Conservative Parliamentary Candidate, Graham Stuart, attended the unveiling of a memorial board to commemorate the Number 47 Squadron in Memorial Gardens, Beverley.
Number 47 Squadron of the Royal Air Force (RAF) was formed in Beverley as a Royal Flying Corps in 1918 and protected Hull and the East Riding. The Hercules aircraft of the squadron have been at the forefront of UK military operations since they were introduced into RAF Service in 1966, being used in the Falklands War, Iraq, the Balkans and Afghanistan. Taken together, this makes them the second most decorated aircraft in the RAF.
Alistair McDonald has lived in Beverley for many years and served as a parachute instructor with the squadron for nearly three decades. He has worked tirelessly to get an Information Board of Recognition erected to protect their memory which was unveiled in Memorial Gardens in Beverley. Thanks to his hard work and dedication, the members of this illustrious squadron will never be forgotten by the good people of Beverley and by visitors to our town.
Alistair Macdonald commented, “I thank Graham and the attendees of the event today. This has been six years in the making and I am delighted to see the Information Board come to fruition today. It is one year to the day since the three Hercules aircraft from the squadron flew over the original base of the squadron in Beverley, and this is fantastic way to mark that occasion.”
Graham Stuart, Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for Beverley and Holderness, said, “The Number 47 Squadron has done so much to keep our country safe for over a hundred years. I am proud that they started their journey all those years ago in Beverley and very grateful to Alistair for all his hard work to ensure that their service is immortalised forever. Congratulations Alistair – you will keep their memory alive!”
