Birthday tribute for RAF’s oldest veteran Frank Bagshaw

Frank Bagshaw joined the RAF when he was 19, in 1925, a few years after the formation of the force, as a rigger and carpenter, and later achieved the rank of Warrant Officer.

In the 1950s he gained his commission within the engineering branch, and served around the world servicing aircraft in both peace and war, including Palestine, Greece, Egypt, India, Malta and South Africa.

Frank also represented the RAF in cross-country running, fencing and shooting, becoming one of the top 100 shots in the UK, before he left the RAF in 1963 after 38 years in uniform.

Frank was joined on his birthday at his home in Horsforth, Leeds, by Squadron Leader Andy Scott from RAF Linton-on-Ouse, a former commanding officer of 207 Squadron, in which Frank served, and Flight Lieutenant Martin Blagojevic, who is in charge of the armed forces careers office in Leeds.

Flt Lt Blagojevic said: “Frank was somewhat taken aback when informed that he may be the oldest surviving former RAF officer.

“He said that the secret to his longevity was that he was always fit, healthy and did not drink or smoke. When we asked his views on the current crop of RAF officers, Frank quipped that they were a lot ‘scruffier’ then they used to be!”

Frank was presented with a framed and signed print from all the personnel at RAF Linton-on-Ouse who served in 207 Squadron, which was engraved with the words “105 years of Flight Lieutenant Frank Bagshaw”.

Flt Lt Blagojevic said: “Despite his modesty, we were left in no doubt as to the pride he had in wearing the uniform, the standards we all have to aspire to and the legacy that he and others who followed in his footsteps leave behind.

“Testament to his modesty was that as we were leaving Frank’s daughter, Marjorie, inquired as to whether any light could be shed on Frank’s medal collection which, much to her and everyone else’s surprise, included an OBE her father had never mentioned before.”