Remembrance Sunday & Tornado Veterans Signing Event - 8th November
With attendance from the Royal British Legion, we will commemorate the two-minute silence at 11am followed by a signing event with RAF Tornado Veterans.
REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY
Sunday 8th November 2026 | Aces High Gallery, Steventon
On Sunday 8th November, we invite visitors to join us at the gallery to mark the Act of Remembrance, as we honour those who gave their lives in service and remember the sacrifices made by generations of Armed Forces personnel.
With representatives of the Royal British Legion in attendance, a commemorative service will take place ahead of the national two-minute silence at 11.00am. We will then look to the skies for a planned flypast by a wartime Douglas C-47 Dakota (weather permitting), a fitting tribute to those who served.
THE REMEMBRANCE SERVICE
The service will begin at approximately 10.40am, with an introduction from Brigadier (Ret'd) Nick Thompson. The commemorations will include the reading of the names of the fallen recorded on the Steventon War Memorial, the Commendation and the sounding of the Last Post by a bugler.
At 11.00am, we will observe two minutes of silence. The Reveille will follow at approximately 11.02am, followed by a closing prayer.
Guests attending the ceremony are kindly asked to arrive in good time, so that the period of remembrance can begin without interruption.
A WARTIME DAKOTA FLYPAST
At approximately 11.30am, we are hoping to welcome a flypast from a wartime Dakota. An aircraft synonymous with the Allied airborne operations of the Second World War, the Dakota remains an enduring symbol of service, courage and remembrance.
Please note: the flypast is planned but subject to weather, aircraft serviceability and operational requirements. Timings may change.
RAF TORNADO VETERANS SIGNING
12.00pm - 3.00pm
Following the morning's commemorations, we will welcome a distinguished group of former RAF Tornado personnel to the gallery. Visitors are welcome to stay for the afternoon, enjoy the atmosphere and meet our guests when they are available. A signing voucher is only required if you would like the veterans to sign your own items.
Our guests bring a wealth of experience from the cockpit and from the engineering teams that helped keep this remarkable aircraft flying. We will also be joined by acclaimed aviation artist Mike Rondot, a former RAF Jaguar pilot whose paintings have captured the Tornado and many other RAF aircraft in action.
ATTENDING GUESTS
- Flight Lieutenant CHRIS STRADLING MBE – Tornado GR1/GR4 Navigator and instructor, with more than 6,000 flying hours on the type.
- Flight Lieutenant PAUL SHENTON – Former Tornado F3 pilot and instructor who also flew Spitfires and Hurricanes with the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.
- Air Commodore RICK PEACOCK-EDWARDS CBE AFC – Former Lightning, Phantom and Tornado pilot who helped introduce the Tornado F2/F3 into RAF service.
- Squadron Leader MIKE JOHNSON – An experienced RAF pilot whose career included the English Electric Lightning and Tornado.
- Junior Technician KAREN GEDGE – Worked on Tornados at RAF Leeming with 25(F) Sqn, servicing, maintenance and arming the aircraft, participating in both Gulf conflicts, former Yugoslavia and Operation Fresco.
- Squadron Leader PABLO MASON – Tornado GR1 pilot with XV Squadron who flew 24 combat missions during the 1991 Gulf War.
- AL BOXALL-HUNT – Joined the RAF in 1966, flying the F4, Hunter and Tornado, with over 4,000 hours under his belt.
- Squadron Leader LES HENDRY MBE – Former senior engineering officer with 31 Squadron during the 1991 Gulf War.
SPECIAL GUEST ARTIST
- MIKE RONDOT – Acclaimed aviation artist and former RAF Jaguar pilot, with paintings depicting the Tornado and a wide range of military aircraft.
Guest appearances are subject to change. Additional guests may be announced.
EVENT TIMETABLE
8.30am – Breakfast available at the food van
9.00am – Gallery opens
10.40am – Remembrance service begins
11.00am – Two-minute silence
11.02am – Reveille
With closing prayer led by Reverend Ann Templeman
Approx. 11.30am – Planned Dakota flypast
12.00pm - 3.00pm – Tornado veterans signing
All programme times are approximate and subject to change.
TICKETS & ADMISSION
FREE ENTRY – ALL DAY
Everyone is welcome to attend the Remembrance service, enjoy the planned Dakota flypast and remain at the gallery for the afternoon gathering with our RAF Tornado veterans.
OPTIONAL SIGNING VOUCHER – £20
If you would like to have personal items signed by our guests, a £20 voucher covers up to THREE items during the signing session, from 12.00pm to 3.00pm.
Visitors without signing vouchers are equally welcome to stay at the gallery, and to mingle with the veterans once the signing has concluded.
Please book your tickets in advance as this helps us manage numbers and create a comfortable environment for all attending.
Both buttons open the same TryBooking page, where you can select the free admission ticket or optional signing voucher.
VISITING THE GALLERY
Breakfast will be available from the food van from 8.30am, with food and a licensed bar available during the event. We look forward to welcoming visitors to Aces High for this special day of remembrance and the opportunity to meet our RAF guests.
Aces High Gallery, Steventon, Oxfordshire, OX13 6SN
