It is the Gwen Jackson Trophy, in honour of the
spirit of this remarkable woman, her determination, tenacity, altruism and moral courage: qualities that we in the RAF prize above all others in our colleagues and fellow pilots - those with whom we trust our lives in the ultimate prosecution of our profession as military aviators.
So, looking at this magnificent trophy, I need not describe to you the hundreds of hours of painstaking work that Robert Jackson has put in to create such a work of art himself and I am completely lost for words to describe, as I said at the beginning, his altruism and generosity of spirit in so doing. The bowl of the trophy is hand raised in germanium silver alloy, representing an inverted nose-cone and is supported by the curving slip streams of two Hawks that connect it to the base which contains two enamel crests of both the RAF and 208 Squadron.
Ladies and gentlemen, this is the Gwen Jackson Trophy, which will henceforth be awarded to the student pilot on each graduating course who has shown the most determination and tenacity to overcome all difficulties in order to succeed, whilst maintaining an essential altruism towards his colleagues whilst so doing. The trophy will be presented to the pilot who meets this criteria, irrespective of his or her final position on the course.
And to
complete my honour in receiving this trophy on behalf of the Squadron, I would like to ask our distinguished guest today to present this trophy for the very first time.
Ladies and gentlemen, Mr Robert Jackson.”
Mr Robert Jackson, who had earlier in the day flown in a 208 Squadron Hawk, introduced the Gwen Jackson Trophy and explained the reason for the award to honour the following attributes in a student pilot, irrespective of his or her final position on the training course:-
* Tenacity - In the pursuit of tasks and duties, often in situations where the odds stacked against completion may seem insurmountable. These are overcome by an officer who displays a character which rises to the challenge and demonstrates that the option to quit does not exist.
