Battle of Britain Dinner Speech
Just before half term, our RAF Battle of Britain dinner took place in School, honouring and remembering the heroes of the historic battle. Paying tribute to the brave individuals who fought for our freedom by defending the skies, during the Second World War, their victory blocking the possibility of invasion and creating conditions for Great Britain’s survival. Our students enjoyed a delightful three-course dinner, followed by speeches from Miss Tattoo and Year 13’s Hugh our Head of RAF, whose you can read below.
Ladies and Gentlemen
We are here tonight to remember and honour the brave and often gruelling efforts of the men and women who were involved in the Battle of Britain. Taking place over the course of four months, from July to October of 1940, the battle was a hard-fought air campaign which significantly altered the course of WWII. RAF fighter planes doggedly defended Britain’s airspace against the Nazi Airforce, the Luftwaffe, preventing Hitler from gaining the air superiority which he needed to invade Britain.
As the battle was at its fiercest during mid-August 1940, Sir Winston Churchill, the Prime Minister addressed the House of Commons and delivered a speech that became famous for one line. “Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few. “This message resonated through the country, acknowledging the courageous efforts of the RAF, Polish and Commonwealth pilots who were fighting over the skies of Britian and mainland Europe. It reassured a nation which was facing its darkest days of the war and sent a message that Britain remained both defiant and capable of resisting Nazi Germany.”
Whilst the efforts of the ‘few’ will go down and be rightfully remembered, I want to tell you a story from another point of view. A story that represents the ‘many’. The many ground crew, the many radar operators and the many women of the ATS just to name a few, all of whom allowed the pilots to stay operational and in the skies, even in the most appalling of conditions. Thousands of ground crew supported the pilots. Their efforts kept the Spitfires, Hurricanes, and other planes fuelled, armed, and repaired throughout those long months. It was these ‘many’ of ground crew, controllers and supply staff who would continue to serve the RAF in theatres around the world for the rest of the war.
Corporal Robert Whittell Smith, known as Bob, was one of the ‘many’. Bob was serving at RAF Middle Wallop on August 14th. Around 5:15pm in the afternoon, a Luftwaffe Junkers 88 Bomber broke through the cloud over Middle Wallop airfield. As the alarm sounded, sending the ground crew and pilots into action, the bomber dropped its deadly payload. As Bob and his maintenance party were working frantically to close one of the enormous steel plate doors of the aircraft hangars, the bomb crashed through the ceiling, blasting the door clean off its hinges. Bob, alongside his comrades, was crushed by the door, dying instantly.
While the pilots and airmen dogfighting in the British skies are rightly recognised for their combat roles, it’s important we remember the men and women on the ground like Bob, who also gave their lives to win the peace and freedoms we enjoy today.
This message rings true just as much as now as it did then. With growing instability in our world, and the threats to peace increasing, it is important that all of us learn from our time in the CCF. Whether you are thinking about a future in the military or not, I urge you to take forward the RAF’s values of respect, integrity, service and excellence, and use these to forge a better society for all.
Since joining the CCF RAF section in Year nine, I have had the opportunity do so many things that men like Bob would be amazed by. From gliding, to flying to drill, CCF has become an integral part of the week, making every Friday a new challenge and an opportunity to learn different skills.
The best way I can describe what CCF has meant to me, is to share a few experiences.
In Year 10, as part of the AST team we were competing at the regional competition. After doing well in shooting, command tasks and aircraft recognition, it was time for the main event, the drill. I remember looking over and seeing the faces of some rival schools, pressed up against the hanger window, waiting for us to make some slip up. But unfortunately for them and lucky for us, there was no mistake. We claimed the top prize for drill and third in the overall competition.
However, the good news didn’t last long, because snow and icy conditions meant the coach coming to collect us had skidded off the road. As it got later and the temperature got colder inside the drafty hanger, we played pass the parcel with one hot water bottle in an effort to stay warm and while away the time.
Eventually many hours later, our replacement coach did arrive and all 13 members of the AST team as well as a very relieved Miss Tattoo stepped on board. It had been a long day, and we were all tired, but we had no end of fun, and it’s amazing what you end up doing when trying to keep yourself warm and entertained.
Another story comes from a summer RAF camp on a base near Preston, just outside of Blackpool. Around 20 minutes away from our arrival, Miss Tattoo received a phone call informing her that the chef due to be cooking our food for the next week had just caught covid. This meant that unless a replacement could be found, the camp would have to be cancelled. After a few frantic hours and some strings pulled in very high places, a chef was secured for the week, but, it would be a couple of days before he was to arrive. Until then, we were left with two options for our evening meal: Option 1, Miss Tattoo, with her expert culinary knowledge cooking for all of us, option 2, get a takeaway. It is safe to say that there was one very happy kebab shop owner in Blackpool that night.
On a serious note, we had the most incredible week, and I will always remember flying upside down over Blackpool, looking UP and seeing the pier and amusement arcades below.
What I am trying to say with all this is…… just jump in and get involved. Was I always any good at some of the things I chose to do? No. When gliding I required the sick bag multiple times, but until you try something …. you don’t know. So, when Miss Tattoo reminds you about an incredible opportunity for the seventh time in a row – I beg you to please, please just say YES. You won’t regret it, and if you are not going to try something new now, then when?
I hope that all of you here tonight have as good and enjoyable time as I have had in this section.
So just go for it! Seize the opportunities.
Please be upstanding for a toast to the Royal Air Force
