Just a little history of our very suitable and revered Blazer badge the honours of which must be laid at the door of Kevin King who, fortunately for me, lived opposite me in our first "home" at block 4 Room 4, 2 Wing, in 1955.

There was an entry competition, put to all 79th entry members, to submit a suitable design for our entry badge. We had just survived the first few weeks at RAF Halton and had started basic workshops and Kevin was always drawing tools and things in his workshop notebook.

Noting this requirement for an entry badge and knowing how "shy and retiring" our entry members were and how clever Kevin was with a pencil, I said to him,: "Kevin, how about an entry badge?" Within a heartbeat, out came his sketchbook and drawing implements.

At first, not being too serious, several designs were considered. Kevin explained to us that he was trying for a design that would involve major points such as, the dates, the wheel, our school and entry number, but just as important, a badge that looked like an RAF squadron badge and the bird (eagle) was to signify "Flying High".

Kevin had put considerable thought into this project, in just a few mini-seconds! We were intrigued whilst watching Kevin making these few sketches, explaining what he was doing towards it. It wasn't long before he produced the finished item as it stands today, 55 year later. Everybody sitting there watching liked the finished result, although Kevin was still pondering over something better? Kevin then set about tidying it up, making it bigger and adding colour.

We submitted this design and although there were several other designs, Kevin's design proved most suitable and was accepted by the approval of the members of the committee judging the entrants. It was of course certainly an esteemed feature of our entry as well as a religious icon, now prominently featured in the RAF Halton Church, stain-glassed window. It is also blessed with travelling the globe on the proud chests of our numerous members. Not to mention, now blazoned all over our brand new web site with pride!

I am sure that we all thank Kevin, for his very apt gift to us all, but knowing that his satisfaction in achieving such an icon is greater even than our Thanks!!