A party of cadets from 165 (Castle Bromwich) Squadron had to perform the sad duty of being in an Honour Guard recently, following the death of someone that they had never met.

Corporal Richard ‘Mac' McCoy, a former member of the 605 ( County of Warwick ) Squadron, Royal Auxiliary Air Force, passed away earlier this year at his home in Australia . His ashes were returned to Castle Vale for interring at the Memorial to 605 Squadron RAuxAF, in the grounds of St Cuthbert's Church on Castle Vale.

Mac served in 605 during the early days of World War Two before transferring to the Army and becoming a Dispatch Rider throughout the Italian Campaign.

Mac was a member of the 605 Squadron Association until its disbandment in 2006 and he attended the final meeting and celebratory meal at the NEC Hilton hotel having flown in from Australia .

165 Squadron has long been associated with 605 Squadron and will continue to keep the alive the memory of 605 Squadron.

605 Squadron was formed at RAF Castle Bromwich in 1926 and went on to play a crucial role in the Battle of Britain.

I would like to thank the Cadets who turned out on the day and also Sergeant Dan Harvey of 495 Squadron for playing the Last Post, as requested by the family.