A UNIQUE memento presented to an RAF officer at Pembroke Dock over 70 years ago has been returned to the town by his family.

In November 1944, just months before the end of World War II, squadron colleagues of Flight Lieutenant George Scott signed a special copy of the official crest of No 228 Squadron which was presented to him when he was posted away. Flight Lieutenant Scott was the Chief Engineering Officer of 228 Squadron, one of RAF Pembroke Dock’s most famous Sunderland flying boat units.

A copy of the crest and signatures was already in the archive of the Pembroke Dock Heritage Centre but now the centre has the original - thanks to the generosity of George’s eldest son, Peter, and family.

Peter Scott recently visited the Heritage Centre and presented the framed crest to Centre Manager Stuart Berry, who said: “There are so many signatures - it seems everyone in the squadron signed this for Flight Lieutenant Scott. We are delighted to add this unique wartime item to our archive and are very grateful to Peter and the family.”

Added Peter: “Dad passed away in 2006, aged 101, and the tribute had sat on his dining room mantle for as long as I could remember.

“My family have agreed that this original artefact should now be returned to its place of origin for anyone with an interest in its history to enjoy.”

No 228 Squadron had a long association with Pembroke Dock, dating from 1936. The squadron was based there for several periods, and spent the last two years of the war at ‘PD’.

The official crest of 228 Squadron depicts a winged Viking helmet with a Latin motto which translates as Help From The Heavens - very appropriate for a flying boat unit. The painting of the crest given to George Scott was by a squadron airman, LAC A. J. Lomax, who in civilian life had been a designer for Ardath cigarettes.