The 1st of April will commemorate one hundred years since the Royal Air Force was formed, in order to honour this, a specially designed baton will set off on a journey around the UK and abroad. The baton will be carried by those who have a connection to the RAF and over the 100 days the baton will visit 100 different sites, associated with the RAF. The baton will be carried by RAF personnel, cadets, veterans and members of the many sporting associations that make up the RAF. The relay will begin its journey at the Royal Courts of Justice on 1 April 2018, on the second day Bentley Priory Museum in Stanmore will receive the baton at 11:30pm on April 2nd in order to celebrate the creation of the RAF in April 1918.

Bentley Priory is a Museum located in Stanmore and is best known for once having a pivotal role, as Headquarters Fighter Command during the Battle of Britain in 1940, the visit of baton is therefore significant as it highlights the important role they played in defending Britain in it’s darkest hour. The relay will be an event where people, can come along to support and acknowledge the RAF but also celebrate it’s 100 years of dedicated service. Those who visit the museum and join in with the celebrations, will receive a commemorative baton to keep. The Mayor of Harrow, Harrow East MP and Squadron 2473 air cadets will be attending, in addition to this the Tonic Choir will also give a brief choral performance.

The baton has been constructed using brass, wood, aluminium, steel and carbon aerofoil wing cross-sections, symbolising aircraft construction through the ages. It has also been designed, to feature LED rings of red, white and blue which illuminates the baton symbolising the RAF roundel. It also includes the RAF crest and RAF100 logo. The relay will end it’s journey on July 10th on Horseguards Parade and the RAF have asked the public to keep an eye out for updates on their Royal Air Force social media.