THE  SUEZ  CANAL  ZONE  of  EGYPT

Royal Air Force (Egypt) Memorial.

Updated 19th May 2006.

On Sunday 14th May 2006, a Memorial Service took place at the Central Church of the Royal  Air Force St Clement Danes, London, commemorating the 235 men and women of Middle East Air Force Command who lost their lives in Egypt between the years 1945 - 1956 - some of whom have no known graves. A large floral display of lilies, delphiniums and chrysanthemums in representational colours of the Command in Egypt took the eye of everyone entering the Church.  Following the Choral Matins, a Guard of Honour formed by the cadets of 16F (Wood Green and Hornsey) Squadron ATC bore Standards alongside those carried by the Standard Bearers of the Suez Canal Zone associations to the new memorial stone in the grounds of the Church where the Service of Dedication was conducted by the Resident Chaplain, the Reverend Richard Lee.  A contingent of Suez Veterans were paraded led by Marshal Bill Taylor.  Wreaths of the Command and the Suez Veterans Association were laid by John Mitchell and Richard Woolley respectively, followed by 'The Last Post' and a moment of reflection (Silence).  'Reveille' was sounded after which John Mitchell recited from Binyon's For The Fallen.  The Dedication Service ended with Grace said by the Reverend Richard Lee. Afterwards, John Mitchell and Richard Woolley presented an inscribed and mounted SVA plaque as a memento of the occasion to 16F Squadron ATC for providing the Guard of Honour. As founder of the RAF (Egypt) Memorial I would like to thank the following: The Reverend Richard Lee, Fl/Lt Ralph Kamper of the cadets of 16F Squadron ATC, Parade Marshal Bill Taylor and the Suez Canal Zone Veterans contingent, and all those who so generously contributed towards the RAF (Egypt) Memorial Fund. John Mitchell

The display of flowers

During the Dedication, Suez Veterans in the background.

Part of the ATC Squadron Guard of Honour standing easy.

The Standard Bearers.

The memorial stone and wreaths.

Wreath bearers John (Mich) Mitchell and Richard (Dick) Woolley.

The Memorial, headed with the Middle East Air Force Command crest, has the inscribed words: To the memory of the men and women of Middle East Air Force Command who lost their lives in the Suez Canal Zone 1945 - 1956 And especially for those who have no known grave. "The desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose" Veterans of the Suez Canal Zone 2006.

   
St Clement Danes Central Church of the Royal Air Force.

Back to Main Page