The Deputy Lord Mayor of Nottingham laying a wreath at the Albert Ball Memorial in the grounds of Nottingham Castle.At the invitation of the Royal Air Force Association (RAFA), Air Cadets from Nottingham held a Parade in the grounds of Nottingham Castle to remember Nottingham born First World War Fighter Ace, Captain Albert Ball VC.
Cadets represented all the Nottingham Squadrons as well as those from Long Eaton, Ilkeston, Stapleford, Newton, Tollerton and Beeston.
The Parade is held every year on the anniversary Albert Ball’s disappearance in France on the evening of 7th May 1917 after taking off for an evening offensive patrol over the Arras Front. His posthumous Victoria Cross was awarded a month later to mark his heroic achievements.
Short Service
The cadets with their banners and the banners of the RAFA and other veteran associations formed up around the statue to Captain Ball in the Castle Grounds where a short service was conducted by the Reverend Martin Kirkbride, Vicar of the Lenton Church attended by the Ball Family.
Wreaths were laid by Wg Cdr O’Dell, Officer Commanding 56 (Reserve) Squadron from RAF Waddington and the Deputy Mayor Of Nottingham Councillor Gul Nawaz Khan.
After a march past led by the Parade Commander, Flt Lt Phil Bannister, the cadets were inspected by the Wg Cdr and the Deputy Lord Mayor.
By editor@nottinghamng9.co.uk.
