The Royal Air Force has had a ceremonial drill unit based at Royal Air Force Uxbridge in Middlesex since the early 1920s. Through its doors, under the assumed name John Hume-Ross, passed T E Lawrence famous for his World War One exploits as Lawrence of Arabia. On the 1st of November 1960 the Royal Air Force Drill Unit, as it was then known, was re-named The Queens Colour Squadron of the Royal Air Force and since then has been manned exclusively by the officers and airmen of the Royal Air Force Regiment.
The Sovereign, in recognition of the achievements of the Royal Air Force, has awarded it the Queens Colour. The Queens Colour Squadron is the custodian of the Queens Colour for the Royal Air Force and has the honour of providing the Escort Squadron whenever the Colour is paraded.
The Queens Colour Squadron is responsible for representing the Royal Air Force at most ceremonial occasions. It also provides Guards of Honour for our own Royal Family and visiting Royalty and dignitaries, often in unusual locations; such as the Royal Guard of Honour to receive Her Majesty The Queen onto the hallowed turf at Wembley for the final of Euro 96 and the closing ceremony for the Commonwealth Games at Manchester 2002.
The Squadron also mounts The Queens Guard at Buckingham Palace, St James Palace, The Tower of London and Windsor Castle. The RAF Regiments tradition for the Royal Palace Guards began in 1943, with its first mount uniquely being viewed by King George and Queen Elizabeth, later The Queen Mother.
Along with its ceremonial responsibilities the Squadron maintains an operational role as No 63 Squadron RAF Regiment serving in the defence of Royal Air Force assets and installations around the world. The Squadron saw action as No 2865 (light Anti-Aircraft) Squadron Royal Air Force Regiment in Algeria and Northwest Europe. In 1963 the Squadron converted to an Anti-Aircraft role with Bofors Guns and was responsible for the defence of RAF Tengah. 63 Squadron later carried out internal security duties at RAF Gan and RAF Kai Tak, Hong Kong. The Squadron also participated during the Falklands war providing short range air defence with Rapier missiles and more recently has seen personnel deploying on operations to such places as Bosnia, Cyprus, Kuwait and most recently in Iraq last year.
