace and
first course, Cpl.
Bromley conducted her
speech targeted on Sir
Barnes Wallis’ invention of
the Bouncing Bomb.
gave a chance for the
guests to share their
thoughts on the evening
so far.
Next after the main
course, Cpl. Cox spoke
about the formation of
617 Squadron – who
carried out the raid. Cpl.
Cox’s speech concluded
with the vivid sound of an
Avro
Lancaster
flying
overhead.
The
top
table
conducted their speeches
following the conclusion of
the comfort break. The
squadron’s
Officer
Commanding (OC) – Flt.
Lt. Vince – was first to
discuss the evening and
the squadron: including
Gliding
Scholarships
attained by Sgt. Pagett
and Cpl. Cox; recent
swimming gala results,
which Sgt. Pagett, Cdt. S.
Boyle and Cdt. P. Boyle
represented
the
squadron; the squadron
band’s participation in the
Approbation Parade in
Albrighton;
the
development
of
the
squadron
website
and
new YouTube channel;
and how all of these
achievements are “only
part of who we are and
what we, as a squadron,
Following dessert and
the
passing
of
port
substitute;
Cpl.
IbbsGeorge gave a talk about
the successes and the
losses of the raid.
Cdt. Smart – the
evening’s Mr Vice – stood
and asked the guests to
toast the Queen.
After the informative
speeches
and
three
scrumptious courses, a
brief comfort break was
permitted
by
the
President of the Mess
Committee (PMC). This
2497 (Cosford) Squadron Altitude | Autumn 2013