The squadron was asked to parade at the S.A.A.F. Base Camp in honour of the visit of the Duke of Gloucester. The order setting out the dress to be worn caused some consternation, however, as hardly five or six men could muster the exact equipment required, as the rigours of many months campaigning had made somewhat severe in roads on original U.D.F. issue kit as supplied in the Union, and most of the deficiencies had had to be made up with R.A.F. issue, which differs widely from our own.
However, we did the best we could under the circumstances, and as the Duke (fortunately!) inspected only the Guard of Honour provided by another squadron, our slight irregularities in dress passed muster at the parade. As the Duke of Gloucester delivered no address to the troops, the exact need for the presence of our men at the parade is not quite clear, as our turnout on this occasion could hardly have added to the laurels of the South African Air Force in general.
Some of our Observer Officers sport their second "pips" to-day and they were the chief "victims" at the Promotion Party in the Officers' Mess tonight. The cheerful spirit (and spirits) which predominated ended in the wee hours with some of the “new” Lieutenants endeavouring to place a Major under arrest!