207 SQUADRON ROYAL AIR FORCE HISTORY

Presentation of 207 Squadron Standard
July 23rd 1956, RAF MARHAM

APPENDIX 14 to Form 540
No.207 Squadron for July 1956

SQUADRON - SLOPE ARMS
SQUADRON - MOVE TO THE RIGHT IN COLUMNS OF THREES. RIGHT TURN
BY THE LEFT - QUICK MARCH

SQUADRON - HALT
INTO LINE - LEFT TURN

ORDER ARMS
FOR INSPECTION - OPEN ORDER MARCH
RIGHT DRESS
EYES FRONT
MARCH ON THE CASED STANDARD

Standard W.O. bears Standard to piled drums and returns

STANDARD ESCORT - SLOPE ARMS
OFFICERS AND STANDARD PARTY TAKE POST IN REVIEW ORDER OUTWARDS TURN - QUICK MARCH, LEFT TURN
STAND AT EASE
About turn and Stand at ease
Arrival of Queen near Parade Ground

SQUADRON ATTENTION
SLOPE ARMS
Arrival of Queen on dais
ROYAL SALUTE - PRESENT ARMS (Salute)
SLOPE ARMS (Recover)
ORDER ARMS

Move to Dais - Salute

"No.207 Squadron is ready for your inspection Ma'am"

Escort Queen around 'A' Flight and then 'B' Flight - Return to Dais

source: Ivan Halstead, Corporal, General and Navigational Instruments staff, A flight 207 Sqn

"May I have your permission to continue with the parade Ma'am" - Salute

About turn and return to original position
SQUADRON - STAND AT EASE. (About turn)
(Officers from 'A' and 'B' move and uncase Standard)
Case Orderly removes Case
Advance to Padres
Salute
"Reverend Sir on behalf of No.207 Squadron we ask you to bid God's blessing on this Standard"
Padre replies.
Salute. Proceed to position near 'B'
Padre.
"Never be unfurled save in the cause of justice, righteousness and truth"
SQUADRON - ATTENTION

Padre
"To the Glory of God and of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, Amen"
SQUADRON - STAND AT EASE
Padre
"Our Father"
Padre
"O God the protector of all that trust in thee"
Padre
"Go forth into the world .. in peace be with you always. Amen"
SQUADRON - ATTENTION

Standard Bearer comes forward. Returns sword. C in C hands Standard to Queen. Standard Bearer receives Queen.

Queen's speech (2 minutes)

Squadron Commander's reply (35 seconds)
Move from position near 'B' to position 10 paces in front of left flank of No.1 Flight and turn about

SQUADRON - SLOPE ARMS
MARCH ON THE SQUADRON STANDARD - PRESENT ARMS (Salute)
SLOPE ARMS (Recover)
ORDER ARMS
About turn

CLOSE ORDER MARCH
RIGHT DRESS
EYES FRONT
SLOPE ARMS
About turn

SQUADRON ADVANCE IN REVIEW ORDER - BY THE CENTRE, QUICK MARCH
SQUADRON, HALT
ROYAL SALUTE - PRESENT ARMS (Salute)
National Anthem
SLOPE ARMS
Pause - Signal
ORDER ARMS

SQUADRON - REMOVE (grip hat) HEADDRESS (remove hat)
THREE CHEERS FOR HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN
HIP HIP HOORAY
HIP HIP HOORAY
HIP HIP HOORAY
SQUADRON - REPLACE (hat on head)
HEADDRESS (cut away hand)

Approach Dais - Salute

"May I have your permission to march No.207 Squadron and the Squadron Standard off Parade Ma'am." - Salute
Return to original position

Presentation speeches

RAF STANDARDS

The Standard, a fringed and tasselled silken banner, mounted on a pike surmounted by a Golden Eagle, was created by His late Majesty King George VI to mark the twenty fifth anniversary of the Royal Air Force in 1943. Squadrons qualify for the award of a Standard after twenty five years of service or for especially meritorious operations. Eight selected battle honours in scroll surround the Squadron badge. The decorative border is embroidered with the national emblems of the British Isles.