The Aldwark Chronicle Newsletter of the Royal Air Forces Association - York Branch
Branch Headquarters 3-5 Aldwark, York YO1 2BX Tel:01904 652796 [email protected]
Issue No. 61
Aug 2017
Jean Smith - umbrella tells all!
Club opening hours: Thurs - 7:30pm to 10:30 pm; Sat - 11:30am to 3pm
Our Website is at: www.rafayork.org
Membership: 427 York Branch & Club Official Appointments for 2017 - 2018
President: Mr J J Mawson
President Emeritus: Air Commodore W G Gambold DL FCMI RAF (Ret)
Life Vice President: Mr H R Kidd OBE Vice Presidents: Mr R M Mathieson Mr J Allison BEM (also National conference Delegate) Ms S Richmond,
Chairman: Mr B R Mennell [email protected]
Vice Chairman: Mr Richard Gray [email protected]
Hon Sec & N Area Delegate: Mrs M Barter [email protected]
Hon Treasurer: Mr D Pollard Dep Treasurer Mr A Ramsbottom
Welfare Officer: Mrs C Hanson [email protected]
Dep Welfare Officer: Mrs G Woodhall
Wings Organisers: Mrs M Smith & Mr I Smith [email protected]
Branch Standard Bearer: Mr G Murden Dep Standard Bearer: Mr I Smith
Bar Officer: Mr R Gray Ass’t Bar Officer: Mr G Murden
Social/Fundraising: Mrs G McCarthy. Public Relations/Press Officer: Mrs M Smith
Buildings Officer: Mr J Forrester Membership Secretary: Mrs K Allison Newsletter Editor Mr D Taylor [email protected]
Please address all general enquiries to the Hon Secretary We all get old in the end I changed my car horn to gunshot sounds. People get out of the way much faster now. Gone are the days when girls used to cook like their mothers. Now they drink like their fathers. You know that tingly little feeling you get when you really like someone? That's common sense leaving your body. I didn't make it to the gym today. That makes five years in a row. The biggest lie I tell myself is..."I don't need to write that down, I'll remember it." If God wanted me to touch my toes, He would've put them on my knees. Why do I have to press one for English when you're just going to transfer me to someone I can't understand anyway? Of course I talk to myself; sometimes I need expert advice. At my age "Getting lucky" means walking into a room and remembering what I came in there for. EDITORIAL you can stroll around at your leisure. On days like that, the six hours we allocated ourselves would barely have been enough. So don’t give up. Try again. And even as I write these words - next day - the sun is shining, as if to apologise for yesterday’s tantrum, or perhaps to gloat. CHAIRMAN’S CHAT Well, half a year has already gone by since I became the Branch Chairman. It’s gone very fast, but we’ve done a lot of things – All Saint’s Church Service, two Page Turning’s, Easter Bonnet th Wed May 17 , a day awaited with some competition, Escapers Parade at Eden anticipation by 39 members and friends, Camp, a trip to the National Memorial our coach departed the B&Q car park for Arboretum (it did rain a bit), the a trip to the National Memorial Eastmoor Memorial service, the Arbouretum. As we had stood around, Dedication of our new Branch Standard, chatting, awaiting the coach’s arrival, so Armed Forces Day, and our Annual it began to rain. It was still raining when Lunch. This list is not exhaustive. I would we finally returned at 19:00 that evening, like to thank each and every one of you and it had not ceased all day - over most that supported me and the Branch on of the country! Who would have believed these events. They could not have gone it after the long, mostly dry spell the ahead without your help. country has been experiencing for the There have also been the monthly past month or so. Even the Countryfile ‘Ladies who Lunch’ (I’m not invited), the forecast of the previous Sunday had film shows put on by John Forrester, and allocated us yet another dry day. the many Wings Appeal events put on Unfortunately the weather gods decreed by Maureen and Ian Smith. Once again, otherwise so, with walking being many thanks for all your support. At the seriously curtailed, the road train - an recent Armed Forces Day I was very excellent way to preview sites you may pleased to nominate Maureen and Ian to like to visit - did a roaring trade, as be thanked publicly for their Wings probably did the coffee shops and efforts, (particularly the £10,000 raised restaurant, but that was basically it. I in 2016) by the Lord Mayor of York. had pre-booked a scooter, but it sat They are well on the way to doing it there all day, paid for but unused. again this year. Although they manage Instead, I drank more coffee than I our collections and organise venues etc. normally would in a week! they cannot work alone, so rely on our But for those on their first trip to members to do their bit at the sharp end. the Aboretum, as could be seen, despite Please willingly offer help them – even if the rain, it really is a “must visit” place. I only for an hour or two. For those who have been there well over half a dozen haven’t ‘held a tin’ in public before, times and this is the first time I have please come and try it. It is a great experienced such inclement weather. It feeling to be among the good people of really is magnificent in the sun, when York who respect us and are willing to
