Day for veterans' pride and memories

RAF veterans from across the country, including many who trained in the Midlands, met up with old friends and rekindled memories at a special event near Wolverhampton.

Several thousand veterans descended on Royal Air Force Museum Cosford to take part in the National Service (RAF) Association reunion yesterday.

Highlights included the parade, which had up to 500 participants and was done in the presence of the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Dalton, who took the salute.

He was accompanied by Air Commodore Chris Green, the Commandant of DCAE Cosford.

A display by the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Spitfire was grounded due to the high winds.

Among those who went along was 75-year-old Brian Bottomer from Wimblebury in Cannock. He was with the RAF for five years with 9MTBD as a fitter which saw him recondition standard vanguard engines.

He later joined Staffordshire Fire Service and said: "This is an excellent event as you can meet up with colleagues who you only see a few times in 50 or 60 years."

Despite meeting some old friends though he is still keen to trace one, Bill Aston who he believes lives in the Shropshire area. The pair joined up together.

Ron Parker, 78, from Wednesfield was another of those who went along. He did two years National Service between 1950 and 1952. He was stationed at RAF Shawbury in Shrewsbury and was an air radar mechanic.

He later went on to work for Guy Motors in Wolverhampton.

He said he had really enjoyed the event and added: "You try to spot someone but as the years go by it is harder to recognise people. I think everyone likes to get together."

Another of those who went along was Danny Woods from West Dunbartonshire in Scotland.

Anyone with information on Mr Aston can call Mr Bottomer on 01543 277115