STORNOWAY BRANCH

Welcome to the website of the Stornoway Branch of the Royal Air Forces Association (RAFA). We are situated on the island of Lewis and Harris, part of the Western Isles or Outer Hebrides group of islands, off the northwest coast of mainland Scotland. The Branch was founded in 1998 and is today a strong and active branch within the network of RAFA branches throughout the U.K. and worldwide (for more information on RAFA, log onto www.rafa.org.uk).

BRANCH MEETINGS   -  1st Wednesday of each month at  -  The Royal British Legion Club, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis.  -  7-30 p.m.

NEXT MEETING - WEDS. 6 JUNE 2012

Over and above working to further the aims of RAFA generally, the branch raises RAFA's profile locally by engaging in local events and, over the last few years, has initiated various projects which have attracted publicity and public interest. Chief among these have been:-

2004 - ROYAL AIR FORCE STORNOWAY MEMORIAL

The memorial is situated adjacent to the main gate of Stornoway Airport (RAF Stornoway as was) and in front of the Melbost/Branahuie Garden of Remembrance. It was constructed with the assistance of donations from various organisations and individuals, both island and mainland based, and the dedication ceremony took place on 6th November 2004. The bronze plaque bears the inscription 'RAF Stornoway - 1941-1945 - For Those Who Gave Their Lives'. The memorial commemorates the 125 known fatal casualties suffered by those airmen operating from the airfield during World War II. Present at the dedication were the Lord Lieutenant of the Western Isles (the Queen's representative) and representatives of the RAF, local Council, Highlands and Islands Airports, Air Training Corp, RAFA and members of the public. For more on the war dead of RAF Stornoway see the 'War Dead' page on this site.

2005 - 'LEWIS & HARRIS FIGHTER' VISIT

Early in World War II, the people of Lewis and Harris raised the funds to purchase a Spitfire, under the 'Presentation' aircraft scheme, which was subsequently named 'Lewis & Harris Fighter'. 65 years later, on 8th September 2005, Stornoway branch of RAFA organised for a present-day RAF aircraft of 72 Squadron, which bears the same name, to fly to Stornoway Airport to commemorate the wartime generosity of the islanders. A large crowd greeted the visiting aircraft and much local publicity was generated just prior to the year's national RAFA fundraising effort of Wings Week Appeal. For more on the Lewis & Harris Fighter see the 'L & H Spit.' page on this site.

2006 - ROYAL AIR FORCE STORNOWAY BOOK OF REMEMBRANCE

It was decided at the end of 2005, that the Branch project for 2006 would be the provision of a Book of Remembrance, to commemorate the names of those who died whilst operating from RAF Stornoway during WW II. This Book of Remembrance would be held in Martin's Memorial Church, Stornoway as a permanent memorial containing details of the individuals who died and complement the RAF Stornoway Memorial at Stornoway Airport. The information was gathered from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission archives and, it is hoped, will allow anyone trying to trace family members who died at Stornoway, to locate their final resting place. The book is now complete and is shown in the picture above. It was presented to the church and dedicated on Sunday 12th November 2006. For details of the names contained in the Book of Remembrance see the 'War Dead' page on this site.

2007 - MEMORIAL DONATION TO BETHESDA HOSPICE

At the beginning of 2007, one of our long serving members, Mr. John Fairgrieve, sadly passed-away in the Stornoway Bethesda Hospice. It was decided that, as the hospice is supported by charitable donations and they do such worthwhile work in the local community, the Stornoway RAFA Branch would raise funds on their behalf in memory of John. With the funds raised by the end of August, a presentation ceremony was held at the hospice on 24th October, at which a cheque for £1,000 was handed over to the hospice Matron Mrs. Macdonald (see photo above) by Branch Chairman Roddy Moffat, together with a RAFA shield engraved in John Fairgrieve's memory.

2008 - OUR 10th ANNIVERSARY YEAR

2008 saw the 10th anniversary year of Stornoway RAFA Branch, having been formed in 1998. Branch members marked the occasion with a series of special events throughout the year. The flagship event was the Branch visit to the National Arboretum and RAF Museum at Cosford, financed by the National Lottery 'Awards For All' grant. Other events included a group photo of Branch members, a 1940s Theme Night, a visit to the Stornoway Coastguard rescue helicopter and various other events. We also increased Branch membership to its highest yet and collected our highest ever 'Wings' appeal total. Shown above is the Branch group photo 2008.

2009 - TRIP TO RAF LOSSIEMOUTH

Another busy year was experienced in 2009, one of the highlights being a Branch trip to view the RAF Lossiemouth Station Museum in October. Other events included staging 3 Glenn Miller/1940s Night functions (in conjunction with Music Project Hebrides {MpH}), helping to commemorate the 90th anniversry of the 'Iolaire' tragedy, winning the 'Runners-Up' RAFA Branch Junior Efficiency Trophy, taking part in the Armed Forces Day Parade, held a Branch BBQ, hosted a stall at the Lewis Highland Games and received a visit from the RAFA Area Director Gair Brisbane.