207 SQUADRON ROYAL AIR FORCE HISTORY
Valiant period 'album'
Presentation of the 207 Squadron Standard
by HM The Queen at RAF Marham
23rd July 1956
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invite the addition/correction of names, dates and locations,
and to encourage anecdotes and further photos to be added.
Above all it provides access to the photos by a wider
audience than those who attend the Association reunions -
207's history will be added to and improved thereby.
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The Squadron's badge (see home page) was approved by Edward VIII in May 1936. No.207 Squadron was honoured to have HM The Queen present its Standard on 23 July 1956 as part of a Royal Review at RAF Marham, where the Squadron had been based since 1951. It had only just converted from the Canberra to the Valiant. The honour was the greater as it was the first occasion on which a Standard was presented by a reigning monarch to a regular squadron.
[V51] HM The Queen disembarking at Marham from Vickers Viking
VL247 of the Queens Flight,
accompanied by HRH the Duke of Edinburgh.
[V54] Here the Queen is seen being taken by car to the
waiting assembled parade.
[V57] Here the Queen begins her inspection of No 207 Squadron
on parade.
[V53] Here the Queen begins her inspection of the rear rank
of the Squadron on Parade, which included:-
Cpl I HALSTEAD (1st left) - Cpl ALDOUS (3) - SAC FERGUSON (5)
Cpl METCALFE (6) - Cpl P BAKER (9).
HM The Queen is accompanied by Wg Cdr DD Haig OC 207, HRH The
Duke of Edinburgh,
and AM Sir Harry Broadhurst, AOCinC Bomber Command.
[V58 & V60] These pictures show the
view of the event from the Spectators stand.
[V58] About turn and return to original position
SQUADRON - STAND AT EASE. (About turn)
(Officers from 'A' and 'B' move and uncase Standard)
[V60] The Standard, laid on the piled drums, is blessed.
[V63] 207 Squadron’s Standard Bearer, F/O Richard HAVEN
(Pilot)
receives the Standard from HM The Queen, assisted by AM Sir
Harry Broadhurst, AOCinC Bomber Command.
[V64] Another view of 207 Squadron’s Standard Bearer,
F/O Richard HAVEN (Pilot)
receiving the Standard from HM The Queen, assisted by AM Sir
Harry Broadhurst, AOCinC Bomber Command.
[V55] HM The Queen making her Address to the Squadron.
On the left is the Squadron Standard Bearer, F/O Dick HAVEN.
To the right of HM are Dave FRANKLIN and Sir Harry
BROADHURST, AOCinC Bomber Command.
[V61 & V62] These pictures show the
view of the event from the Spectators stand.
[V61]
[V62] HM The Queen making her Address to the Squadron, seen
from the Spectators seating.
[V59] Wg Cdr Haig making his reply to HM The Queen on behalf
of the Squadron.
(L-R): Wg Cdr Douglas D HAIG (Pilot and 207 CO) - Sqn Ldr
Hugh RICHFORD DFC (Pilot),
and Standard Bearer, F/O Richard C (Dick) HAVEN (Pilot).
[V56] The Queen, accompanied by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh and
AM Sir Harry Broadhurst,
departs to review the static display of aircraft of Bomber
Command.
[V65 & V82] Here, accompanied by HRH
the Duke of Edinburgh, she inspects her aircraft and crews.
[V65] (WZ377 was a 214 Sqn Valiant)
[V82] The Canberra behind the Land Rover carries the badge of
18 Squadron on the tip tank;
the tail markings of the two a/c to the right appear indicate
they were based at Waddington.
[V52] After lunch in the Officers' Mess, HM The Queen toured
the Station,
accompanied by HRH the Duke of Edinburgh.
Images provided by original sources, unless
otherwise specified, via Raymond Glynne-Owen.
If you can add or correct, please contact the editor Frank
Haslam specifying the image reference number(s).
“Copyright in the images on this page remains with the person who originally provided the image, unless otherwise specified. If it is wished to make use of such images in another publication or website please contact the editor.”
Additional Identifiers:
Alan Mawby
Last updated 17 October 2006: 1 Jan 14