Bill Croydon CBE - HRGS' Honorary President
"I feel honoured to be invited to become the President of the HRGS. Since arriving in Swale I have been aware of the wealth of heritage in the area and astounded by the lack of knowledge about it. There is a great story to tell about this part of our County and I believe that the Group can play a substantial part in discovering our past and bringing it to public attention. This work can contribute strongly to the success and standing of the district and bring it pride and respect.

I look forward to playing my part in the work of the Group and I wish it great success."

- Bill Croydon. (2004)

Biography
Before arriving in Swale, Bill served in the RAF. Conscripted for National Service at the age of 18 he trained as a pilot and decided to stay for a full career. He served in the Far East and in Germany on fighter squadrons and then as a flying instructor. After Staff College and tours in Germany and Belgium, he moved to transport aircraft, commanded FAR Brize and Norton and served in the Ministry of Defence. During his service he was awarded the OBE and was later appointed CBE.

On retiring from the RAF in 1988 he became Chief Executive of Swale Borough Council, a post he held for 8 years. Here he began to pursue the early history of aviation, in particular, its links with the Isle of Sheppey.

He was Chairman of the Brogdale Horticultural Trust (The National Fruit Collection) for several years and was co-founder of the Sheppey Heritage Trust, the main purposes of which were to conserve the heritage of Sheerness Dockyard and to create a centre to commemorate pioneers who established aviation in Britain on that island.

He is the president of the local ATC and RAF Association. He is married to Anne and they have four grown up children. Bill and Anne live at Newington in a late medieval farmhouse.