IN celebration of the 100th anniversary of the RAF, the Royal Air Force Ensign was flown over Darlington Town Hall.

The event was marked by a ceremony raising the Ensign in support of the Armed Forces – past, present and future. Among those in attendance was mayor councillor Jan Taylor and senior aircraftman Craig Macduff.

Cllr Taylor said: “On April 1, the RAF will celebrate its 100th anniversary. To mark this occasion, there will be events all over the country, highlighting its history and achievements, celebrating the work the RAF is doing and looking forward to the next 100 years.

“Darlington has many different connections with the RAF –those living here who are serving, or have served in the past. But also, our historic links, in the form of pilot officer William McMullen, who stayed at the controls of his Lancaster Bomber to prevent it crashing into houses, and Andrew Mynarski VC of the Canadian RAF, who was based at RAF Goose Pool and died trying to save one of his crew.”

During the Second World War, Darlington raised funds for its own Spitfire after a devastating raid damaged the town’s buildings.

The community raised £5,000 for the plane, which served from 1941-1943 mostly working in northern France.

Cllr Taylor added: “We are here to celebrate and acknowledge100 years of the RAF and of the things they have done for this country and for our town, one particular connection is a road called McMullen, named after a pilot.”

Also in attendance was Peter McGraghan, of the Royal Air Force Association, he said: “It is the 100th anniversary for the formation of the Royal Air Force which was the first independent air force in the world.

“I’m proud of the links Darlington has with the RAF, we have links with Middleton St George which was the RAF airfield for the Canadian air force, a memorial is placed there for pilot officer Mynarski.”