Flashback: Steven
Steven is pictured above, aged 16 at the front, 2nd to the right.
The RAF has been a massive part of Steven's life and shaping of himself as a person. Back then, there weren't as many career opportunities as there is today. He distinctly remembers walking into the career office at school and the adviser asking which profession he wanted, she automatically assumed he would be working down the pit. Just as his father had done before him.
But he laughed, and said "no I'm going into the RAF" and walked out, and she was left shocked because back then it was unusual, especially in the area to want to do anything other than working down the pits.
These uniforms are a timeless classic, and are a staple military dress code. The colours of the outfit were blue, and it was seen as a smart uniform with an eagles' wing patch on the shoulders.
The outfit pictured above is the service dress which was worn on formal and ceremonial occasions and has remained similar since the 1920s. Steven wore this as he was being promoted to the corporal position, this is shown through the two arrows (2 bar chevron) emblem is known as insignia which is a distinguishing badge which represents the military rank, office or
membership of an organisation.
Every station has an officer in charge of the discipline in each squadron. They were known as station warrant officers, and many people used to avoid them as they would tell you what to do and you'd have to do it.
One evening, the officer walked around with a stick and he'd been drinking and pointed it in Steven's face and said "You. You've got to go boxing on Tuesday." and he did. Pictured above is Steven and his medal for being the boxing champion in 1974.
Steven enjoyed being in the RAF because everyday was different, he'd travel the world - he'd even lived in Malta for three years but most of all he felt proud to be serving his country.