THE 602 (City of Glasgow) Squadron has a distinguished history.

When it was formed in September 1925 it was the first of 21 RAF Auxiliary Squadrons.

In October 1939, says the squadron museum association, 602 pilot George Pinkerton “intercepted and inconclusively attacked an enemy Heinkel 111 [and] in doing so he fired the first shots of the war over the skies of Great Britain.” It was one of a number of firsts associated with the 602.

In December 1943 nine members of the squadron spent two days’ leave in Glasgow, and enjoyed lunches with the Rotary Club and Lord Provost James Welsh.The nine - Pilot Officer J. Blair, F/O A.W.Manson, Sgt A.J.MacDonald, L.A.C. Davies (all four of whom belonged to Glasgow), Squadron Leader R.A.Sutherland, F/O H.M.Boyle, flight sergeants J.S.McConnachie and A.Morgan, and L.A.C. E..Harper - are pictured here with former Lord Provost Sir Patrick Dollan.

P/O Blair, whose father, John, had served with the squadron from 1929 to 1932, had earned the Distinguished Flying Medal in the Middle East, but he said in Glasgow that the proudest moment of his career had come when he was posted to 602 in May 1943. “Our squadron is world famous, probably one of the best-known in the RAF,” he added. “One just needs to mention the three, almost magic,letters, and any audience is impressed.”