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Conrad Gray
07-04-2013, 12:30 PM
I am wondering if anyone can help?

I am looking for any info on a trophy that has the following inscription -

The Collins Cup
Won outright by Hibernians
603 SQDN RAF Football Team
Western Desert MEF 15/4/44

The Historical Trust has no record of this. The Hibs during the war book doesn't mention it either.

The 603 Squadron was/is based in Edinburgh.

Any help would be appreciated.

hibee_nation
07-04-2013, 12:55 PM
The MEF bit of the address stands for Middle East Forces.
Probably just a kick about amongst units in the desert, each team picking the name of who they supported.

hibee_nation
07-04-2013, 12:59 PM
From 603 Sqdn history

No.603 left in April 1942 for the Middle East where its ground echelon arrived early in June. The squadron's aircraft were embarked on the US carrier 'Wasp' and flown off to Malta on 20 April to reinforce the fighter defences of the beleaguered island. After nearly four months defending Malta, the remaining pilots and aircraft were absorbed by No.229 Squadron on 3 August 1942.

At the end of June 1942, No.603's ground echelon had moved to Cyprus, where it spent six months as a servicing unit before returning to Egypt. In February 1943, Beaufighters and crews arrived to begin convoy patrols and escort missions along the African coast and in August sweeps over German held islands in the Aegean and off Greece began. Attacks on enemy shipping continued until the lack of targets enabled the squadron to be returned to the UK in December 1944.

neilmartinrocks
08-04-2013, 12:44 AM
From 603 Sqdn history

No.603 left in April 1942 for the Middle East where its ground echelon arrived early in June. The squadron's aircraft were embarked on the US carrier 'Wasp' and flown off to Malta on 20 April to reinforce the fighter defences of the beleaguered island. After nearly four months defending Malta, the remaining pilots and aircraft were absorbed by No.229 Squadron on 3 August 1942.

At the end of June 1942, No.603's ground echelon had moved to Cyprus, where it spent six months as a servicing unit before returning to Egypt. In February 1943, Beaufighters and crews arrived to begin convoy patrols and escort missions along the African coast and in August sweeps over German held islands in the Aegean and off Greece began. Attacks on enemy shipping continued until the lack of targets enabled the squadron to be returned to the UK in December 1944.


And there is a team in Malta called HIBERNIANS!!