Commemorating Remembrance Day with Memorial Unveiling at Driffield

On 11th November, Reds10 proudly hosted a Remembrance Day ceremony at our Driffield manufacturing facility, honouring the servicemen and women who once served on this historic site, formerly RAF Driffield, a key airfield during the Second World War.

The event marked the unveiling of a new permanent memorial, created to pay tribute to those who lost their lives here. Surrounded by flower beds and framed by striking silhouettes of The Unknown Tommy and Woman in War, the memorial offers a place of reflection, remembrance, and respect for generations to come.

During the morning, Reds10 staff, subcontractors, and guests gathered in solemn unity. The site paused operations, and the road was closed to allow all personnel to muster. Following a short address from two of our highest-ranking veterans, Phil Cook, Managing Director for Defence and Richard Pope, Continuous Improvement Lead, our youngest veteran who served in the First Battalion Yorkshire Regiment, Harvey Iveson read the names of the fallen. The Last Post sounded, and at 11:00am, the site observed a two-minute silence in honour of those who served and made the ultimate sacrifice. Wreaths were laid by Reds10, and our supply chain partners.

Reflections continued on into the morning as veterans employed by Reds10, representatives from the Armed Forces Veterans Breakfast Club (AFVBC), members of the Driffield Royal British Legion, and local dignitaries were also invited to join Reds10’s remembrance event, a number of whom also laid wreaths. Guests were welcomed into The Hudson Café for tea, coffee, and cake. The café, officially opened in October, was created to ensure our employees have access to quality food on-site to support their health, wellbeing, morale, and productivity. The Hudson café has been named in honour of Marguerite Hester Hudson, a member of the Women's Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF) and the first to lose her life in WWII. She was just 19 years old when she died during the attack on RAF Driffield in 1940, at the height of the Battle of Britain.

As part of Germany’s campaign to disable RAF airfields and pave the way for Operation Sealion, the planned invasion of Britain, Driffield became a target on August 15, 1940. A large force of aircraft from Luftflotte 5 flew from bases near Aalborg, Denmark, heading for the North of England.

Despite resistance from RAF fighters, around 50 Junkers Ju88 bombers reached RAF Driffield, dropping 169 bombs from the direction of Garton on the Wolds. The raid caused extensive damage: four hangars were hit, 17 Armstrong Whitworth Whitley bombers were destroyed, and 14 lives were lost, including Hudson and a civilian from Driffield. The airfield was out of action for the rest of the year.

Paul Ruddick, Chair and Founder of Reds10 and Phil Cook, Managing Director for Defence shared the historic transformation of the site from wartime airfield to modern manufacturing hub. They also announced Reds10 will be continuing sponsorship of the AFVBC in 2026. Reds10 and guests then celebrated the official unveiling of the memorial We were thrilled to welcome a number of distinguished guests to the event, including Councillor Fred Smith, Mayor of Driffield; Michael Rice, High Sheriff of East Riding of Yorkshire; Mark Blakeston, Independent Councillor and former Mayor; John Forester, President of the Driffield Royal British Legion; Rob Petre, Chair of the Driffield RBL and member of the Veterans Breakfast Club; Alan Cavanagh, Chief Admin of the Driffield Veterans Breakfast Club; Squadron Leader David Taylor from RAF Air Command; and Mike Hopps, from Driffield & Wolds Weekly.

The memorial will now serve as the focal point for future Remembrance Day ceremonies at Driffield. It stands as a testament to Reds10’s commitment to honouring those who served, and to creating spaces that reflect the values of respect, remembrance, and community.

Guests then donned PPE and joined guided tours of the facility, gaining insight into Reds10’s operations and the people behind our work. Those on the tour saw how the RAF Hangers that once housed the Armstrong Whitley bombers have been transformed to deliver vital infrastructure for the UK.

We are deeply grateful to all who attended, contributed, and helped honour those who served.