18 Issue No. 42 Day one started in earnest with all the bikes and the admin vehicle arriving at the Channel Tunnel after an overnight stay in Ashford. The tour had been in the planning for about eight months and so we were well prepared for the forthcoming week and the full itinerary of events. This was the first tour that the branch had organised since its inception back in 2023 and everyone was eager to play a part. I must thank everyone that was involved in the tours planning and especially all those that attended, the week was made that much better just by those that rode and attended the tour. As you can imagine there was plenty of RAF Regiment banter, bravado and joviality in the offing and it was wonderful to see everyone getting involved and sharing the experience. And what an experience this tour was, it all started like I say on day one with various stops at different memorials on route to Ypres where our hotels for the week were located. We had the extreme honour and privilege to be invited to that nights Menin Gate Ceremony and the opportunity to lay two wreaths. One laid on behalf of the Corps by our very own Association Chairman Paul Grimley, who just happened to be our tour guide for the week and the other on behalf of the Riders Branch. The weather didn’t disappoint throughout the week, and the sun shone on every memorial and cemetery that we visited, as though to highlight the magnificent and well-kept settings that those heroes and warriors of yester year now lay. The work and effort that the staff of the Common War Graves Commission and the local French and Flemish people put into maintaining these sites is staggering. We were all humbled and astounded by The RAF Regiment AssociationRiders Branch Bike Tour 9th – 16th June 2025 (France and Belgium) how well kept these sites are, and how extremely proud they are to ensure that we never forget the sacrifice made by so many brave souls. On one of the days, we chanced upon the opportunity to attend the burial of three unknown soldiers with full military honours. These three warriors were found by archaeologists several years ago and sadly even with DNA testing and other methods at their disposal, their identities could not be ratified. So, all three were laid to rest in a very moving and sombre ceremony in the Bedford House Cemetery just outside the town walls at Ypres. The young funeral party made up from the 1st Battalion The Rifles who had flown over from Cyprus (Dhekelia) to carry out the duty were exemplary and as sharp as knives in their No 6 Dress. The riding element of the tour was fantastic but for most this journey was about having the opportunity to pay our respects, to better understand the enormity of what went on in the trenches of the 1st World War. For some it was also the opportunity to walk in the footsteps of their grandfathers, great grandfathers and ancestors. Paul had done his homework prior to our tour and brought with him the historic evidence of where some of them had fought and some had died, so he was able to give those on the tour that very humbling and emotional experience. For any of the other Branches of the Association that are looking to lay on a tour for their membership I would thoroughly recommend this trip, it was without question a week that all of us will not forget. Once again thank you to everyone involved and ride safe troops - Per Ardua. If anyone is looking to join the Riders Branch then please feel free to get in touch, you do not have to ride to join as we do have several members who do not ride.
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