New music marks air force reserves centenary

The new march has been recorded by musicians at RAF Cranwell

A new military march has been written to mark the centenary of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force (RAuxAF).

The march, called Comitamur, was recorded by Royal Air Force musicians at RAF Cranwell, Lincolnshire, on 12 March.

The march was composed by Sqn Ldr Ted Sellers, director of music for the Band of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force.

He said: “It has been a real honour to have had the chance to write this march at such an important time in the history of our service."

Founded in 1924, the RAuxAF is the part-time volunteer reserve element of the RAF.

Volunteers are trained in their spare time to become an effective part of the wider RAF when required.

The RAuxAF currently consists of 30 units across the country made up of 3,250 personnel.

The march, called Comitamur, was composed by Sqn Ldr Ted Sellars

The march is named after the RAuxAF's motto Comitamur ad Astra, which means we go with them to the stars.

The motto alludes to the the role of the RAuxAF in supporting the operational work of the RAF.

It was performed publicly for the first time on 17 May at Buckingham Palace.

Sqn Ldr Sellers said: "Anybody that has any interest in military music will know that there are hundreds and hundreds of marches out there and to come up with an idea for a march that's original and doesn't sound like it's been done before is really quite challenging."

"This march celebrates the journey the RAuxAF has come on and will continue as we look forward to another 100 years,” he added.

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