Inspector RAuxAF
100 Years of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force 1924 - 2024 – A Short History
The Beginning
ROYAL AUXILIARY AIR FORCE I 100 th ANNIVERSARY
Inspector RAuxAF
The RAuxAF continues to be a key force for good within the MoD and RAF , with Reserve personnel mobilising , providing direct support and remote working in larger numbers than ever before . This comes at a time when the RAF regular force is maintaining multiple enduring operational commitments countering risks across the world . Recent surveys have highlighted that RAuxAF war fighting ethos and the drive of Reserve personnel to serve have never been higher .
I also want to highlight my personal pride at the enormous enthusiasm and support from RAuxAF personnel in support for Operation London Bridge , the death of Queen Elizabeth , and Operation Golden Orb , the Coronation of His Majesty . The RAuxAF Command WO and I could barely keep pace with the number of volunteers . Transit accommodation , full overnight rehearsals and very sore feet could not dent the morale of RAuxAF personnel directly contributing to , and the wider force supporting , these historical events . This can only lead to a fabulous RAuxAF 100 celebrations in 2024 .
100 Years of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force 1924 - 2024 – A Short History
In 2024 the Royal Auxiliary Air Force ( RAuxAF ) celebrates its 100th anniversary . The operational needs of today ’ s Royal Air Force and the support provided by its Reserve component are very different from those of 1924 , and new chapters in its history continue to be written .
However , despite the changes throughout the past 100 years , one thing has remained constant ; the professionalism , commitment and selfless dedication of the men and women of the RAuxAF , which is something to be justly proud of .
The Beginning
The history of the Territorial and Auxiliary Forces dates back to the Territorial and Reserve Forces Act 1907 , and in November 1917 , the Air Force ( Constitution ) Act was passed , which made provision for the creation of an Auxiliary Air Force ( AAF ). However , it was not until 1924 , following the creation of the Royal Air Force in 1918 , that Lord Trenchard ’ s vision of civilians serving their country in flying squadrons in their spare time came into being through an Order in Council on 9th October 1924 ( following an Act of Parliament of July 14 , 1924 , which extended to the AAF the provisions of the Territorial and Reserve Forces Act of 1907 ). By the following year the first AAF Squadrons were formed .
Following the gaining of support from local authorities and Territorial Associations , the original plan was to form 20 Squadrons ; but it was wisely agreed to start with five Squadrons . They were to be located in the Counties of London and Warwickshire , and the Cities of London , Edinburgh , and Glasgow . In addition one or two Special Reserve Squadrons would be formed .
Under the provisions of AAF and Air Force Reserves Act 1924 , there would be six AAF Squadrons ( 600 series ) and seven Special Reserve ( SR ) Squadrons ( 500 series ), with the aim to reach the 20 Squadron target .
On 15 May 1925 , No 502 ( Ulster ) Squadron formed as the first SR Squadron at Aldergrove . On 15 September 1925 , 602 ( City of Glasgow ) Squadron formed as the first AAF Squadron . These were followed on 14 October 1925 by 600 ( City of London ) and 601 ( County of London ) Squadrons at RAF Northolt and 603 ( City of Edinburgh ) Squadron at Turnhouse . All were light bomber squadrons .
AAF Westland Wallaces in formation during a training weekend
Between 1926 and 1935 both the AAF and SR expanded . In 1926 , 605 ( County of Warwick ) AAF Squadron formed at Castle Bromwich and 503 ( County of Lincoln ) SR Squadron formed at Waddington .
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