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Explore our collections of incredible stories, created to mark anniversaries, events, aircraft and more.

Royal Air Force music services was established by Walford Davies in 1918 and supports over 600 engagements worldwide every year.

The RAF Music Services consists of the Band of the Royal Air Force College, Central Band Of The Royal Air Force, Band of the Royal Air Force Regiment, Headquarters Music Services (HQMS), Royal Air Force Salon Orchestra, and the Band Of The Royal Auxiliary Air Force.

RAF musicians are also deployed to undertake operational roles and medical support, as well as charitable and outreach programmes.

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The Widows Association

Before Jenny Green tragically became a widow in August 1990, women and children were all suffering “triple bereavements”, as they lost their husband/father, but also, their homes, support network and way of life. Given two months to leave quarters, their station passes revoked and suddenly finding themselves with no home, school, doctors or income.

Despite her grief, Jenny realised there was a huge deficit in financial and logistical support so wrote to other widows and they met in 1992. From this, they formed The Widows Association, primarily to support other widows but going on to work with the War Pensions Society, Defence Bereaved Families Group and the War Widows Association to change policies and the lives of bereaved military families.

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Old Haltonians Stained Glass Windows

In October 1997, RAF Padre at St Georges Church, the Rev Richard Lee, suggested that the Old Haltonians do something with the many windows at the church. It then became tradition for each Entry of apprentices to design and create their own window, resulting in an amazing, colourful and historical wall of windows, each with its own unique story and personality.

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The Anniversary of the Gay Ban

On the 12th January 2000, the ban on LGBT+ people serving in the British Armed Forces was removed. Before this date, anyone discovered to be gay could be subjected to arrest, interrogation, examination, imprisonment, and dismissal. To commemorate that important day, the RAF Museum has been recording the experiences of those effected by the ban with help from military charity Fighting with Pride and the RAF LGBT+ Network.

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The Queens Air Bearer Party

The King’s Colour Squadron is the RAF’s dedicated ceremonial unit, responsible for representing the RAF at both state and national ceremonial occasions, and providing Guards of Honour for the Royal Family, Heads of State, dignitaries and other VIPs. On the demise of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022 the Squadron became the custodians of the King’s Colour and was renamed the King’s Colour Squadron on 27 October 2022.

Formed exclusively by the Officers and Gunners of the RAF Regiment, the King’s Colour Squadron holds a dual role capability as a regular field squadron under 63 Squadron RAF Regiment with personnel deployed actively on Operations throughout Europe and the Middle East. The Squadron provided the Bearer Party and Guard of Honour when an RAF C-17 transport aircraft delivered Queen Elizabeth II’s coffin to RAF Northolt at London from Scotland.

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