When it was announced that the RAF would be holding a farewell to Andover parade it came as a bit of a surprise to a number of Andover residents.

Many thought that the RAF had departed in June 1977 when the RAF station closed and was handed over to the Army.

But a contingent has remained at Monxton Road as part of joint logistics units but will now be phased out and moved to Bristol to make way for the Army’s land forces Headquarters.

The RAF has a long and happy history with the town and holds a special place in my heart as it was my father’s final posting while serving in the RAF.

Our family came to the area after spending the previous two and a half years at RAF Changi in Singapore, arriving in the Far East only 16 years after the end of the Second World War.

The spectre of Changi Jail still casts a long shadow over the area and sent a chill down school children’s spines as they passed it on the military buses on their way to school.

Andover was a complete contrast when we arrived at the RAF camp in 1964.

A quiet but thriving Hampshire market town that accepted the airfield, its noisy aircraft and those responsible for them as part of the community.

RAF Andover had a long and proud history and it was right to turn out to bid a farewell when the station closed.

It was heartwarming to see the large numbers who turned out, again in the rain, to bid a final farewell to the Royal Air Force and to enjoy a series of superb events and a commemorative service on Battle of Britain Day on Tuesday.

It was the RAF’s way of saying thank you to the town for its decades of hospitality and it gave us a chance to show our appreciation of those who have served, and died for their country while based within our community.

Joe Scicluna, Editor.