Double Celebration for 312 Squadron Padre

This year marks two celebrations for Father Kevin St Aubyn from the parish of Whitstable, firstly Father Kevin celebrated his 80th birthday back in June then in October he celebrated […]

This year marks two celebrations for Father Kevin St Aubyn from the parish of Whitstable, firstly Father Kevin celebrated his 80th birthday back in June then in October he celebrated 26 years association with 312 (City of Canterbury) Squadron RAF Air Cadets.
Father Kevin has had a long association with the Royal Air Force, he joined during National Service and was sent to Canada where he learnt to fly on the Harvard, after leaving national service he became a Catholic Priest and was ordained in June 1960.
As Father Kevin mentions, “my becoming involved with the Squadron arose through Flying Officer David Anderson in 1988.  He and his fiancée came to see me on several occasions in preparation for their marriage. On one occasion, he arrived in ATC Officer’s uniform. This naturally led on to my telling him of my time in the RAF during National Service. On a further visit he told me that the Commanding Officer Flight Lieutenant Eddie Stroud, said to him – I quote the exact words – “For God’s sake ask him to become our Padre!” and I was formally inducted into 312 Squadron by the then Wing Chaplain Revd Christopher Miles, and I have been involved ever since.

To celebrate both of these events the Parish and the Squadron arranged for Father Kevin to have a flight in a Boeing Stearman owned by Rob Davies of Great Egham Farm Ashford and a T6 Harvard from the classic wings collection at RAF Duxford, both flights lasted for about 30 minutes and father Kevin who still holds a PPL took the controls on both flights, Father Kevin said that he had thoroughly enjoyed both flights, especially the stall turn in the Stearman.