Warrant Officer Richard Stocks experienced a memorable chapter in his career during RAF Coningsby’s annual Battle of Britain Dining-In Night when his son, Flying Officer James Stocks, took the ceremonial salute at one of the station’s most significant commemorative events.
Held on 18 September, the event brought together members of the RAF Coningsby community to commemorate the service and sacrifice of those who fought during the Battle of Britain, while celebrating the traditions that continue to connect today’s Royal Air Force with its historic past.
Warrant Officer Stocks, who joined the RAF in July 1988 and currently serves as Squadron Warrant Officer within Typhoon Cyberspace Squadron, hosted the evening in his role as Chairman of the RAF Coningsby Warrant Officers’ and Sergeants’ Mess Committee.
The annual Battle of Britain Dining-In Night is still one of the most important events in the Mess calendar. Closely linked to RAF Coningsby’s heritage and its association with the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, the event provides an opportunity for serving personnel to reflect on the sacrifice, courage and professionalism of those who fought in the air campaign of 1940.
Warrant Officer Stocks said: “The Battle of Britain Dining-In Night is one of the occasions we look forward to most each year. It gives us an opportunity to formally recognise those who have gone before us, to remember the legacy they left behind and to ensure we never lose sight of the standards, values and traditions they helped establish.”
As Chairman of the Mess Committee, Warrant Officer Stocks is responsible for a community of more than 500 members. The role encompasses oversight of the Mess’s social programme, facilities, finances and day-to-day affairs and is widely regarded as a prestigious appointment for a serving RAF Warrant Officer at station level.
Reflecting on the appointment, he said: “Becoming Chairman of the Mess is quite an honour. Having served at RAF Coningsby before and known former chairpersons whose names appear on the honours boards, it is a privilege to play a part in that continuing story.”
This year’s event carried added personal significance for Warrant Officer Stocks. Traditionally, the ceremonial salute is taken by a commissioned officer, often the Station Commander. With the Station Commander unable to attend, Warrant Officer Stocks invited his son, Flying Officer James Stocks, to act as the attending officer and take the salute.
The result was a moment few Service families are likely to experience: a serving RAF Warrant Officer presiding over one of the station’s principal ceremonial events while watching his own son perform a key role in the formal proceedings.
Flying Officer Stocks is a Weapons Control Officer at RAF Boulmer. A member of No. 19 Squadron, he also has a direct connection to Battle of Britain history through a squadron whose heritage stretches back to the air campaign of 1940. Reflecting on his RAF career, he said: “I don’t think there’s a job that’s better suited for me, really.”
The evening included a sunset parade, reinforcing RAF Coningsby’s enduring connection to Battle of Britain heritage and providing a fitting backdrop to an occasion that combined Service tradition, station history and family pride. Warrant Officer Stocks said: “I felt nothing but pride for James, it was an opportunity of a lifetime and what an honour!”
