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A speech by The Prince of Wales at the Royal Air Force 90th Anniversary dinner, RAF Cranwell, Lincolnshire
9th April 2008
Chief of the Air Staff, Ladies and Gentlemen, it is, if I may say so, a really enormous pleasure to be back here at the Royal Air Force College Cranwell, this time with my darling wife, to celebrate with all of you the 90th anniversary of the Royal Air Force.My mess dress is celebrating it’s 37th anniversary – and has a few more bits of gold lace than it was originally accustomed to!
I cannot think of a more fitting environment in which to mark this milestone in our Service’s history, for Royal Air Force Cranwell has played a central role in shaping the development of the Service over the last 90 years.
I have to say that it has also played a central role in shaping not only my own development, but also that of my Grandfather, King George VI, and also my eldest son. Returning here for this splendid occasion has brought back countless memories of my time at Cranwell as part of the very first, can you believe it, graduate entry in 1971.
In order to refresh those memories I started looking through the reports on my flying training that are now in the royal archives – or at least the ones that haven’t already been purloined by the “Daily Dementor…!” I must have displayed alarming traits during those early days of my wings course on the Jet Provost because my Instructor wrote that “it is particularly pleasing to note his self-critical approach. He has the potential to make a good flying instructor!” Perish the thought!
I fear, though, that three years of studying Archaeology and Anthropology and History at Cambridge must have shown me up badly for the report went on to say that “Although interested in the subject, H.R.H. has been generally rather slow to understand the theory behind aerodynamic fact!” (If the truth were known, I also had a frightful struggle to comprehend the complexities of the Gyroscope – but perhaps I am not entirely alone…?!).
A polite reason for this lack of comprehension might have lain in the fact that the temptations of London night-life beckoned only too powerfully at the age of 23 and no doubt led to another entry in the report which noted that “the efforts of individual lecturers to keep H.R.H.’s interest in their subjects have been largely successful!” (which means he fell asleep on numerous occasions…!)
All can’t have been entirely lost, however, as towards the end of the course the report contained the observation that “he is beginning to find the Jet Provost rather tame and considers the Phantom to be more his cup of tea!”
Incidentally, my old instructor is here this evening. He’s the one with the uncontrollable nervous twitch!! But that didn’t stop him becoming Chief of the Air Staff. The last word in all this reporting was had by the Commanding Officer of Cranwell who wrote – “I can but record with regret that the R.A.F. is about to lose a very promising young pilot, but it has, I believe, gained a life-long friend.”
The first part of that sentence stretches the imagination too far, but the second part, ladies and gentlemen, is most certainly true. And it is why I am, so pleased and proud to be here with you all this evening.
I am even more proud that my eldest son is here too, some 37 years after I attended this august establishment, and tomorrow he will receive his wings.
He is no doubt anxious that his father won’t embarrass him any further, but he needn’t worry because I have not yet read his flying reports!
Cranwell became an R.A.F. station on the founding day of the Service, the 1st April 1918, and owes its foundations to the Royal Naval Air Service which established the Royal Naval Air Station DAEDALUS here for training its personnel during the First World War. It was also selected by the then Chief of the Air Staff as the home of the Royal Air Force’s new College, in part, because its distance from London protected its members from the nightly distractions of our capital – quite a wise precaution!
The R.A.F. was formed from the demands of war, and grew under the foresight and vision of 2 men whom we often forget: Generals Henderson and Sykes, and one man whom we all know: Lord Trenchard.
Under Trenchard’s stewardship, the R.A.F., and the College at Cranwell, quickly established themselves as world leaders. Cranwell, the first military air academy solely for air force commanders, and Halton, the home of the R.A.F.’s revolutionary apprentice training school, are both testament to the work of these men in the formation of the R.A.F. Trenchard was relentless in the pursuit of training excellence and the R.A.F. should be proud that it retains that spirit today – as one of your newest Flying Officers can confirm!
Trenchard was also determined that the ‘new’ Service would develop what he called the ‘Air Force spirit’, and capture the esprit de corps that had grown up among the squadrons and wings during the First World War. That spirit, of courage, determination, excellence, and a mischievous sense of humour, echoes around the corridors of this impressive building.
The many photographs remind us that although the equipment is critical, it is the people of the R.A.F. who make it what it was then and indeed make it what it is today. It is their spirit of endeavour and innovation that make us all proud of the work the R.A.F. and all that is does for this Nation. Individuals working as a team make the R.A.F., and the R.A.F. is fortunate to attract the highest quality of young men and women who seek the challenge and spirit of the air.
Over the 90 years we celebrate tonight, the R.A.F. has travelled a long way back to where it began. In the 1920s it fought counterinsurgency operations in Mesopotamia and on the North West Frontier of India. Today, having played a central role in the Battle of Britain, the Second World War, the Cold War, and the Falklands, it is back fighting counter-insurgency operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. It would certainly be encouraging if it did not have to repeat its exceptional service in staging the 1928/29 air evacuation from Kabul…
But throughout this impressive and wide ranging history, the professionalism, commitment and bravery of you, the men and women of the Royal Air Force, has been plain for all to see. Not only is your involvement in operational theatres held in the highest esteem, but so is your support, when you help to ease the humanitarian and natural disasters that too often occur around the world.
The Royal Air Force is no doubt likely to enter an even more challenging period over the coming years. Your continued operations, your never-ending policing of our skies and oceans, and your constant need to adapt and evolve to remain relevant to the Country’s needs, place a heavy burden on you all. But I know that you are up for the challenge and that your training and general motivation make you ready for anything the future may hold.
On such an important evening I am delighted to see so many of you here representing the Stations and Units from across the Royal Air Force, and from a variety of the Service’ s trades and ranks. No pilot flies without the support and commitment of the many that stay on the ground. Teamwork is essential in the Royal Air Force and I am pleased to see the whole of the Royal Air Force represented here tonight. I am also aware that you have been chosen because of the contribution you have personally made to many aspects of the Royal Air Force, and it is marvellous that your families are here to share this special moment in the history of the R.A.F.
As a parent of serving officers, I do have at least some understanding of the many pressures that are placed upon Service families, and of the worry we all feel whilst loved ones are away from home. Without the loyalty and support of the families the efficiency and effectiveness of the Royal Air Force would be markedly reduced. Your silent contribution is the foundation upon which the courageous acts at the front are built. Without it all of our armed forces would falter.
Chief of the Air Staff, tonight is not only about celebrating the Royal Air Force’s glorious past, but it is about looking to its future. It is a future that the Service can approach with confidence and pride. I am sure its men and women will draw inspiration from the deeds of their forebears and will write yet further stirring chapters in the Royal Air Force’s history.
‘Through endeavour to the Stars’ was a most apt description of the new Service in 1918. It encapsulated the demands of flight and the visionary goal you had set. It will serve you well into the future and I am sure you will retain and enhance your reputation as our Royal Air Force – one that we can be proud is second to none.