RAFA Belgian Branch

Happy birthday to veterans Joyce Greathead and Barbara Bale!🎉 Joyce celebrated her 105th birthday at Royal Star & Garter’s Surbiton Home. A WWII veteran, she served with the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force as a Wireless Operator during the war. Barbara marked her 100th birthday in Solihull surrounded by family, friends and fellow supporters. During WWII, she experienced the Birmingham Blitz before dedicating much of her later life to volunteering in her community. Two remarkable women. Thank you both for your service.🫡 cobseo.org.uk/landmark-birth…

On this day in 1982, the 22nd Special Air Service (SAS) Regiment carried out the Raid on Pebble Island, supported by HMS Glamorgan and HMS Broadsword. Reminiscent of SAS operations of the Second World War, the successful raid disabled 11 Argentine aircraft. 🇫🇰🇬🇧 #Falklands44

🅾🅽 🆃🅷🅸🆂 🅽🅸🅶🅷🆃 May 14/15, 1943: Four SOE agents leave England in a double Lysander mission and land in occupied France. Marcel Clech, Sidney Jones and Vera Leigh are later captured and executed. Julienne Aisner evades capture but dies of cancer in 1947. #SOE #WW2 🇬🇧

The Band of the #RoyalAirForce Regiment had the honour of supporting the State Opening of Parliament this morning 🎶 #RAFMusic 🎺✈️🥁 #FindYourForce

🅾🅽 🆃🅷🅸🆂 🅽🅸🅶🅷🆃 May 11/12, 1941: Three French SOE agents leave England in a No. 1419 Flight RAF Whitley and parachute into SW France on a mission to destroy an electrical transformer station in Pessac during World War II. #OperationJosephineB #RFSection #SOE #WW2 1/2

It was a pleasure to welcome George and his daughter on our Dutch Liberation trip to the Netherlands 🇬🇧🇳🇱 We wanted them to feel part of the Taxi Charity family from day one, and judging by the smiles and feedback, we succeeded! Thanks to the Veterans Foundation for their support

🅲🅾🆄🅽🆃🅴🆂🆂 🆈🆅🅾🅽🅽🅴 🅳🅴 🅻🅰 🆁🅾🅲🅷🅴🅵🅾🆄🅲🅰🆄🅻🅳 Countess de la Rochefoucauld sheltered an SOE W/T operator, helping him decode messages. During his transmissions she stood watch for patrols. x.com/DrHelenFry/sta… #YvonneDeLaRochefoucauld #SOE #WW2 🇫🇷 🇬🇧

Albert Ball VC was one of Britain’s most celebrated fighter pilots of WW1. ✈️ Born in Nottingham in 1896, he joined the army at the outbreak of war before transferring to the Royal Flying Corps in 1915. By the age of 20, Ball had become the United Kingdom’s leading flying ace, credited with 44 aerial victories. His skill, determination and courage earned him the Distinguished Service Order twice over, the Military Cross, and posthumously, the Victoria Cross following his death in France on 7 May 1917. 🕯️ Photo: Imperial War Museums Photograph Archive Collection – public domain (UK Crown copyright expired; image created before June 1957)

Athens 🇬🇷 The Red Arrows soared over Athens on Sunday evening to help mark the 95th anniversary of the Hellenic Air Force. The Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team is in Greece for a month-long pre-season training exercise. #RedArrows | #Athens | #Greece

Strap in: Follow one of our paratroopers from @16AirAssltBCT jumping in to Tristan da Cunha – one of the world’s most remote communities – to deliver vital medical support 🪂

Two WWII veterans. One journey to Number 10. Former Wren Dorothy Walsh and Royal Navy veteran Ken Arkell have travelled to Downing Street for a VE Day 81 reception, thanks to support from Veterans’ Foundation supporters. A £30,000 grant has helped the Royal Naval Association keep its vital minibus service running safely for veterans across the UK. It was a powerful moment of remembrance, recognition and connection for WWII veterans Dorothy and Ken. But this service means more than one special journey. RNA minibuses help veterans reach welfare events, remembrance services, social gatherings and community activities throughout the year. For many older veterans, it is a lifeline. This is the difference your support makes. Whether you play the Veterans’ Lottery, donate, fundraise or partner with us, you help keep veterans connected, included and able to attend the moments that matter. Thank you. cobseo.org.uk/royal-naval-as…

UK specialist paratroopers and military clinicians have carried out a daring parachute operation to deliver critical medical support to Tristan da Cunha – Britain’s most remote inhabited Overseas Territory – after a suspected case of Hantavirus was identified on the island.

“Ere it comes u goils” writes wartime analyst as early word of German surrender was received 📧 Last year we released letters sent between intelligence operatives sharing the news that the end of the Second World War in Europe was imminent. #VEDay

In 1944, Flt Lt George Henry Ash, a Canadian serving with the RAF, took part in the secret Operation Fleckney. After successfully inserting an OSS agent, his aircraft was shot down near the Belgium-Luxembourg border.

🆃🅷🅸🆂 🅼🅾🅽🆃🅷 May 1943: F/O Faith Chapman joins SOE as a Section Officer in charge of preparing operations to Denmark. She later serves in Africa (overseeing air ops for the SD Service, helping to coordinate D-Day) and the Far East. #FaithMaryChapman #SOE #WW2 1/3

Last year we commemorated VE Day 80, marking 80 years since the end of the Second World War in Europe. VE Day is more than just a historical anniversary; it is a day of reflection on the enduring human values of liberty, resilience, and sacrifice. Honouring VE Day ensures that the bravery and hardships experienced during World War II are not forgotten – together, we affirm our collective responsibility to remember the past and to work towards a better and more peaceful future for all.

On VE Day, we honour the people who helped secure peace in Europe and reflect on the lasting impact their service continues to have on generations today. 🇬🇧 #MadewithAI

8 May 1941 F/Lt Zygmunt Jan Kinel (P-0172) PAF Age: 28 He was lost whilst flying Hurricane IIB, Z3095 'N' of No 302 Sqn, which was shot down by a Bf 109 during a patrol, on returning to RAF Kenley. He is buried in Northwood Cemetery. aircrewremembered.com/kinel-zygmunt.…

London on VE Day: 8 May 1945.

This is Spring Summer 2026 at the British Normandy Memorial.... We look forward to welcoming you to this place of serene beauty to remember and to reflect. ❤️