Princess Mary's Royal Air Force Nursing Service

The End of an Era

On 28 June 2008 the PMRAFNS witnessed the end of an era; Sqn Ldr Aileen Danby said a final farewell to her much-loved friends. During her 16-years of service, Aileen made a very special impression on the Branch, which was clearly evident from the hilarious memories recalled by Gp Capt Wendy Williams in her speech at the Top Table luncheon held at RAF Lyneham. There were tears all round, trembling lower lips even being experienced by the most hardened attendee, after a movie compiled by Sqn Ldr Di Lamb of photographs showing Aileen’s journey through her PMRAFNS career. The tears continued following Aileen’s speech during which she recounted her most precious moments and those people that had made a lasting impression on her and who she would miss the most. Her special places specifically were the “party days” of RAF (H) Wegberg after which she never expected a repeat but was proved wrong at RAF Akrotiri despite, in her words, “being married with children by that point”. Her days on the Aeromed Squadron were also especially memorable due to the people she worked with. She was particularly interested in developing her Bosnia geography knowledge during this time for any impromptu Trivial Pursuit games and was amazed at just how much first-hand experience she received on her specialist topic!!

The afternoon progressed with karaoke renditions by Gp Capt Craig “Elvis” Staniforth, Wg Cdr Phil “Robbie Williams” Spragg and Sqn Ldr Lydia Scroggs and the day just wouldn’t have been complete without the girls singing their version of California Dreamin’.