On 4th June 2018, the Royal Air Force Baton visited the former First World War Airfield at Ripon. The site is now Ripon Racecourse, as it was before the RAF arrived in 1916. The base was used for Home Defence (HD) during the First World War and was a home base for No. 76 Squadron RFC, later No. 76 Squadron RAF (after April 1st 1918).

RAF100 is the celebration of the RAF’s centenary year being formed on the 1st April 1918. A baton relay and other national events culminate in a flypast at Buckingham Palace on the 10th July 2018 that will be composed of 100 aircraft.

Warrant Officer Derek Mcdonough explained: “We are visiting 100 former bases with the RAF baton as a celebration of the RAF centenary year. The baton is symbolic of the changes in that time with the base made of wood representing World War I, the core made of steel representing World War II and the outside made of aluminium for modern day”.

Ripon Racecourse Managing Director James Hutchinson said: “We are very proud of the history of the racecourse and it is a real honour to have the RAF with us today as part of the RAF100 relay which celebrates the RAF centenary year”