3 have good conversations with you. bombers during World War Two. Many What’s more is that there is great were to lose their lives flying from generosity out there, but if there’s no Eastmoor Airfield on bombing raids over one holding a tin, they cannot put their Germany, so many miles from their money in. Once you’ve seen a £5 or £10 homes. note go in your tin you will be hooked. The service began with a fly-past Please tell Maureen or Ian you’d like to by three RAF Grob Tutor aircraft from have a go. RAF Linton-on-Ouse. Building surveys, veterans trip to RAF The RCAF airmen were from the Linton on Ouse, a Sunset Ceremony two squadrons commemorated, on the also at Linton, Raising the Armed Forces memorial, their current Commanding Day Flag at the Railway War Memorial, Officer’s spoke at the ceremony. 415 administration to trace the missing Squadron currently flies the Argus owner next door, find and recover our maritime patrol aircraft out of CFB building’s Deeds and the daily life and Greenwood, 429 Squadron, the dramas that occur in a busy and vibrant Globemaster lll out of CFB Trenton, one branch about sum up the rest of my first of which flew the men and women of the half year. I have thoroughly enjoyed it, Canadian forces over to England. but this job is not for the faint hearted. I Wreaths were laid on behalf of the will say again as loudly as I can and will squadrons by their Commanding repeat it as often as I can, I thank all Officers, and on behalf of the Royal Air members of the committee, without Force, Group Captain KD Taylor, CO of whom this branch could not function in RAF Linton on Ouse. Oliver Mennell (10) any way as well as it does, and all the and his Grandad Brian Mennell, our willing members who support us so chairman, laid a wreath on behalf of the brilliantly. Please keep it up. York Branch of RAFA and a young air Brian Mennell cadet laid one on behalf of the Eastmoor BRANCH ATTENDANCE AT Families Association. EASTMOOR FAMILY MEMORIAL The service included a bugler On 20th May 2017, a Saturday, twelve playing the Last Post and Scottish pipers Branch members presented themselves playing laments. Standards from the at Sutton on Forest, near York, for the RCAF Association, the Royal British annual memorial service to the Legion, York Branch of the Royal Air Canadian Airmen who lost their lives Forces Association and both Air Cadet during World War Two flying out of the Squadrons were on parade. The nearby Eastmoor Airfield. National Anthems of Canada and Great In the village as well as ourselves Britain concluded this small but emotive around eighty people including local ceremony. villagers, air cadets from York and The inclement weather kept to very Easingwold Squadrons and 20 RCAF light rain throughout the ceremony which airmen who had flown in from Canada was good. After the service those taking gathered at the Stone Memorial in ‘The part were invited to the nearby village Pound’ for the commemorative service. hall to participate in an exceptional finger The memorial takes the form of a Sun- buffet made by local ladies from the dial and is dedicated to the airmen of village. The weather then changed, most 415 and 429 Squadrons of the Royal of us departing the village hall between Canadian Air Force who flew Halifax very heavy showers.
4 ** trip to Holland and Germany for the two Escape Lines Memorial of us from 7th to 13th April. Our transport was to be his car, which he drove for service many hundreds of miles whist I rested, Around twenty members attended the watching the views, and the P and O annual Escape Lines Memorial Society Ferry from Hull to Rotterdam. Travelling Reunion and Service at the Eden Camp went well, and our pre-booked hotels Modern History Museum near York on th were excellent. Saturday 29 April. The event honours After a good night’s sleep on the members of Allied aircrew, who bailed Ferry (the sea was like glass - and a out over enemy territory in WWII, couple of pints helped) we arrived in escapees from enemy PoW camps, and Rotterdam on 8th, left the ship and drove those who came to their aid at great risk to the Bergen-op-Zoom area. Our first to themselves, from members of the call was to Guy Gibson’s grave at Resistance, to guides, and safe-house Steenbergen. The CWG headstones of keepers. The service was led by the Wg Cdr Guy Gibson VC DSO and Bar, Sheffield Pipe Band, the DFC and Bar, and navigator Sdn Ldr Northumberland Fusiliers Cadet Band James B Warwick DFC lay side by side, also in attendance. and beautifully maintained. We laid Alongside other organisations, in crosses; the only CWG in this cemetery. beautiful weather, our President, John Next we moved on to Bergen-op- Mawson, laid a wreath on behalf of the Zoom itself, to visit British and Canadian York Branch. Another wreath was laid by Cemeteries which lay next to each other; 92 year old Ray Worrall, one of our over 1000 graves in each. Busloads of members who was himself an Evader Canadian tourists (probably part of the from a crashed Lancaster bomber. Aged Vimy Ridge commemorations) were in 20 he had found himself on the ground the process of leaving as we arrived. in occupied France He was spotted by a After spending some time at each of the young boy and picked up by the French cemeteries it was time to move on. We Resistance and eventually joined up with drove towards Arnhem, heading north. 