Next year sees the 100th anniversary of Lt Gerrard, Royal Marine Light Infantry, receiving his wings. This occurred well ahead of the formation of the Royal Flying Corps, now the RAF. If you were, or still are, a Royal Marine aviator, or were attached to the Squadron please peruse the following links. The idea for a bash was instigated by Major James Dresner RM, for some peculiar reason he flies stiff wing aircraft rather than the more usual flapping grinding things most of us flew. The following is from his site, "Flying Marines."




As we approach the 100 year anniversary of Lieutenant Eugene Gerrard RMLI qualifying for his pilot's certificate on 2nd May 1911, there are many Royal Marines who have followed him to the skies.

Through the century Royal Marines have flown in every conflict from World War I to the Second Gulf War. Wearing both Naval Flying Wings and Army Flying Wings they have flown most aircraft from fixed wing to rotary wing , piston-engine to modern jet fighters. Today Royal Marines fly virtually every aircraft operated by the Royal Navy, both fixed wing and rotary wing, and continue to serve in all corners of the globe.

This web site is designed to provide a historical reference of those Royal Marines and the part they have played in the history of aviation. The site is growing all the time, so check the 'What's New' Section to see the newest addidions.

If you are a Royal Marine Aviator, serving or retired, please check the 'Contact' page. Your help is needed to ensure that the site continues to grow and becomes a record of what the Royal Marines have achieved in aviation since Lt Gerrard took to the skies nearly a century ago.

http://www.flyingmarines.com/About.htm


In order to create an opportunity for former members of 3 BAS (3 Commando Brigade Air Sqn) to keep in touch or renew acquaintance I have created another site "The Crewroom" for 3 BAS members of all ranks and occupations.


http://crewroom.proboards.com/index.cgi#general


Anniversary information.

http://crewroom.proboards.com/index....play&thread=53

Please pass the word around if you know of a Bootneck pilot, engineer, driver, storeman who worked with the Sqn and may not know about the event next year.