ORCE & F D IR E A F L E A N

Y C

O E

R

• •

F

I N R O E I S T E IA R C VI O E FL CES ASS LUS AM SA MI NIS S ATQUE RUI & DEFENCE FIRE SERVICES ASSOCIATION MAGAZINE

IN THIS ISSUE Family Day Out • RAF 1957 – 1959 Re Enlistment • Memoirs Of Taff The Fire Warrant R.J. (Smokey) Fairhurst • Museum News

www.rafanddfsa.co.uk Autumn 2017 www.rafanddfsa.co.uk1 Flashpoint Magazine - AUTUMN 2017 Who To Contact - Officers and Committee

Patron AREA CO-ORDINATORS Air Marshal Sir Roger Austin KCB AFC RAF (Ret’d) The Co-Ordinators Committee Member President Vacant Dennis McCann BEM Member 9 Lincolnshire Wood View, St Andrews Close, Alresford, Colchester, Steve Harrison Essex. CO7 8BL. 58 Gospel Gate, Louth, Lincolnshire, LN11 9JZ Tel: 01206 820715 Tel: 01507 355740 Vice – President Email: [email protected] Ron Brown Member 294 Cornwall, Devon & Somerset 38 Sedgebrook, Liden, Swindon, , SN3 6EY. Terry Mortimore Tel: 01793 496307 32 Newbridge, Truro, Cornwall, TR1 3LX Email: [email protected] Tel: Chairman Email: [email protected] Neil Slade Member 934 North West & Wales 29 Orchard Close, Ash Vale, Surrey, GU12 5HU. Vacant Tel: 01252 492111 North Email: [email protected] Robert Atkinson Member 108 Vice- Chairman 4 Fairway, Stella Park, Blaydon, Tyne and Wear, NE21 Howard Harper Member 682 4LL. 34 The Westering, Meadowlands, Tel: 0191 4148176 , CB5 8SF. Tel: 01223 292298 John Savage MBE Member 188 General Secretary 3 Mercedes Avenue, Hunstanton, Norfolk, PE36 5EJ Mike Clapton Member 704 Tel: 01485 532353 4 Fairfax Road, Cirencester, Gloucester, GL7 1NF. Email: [email protected] Tel: 01285 655314 RAF Email: [email protected] Steve Shirley MBE Grad I Fire E Treasurer 16 Rutland Way, Scampton, Lincoln, LN1 2UJ Trevor Hayes Tel: 07912 658402 2 Gypsy lane, Hunton Bridge, Kings Langley, South Hertfordshire, WD4 8PR. John Hurl Tel: 01923 331975 34 Copt Elm Close, Charlton King, Cheltenham, Email: [email protected] Gloucestershire, GL53 8AE. Membership Secretary Tel: 01242 522503 Brian Jones Tel: 01269 594065 / 07772 247295 “Jess” Jessup Flashpoint Editor 44 Quentin Road, Lewisham, London, SE13 5DF. Reg Metcalfe Member 991 Tel: 0208 2187499 Naddlegate West, Haweswater, Burnbanks, Nr Penrith, Scotland Cumbria, CA10 2RW Alec Robertson Tel: 01931 713120 / 07791 075238 12 Kinclavin Crescent, Murthly, Perth, PH1 4EU. Email: [email protected] Tel: 01738 710487 & Vacant Northern Ireland Kenneth Green 2 Drive, Whitehead, Carrickfergus, Antrim, Northern Ireland. Tel: 01960 372595 Essex Ben Zaccardelli FRONT COVER 98 Lyndhurst Drive, Hornchurch, Essex, RM11 1JZ. Tel: 01708 443593 Mobile: 07702271537 Email: [email protected]

Flashpoint Magazine - AUTUMN 2017 2 www.rafanddfsa.co.uk Flashpoint Editorial Autumn 2017