70 other Allied airmen hidden in the En route we crossed the border, to visit Forest of Freteval, surrounded by the German Cemetery in Reichswald German troops. After some three weeks Forest, Kleve; a most beautiful site, of maintaining a silent vigil he was finally large and serene, surrounded, as the rescued following D Day by American name implies, by woodland. By the time forces. we arrived the sun had appeared, An excellent annual service. The most making for a very memorable visit. Some poignant part of it was the playing of the 7594 Commonwealth personnel, many hymn of the French Resistance ‘Le of them airmen, died in the intensive air chant des Partisans’. attacks over Germany, now lie in peace We look forward to next year. and tranquillity at this site. Amongst ** them, some 617 Squadron DUTCH & GERMAN PILGRIMAGE ‘Dambusters’, and Fg Off Jack Paradise My 45 year old son and myself have and three of his crew, murdered by several things in common, one being German guards on 22nd March 1945. I relatively modern military history, so it was privileged to lay a wreath in this was great when Gary planned a six day cemetery on behalf of the White Rose
5 Aircrew Association. well-earned beer, and meal. Then came Arnhem, a walk along The following morning we were at the river near the bridge, and a look in the castle for 10am to meet our guide - the small museum dedicated to the a gas/water engineer from Bradford, Parachute Regiment. We drove over the living in Germany. His CV included bridge ‘Too far’, on our way to our hotel, working in York - small world. We had a on the outskirts of Arnhem. Having good look round the grounds, but I booked in and sorted our rooms, we wasn’t considered fit enough to climb the decided on a beer, but realised enough 87 steps to where the glider was, so my daylight remained to visit Oosterbeek son did that, allowing me time to Cemetery, less than a mile from the sunbathe in the prisoner’s courtyard. It hotel, so the beer was postponed. was a good visit, but the castle has been Almost 1700 Commonwealth graves redecorated on the outside - off-white included most of those killed on and cream - and in my opinion had lost ‘Operation Market Garden’, clearly that sombre, menacing facade of war indicated by headstones featuring years. ‘Parachute, or ‘Glider Pilot Regiments.’ Lots of photographs later it was a With night now starting to tough ride to Berlin. On the way we descend, so did our first day, so it was visited the Berlin War Cemetery with back to the hotel for that beer and a 3595 Commonwealth graves, 80% being meal. airmen lost in raids over Berlin and the With continuing good weather on towns in Eastern Germany. It also Sunday, set off for the Mohne and contained graves of those who died as Edersee Dams. Set amongst Prisoners of War, some from the forced spectacular landscape, it was clear to march into Germany ahead of the see the route in for the bombers. The advancing Russians. dams are huge, each holding some 20 Weeks earlier, the remains of million cubic metres of water. There are Sergeant Wilfred Lawson (426 Squadron good walks across the dam structure, up RAF Linton-on-Ouse) were buried here, and down the nearby woodland, and having been recovered when the site of their waters are used for recreational his Lancaster was excavated in 2014. activities, and pleasure boat trips. We placed a cross on his grave. We Next came a long drive through the also discovered graves of Sub old East Germany to Colditz Castle. Built Lieutenant I R Webb, RN, and three of on a solid rock cliff, its 1000 year history his crew, killed flying a 58 Squadron includes being a Royal Castle, Whitley out of RAF Linton-on-Ouse - 14th workhouse, psychiatric hospital, but Nov 1940. Unusual, many people being more renown as the WWII PoW Camp unaware that Fleet Air Arm pilots flew known as ‘Oflag lV - C, housing Officer RAF bombers. I was honoured to lay a Prisoners with a record of trying to wreath here on behalf of the York escape. Formidable! It was 400 miles to Branch of the Royal Air Forces any frontier not under Nazi control, walls Association. seven feet thick, with a sheer drop of Our journey continued into the 250 feet to the River Mulde below. centre of Berlin, and our hotel, then on After a visit to the castle - to a pre-booked restaurant nearby. This reconnaissance prior to our booked visit was so good we booked again for the the next day - it was off to the hotel for a following night.
