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Reservist naval aviators honoured with plaque in Fleet Air Arm church
6 August 2024
The 1,544 reservists killed in the Fleet Air Arm across three of the darkest decades of the 20th Century have been honoured in its spiritual home.
Veterans of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve (Air Branch) – the forerunner of today’s HMS Pegasus – joined serving and former naval aviators and the head of the Maritime Reserves, Commodore Jo Adey, at the Fleet Air Arm's most hallowed ground, its Memorial Church near RNAS Yeovilton, to formally dedicate a plaque.
Formed in 1937 and disbanded 20 years later following the 1956 Defence Review, the RNVR(A) supplied both front-line and reserve squadrons with thousands of trained personnel through not just through World War 2, but also the Korean War and the Suez Crisis.
When it began training personnel in 1938, just 33 aircrew were on its books. In October 1945 – two months after World War 2 ended – 8,000 Fleet Air Arm pilots and observers were reservists.
And it continued to be a mainstay of naval aviation through the first decade of the Cold War.
In 1952 (the year before Stalin died), the RNVR(A) numbered 12 squadrons in five dedicated divisions (Scottish, Northern, Midland, Southern and Channel), each roughly 1,000 personnel strong, their ranks filled with pilots, observers, air engineering officers, air intelligence officers, fighter direction officers and maintenance crews.
One of those was Peter Rainbird DL, an RNVR(A) pilot for five years until the branch was disbanded. He flew eight different aircraft types, including the piston-engined Seafire Mk XVII and Sea Fury FB11 and the Supermarine Attacker, the Navy’s first jet fighter.
He spoke on behalf of all those who served in the branch, delivering a heartfelt tribute to the 1,544 men who gave their lives in the service of their nation.
Their names are listed in the roll of honour held by the Memorial Church – and now the wider commitment and sacrifice of the branch is also acknowledged by the new plaque.
Having dedicated the memorial, guests – led by the RNVR(A) veterans, none younger than their late 80s – moved to the Navy Wings Heritage Hangar at Yeovilton to reminisce about old comrades and deeds.
Guest speaker Commander Phil Richardson recalled the life of his grandfather Lieutenant Commander Ron Richardson, a reservist who took part in attacks on the German battleship Tirpitz in August 1944 where he was shot down and killed.
Phil introduced Robert Leenen, the grandson of another reservist pilot who flew with his grandfather and served as his wingman on the attacks on the Nazi flagship, and watched helplessly as Lt Cdr Richardson was shot down.
Proceedings ended with the unveiling of a newly-restored de Havilland Chipmunk ‘Spirit of Hill Street’ – a name inspired by the address of the former RNVR Officers’ Club in London – and a Swordfish Pegasus engine by former First Sea Lord Admiral George Zambellas.
The Royal Naval Reserve (the ‘V’ was dropped in the late 50s when the RNR and RNVR merged) Air Branch was re-formed in 1980 and today thrives under the title HMS Pegasus, continuing to support front-line operations.