HISTORY OF THE ASSOCIATION

The 39 Squadron (Marauder) Association was formally initiated in 1981, 1982, when the current Squadron was disbanded in a ceremony at RAF Wyton, and the Squadron Standard was laid up. Note.the Squadron has since been reformed and is based at RAF Marham, flying their English Electric Canberra Mk.9,s, which apparently still have an operational life, until 2003.

Informal Reunions had however been held at infrequent intervals starting in 1951, when Pete Hatcher, wrote to a number of his contacts and arranged the First Reunion at the Crown Hotel in London, to which it appears from the records, that thirty four attended. Further Reunions were held in 1952, 1953, 1954 and 1955-- in the latter year some fifty-four attended, the best ever attendance. Some "empty" years occurred, and the next Reunion was not until 1969, and then not until 1972.; when wives attended for the first time.

A second "barren" period now ensued, and it was not until 1981 that another Reunion took place at RAF Wyton, with the current Squadron hosting the event. The following year a second visit to Wyton, with Squadron hosting this time Trente Novan's from every era, from WW1 to the present day. Marauder Men were the biggest contingent, apart from the current Canberra members. This was the year of disbandment(see above).

Since 1982, with the formal organisation in place, annual Reunions were started, and from 1984 to 1993 they were held at RAF West Drayton. 1993 was the 19th. Reunion. In 1994, RAF Sealand was the venue, and in 1995 it was decided to hold two Reunions each year, one at Sealand and one at the Falcon Hotel in Stratford-upon-Avon, and since then this annual format has been followed.

The Association currently has upwards of one hundred and twenty members, and the
Association's Newsletter, The Trente Nova Marauder, is distributed four times a year, in
Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter.

Although many WW2 organisations are, or already have, "folded their tents", 39 Trente Nova- has every intention of continuing for several years yet.

The current membership contains a number of Honorary and Second Generation members.