6 The following morning it was off to reconciliation, a new church having been the old RAF Gatow, now some form of built alongside. A large candle memorial German barracks, and site of the on the steps marks the scene of the Luftwaffe Air Museum, tucked away at Christmas Market terrorist attack of 19th the back of the old airfield, centred on December 2016. the control tower and some hangars. It We needed to be up bright and was the coldest day of our trip and, early next morning for our drive back to being out on the airfield, horrendously Rotterdam, so we returned to our hotel, cold. Lots of Eastern-bloc aircraft, both had a meal in our booked restaurant, outside and in one of the hangars. Well and an early night. worth a visit. Next morning we were on the road We returned to Berlin, left the car at by 0700. A daunting drive was ahead, the hotel and travelled to the centre by and it was raining, but the roads out of bus. First stop was the Russian War Berlin were clear of traffic. The other Memorial - Tiergarten - erected by the side of the three lane carriageway was Soviet Union to commemorate its dead, chocked for miles, hundreds of slow particularly 80,000 who died during the moving lorries! After an hour the rain Battle for Berlin. Although in the British cleared, so we were able to keep a good Sector, construction was supported by speed. Several hours later we reached all the Allied powers, and throughout the Rheinberg, visiting the War Cemetery. Cold War, Honour Guards from the Another superb setting, where 3326 Soviet sector stood watch at the Commonwealth graves had been memorial. relocated after the war from numerous On now through the Brandenburg German cemeteries. The majority of Gate into the old East Germany, to exit those buried here are airmen killed in back to the German Federal Republic bombing raids on Dusseldorf, Krefield, Parliament building known as the Munchen-Gladbach, Essen, Aachen and Bundestag, or Reichstag in English. Dortmund, with 450 from Cologne. After obtaining a permit to visit before I laid a wreath on behalf of RAFA, leaving the UK, we were still unable to York Branch. book a full tour, there being no available With time to spare we visited three slots, but we were approved for a tour of CWG Cemeteries in Holland, Jonkerbos the roof area, with excellent views of (1536 graves), Mook (295 graves), and Berlin, ascent via the large glass dome, Groesbeek Canadian Cemetery (2610 built by Englishman Norman Foster to graves), plus the Commonwealth symbolise the re-unification of Germany. Memorial (1000 who have no known Climbing the internal steel spiral ramp graves). gave a 360° view of the cityscape - This concluded our short but excellent photo opportunities. extensive pilgrimage, a really worthwhile Back on the bus - crowded - we trip. We made our way into Rotterdam were driven to Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial harbour about four hours earlier than our Church, Breitscheidplatz, a famous booked sailing (2100 local) but were landmark known to Berliners as ‘der progressed through to the P and O ferry, hohle Zahn’ the hollow tooth. The so were able to relax, have our evening church, built in the 1890s, bombed in meal and a couple of beers. Whilst at 1943, has been retained in its bombed sea we enjoyed some excellent live state as a memorial to peace and entertainment, and a stable crossing.
7 Next morning we quietly cruised up the Humber towards Hull. Whilst waiting to be called to our car, we watched many lorries depart our ship for Hull. As they left some time before us we thought they would be well clear by the time we hit the road. Wrong. They were lying in wait between the dock and the Humber Bridge, so it was slow progress until we finally cleared Brian with friends at Colditz them. An hour later, it was good to get home to a nice cup of tea. Mission accomplished. Brian Mennell
Brandenburg Gate
Gary at the Grave of Dambuster Sqn/Ldr * Maudslay DFC HUGH BONE - A LONG WAY TO THE WAR In the years since WWII, I have read many accounts of the sterling service given by so many. Some, called up on their eighteenth birthday, were dead soon after their nineteenth, others, through the vagaries of training, took over two years before seeing active Berlin’s Russian Memorial service, travelling the world and making a number of lifelong friends on the way. I was fortunate enough to be one of that number. On my eighteenth birthday I volunteered for air crew training, only to be told to return when I was nineteen. So, 2nd September 1941 found me in Oxford, the first stage of my long journey. A day in a classroom, another Gibson/Warwick well of rigorous medical examinations, and I tended grave Reichwald Forest was in - AC2 Bone. But it was March 1942 before I reported to Lord’s Cricket Ground, to commence my RAF service.
