RAF aircraft named ‘Guernsey’s Reply’

Sunday 09 May 2021

The UK's newest Poseidon Maritime Patrol aircraft will carry the name 'Guernsey’s Reply', honouring an historic bond between the Royal Air Force and a local Second World War fighter pilot.

It recognises the close bond between the RAF 201 Squadron, Guernsey and late Flight Lieutenant Herbert Machon OBE.

'Herbie' Machon flew Spitfires for the RAF in the Second World War, having left his homeland just before the Nazi occupation. As a tribute to his comrades living under German occupation, he gave his fighter aircraft the nickname 'Guernsey’s Reply'.

The World War Two veteran died in 2004, and RAF 201 Squadron acted as pall bearers at his funeral service.

2011 saw the disbandment of the maritime squadron, which was said to be the last to keep a local affiliation, carrying the moniker 'Guernsey’s Own'.

Sir Geoff Rowland, President of 201 “Guernsey’s Own” Squadron Association, said the name of the new aircraft “will evoke a healthy dash of emotion for countless reasons”.

“We were dismayed in 2011 when “Guernsey’s Own” was disbanded but since then there have been many reasons to celebrate. In 2016 the UK Government signed a £3bn contract to buy 9 Boeing submarine hunting and maritime patrol Poseidon aircraft and in 2017 the UK Government announced that “Guernsey’s Own” would be reformed in 2021.

“Now we have learned that when Poseidon No.6 rolls off the Seattle production line it will bear the name “Guernsey’s Reply”. This summer we will celebrate when Wing Commander Adam Smolak who will command Guernsey’s Own, will come to Guernsey to be entrusted at Government House with the Squadron Standard.

Pictured: Sir Geoff said the naming of the aircraft, which has been announced so as to coincide with Liberation Day, will help 2021 to be "a very special year.” (Photo Credit: Royal Air Force).

"Then we will look forward to the time, hopefully in the Autumn, when Guernsey’s Own is officially re-formed and the Standard is re-presented and paraded.

Nick Machon, elder son of Jurat Machon, said Herbie’s family were both "delighted and honoured" to learn that the name of his wartime Spitfire 16, Guernsey’s Reply, would take to the skies on the RAF’s newest Poseidon aircraft. 

Wing Commander (Retd) Andrew Stewart, Chairman of the 201 “Guernsey’s Own” Squadron Association, said the formal affiliation between Guernsey and 201 Squadron is a “unique piece of Royal Air Force history.”

“It was my privilege to command the squadron, colloquially known as “Guernsey’s Own”,  from 1993-1996 which included its 80th anniversary in 1994.

“In that year, the Squadron was exceptionally proud to be awarded the Privilege of Guernsey by Bailiff Sir Graham Dorey. This was an exceptionally proud, special day for the squadron that is seared in my memory.

“More than that though, it commemorated the extraordinary relationship our military family had, and will now continue to have, with the States of Guernsey.  

The new squadron commander, Wing Commander Adam Smolak, is currently in the USA learning to fly the new aircraft, which has been described as “an exciting and hugely capable maritime patrol and attack aircraft.”

“The choice of “Guernsey’s Reply” as the name of the 6th Poseidon aircraft is, I believe, a huge honour for Guernsey," said Mr Stewart.

"An aircraft named “Guernsey’s Reply” has not flown in the skies above UK for more than 75 years and it will be great to see it flying operationally when it arrives in UK this September.

"Not only will it mark the close link to Guernsey and the affiliation, but it will notably honour the memory of a steely, determined youngster, who left Guernsey in 1940 to do his bit. 

“I suspect Herbie would have been humbled and surprised yet equally quietly pleased that the name of his 1940s-era fighting steed will continue into the 2020s and beyond."

Flt. Lt. Brian Aplin, Commanding Officer of Guernsey’s Air Cadets, 201 Overseas Squadron, described it as a very proud moment and an inspiration for Guernsey’s youth. 

“This is tremendous news and coupled with the re-forming event in the Autumn, it will give the Guernsey Air Cadets a great opportunity to engage with our parent Squadron,” he said.  

“I have been fortunate to visit 201 Sqn at RAF Kinloss on several occasions with Cadets and enjoyed the chance to tour the Nimrod aircraft.

“STEM subjects are now so important for students in local schools and the link to the aviation industries as well as to the RAF will appeal to young people in Guernsey, especially those keen on engineering.

“The new aircraft will be seen in local skies before long and I hope that budding aviators and engineers will look up and think ‘That could be me’ or perhaps ‘Per ardua ad astra’ (Through adversity to the stars’).

“Our Cadets will marvel, and relish the chance of one day visiting Lossiemouth and seeing inside Guernsey’s Reply. What a catalyst for recruiting more Cadets and prospective pilots, navigators, air and ground crew.

The Chief Minister, Deputy Peter Ferbrache, has also welcomed the announcement.

“This is tremendous news which is extremely welcome as we prepare to mark this year’s Liberation Day. This reinforces the importance of the historic links between our Island and the RAF.

“I’m particularly pleased to see the name ‘Guernsey’s Reply’ is being used, a fitting tribute to Second World War pilot, the late Herbie Machon, who I knew and who was both a gentleman and a gentle man.”

Pictured top: The UK's newest Poseidon Maritime Patrol aircraft will carry the name 'Guernsey’s Reply' (Photo Credit: Royal Air Force).