Why do we remember ANZAC Day in Gloucestershire?
In the First World War, Australia was the only British Dominion to raise, equip and deploy in the field, its own flying corps. Number 1 Squadron, Australian Flying Corps (AFC) served in Palestine and Numbers 2, 3 and 4 Squadrons AFC flew on the Western Front in France. The AFC had four training squadrons based in Gloucestershire, Numbers 5 and 6 Training Squadrons AFC at Minchinhampton and Numbers 7 and 8 Training Squadrons AFC at Leighterton. Those four AFC squadrons formed the 1st Training Wing AFC with its headquarters and AFC hospital in Tetbury.
Flying training ceased on 15 March 1919 and the AFC departed from Southampton on board the P&O ss KAISAR-I-HIND on 6 May 1919 and arrived in Port Melbourne on 16 June 1919.
Twenty-four members of the Australian Flying Corps are buried in Leighterton cemetery: flying instructors, cadets and ground crew. All except one died in 1918-1919 during flight training, or of other causes. Additional members of the AFC who died in training area buried in other English cemeteries.
A Commonwealth Service, organised by Gloucestershire County of The Royal British Legion, has been held in Leighterton since 1931, except for the years 1940-45.
Legion membership is open to all regardless of whether you have served in the Armed Forces or not. We are committed to the welfare, interests and memory of the Service family. If you want to help those who have served, contact your local branch
Our most seriously injured heroes received greatly improved compensation because of the Legion’s campaigning – and we continue to campaign for more improvements