8 Almost immediately it was panic stations; an urgent request from the Commonwealth Air Training Plan in Southern Rhodesia: a new course was to be sent as soon as possible. As a result, initial training of six weeks was shortened to an intensified three weeks, after which we were posted to Blackpool, to await shipment to South Africa. We were billeted in private houses, under control of a Flight Sergeant A/G, resting after a tour. The daily routine was route marches and clay pigeon shooting. At least, it was supposed to be. But after falling into line, we were marched some hundred yards, then “right turn”, and we found ourselves marched into a cozy café where they were still serving cream cakes after two and a half years of rationing! Two weeks of this found us boarding a train to Swansea, from where we boarded HMT Highland Princess, and the worst conditions I’d ever had to endure: crowded below sea-level, where there were long, fixed tables, twenty-four to a table, sleeping in hammocks above the table. The latrines were a few paces beyond, swing doors wafting the ghastly stench of urine and sickness for the first three weeks of our voyage. Breakfast and lunch were almost inedible. The only meal worthy of the name was afternoon tea, consisting of newly baked bread, marmalade and a large mug of tea. There was a canteen where one could have free biscuits, but only ginger nuts. Since these were a favourite of mine, I survived the voyage consuming packet after packet of them. Into the Tropics the weather improved, as did conditions below. First stop was Sierra Leone, where some ships were taking on cargo. We thought it rather romantic to see the bum boats paddle out and beg for coins, which they would dive into the water to retrieve. The romance died when some men wrapped silver foil around farthings and threw them. The “natives”, on finding the deception, came out with a stream of invective in broad Liverpudlian accents. Seems many had lived half their lives in Liverpool. Rounding the Cape of Good Hope, the convoy was attacked by a U-boat, two ships being hit. Our destroyer escort dashed to and fro, their sirens whooping, I ate my bread and marmalade, drank my tea while standing by my assigned lifeboat. A couple of days later we docked in Durban, being serenaded by Perla Siedle Gibson, the famous South African soprano, “Lady in White” - at the docks for the arrival and departure of every ship during the war. A great deal of kindness was shown us by many South African ladies. Ashore for the night, they laid on a magnificent feast in the town hall, and we returned to our ship laden with fruit. Next day, we were off on a two-day, 1,400 kilometre train journey to Bulawayo, Rhodesia, a delight after our five-week-long voyage. At Bulawayo, we could start our Initial Training in earnest. Only we couldn’t! Seems that signal had been for the immediate delivery of already requested air screws (propellers), not air crew! So, where to accommodate us? The ITW at Hillside had been a cattle market before the war so we were quartered in what became known as “the lines” - cattle pens! But what a revelation Hillside was. After two and a half years of rationing, followed by five weeks of inedible meals, the food here was fantastic. Breakfast was “mealie meal”, a porridge of polenta, followed by eggs and bacon, and if still hungry you could have seconds. At the entrance stood barrels full of oranges,
9 apples, and avocados - help yourself. Life in “the lines” was not hard, the climate was balmy, and never a drop of rain while we were there. To keep us occupied, we were given orientation exercises, or “bundu bashes” as we called them. Taken into the bush in groups of five, given a map and a compass, we did triangular courses, increasing in size as we became more accomplished. We got to know the bush, often ran into a native kraal, saw Rhodesia as it had been before the townships were built. The first Sunday I went to Bulawayo Methodist church, was immediately taken up by a couple of families. From then on, every weekend was spent with the Hardys and the Kerrs - lifelong friends ever since. We eventually started our ITW training, a ten week course. We expected to move to an Elementary Flying Training School, though only four of our course of forty received an immediate posting. I was one of the four. Little did I know it would put me behind rather than ahead. But I had good luck, posted to Induna, an EFTS nine miles outside Bulawayo, and so continued my friendship with my Rhodesian families. The Hardys, with three delightful daughters, lived in town, and I spent much of my time in the happy but platonic friendship of the whole family. The Kerrs lived in Hillside, and most Saturdays the two families met up, and I, with a couple of other RAF fellows, spent so many happy days together. An old man, who we knew as “Binker” Grieg, had the largest chicken farm in Rhodesia. He built a small, fully-equipped bungalow for the use of any RAF fellow that wished to use it. This was where I spent all my weekends during my thirteen months training. A truly wonderful time. I had achieved my boyhood ambition; learnt to fly. And despite the state of the art aircraft I was later to fly, there is nothing so