609 Squadron Association
Welcome to the website of the 609 (West Riding) Squadron Association. Our Association exists to preserve the memory of this famous squadron of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force, to uphold the memory of all who served on it, and to maintain a link with the present 609(WR) Squadron. Please browse our website to find out more about the squadron’s history, read about current events, shop for merchandise – or perhaps even join us! You can also contact the Association Committee using the button below.
A Yorkshire squadron of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force, inheriting a proud history, whilst still being an active part of the RAF.
Proud to fly and fight as ‘Auggies’, 609(WR) Squadron was formed prior to the Second World War and flew as a fighter squadron throughout the Battle of Britain and beyond. Its war record was one of the finest in the Royal Air Force, and amongst its pilots and commanding officers are some of the most notable of the era. Although rooted in the West Riding of Yorkshire, where it was formed and recruited its first members, throughout the war it developed an international complement of pilots, particularly from Belgium; these links are still active today through the Belgian branch of the Association.
Today, 609(WR) Squadron is still an active squadron of the Royal Air Force. Part of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force (one of the RAF’s reserve components), it operates from RAF Leeming, North Yorkshire, and still recruits from much the same catchment as the original pre-war squadron. Since re-forming in 1999, its members have served operationally in Iraq, Afghanistan, and many other theatres – including personnel deployed up to the present day.
Aims of the association
- To perpetuate the memory and the history of 609 Squadron.
- To maintain a physical presence at the Yorkshire Air Museum, Elvington, in the form of the 609(WR) Squadron Memorial Room, and in such other places as may be possible from time to time.
- To provide a forum for contact between members of 609 Squadron (serving and ex-serving) and members of the Association.
- To provide opportunities for Members to visit places of social and historical interest, in pursuance of the Aims of Association.
- To provide an outlet for selling 609(WR) Squadron Association memorabilia and merchandise, the profit from which shall be re-invested into the Association.
- To provide at least one function per calendar year for all Members (usually this will include the Annual General Meeting (AGM)).
- To raise and disburse money for charitable purposes or for any other purpose which reflects and/or promotes the Aims of the Association.
- To maintain a link between the current 609(WR) Squadron and the
Association. - Encourage and support Association members’ social activities.
Association President
President of the Association is David Darley.
His father, Squadron Leader Horace ‘George’ Darley, commanded 609 Squadron prior to and during the Battle of Britain in the summer of 1940.
Association Committee
Our committee consists of four core members fulfilling the basic functions required to operate the Association, plus other co-opted members on a temporary or permanent basis carrying out specific tasks.
Core Members:
- Chairman Sqn Ldr Tom Overton
- Deputy Chairman Paul McVittie
- Secretary Adele Hudson
- Treasurer & Membership Wg Cdr (retd.) Jeff Metcalfe
Other Members:
- Website Manager: Alistair Thomson
- Events Manager: Dez Robinson
- Communications Manager: Vic Rose
Association Belgian Branch
The Association has a very active Belgian Branch who also publish the ‘Tally-Ho’ Newsletter.
The key individuals in the Belgian Branch are:
- Conrad Roumieux (Association Honorary Vice-President)
- Omer Vanden Bosch
- Kurt Plyson
- Philippe Verleyen
- Gerard van Caelenberge (Retired General, Belgian Air Force)
- Jocelyn Leclerc (French representative)
- Arjan Wemmers (Dutch representative)
Most recent articles
10th May 1940
Germany’s blitzkrieg was unleashed on Holland, Belgium and France. All leave was cancelled, and personnel were recalled with moans from all concerned! There was a re-organisation at Drem with 609 taking over night flying duties although not many of the pilots were...
BATTLE OF BRITAIN 85 – Jan to May 1940
609 Squadron had been based at Drem (and occasionally at Kinloss) in Scotland since the autumn of 1939 and had endured a harsh winter with nothing much to do except fly standing patrols, protect the Royal Navy’s Northern Fleet in...
Join the 609 Squadron Association
Our Association can only exist with the support of its members. Please consider joining us, especially if you have served on, or have a connection to, 609(WR) Squadron. Contact the Committee for any further information. We are also pleased to help people who are researching the squadron's history and welcome all enquiries.