ell here we go for my first attempt and many other fun packed emergencies. and reporting back. This of course would Was Editor of your magazine. As I What was immediately apparent was the be at my own expense but worth it just to put this editorial together, I find myself immense professionalism of all members see how our great Fire Service is getting thinking what on earth have I let myself of the section, an attribute that I hope along. Another idea is ‘Beyond the RAF/ in for? I guess the first thing to do is to rubbed off on me. My first boss was no DFS Fire service’. I suppose this is more introduce myself to the membership and other than Dick Williams, a tall smartly like what are they doing now and this is for those of you that already know me turned out gentleman. Dick was a very starting with this issue with many thanks personally or have heard the mostly ‘not firm but fare man who ran a very tight to Lee Goupilot. I would really like to true stories’ of Reg Metcalfe, I will ignore ship indeed. I learnt a lot from this man get some stories from the new generation the laughter and coughing. I joined the and his advice and guidance stood me in of our membership as I think it has been RAF Fire Service on the 16th Feb 1982. I good stead for the rest of my career. He very sparse in the past and is not from remember my family came to Windermere once said to me ‘Reg to get on in this job the want of trying by past editors and Train Station to wave me off, either that you will have to pick on someone who is the Association Committee. There are or to make sure I was definitely going. doing good at his job and try to better them. many reasons why I volunteered to be the My dear Grandad passed me two 1/2oz Who would you pick young Reggie?,’ I editor but the main one is that I think the packets of Old Holborn and off I went to don’t think he was prepared for my answer magazine is at the heart of the Association Carlisle CIO to sign the dotted line. As I which was ‘ You Flt Sgt’. I thought it was and without it the core of the Association sat on the train watching the disappearing a good answer but obviously Dick thought would be gone. I would like to thank mountains of the Lake District, I got the I was punching well above my station as Steve Harrison for all his advice and tobacco out of my bag… bugger; Grandad the newest Lac on his section. I never encouragement in getting me started, to had forgotten the fag papers. I was lucky did better that man, well I might have Trevor and Neil for all their help and to all to have such a fantastic group of lads on done because he wasn’t the editor of our who have contributed stories and pictures my basic course and a very good instructor, magazine! However, I do thank him for for this my virgin edition. For those who Terry Shaw. Sadly I never got to work being part of my life and trying his hardest sent me articles that are not published in on crew with Terry as he was coming to to keep me and most of A Crew out of shit this edition please be assured that they will the end of his career in the RAF. Many on many occasions. I have spoken to a lot be in future ones. Any feedback positive or of us will remember our first posting of my friends about my new venture and negative would be very much appreciated. for lots of reasons. My first one was to have many new ideas. One which I am All that is now left to say is that I hope RAF Honington. Back then it was at the keen to implement is ‘Flashpoint on Tour’. you all have a wonderful Christmas and a frontline of the nation’s defence with two This will involve me visiting various Healthy and Prosperous New Year. Squadrons of Hunters, RAF/DFS Fire Stations and chatting with Reg Metcalfe Member 991 two of Buccaneers and the crews, getting their two of Tornados. As stories Editor you can imagine it was a very busy Fire Section as my first posting and I loved Assocaition AGM it. Every shift was The next AGM and Reunion full of Hot Brakes, Cable Engagement’s will be held at the Ramada Resort Hotel,Tow Bar Road, Marston,, NG22 2HT, on Friday 21st September to Monday 24th September 2018. The two trips we have organised are the Centre and Lincoln and the New Museum of RAF Firefighting.

Obituaries: Frank Menziez Photo of me on my 18th birthday. Passed away 03 October 2017 Caption competition of your editor on his 18th Mick Moncrieff birthday at RAF Honington. Passed away 30 July 2017

www.rafanddfsa.co.uk 3 Flashpoint Magazine - AUTUMN 2017 Crossword by Firefly

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

8 9

10 11

12

13 14 15 16

17 18

19

20 21

22 23

Across Down 1. Two thousand hold first class reservists at Hong Kong air 2. Speech sounds like a single item for fire? (1,9) base. (3,3) 3. Raise glass to queen for tea bar essential. (7) 5. Suspend in eleven at far eastern air head.(6,) 4. Ascending divot to homeland finds prestige. (5) 8. Superior mother in unresponsive state. (4) 5. Air Force loses iron and reforms with US fighter jet. (7) 9. Drinks usual red initially if made with this grape. (5) 6. It’s ghastly when licit fails to start (5) 10. Headwear you returned in mid-west state. (4) 7. Creep forward in Church Fenton. (4) 12. Young horse I shall see in Norfolk base. (10) 11. Fire starting substance upset cat cleaner. (10) 13. To Britain, UK or North Africa? Famous battle results. (6) 14. While seeking Dominie finds realm. (7) 15. Roof part found in RAF terminal. (6) 16. Oddly freight can result in Lightning or Typhoon perhaps? 17. Nine flying randomly over Yorkshire airfield. (10) (7) 19. Hat found in snake pit. (4) 17. Marshal, punishment or meadow? (5) 20. Extreme journalist finished. (5) 18. Plain diamond hides jewel in the crown of the empire. (5) 21. Ensnare returning component. (4) 19. Kit essential initially for RAF craft colloquially (4) 22. After reshuffle, deal me in for posting south of 13. (2,4) 23. Are tea breaks required to produce foam (6)?

