On 1 April 1918, the RAF was formed, becoming a new branch of the British military. It was created by the merging of the Royal Naval Air Service and the Royal Flying Corps, ending an old rivalry.
The Royal Air Force took the place of the two branches of the service and air was represented by a single arm, as land and sea had been. An Air Minister was now responsible for the whole of our offence and defence in one element, as the War Secretary and the First Lord of the Admiralty were in the other two.
Today, we celebrate 100 years of the RAF and commemorate at least three of our members Bro Raymond Rawling Bro Francis William Dove and Bro Robert Weatherstone Cairns we’re there at its formation.
Our research into Bro Cairns is nearing completion and his biography will be published shortly.
