A historic air squadron didn’t forget its Fife roots as it celebrated its 75th anniversary.
A quartet of Fifers were flown out to Norway in a P3 Orion to attend the anniversary of the formation, in February 1942, of the 333 Squadron Royal Norwegian Air Force at Woodhaven near Wormit.
David and Jan Winch were guests as they have maintained the links between the squadron and Woodhaven since David was commodore of Wormit Boating Club.
Ralph Webster and Evelyn Hardie have painstakingly renovated Sandford House where Lady “Bluebell” Walker provided a rest home for the Norwegians during the Second World War, being awarded the Norwegian St Olaf Medal for this work.
Also in the group was Ann Ferguson from Elgin who has maintained links with the squadron from its visits to Kinloss and Lossiemouth as part of NATO Joint Warrior exercises.
David said the visitors were treated like VIPs at Andoya air station, meeting up with many squadron members who had visited Woodhaven.
On behalf of the community of Woodhaven they presented an album celebrating the friendships forged in war and fostered in peace, to Lt Col Christen Pedersen Commanding Officer of 333 Squadron.
In return Ann and David were presented by Admiral Bruun-Hanson, Chief of Defence Norway, with the Norwegian Defence Service Medal “for excellent and enduring support to the Royal Norwegian Air Force, and to the 333 Squadron in particular”.
Honoured, David said it would not have been possible without the support of many people and groups.
The Squadron is very keen to maintain links with its birthplace of Woodhaven.
The album, compiled to celebrate the 75th anniversary, tells in words and pictures the story of the friendships between Norway and Scotland resulting from the choice of Woodhaven as a base for Norwegian operations as part of the Allied war effort.
A soft cover version is available at £25 with a small profit on each going to Wormit Boating.
Contact David Winch on 01382 541315 to order.
