As people remember the 70th Anniversary of the outbreak of war, on the September 3 1939, members of the East Devon Branch of the AirCrew Association invite all serving and former military aircrew, and their partners, to join them as guests at their monthl

As people remember the 70th Anniversary of the outbreak of war, on the September 3 1939, members of the East Devon Branch of the AirCrew Association invite all serving and former military aircrew, and their partners, to join them as guests at their monthly buffet lunch being held at Exmouth's RAFA Club, Imperial Road, Exmouth, from mid-day on Thursday, September 24 2009.

Spokesman for the local branch, Grahame Holloway, explains that they are using the anniversary as an initiative to reach all former and serving aircrew to show the many social and welfare advantages offered by the AirCrew Association. Currently the local branch, which geographically covers East Devon and the City of Exeter, has around eighty members, all of whom have enjoyed the experience of military aviation although this differs widely. It is this mix, says Grahame, which enhances our membership although, unfortunately, I think many former aircrew who have retired to our area have the misconceived idea that all our members are now elderly veterans from WWII. In fact, nothing could be further from the truth. In fact post-war aircrew form the majority of our local committee, including both its Chairman and Secretary, the former having been a VC-10 pilot during the Falkland conflict.

Whilst we still treasure the membership of our WWII veterans who sadly are now fading away, our majority served during the 'Cold War' period, but even these are now being added to by aircrew who served during the Falklands and Gulf conflicts. In fact, one of our latest members was, until recently, flying helicopters in Afghanistan. Not only do we enjoy the comradeship of members from all three of the Armed Forces, itself rather unique amongst ex-service associations, but we also encompass the wide spectrum of aircrew tasks, including Army Air Corps gunners and Royal Navy helicopter winchmen. All enjoy our varied programme of events.

The East Devon Branch hopes that if you are serving or former aircrew from any of our Armed Forces, irrespective of the era, you and your partner will join them as guests at their buffet lunch on the September 26. If not, and you wish for further information on the branch and its activities, please contact its Secretary, Dick Ward, on 01395 272 435