Today, Friday 30 June 2006, at Abbeville Airfield, Henry Allingham, 110, Air Mechanic First Class and oldest survivor of World War One is here at the 90th anniversary of the Somme to represent the "last of the first". In contrast, a young trainee pilot from RAF Cranwell, Flight Lieutenant Harry Stewart represents the "first of the future", the next generation of airmen and women.
Flt Lt Stewart, 26, from 45 (R) Squadron RAF Cranwell described himself as "extremely lucky" to be given the opportunity to represent his generation. On meeting Henry Allingham, he said:
"The oldest person I have ever met before in the RAF is my grandfather who is 94. To meet Henry who is so alive, with his stories and memories, it's fantastic. He was there before the beginning.
"It's a real honour and an opportunity I'm really glad I was able to take. For him to be here at the Somme and then for me to meet him here in this environment, it's special."
Joining Henry Allingham were replicas of a Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS) Sopwith Triplane and an SE5 aircraft both of which flew over from Britan especially for the 90th aniversary. They conducted a short flypast to pay tribute to those of the skies.
To mark the event, the Sopwith Triplane appeared painted in the colours of the famous aircraft flown by the Royal Naval Air Service over the Somme. This is precisely the sort of aircraft Henry Allingham would have been working on in his roll as ground crew in the RNAS.
The SE5 is typical of the reconnaissance aircraft operated by the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) in their hazardous task of close air observation in order to determine how far allied units had managed to advance during attacks. In the absence of radio (which didn’t appear in a very rudimentary form until the end of the war) this was often the only way in which commanders could understand how the battle was progressing.
Command and control of attacking forces was dependant on commanders knowing where the different units were. An elaborate system of unit identification was evolved in order that aircraft could report troop positions accurately back to commanders. Spotting for artillery was a crucial job for pilots once the barrage began and observation (and counter-observation measures) continued to be a main function for the air services.
During the battle, 24 Squadron, led by Major Lanoe Hawker VC, fought a highly successful air campaign over the battlefields of the Somme, claiming no less than 70 enemy aircraft during the three months of the battle.
Major Hawker VC helped to establish British control of the air space above the Somme in the opening weeks of the battle. He led 24 Squadron RFC to France in Feb 1916 and based the Squadron at Bertangles north of the Somme. To all intents and purposes, it was the very first "fighter squadron".
Major Hawker won his VC for gallant conduct on 25 July 1915, whilst still a Captain. Although flying alone he attacked three armed German aeroplanes each with pilot and observer, and suceeded in driving two of them to earth, one from a height of 10,000 feet, dropping into the allied lines, the pilot and observer being killed.
Today, 24 Squadron is involved with operations in Iraq and Afghanistan operating the Hercules C130 transport aircraft. Wing Comander Turnbull, current Officer Commanding 24 Squadron, explained the significance of bringing Major Hawker's VC over to France for the Somme celebrations:
"This victoria cross was won by Major Hawker who became the Commanding Officer of 24 Squadron in 1915. He won the DSO followed by the VC. The DSO was for engaging a Zeppelin factory and the VC was for engaging three German aircraft and bringing them all down.
"The VC is a very proud part of the history of 24 squadron and it shows the spirit of what then became the Royal Air Force and the tradition that we carry on today. We have brought it over purely for the weekend's event and of course we will look after it extremely carefully. We plan to tell people about its history and its meaning to the Royal Air Force."
By July 1st, Major Lanoe Hawker's policy of "attack everything" had given the British domination of the air space over the planned battlefield and by November, 24 Squadron had claimed 70 victories. Sadly, their victories came at a price - some 8,000 airmen lost their lives in World War I on the Western Front.
A week after the Battle of the Somme ended, Major Hawker was shot down over Achiet after a 30 minute duel with Lieutenant Manfred von Richthofen (his 11th victim).
