The reason for April 1 as the choice of date for explained by the history of Brith service ing, was 'Twenty-two years ago to-day the old. Balloon Company of "th Corps of Royal 'Engineers, wes absorbed into' the" so-called. Alt Battalion of that "distinguished Corps. with head Alder Shop andthe onthe British"Army placed, for the frst
year later, on May 13, 191 eud bai "Jake oer and. the 4 tary and: Naval Wings) came toto war the military wing of the Raya the outbreak of the great Flying" Corps." consisted of yundrons, numbered. from one six, three' of which were. stationed "South © Farnborough, two. Salisbury' Plain and one at' "Mon rose, whilst two. more" squadrons, Nos."7 and 8, were in curse of ation. The personnel of the TPG, including both military and naval "wings, in August 1914" consted of approximately 1,000 off [cers and men with less than 160 machines between them, "The naval wing of the R.F.C, the War, separated from that ase dust BRIVF 0 the outbreaic of corps and given the name of the Royal Maval Air Service."
"The growth and expansion of these two young, but, nevertheless, great, services during the war, and Particularly during 1916 and 1917, was phenomenal and their work say, so involved, that the Britis became a0 important andy if T may Government became of the opinion, autumn of 1917, that. the centralisation of the control of the two flying services, under one command would be in the interests all concerned, Opinions of great soldiers and sailors" were sought, conferences cee, id, and op Apr 1 Te, Royal "Naval Ait Service were coyol Flying Camps. the amalgamated and thereafter known 35, "The Royal Aix Force. I remem-Ber well how at that time the merger was received with. certain misgivings by many members of the RFC. and MAS, but time has, proved without doubt, that the decision made by our" government turing: those momentous days of 1918, was a wise one At the close of the war the Royal "Air Force [consisted of some "230 " squadrons fand 10,000 offers and men a truly marvellous achievement when one that only 44 years Detore we had only six complete squadrons. should not be at all surprised if some of you (particularly those lof "you who are married) have wondered" why, firstly, a Saturday fand, secondly, April 1, should have been, chosen by us for our annual reunion dinner. If s0, you will, Jam sure, by now have' Fealised the Feason.
"Our ner to-night ig really. a today celebration. The Royal Air Force is 16 years old to-day and I would ask you to rise gad den a toast tothe: Raya Ale Force the present find of his Tature?
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.