RAF Honours Fallen Comrade With Traditional Piano Burning

The Puma crash pilots who passed away in Afghanistan have been remembered with treasured tradition at RAF Benson.

A familiar send-off for those in the Royal Air Force, the long-standing custom of piano burning is surrounded in myth and story-telling, but traces its roots to the period between the First and Second World Wars. Originally, pianos were set alight by pilots to avoid taking lessons aimed at improving finesse and civility. 

But why were piano lessons enforced in the first place?

This story starts, according to former member of the RAF Kevin Emmerson, who first shared news of Flt Lt Alan Scott's ceremony and was a colleague of his at Benson, "Because so many pilots died during World War I, the RAF was forced to select its pilots from the general population, instead of the preferred upper class." He continued,

"The RAF believed that piano lessons would not only increase the pilots' level of culture, but also improve their dexterity,"

The tradition is said to have originated at RAF Leuchars, where the only piano at the base burned down in a terrible accident. The RAF could not afford a replacement piano and lessons were ultimately cancelled. Local pilots inspired by their animosity towards piano lessons and keen to avoid any more, spread the word like wildfire. Soon the tradition caught on and more RAF bases began burning pianos to avoid lessons. Even after the lessons ceased, the tradition remained.

"This act became a sign of triumph, defiance and celebration. "

The U.S Air Force has adopted the tradition. Pictured is a piano burning ceremony at Langley Air Force Base, 19 August 2011.

Kevin went on to explain that "A beer for each dead colleague was placed on the top of the upright piano. The piano was then burned, along with the issued contents of the officer's clothing locker. His fellow officers then drank on the bar bill of their fallen colleague and the bill was subsequently written-off by the mess. It is still followed by today's Royal Air Force and has been adopted by other Air Forces around the World.

"In accordance with this treasured tradition, Flt Lt Al Scott's piano burns in front of the Officers Mess tonight."