exhilarating as the open cockpit of a Tiger Moth in the balmy Rhodesian conditions. Looping, rolling, and stalling, in the Rhodesian sunshine. “Low” flying over the tops of the few fleecy white clouds. All this from Monday to Friday, then off to my “family” at the weekend. So it went, until the course ended with a posting to Service Flying Training School. One guest at the Hardys was a Warrant Officer “Jacko” Jackson, an instructor at the SFTS at Kumalo. I got to know him as a friend, and he said to leave it with him. When posted to Kumalo, who was to be my instructor but Jacko! Stationed only three miles outside Bulawayo, even closer to my families, I learned to fly the Airspeed Oxford. Discipline was loose. The issue tropical kit would have looked ancient on trader Horn, so first thing was to buy natty bush jackets and short shorts! It was a very friendly Air Force in Rhodesia. But all good things must come to an end, and having been awarded my wings, all my Rhodesian friends were at the station to wave a tearful farewell as I started my journey to South Africa. The routine was for one completed course to move to an OTU in Kenya, to before joining a squadron in the Middle East. The next course, home to England, while the third would complete a three month General Reconnaissance course at 61 Air School, at George, South Africa, in preparation for joining Coastal Command. Those three months at George I would prefer to forget. Many Afrikaners were openly hostile towards Brits, and George, we learned, was a hotbed for the Ossewa Brandwag, violently opposed to the war, more sympathy for Nazis than the Allies. It was a rude awakening, the shock of leaving easy-going Rhodesia, to the reality of a hostile environment. Most of our instructors were South African, but there were a
10 number of Afrikaner pilots on the course, most of whom were unfriendly. There was a very pleasant weekend retreat on the coast - Wilderness - but though we were taken there, no one dared risk staying the weekend. A very miserable and dull three months in comparison to Rhodesia. When we sat our final exams, one was assessed by percentage marks compared to the overall course average. The Afrikaners were given the answers by their Afrikaner instructors, so although I achieved an average of 88.5%, with a course average of 90.2%, the large print entry in my logbook read: “Results below average”. It was the same for all RAF pilots on the course. That rankled. Still in South Africa, a thousand miles from the war, having passed every course, pilot’s wings, in the RAF for almost two years, we were shunted off to Capetown to await a ship. We were camped in the town of Retreat, a few miles down the coast, and while quite safe to visit Capetown, we were strongly advised to return to camp in groups. With the camp some distance from the rail-head there was danger from the OB. I shared a room with two others, plus a Polish pilot. The drill was to visit Capetown, then wait at Retreat until there were sufficient men to make a group for the walk to camp. One night the Pole didn’t return. He’d tried to walk from the train alone, was murdered. We were assigned a ship after two weeks, myself and friend from Aircrew Reception Centre days - Derek Aston - disappointed to find ourselves boarding HMT Highland Chieftain, sister ship of the slave galley on which we’d arrived. At least conditions were better now we had some rank, and as we were not sailing in convoy it should be a faster trip. A week into the voyage we were summoned by the Officer in Charge of Troops, to be told the ship was to call at Buenos Aires to pick up a cargo of beef. As Argentina was pro-Nazi, we were to be put ashore in Montevideo, Uruguay. “You will be housed in a luxury hotel, feted with a grand luncheon in the Palatzia De La Cerveza”, and so on. After the luncheon we could visit any of the numerous hotel bars - a list of addresses to be distributed - where we would find people who would offer us hospitality. We sailed up the River Plate, into Montevideo. In the harbour lay the German battleship Graf Spee, still where she was scuttled after the Battle of the River Plate. We were bussed to the Miramar Hotel, and once installed, bussed to the Palatzia. And what a feast! Before us were not one, but two large glasses of beer. No sooner had we emptied one, it was replaced by another. Someone remarked, “This must be the first time servicemen have been detailed to attend a booze up.” Finally, well fed and semi-inebriated, we dispersed into the city to look for one of the addresses given us. My companions dropped off at the first place they found, but I decided to go farther afield, which led to the most enjoyable two weeks of my life. When I finally chose a bar, I was greeted immediately by an American - Buzz Tait - who ushered me out almost immediately. We drove in a sporty American car to his home in Callé Costa Rica, a pleasant tree-lined avenue in one of the classier suburbs. Here I met his wife, Pipa, plus Barbara van Maanen, the nineteen-year-old daughter of the Dutch Ambassador to Uruguay. The Ambassador, along with family, and Dutch staff, had fallen on hard times once Holland was occupied by the Germans. Buzz was the Eastman Kodak rep for Uruguay.
