Commissioned at Last - Tony Cunnane's Life and Times

Main menu

Commissioned at Last

AEO Years 1960-66

The Reviewing Officer for our Graduation Parade, Sir Edward Chilton, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief Coastal Command, was the same Air Marshal who had recommended me for a commission in Malta when he was Air Officer Commanding Malta. As soon as the parade and subsequent Church Dedication Service were over, off from my uniforms came the white epaulettes and the air signallers' 'S' brevet and on went the 'AE' brevet. In my first six years in the RAF I had held every rank up to and including sergeant but now I was an Air Electronics Officer.

Click on any of the four images below to pop up a larger version with a caption

This image is the official PR photograph of me taken shortly after our graduation parade. It was actually used in a couple of local newspapers. It was the very first time I wore my officer's uniform, including, of course, my very first Bates' Hat. What an inspiring backdrop to the picture - the ablutions attached to our living quarters!

First pic of me as commissioned officer - 1960

Just two days before the end of the course, on the morning of the Black Velvet party described on the previous page, we had been given our postings. I and another ex-air signaller were posted to RAF Gaydon near Leamington Spa, the home of the Victor and Valiant Operational Conversion Unit.

Next