September 25 2014.


Members and Guests of the Seahaven Branch of The Royal Society of St George commemorated Battle of Britain Day, Monday 15th September, with a formal dinner at The Star, Alfriston.

After the meal, Chairman Bob Peedle MBE, reminded everyone of the Battle and why that day was chosen as Battle of Britain Day, a day that started to turn the tide against the Nazi hoards. It has become the day that we give thanks for the efforts of all those young men of the RAF and Fleet Air Arm from this country, the Commonwealth and many European Countries by then in Nazi hands, who flew against the might of the Luftwaffe. It is also a day to remember those men and women of the ground crews, those manning the control rooms and the radar stations, the Royal Artillery Anti Aircraft gunners, the Observer Corps at their listening posts and the civilian services, police, fire, ambulance and hospitals.

The Chairman welcomed the guests and reported on the branch’s activities. These included the support given to the Mayor of Telscombe with his Leisha appeal.

In welcoming the Guest of Honour, Wing Commander Kevin Tucker, Commanding Officer of the Sussex Wing of the Air Training Corps, he outlined the great work done by all the adult staff of the three service cadet organisations. Their work helps prepare the young men and women in the cadets for the ups and downs of adult life as well as giving them a chance to achieve. In memory of the Branch’s first President, the late Don Mabey MBE, a veteran of the Second World War RAF Aircrew, the branch has donated a special trophy to the Sussex Wing to be presented annually to the best cadet. On Sunday 28th September a small group from the branch will be joining the Air Cadets at a training weekend at Crowborough Camp to witness the presentation of the trophy to its first winner.

Among the other guests were Fran Tegg, Editor of Seaford Scene, and Lieutenant Colonel Leslie Clarke, a member of the Council of St George as well as its National Standard Bearer and Chairman of the Aldershot Branch. He is organising the planting and dedication of a tree at the National Memorial Arboratum later this month at which there will be a delegation from Seahaven, including Branch President, Chairman and Standard Bearer, Frank Holland.

As well as the Wing Commander, the Air Training Corps was represented by two Cadets, Cadet Flight Sergeant George Wells and Cadet Sergeant Luke Williams.

During the latter part of his life, the Branch’s first President, Don Mabey MBE who died just before Christmas last year, along with his wife Maeve, raised thousands of pounds for the RAF’s major charity, the Wings Appeal. In Don’s honour, the proceeds of the night’s raffle has been donated to the Wings Appeal.

The next Branch event will be the commemoration of the Battle of Trafalgar. This will be on Trafalgar Day, 21st October, at Deans Place Hotel in Alfriston.