March 28, 2018 2.46 pm This story is over 72 months old

Tributes to retiring RAF veteran after 41 years of service

He played a big role at Lincolnshire’s Typhoon base RAF Coningsby.
Les Boxhill has retired after 41 years working as a serviceman and civilian for the Royal Air Force. Photo: RAF Coningsby

With the Royal Air Force’s centenary celebrations looming, Les Boxhill has retired after 41 years of service as a serviceman and civilian with the organisation.

The 65-year-old from St. Lucia in the Caribbean joined the Royal Air Force as a medical administrator at RAF Halton Hospital when he was 23.

Les worked at many RAF stations during his service, including three tours in Germany, before rising through the ranks to his most recent position of Station Admin Officer at RAF Coningsby.

He also worked as an Ministry of Defence civil servant when he first left the RAF 18 years ago.

Les said: “I’m proud to have directly supported the RAF for 41 years of its existence, it has been part of my life for a long time but I still expect to continue my relationship and come back now and then.

“My son is also in the RAF as an Airframe Maintenance Mechanic and works on Typhoons at RAF Coningsby.”

Officer Commanding Base Support Wing, Wing Commander Claire O’Grady added: “Les is one of those fixed points on the station that allow us to operate as smoothly as we do.

“We very much appreciate his contribution to Coningsby over the last 18 years. His hard work and infectious giggle will be sorely missed.”

Your guide to RAF centenary celebrations in Lincolnshire