A SPECIAL token commemorating the centenary of the RAF stopped off in Kidderminster for a week as part of a tour of the Midlands.

The Kidderminster branch accepted the Royal Flying Corps token earlier this month and it was taken to a number of locations in the area.

It is one of three tokens – representing the three forming elements of the RAF; Royal Naval Air Service, Royal Flying Corps and 'father of the RAF' Major General Hugh Trenchard – being passed between 87 branches of the RAF Association (RAFA) across the UK.

RAFA volunteers carry out support, companionship and welfare services to serving and ex RAF men and women and their families.

All three tokens will finish up at the Military Tattoo in Birmingham in November.

In Kidderminster, the token visited Severn Valley Railway, Herons Park Nursing Home, 156 Sqn. Air Training Corps in Shrubbery Street, Milton Hall Girls Brigade Company, St George’s Church pop-up café, Morrison’s supermarket and the Emily Jordan Foundation in Brinton’s Park.

The visit to the Emily Jordan Foundation was particularly poignant as Kidderminster RAF veteran Frank Smith was present to join in the celebration.

Mr Smith, aged 96 and who lives in Deansway, joined the RAF as an MT Fitter. His first posting was in Regents Park, where he maintained vehicles and winches of a Barrage Balloon unit.

His accommodation was previously occupied by Mrs Wallis Simpson who later became the Duchess of Windsor.

He was then then posted to the Middle East where he led a Motor Transport unit travelling all over the Middle East recovering crashed aircraft.

Mr Smith was then posted to Italy where he was in charge of a section that reassembled vehicles that had been transported from America.

He completed his RAF career at RAF Cosford in charge of MT maintenance unit and was discharged in 1946.