Poignant service to honour airmen

Group Captain Jacob, OC RAF Boulmer with officers from the RAF, Australia, New Zealand and the RAF Association.

The service commemorated the 23 airmen from countries within the British Commonwealth who died in Northumberland during the Second World War and are buried in the cemetery.

It was attended by senior officers of the Royal Air Force (RAF) and by representatives of the air forces of Australia, Canada and New Zealand.

Also present were Berwick MP Anne-Marie Trevelyan, ward member councillor Scott Dickinson, other councillors, a large contingent of RAF veterans and local residents.

RAF Boulmer provided a Guard of Honour, supported by uniformed members of the Northumbrian Universities Air Squadron and cadets of the Air Training Corps.

Standards of the RAF Association Branches and other ex-service organisations were paraded, with music from Backworth Colliery Band.

The service was conducted by Rev Sue Reilly. Wreaths were laid on the RAF Memorial and a remembrance cross placed on each airman’s grave. The event finished with a march-past by RAF personnel, cadets and veterans.

The ceremony was organised by the Newcastle and Gateshead Branch of the RAF Association, as part of its RAF 100 programme.

This year marks the centenary of the formation of the RAF and events are taking place locally and nationally throughout 2018.