History

As is the way with military units, in the peaceful inter-war and post-war years, former members of 206 Squadron held occasional reunions and get-togethers, sometimes as crews, sometimes as gatherings of old comrades.  From a few of those crew get-togethers in the early 1980s a “206 Squadron Fortress / Liberator Association” was formed, with a former wartime Air Engineer, Alan Smith, as secretary.  Their first reunion was held in London in 1986, and later that year many of the members joined the squadron at RAF Kinloss to mark the 70th anniversary of the formation of 206 Squadron.  It was at that time that the scope of the Association was widened to be simply the “206 Squadron Association”.

Since that time there have been many reunions, and the Association has been represented at many more or less formal events.  Two of the more high profile of these events include, in 2013, the 70th anniversary celebration in Liverpool of the Battle of the Atlantic, and the 2018 celebrations at St Omer in France for the formation of the Royal Air Force.  At Liverpool the Association, along with the 201 Squadron Association, made up the most of the Royal Air Force’s small attendance at the celebration of the victory in the Atlantic.  At St Omer, the French hosted 206 Squadron and a handful of other Squadrons that had operated from that airfield in 1918, along with representatives of the squadron Associations.  Many wreaths were laid at this moving ceremony, including one by our Squadron Association Chairman in honour of those who died in that conflict.  The Association was also represented at many more or less formal events including the final closure of RAF Benbecula, where the squadron was based in 1942.

Our Constitution

To foster good fellowship between our members.

To arrange social and informative gatherings for our members.

To maintain and strengthen the bond between past and present members of No 206 Squadron Royal Air Force.

To support such charitable causes as seen fit by the Association, particularly those relating to past and present members of 206 Squadron.

Our Committee

The following individuals hold the appointments as shown:

Chairman: Squadron Leader Bill Bird MBE MA MBA FRAeS – Contact

Secretary: Squadron Leader Keith ‘Beefy’ Girdwood BSc – Contact

Treasurer: Wing Commander John Porter RAF (Retd) – Contact

President: Group Captain Stephen J Austin BEng (Hons) MA FRAeS RAF

Life Vice President: Air Commodore Robert Joseph CBE MA BSc RAF (Retd)

Life Vice President: Mrs Marie Emmerson

Life Vice President: Air Commodore Stephen Skinner BSc RAF (Retd)

Events

The Association hosts two major events each year.  A Spring reunion weekend is normally held at a hotel near to some location of aviation or historical interest.  The event normally consists of a “Meet-and-Greet”, a visit to something of general interest, a reunion dinner and the AGM.

In the Autumn a lunch is held, generally in London as a location easily accessed by members for a one-day event.  In addition, members are frequently invited to Guest Nights held by 206 Squadron, and the Squadron also extends an invitation to members and their families to attend Squadron Open Days at RAF Brize Norton.

Membership

There are 3 types of membership:

Ordinary membership is open to any individual who has served with No 206 Squadron or No 206(R) Squadron.  Ordinary membership includes the husband, wife or partner of any such individual.

Associate membership is open, with the approval of the committee,  to those who, while not having served on No 206 Squadron or No 206(R) Squadron, can demonstrate a close affinity with No 206 Squadron by reason of their service duties.

Note: Associate members do not have voting rights at the AGM, but otherwise enjoy the same privileges as Ordinary and Honorary members.

Honorary membership may be exceptionally awarded by members voting at the AGM.

Costs

Life membership is available for a single payment, currently £25.  Annual membership is available for an annual cost of £7.

To Apply follow the link: Membership Application