RAF aircraft to be named after Lionel Rees VC
The RAF is honouring one of its founders at RAF Valley on Friday.
A jet will be named after Group Captain Lionel Rees VC, from Caernarfon.
He was awarded the Victoria Cross for continuing to fight despite being outnumbered by at least eight-to-one and having been shot in the thigh. He managed to drive the enemy off and brought his aircraft safely home.
It is the first time an RAF aircraft has been named after a person for around 50 years.
A flypast will take place over Caernarfon following the ceremony at Valley.
A BAe 146 aircraft from 32 Squadron will bear Gp Cpt Rees' name.
Rees joined 11 Squadron of the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) in early 1915 and rapidly went on to become the first Officer Commanding (OC) of 32 Squadron.
He received the Victoria Cross for his actions on the 1st of June 1916, the first day of the Battle of the Somme, after single-handedly taking on 10 enemy aircraft.
Both squadrons, which retained their numbers when the RFC became part of the newly-formed RAF in 1918, were represented during the ceremony.