An event commemorating the 80th anniversary of the first British women on active service to be officially flown by His Majesty's Government into a war zone has taken place in a quiet nature reserve in Wiltshire.
On 13th June 1944, one week after D-Day, three Women’s Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF) nursing orderlies flew from what was then RAF Blakehill Farm to an airstrip in Normandy to undertake the first casualty evacuation flights. Corporal Lydia Alford, Leading Aircraft Women (LACW) Myra Roberts and LACW Edna Birkbeck treated the wounded as they were being flown back to Britain.
The moment of their return was recorded by the waiting press who dubbed these pioneering nurses ‘The Flying Nightingales’.
Gathering 80 years later at the former airfield where those first flights departed, were family members of The Flying Nightingales, serving members of the RAF Medical Services who fulfil the same role today, senior representatives from the NHS and RAF and local dignitaries. The event was a commemoration and celebration of the life-saving contribution made by RAF Medical Reserves, past and present, in what is also the Centenary year of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force.
Those in attendance heard more about the stories of these extraordinary women and were treated to a demonstration of modern aeromedical evacuation capability to highlight the ongoing critical contribution of RAF Medical Reservists, most of whom also have full-time jobs within the NHS. A commemoration ceremony was held at the end of the runway with the last post sounded by a Trumpeter of the Band of the Royal Air Force Regiment in honour of The Flying Nightingales and all RAF Medical Services personnel.
LACW Lydia Alford’s niece, Sheila Lane, remembers seeing her Aunty on a Pathé news reel in 1944. She said: “On the screen was my Aunty Lydia saluting two officers before boarding an aircraft to go to France. That’s my earliest recollection of her."
Today means a great deal to me. Growing up, Aunty Lydia was a bit of a heroine and role model for me. I have great respect for those that do the same job today.
Sheila Lane
Also attending the event, Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Trust Chief Nursing Officer Toni Lynch, said: “What an amazing occasion. It’s a great honour to recognise and celebrate the Flying Nightingales and the bravery that they showed eighty years ago today. What they did is still so relevant for us today, both in the military and NHS, so it’s a huge privilege to be here today.”
It’s a real privilege to be invited here today by 4626 Squadron Royal Auxiliary Air Force, who have put on this wonderful event to commemorate the 80th anniversary of The Flying Nightingales.
As Head of Nursing for the RAF, it’s incredible to hear the stories of the aeromedical evacuations these inspiring women undertook on a Dakota, and then look at where we are at now in 2024.
Group Captain Thompson
Director of RAF Nursing Services
Commenting on the event, Kate Davies, Director of Health and Justice, Armed Forces and Sexual Assault Services Commissioning at NHS England, said: “With D-Day commemorations recently taking place across the country, we remember those who lost their lives in Normandy and thank all those who have served and are serving. From the battlefield to the NHS, medical reserves are an important part of our clinical workforce – providing much-needed care and support to our patients.”