11 We were only to be in “Monte” three days, but Highland Chieftain ran onto a sandbank, so our stay was extended. We were feted by the Uruguayans. A few of our company were instructors who had done a tour of ops, and the newspapers were full of their exploits. This affected us all. Despite telling them we were newly-trained, had not yet seen a shot fired in anger, we were all heroes. For my part I had a wonderful time with the Taits, and the lovely young Barbara, or Beba, as she was affectionately known, showed me all round Montevideo. Her parents were lovely people, the Ambassador being a good deal older than his wife. I spent every day in the company of the Taits, and Beba. On my last night, Mijnheer van Maanen drew me aside for a chat, “My wife and I were a little worried when Beba told us you had asked her to show you round Montevideo. It is the custom here for a young couple to be chaperoned if they go out together, but we knew this was not the custom in England, so we reluctantly gave Beba permission. She tells us you have been the perfect gentleman towards her, for which I want to thank you.” Back in England by October 1943, I had expected to do an OTU course and join a squadron, but it was not to be. Posted to RAF Harrogate, I found the town swarming with air crew! And there I remained for four months. After two months I was told I was to join a Lancaster OTU. My objections (I’d trained for Coastal, not Bomber Command) were overruled. I’d heard one needed a certain leg length to fly Lancs, so I mentioned this. It transpired to be fact. My leg length was measured and found to be too short, so I was back on the list. I was finally posted to 14 Advanced Flying Unit, RAF Fraserburgh, for a refresher course on the Oxford. Having completed the course, I was home for five days leave when I met up with Peter Newman, an old school friend who was now on Coastal Command Beaufighters. “Whatever you do” he said, “don´t get onto Coastal Beaus. The average survival time is four ops. I’ve done four so you won’t see me again”. Two days later I was posted, to Crosby-on-Eden, the Beaufighter OTU. A week later, my parents wrote to say that Peter had been lost on his fifth op. But my luck had not abandoned me. Halfway through the course came D-Day; an increased need for air crew for the assault into Europe. I continued, and completed Beaufighter training before being posted to a Mosquito OTU at Bicester. I’d volunteered for air crew in September 1941, was sworn in September 1942, two years later I was to join a squadron. It was certainly a long way to the war. Submitted by Paul McCarthy ** ANNUAL LUNCH On Sunday 2nd July, thirty six members of the York Branch attended the Annual Branch Lunch at Lady Anne Middleton’s Hotel in the centre of York. The hotel is Grade ll listed much of it dating back to the 17th Century, but it is beautifully maintained and presented. Before sitting down to lunch we relaxed on the terrace in the gorgeous early afternoon sunshine for an hour or so, where our pre-lunch drinks went down well and put us all in good humour. At 2pm prompt, we made our way into the dining room which was nicely laid out and consumed our three course meal. The meal went at a leisurely pace and everyone there commented on how good the meal was and how attentive the staff was. It was a very successful day out for us all and we look forward to a repeat function in the not too distant future. Brian Mennell
12 Lady Anne Middleton’s OUR SURVEY ON RECEIVING THE CHRONICLE In the last issue we sent out a survey advising members that due to the ever increasing cost of Royal Mail postage the committee decided we should try and establish which members currently receiving the Chronicle by snail mail also had an email address so we could send it out basically free. We did offer the option of using a friend’s email if they would help, and appreciated that some of our members are without an email address, not well, were housebound or invalided, and would treat them as exceptions, still send the Chronicle via Royal Mail. From this issue on (except February, when we required to send it with the AGM paperwork) the Chronicle will not be sent out by Royal Mail (except for the exceptions detailed above). We have sent out a final census form and would ask those who have not already submitted one on the first census to please fill it in and send it back to us. This is very important. Just by way of understanding our aims, I give below the breakdown on the last census.
Forms returned 39. No to receiving further Chronicles 12 (Including gone-aways and deceased) Already receiving by email 9 Wish to change to email 11 Will collect at Branch 3 Exceptional cases, to still get by post 4
Believe it or not, just this small sample saves some £52 a year on postage. PLEASE DO FILL IN THE FORM THAT COMES WITH THIS ISSUE ESPECIALLY SO IF YOU DIDN’T DO THE LAST ONE – IT WILL HELP US TO HELP YOU. Brian Mennell
13 Chairman, RAFA York
AN INTERESTING INTERLUDE IN THE FAR EAST In 1951 I was stationed at RAF Seletar, Singapore, on the MU, based on West Camp, when four of us, two airframes, one engine, and a Sgt, were detached to Kai Tak, Hong Kong to repair a damaged Spitfire belonging to Seletar-based 80 squadron. Two days later, early in the morning, we went across to RAF Changi to catch a flight up to Hong Kong. Our aircraft turned out to be a Dakota - the original canvas seating along the sides - belonging to 36 Squadron RAAF, based at Changi. We took off at about 7 am with 15 plus passengers for the first leg to Saigon, a refueling stop. Indo China was still a French Colony, and was still fighting a war against the communists who were trying to take over. When we arrived at the airfield we saw it was full of varied French Air Force aircraft. Everything from JU52’s and Dakotas, to B26’s , Hellcats, and