Tribute to two lost Red Arrows pilots

After the display by the Red Arrows over the Port of Mahon, Fred Pryce, the military attaché at the British Embassy in Madrid remarked on the number of official medals which were being worn by attendees on the Illa del Rei (King's Island) in the Port of Mahon where the British built a military hospital in the late 18th and early 19th century.

Amongst the officials were the Governor of Windsor Castle and Air Marshall Ian Macfadyen. Representing Spain was ex Army Chief Luis Alejandre. Monday afternoon's events on the Island began with a religious ceremony and closed with a reception held at Mahon's aeroclub. Around 200 people took part in the service which was held in the chapel of the old hospital and led by the Anglican chaplain Michael Higgins. The homage was even more poignant because the two Red Arrows pilots who had died had taken part in an aerial display over the Port of Mahón earlier that year. The homage continued with the unveiling of some plaques commemorating the aerial acrobatic activity of the Red Arrows in Minorca and the award of various gifts which will remain on the Illa del Rei as an affirmation of the historic relationship between Minorca and Britain. The British Consul on Minorca, Deborah Hellyer said attendance at the Red Arrows displays and tributes had exceeded all expectations.