It was with great sadness that the Cadets, Staff and Civilian Committee of 2028 Southam Squadron heard on Saturday the 20 th August 2011 that one of our Ex Cadets had died during an Air Show in Bournemouth . Flt Lt Jon Egging had only recently joined the RAF Red Arrows Display Team and was in his first year of a three year tour with the ‘reds.'

‘Red 4' or ‘Eggman' to his colleagues in the team had been a Cadet at Southam from 1991 until 1997 when he left to go to University. He had reached the rank of CWO by the time he left the Squadron and already had a keen interest in flying. He joined the Royal Air Force in 2000 and quickly became respected as an Aviator, going on to fly the Harrier GR9 over Afghanistan in support of the Coalition Forces.

So it was with great anticipation that on the 28 th July this year, a matter of some 4 weeks ago, that he returned to his roots at 2028. Jon was so delighted to be back and gave the Cadets a talk on the Red Arrows which was so inspiring for all who heard him speak. He even met one of his old ATC Instructors, ex WO Derek Docker , who had attended specially to see Jon. The whole evening was a delight, with Jon's beaming smile and dedication, not only to his new role but his eagerness to tell the Cadets what they could achieve if they really put in the effort.

On Monday evening the 22 nd August 2011 the Cadets, Staff and Civilian Committee held a 2 minutes silence on Parade before moving into the Main Hall and joining the Squadron Chaplain, Rev John Armstrong, for prayers and dedications to Jon.

Mr Chris Scriven , Civilian Committee Chair of 2028, remarked, “Having made the initial contact asking Jon to return to the Squadron much to the excitement of the cadets, I had the honour to be there on the night Jon came to visit us. Jon was a true inspiration to the cadets and showed them that they could reach greater heights using himself as an example. Jon left us that evening admitting that whilst he had done numerous visits to other Squadrons that he had been extremely nervous about returning to his old Squadron, especially remembering Derek Docker in particular. Jon was a very special person and he will be greatly missed by all whose lives he touched, a great ambassador for the armed forces, and a true hero.”

Flight Lieutenant Moreton the CO of 2028 Squadron commented, “It was such a fantastic moment to meet Jon and to feel his overwhelming enthusiasm for the Air Training Corps and the Red Arrows. He left us all that night with a great feeling of pride both in him and the Corps. So when I heard this devastating news I felt like I had lost not just an Ex Cadet but a very special friend. We are all still in shock. Tonight is not a closure but it was a way for all of us to gather together as a Squadron and remember Jon quietly and with dignity. All our thoughts and prayers are with Jon, his wife Emma, his family and his colleagues at this very difficult time.”