Bearcats, you name it, plus many other ex WWII vintage varied aircraft. With our Dak’ refueled, we took off for ‘Touraine’ a small french named town up the coast, situated on a river, to refuel once more. As we were flying near mountains the weather was now getting fairly rough. Our food supplies, plus the tea urn, and tray of cups, down the rear were thrown up to the roof and smashed, which also meant we couldn’t undo our seat belts, to go to the ‘elsan’ to be sick! The airfield at ‘Touraine’ - later to become known as Danang, in the Vietnamese war - was then just a bare concrete strip with a ‘psp’ aircraft parking area. The French were operating B26’s for strikes against the communists nearby. There was no maintenance facility, or hangers, and we watched them put a big twin engine bomber on jacks, out in the windy weather, then run the starboard engine to provide the hydraulics for an undercarriage retraction test! After a while, the Aussie captain informed us the weather was deteriorating, so we were staying the night in a small French run hotel in Touraine. While we waited for transport to town, an ‘Air Indochina’, Dakota, of the local internal airline landed. The rear doors opened, and endless stream of people, dogs, chickens in baskets, etc, were disembarked. We were wondering where they were all coming from, so went and had a look. It seemed nobody worried about seating, the extra passengers just sat on the floor! We got our lift in a French Air Force truck to the hotel where we had double rooms allocated, which were not bad. The evening meal was what one would expect in a French hotel, as was breakfast, croissants and coffee, with red wine, of course, at both meals. Next morning the weather was even worse, a possible typhoon, we were told, so we were returning to Saigon. This trip was even worse, very rough, the Dak’ was thrown about even more than the day before, and we were all glad when we got back on the ground again. We then were told that we would be staying there until the weather improved, in a day or so, and would be staying in French Air Force billets, on the airfield. We stayed two nights, and ate with the French, which was interesting. No two French servicemen we saw, including the Foreign Legion, seemed to wear the same uniform. We were not allowed to leave the base for security reasons, plus we didn’t know when we would be going again. The weather improved after a couple of days, so we flew on to Hong Kong, again via Touraine, with no problems. When we got to Hong Kong the place was covered
14 with ten tenths cloud, so we circled for a while. Then the pilot saw a small break, quickly went down through it, and came out over Kowloon, near the Kai Tak airport runway. He had to land from the inland end due to the strong wind, down the side of Lion Rock, a big mountain right at the end of the runway. All ended well after that, but our few weeks dragged on to nearly three months. Our return trip was different, for we flew back in an RAF Valetta, this time via the American base at Clark Field, in the Phillippines, then on through Labuan, Borneo, and back to Singapore. Bob Ashley Those who jump off a bridge in Paris are in Seine. A man's home is his castle, in a manor of speaking. Dijon vu - the same mustard as before. Practice safe eating - always use condiments. Shotgun wedding - A case of wife or death. A man needs a mistress just to break the monogamy. A hangover is the wrath of grapes. Dancing cheek-to-cheek is really a form of floor play. Does the name Pavlov ring a bell? Condoms should be used on every conceivable occasion. Reading while sunbathing makes you well red. When two egotists meet, it's an I for an I. A bicycle can't stand on its own because it is two tired. In democracy your vote counts. In feudalism your count votes. She was engaged to a boyfriend with a wooden leg but broke it off. A chicken crossing the road is poultry in motion. If you don't pay your exorcist, You get repossessed With her marriage, she got a new name and a dress. The man who fell into an upholstery machine is fully recovered. You feel stuck with your debt if you can't budge it. Every calendar's days are numbered. He had a photographic memory that was never developed. Bakers trade bread recipes on a knead-to-know basis. Santa's helpers are subordinate clauses. Acupuncture is a jab well done.
15 EVENTS for RAFA (York) Branch 2017 Known dates for diary for 2017 (will be up-dated on a regular basis on website and Club noticeboard)
*Please note in would be appreciated out of courtesy if you intend/would like to attend any of the events listed to inform the chairman so that we know numbers to seat/cater for*
Sun 3rd Sept Allied Forces Service and Parade, YAM, Elvington.
Wed 13th - Fri 15th Sept Collection, York Station 8am - 6pm (volunteers required)
Tues 17 Oct St Crux - Help required, please
Fri 20th Oct Dinner/Dance, RAF Linton-on-Ouse
Sun 12th Nov Remembrance Day Parade, York
Fri 24th Nov Annual Dinner, Bedern Hall - details to follow
Please note that in relation to all the above Wings/Fund raising events, a list for volunteers will appear on the Branch/Club notice board in due course nearer to the event date (as times/confirmation details on many are yet to be ratified)
PS. Please note that the ‘Themed dining-in dates’ may be subject of change/cancellation in order to avoid clashing with other more pressing branch activities/matters.
For the latest events list please check our website - www.rafayork.org
Aldwark Chronicle is the in-house newsletter of York Branch RAFA. Any views expressed or implied are those of the editor or contributors. Articles, cartoons, news items, comments & letters are welcome. Editor - David Taylor, 7 Deerstone Way, Dunnington, York YO19 5RB Tel:01904 593259, e-mail: [email protected]
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