City of London) Squadron Rauxaf Association Newsletter
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
600 Praeter Sescentos “THE RIGHT OF THE LINE” 600 (City of London) Squadron RAuxAF Association Newsletter Patron: The Viscount Trenchard of Wolfeton Affiliated Members; 601 & 604 Squadron Associations. Patron: The Viscount Trenchard of Wolfeton September 2011 Editorial Welcome to the late summer, early autumn edition. So summer is fast slipping away and the dark mornings & nights are already back with us. The garden is starting to look tired, with some old favourites finished for another year although the tomatoes & Apples are plentiful (that’s of course if like me you have an Apple tree!). It won’t be long now before were scraping the cars again! As usual I would like to thank all of you who have sent me messages of support for the newsletter – thank you, it is much appreciated although undoubtedly thanks to all you who have contributed – that said, please do keep your memories and stories coming folks as this is what helps me produce such bumper editions. I know I have probably used too many articles in one go, and the puritans amongst us will advise to hold some back, and I have, so if you have sent me material and you don’t see it in here, it will be in the next edition. I have a promise of many more articles to come from various sources although inevitably, the newsletter will start to get smaller in time, so keep it coming folks. Some of you have sent me some photographs. These really are wonderful as they help boost the archive, so many many thanks. I must again give thanks for another fantastic article from the Author and Historian, Ian White. Ian is writing a series of special articles based upon aircraft types used by our Squadrons which, if the one in this issue is anything to go by, will be really interesting. Many thanks for Ian’s very kind & continuing support and his very interesting articles. As usual, we are still particularly interested in receiving any photo’s records etc. please as we still have some big gaps in our history to fill. We have a good deal of Squadron archive but are missing huge chunks from the war years. Any photos etc. will be well taken care of, copied and returned safely, so please have a dig and send me all you have! All items will be very gratefully received, and taken great care of. In the next issue, I hope to bring you details of our revamped web site. We have been lucky to secure the services of a truly terrific chap who is both willing and able to help us develop the 1 Association web site, which may of you may not even be aware existed. We plan initially to set up a comprehensive section detailing the history of the Squadron with as many photographs, records etc as we are able – any help with providing material for this would be really appreciated. Our web master, John Wheeler, who is US based, also looks after the 601 Squadron web site as well as the web site for the Battle of Britain Historical Society, so we have a very experienced and enthusiastic man helping us. John has been working hard getting to grips with a ‘new look’ as well as gathering material and data and so we can look forward to a greatly improved offering that we can all be very proud of – so watch this space. Obituaries We will try to keep this up to date, but sadly we can only report the passing of old friends and colleagues if we are told about it. Since our last Newsletter, we are sorry to report the loss of the following; Graham Charles Tidman 09 Feb 1924 – 26 May 2011 2 Flight Lieutenant Jon Egging of the Royal Air Force Aerobatics Team (The Red Arrows) From http://www.raf.mod.uk/reds/behindthescenes/red4.cfm MOD confirms the death of Flight Lieutenant Jon Egging of the Royal Air Force aerobatics team (The Red Arrows) It is with sadness that the MOD must confirm the death of Flight Lieutenant Jon Egging of the Royal Air Force Aerobatics Team (The Red Arrows). Flight Lieutenant Egging was killed when his Hawk T1 aircraft - Red 4 - crashed around 1km South East of Bournemouth Airport at 1350 on Saturday 20 August 2011. A full Service Inquiry into the details of the crash has been initiated. It would be inappropriate to speculate on the causes of the incident at this time. Group Captain Simon Blake, the Commandant of the RAF's Central Flying School, said: "Flight Lieutenant Jon Egging, known as 'Eggman', joined the Team as Red in the autumn of 2010. A gifted aviator, he was chosen to fly in the Red 4 slot, on the right hand outside of the famous Diamond Nine formation - an accolade in itself being the most demanding position allocated to a first year pilot. Throughout his winter training and the display season to date, his professionalism, skill and humility have shone through. "A true team player, his good nature and constant smile will be sorely missed by all. In such a close knit team, this tragedy will be keenly felt by his fellow team members, the Reds and all of the engineering and support staff, the Blues." Air Vice Marshal Mark Green, Air Officer Commanding 22 (Training) Group, said: "I first met Flt Lt Jon Egging in 2003 when I became his Station Commander. Even at that early stage in his career, Jon's professionalism, competence and ever present smile made him stand out from the crowd. Hence, his eventual selection for duties with the Red Arrows came as no surprise. His time with the Team was typified by the characteristics that were Jon's trademark: professionalism, enthusiasm for life and a willingness to help others that transcended all boundaries. Jon will be sorely missed by all those that had the privilege to know him; our thoughts and prayers are with Jon's family and friends at this tragic time." Flight Lieutenant Egging, aged 33 from Rutland, flew the Harrier GR9 before joining the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team. Jon became interested in flying at an early age, inspired by his airline pilot father who used to take him 'down route', allowing him into the cockpit for take-off and landing. Jon is survived by his wife, Emma. He attended Southam School in Warwickshire gaining A-Levels in Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry. He was a member of 2028 (Southam) Sqn Air Training Corps from age 13. During the sixth form he was awarded a Royal Air Force Flying Scholarship and had his first solo flight in a Cessna 152 flying from Wellesbourne Mountford Aerodrome. Following a gap year spent working in 3 the UK and travelling around Australia, Jon went on to read a BSc in Environmental Science at Southampton University. He joined Southampton University Air Squadron and was awarded a Royal Air Force Bursary in his second year. Whilst at University Jon completed Elementary Flying Training with the University Air Squadron, flying the Bulldog; he went on to join the Royal Air Force in 2000. Selected for fast jet training Jon flew the Tucano and Hawk before becoming a 'Creamie' Qualified Flying Instructor on the Hawk at Royal Air Force Valley, teaching both students and instructors. Jon went on to serve with IV(AC) Squadron - 'Happy IV' - based at Royal Air Force Cottesmore, flying the Harrier GR9. During his time on the front line Jon was proud to support coalition ground forces when flying operational missions in Afghanistan. He has also taken part in exercises in the United Kingdom and America. As part of Joint Force Harrier, Jon served with IV(AC) Squadron on HMS Illustrious, flying training missions off the UK coastline. He became the Squadron Qualified Flying Instructor during his last year on 'Happy IV', making the transition to teach on the Harrier Operational Conversion Unit, based at Royal Air Force Wittering, in April 2010. Defence Secretary, Dr Liam Fox, said: "It was with great sadness that I heard of the death of Flight Lieutenant Jon Egging whilst performing with the Red Arrows today. He was a gifted aviator who was selected for one of the most demanding flying jobs in the RAF. Joining the Red Arrows was his lifetime ambition and he performed with great skill whilst on the team. My thoughts and prayers are with his wife Emma and his family and friends at this terrible time." Dr Emma Egging, the wife of Flt Lt Jon Egging said: "Jon was everything to those that knew him, and he was the best friend and husband I could ever have wished for. I know that he would have wanted me to say something from the heart at this time. There was nothing bad about Jon. He loved his job and was an exemplary pilot. Watching him today, I was the proudest I've ever been. I loved everything about him, and he will be missed." …………………………….. Edward Mooney sadly passed away on the 19th April this year. He had his family at his bedside when he died. Ted, as he was fondly known, was proud of his past association with the RAF and was a true cockney in every sense. He was married to Nora for 52 years and had two children (Sandra and Ian), six grandchildresn and three great-grandchildren. He was very much a family man. He spent the last 10 years of his life down in Honiton, Devon. He was a character to the end and will be sadly missed by all those who knew him.