601 Squadron (County of London, Auxiliary Air Force)
(Re-created)
601 Squadron purpose
Simply stated, our purpose is to provide remembrance of 601 Squadron, all of the brave souls who fought in the RAF - and indeed the whole of the Second World War, and to have a great time with good friends. We accomplish this through historical re-creation stressing authenticity, preserving the memories and traditions of 601, and endeavoring to assist in any way that we can to provide memorials to those that sacrificed so much. As a group, we tend to go about things in a slightly different way. 601 was an Auxiliary Squadron, formed in the mid-1920’s from men with a great sense of adventure. They were well-heeled, intelligent, had a love for flying and a great sense for living life. The pre-war Auxiliary squadrons were well-known for their free spirit and antics, but at the same time possessing a very high sense of preparedness and skill. Bombing and gunnery competitions with regular RAF squadrons proved this true, and the Auxiliaries certainly showed their mettle when war was declared in 1939 with the subsequent great air battles of 1940 – both in the Battle of France and the Battle of Britain. In our group, while mostly portraying the wartime squadron at events, we try to capture the spirit of the pre-war squadron. That spirit is the essence of 601, began by Ned Grosvenor when it was formed, and continued throughout the life of the squadron.
There is a trend in the re-enacting community to take one’s self and the efforts of a group far too seriously, an outlook to which we unapologetically do not subscribe. While imitation is the truest form of flattery, all groups are just that – imitation. We cannot hope to hold a candle to the deeds of the unit we portray. What we can do is be as historically accurate in kit and turnout as is possible, and learn all that we can about the men, history, traditions and actions of the group we portray. To this degree we are very serious; our kit, turn-out and knowledge reflect this.
But rather than concerning ourselves with memorizing the rivet count of a Spitfire, we focus more on the men themselves – the pilots, ground crew, and all associated with a wartime squadron. These men and women weren’t concerned about such absurdities either, but rather more with simply surviving the war. The ‘live today for tomorrow we may die’ spirit was ever so true, and most chose to live as well as they could under the circumstances. That spirit is what we celebrate in our group, for it permeated 601 from its inception.
In 601 Squadron (Re-created) we build on the traditions of the RAF, and this can be exemplified by our now legendary Saturday evening Mess. It’s our opportunity to solemnly salute the sacrifices of so many, and to pay homage to those of the squadron past and still with us, as well as the other brave services, and indeed all of those that served and are still fighting and dying for our freedom. It is also a chance to celebrate our close friendships with one another, and in our way to celebrate the lives of those who fought, and far too many who died, those many years ago. At our Mess, the officers are required to wear Mess Dress if they can get it. We've heard the comments that 'Mess Dress was discontinued for the war' - a fact of which we are well aware. That those who already had them would have continued to wear them is moot; in 601 it's an a mark of respect that those of us who portray officers undertake to honour the real officers and men of the squadron.
We are proud to be involved with the 601 Old Comrade's Association, veterans from the 1940's and mainly 1950's jet squadron that have willing opened their doors and have welcomed us into the '601 family'.
The genuine hope is that through our efforts in preserving the history and traditions of this great squadron we can we can help to ensure the memory of those who served it so valiantly. And given that it is a hobby, although based on a passionate interest, the idea is to have as much fun doing it as is possible.
Per Ardua Ad Astra
