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The RAFA and their Amsterdam Branch
At the end of WW1 squadron and unit associations were formed to allow those who had served together to maintain contact. In 1930 an organisation known as Comrades of the Royal Air Forces was established with membership open, irrespective of rank, to those serving, or who had served in the RAF, RNAS, RFC and the Dominion Air Forces. In 1919 women who had served in the RAF formed an Old Comrades Association. These two organisations amalgamated in 1939 and in 1943 they changed their name to The Royal Air Forces Association (RAFA). Royal patronage was granted to the Comrades of the RAF in 1936 and continued with the name change. In 1953 HM Queen Elizabeth II, the present Patron, granted a Royal Charter.
The object of RAFA is to promote through comradeship, the welfare by charitable means of all ex and serving members and their dependants and to keep alive the memory of those who died in the service. RAFA presently numbers 100,000 members spread over 600 branches, some outside the United Kingdom. The Amsterdam branch is the second largest of 24 branches in the European Area. Over 300 of the Amsterdam members have at some time served in the one the Royal Air Forces and an equal number of persons who support RAFA ideals are branch Associates.
The Amsterdam Branch is unique in that it has its own HQ in an old concrete fort at Uitgeest, and an own flying squadron The Edambusters based at Lelystad. The branch organizes many activities including visits, lunches, dinners, bingo evenings and a Grand Draw. The profits from these events are donated to charity, in the main the RAFA Wings Appeal. The money is used to maintain a nursing home, two convalescent homes, sheltered accommodation and for assistance to those in need. The branch is represented many times at remembrance services and ceremonies across the Netherlands during the course of a year.
For more information please contact Malcolm Mason on 020 - 696 0133 (home). Donations please to PCGD 2477300 or bank account No. 548618100 in the name Royal Air Forces Association.
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