Evocative sounds of wartime days echoed in the skies around Pembrokeshire on Friday as a former RAF airfield was celebrated for its role in the county’s history.
A ceremony at the former RAF St Davids Airfield included the unveiling of a memorial commemorating those who died while serving at the airfield and remembering all military and civilian personnel who had served there, in war and peace.
The celebrations took place in the 80th anniversary year of the airfield’s opening.
A flypast by a wartime era Avro Anson was the finale of the impressive ceremony.
The twin engined Anson, flown in from Shropshire by owner Glenn James, used Haverfordwest Airport as its local base, flying past the former St Davids Airfield to the excitement of onlookers.
The ceremony was arranged by a local team headed by Malcolm Gray, Ian Panton and John James. It followed up on an initiative begun by the late Alun James of Carnhedryn, a passionate local historian.
Mr Gray also created the three slate plaques which form the memorial which is placed on a section of wall from a wartime building on the airfield.
The memorial was unveiled by the Mayor of St Davids, Councillor Emma Evans, and deputy mayor, Councillor Bira Sehmi.
Chief guest was the RAF’s Air Officer Wales, Air Commodore Adrian Williams, who laid a wreath at the memorial and later met up with the Anson team at Withybush.
The memorial was dedicated by the Rev Wiliam Owen of Caerfachell. The Last Post and Reveille were played by Morgan Price and Standards paraded represented the Solva and St Davids Branches of the Royal British Legion and the RAFA and Air Cadets of 948 (Haverfordwest and City of St David’s) Squadron.
A reflection on the airfield’s 50 years of active history from 1943 was given by John Evans of the Pembrokeshire Aviation Group.
Among the large gathering were several people with special family connections with RAF St Davids, including Bryan John of Solva who after RAF service worked for the Airwork company at St Davids and later Brawdy bases.
Also present from Cawdor Barracks were Captain Shane Murphy and Warrant Officer (RAF) Greg Moodie.
Following the commemoration guests enjoyed refreshments at St Davids RAFA Club where they were welcomed by chairman Malcolm Clift. The RAF Ensign was also flown at Cross Square, St Davids.
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