Flashpoint Magazine - AUTUMN 2017 4 www.rafanddfsa.co.uk FAMILY DAY OUT

ur two sons, Lloyd and Justin had Oleft the family home some years ago, Lloyd until recently lived in Italy and Justin in Belfast and getting together as a family was a rare and still is a special event. As youngsters they were immersed in the RAF way of life, living in married quarters with the sights and sounds of aircraft, different vehicles and as their dad was a fire-fighter (cool job as far as a young child is concerned) obviously fire trucks featured greatly in their lives, quite often when a fire truck pulls up at their front door there is genuine excitement from a youngster. When it was birthday time their parties were very popularwith their mates as it generally involved a trip to the Fire Section where they played with a hose reel and when at RAF Marham a ride out in the Mk9 or the TACR2 which was their favourite and the scariest as it leaned going around the corners. The boys have always been supportive and interested in what I have been up to since I retired, whether it was editing Flashpoint or the work at the museum and there were aware of how it was progressing and with us being together for a while they wanted to visit. They also knew my passion for the Mk6 and the work Dave Jenner and I’ve been like that since I was a kid...it’s the family connection but if they close their I had doneon the vehicle so after a visit all very well looking at marvels in a glass eyes they may see further than they think”. to the annex trying on helmets looking case, but better by far just to get hands The disappointing thing was that the Mk 6 at the crash kit with which they were on - far more exciting! This was certainly wasn’t serviceable that day and I couldn’t very familiar we headed up to the vehicle the case when my brother and I finally got take them for a drive. Although I think hanger. Both of them could not believe the behind the wheel of the famous MK6 at the Lloyd (in the picture) is imaging that he amount of trucks but the Mk6 was at the Museum of RAF Fire Fighting. I remember is driving it and Justin just smiling at this front of the hanger and the following are dad talking about the particular truck and rare family event. Although the Mk9 and their feelings of the boys at that moment. that he was astounded to find that it was TACR2 had shrunk somewhat from the one that he actually used in service (when Justin said “As the familiar shape of the great monster trucks of their youth but they Dad was nearly 20 years younger than Mark 6 came into view a friendly smile were delighted to see them again, bringing I am now). It’s a remarkable thing to be crossed my face. It was always something back memories of their birthday parties. of mechanical legend growing up but it presented with something quite unique that had only stared back from photographs. has somehow merged into family legend! Having seen other ex RAF Firefighters So when I had the chance to come and see As my brother and I jumped into the cabin come to the museum with their children what had been done with the museum I had I grabbed the wheel. For a second or two and grandchildren it does become more looked forward to this moment the most. I closed my eyes and imagined my Dad tangible as Lloyd has mentioned, the The remarkable thing about it all that this doing the same on his way to a shout. fact that children and grandchildren was the very same 6 wheeled beast that my It was quite an odd sensation and quite can actually sit in a fire truck like dad Dad had known at RAF Wyton in1970’s. As thrilling. The roar of the engine...the or grandad used to drive and see the my brother and I stepped into the cab it felt shouts of the men, urgency... my Dad’s equipment he used it certainly is better like some kind of time machine knowing youthful eager face.I feel that such a than stories when sometimes it is hard to the younger eyes of my father had looked thing could only happen when history is imagine. tangible, when we can literally get hold through this frame and lent on its perches. So when the museum has moved to its new of the past. For that reason I think that A romantic notion to have about tonnes of home let’s hope that some more of you supporting and promoting the Museum metal but these machines stood so tall in can have a family day out reliving those of RAF Firefighting is really worth it, not my dreams as a boy the wonder of it all memories. It certainly was a great time for least because of a special few moments came flooding back for a while.” Lloyd, Justin and I. with my brother and Dad, but certainly Lloyd’s thoughts were:“I’ve always because in the future it will offer a real Steve Harrison believed in the power of tangible history. insight for visitors. It’s true they may lack www.rafanddfsa.co.uk 5 Flashpoint Magazine - AUTUMN 2017 RAF Scampton Lincolnshire 1957 – 1959

oining as a regular serviceman at the kept in metal drums, made from animal darkness reporting to the guardroom who Jage of seventeen and a half years I blood, horn and hoof, the sound of trailer directed me to the fire section at the rear arrived at RAF Cardington for signing pumps at full revs, and difficulty at first of the building. I was welcomed by the on, kitting out, issuing of a service in holding a fully pressurised non-lined Flight Sergeant, two corporals, and SAC number and 1250 ID card, and swearing delivery hose and brass branch nozzle. and an LAC. This was to be my home for in service for defence of the Queen. The Passing out from RAF Sutton on Hull after approximately the next two years. In the memorising of your seven figure service successfully completing a written and oral morning after breakfast I was taken on number was difficult at first but soon fell examination, my next posting was to RAF an induction tour of all relevant parts of into place. After a few relaxing days and Weeton School of Driving Instruction near the RAF station and airfield in a Bantam getting to know some of my peers we were Blackpool in October and November. I domestic fire tender. An existing WOTI herded on the a train at Cardington rail must admit the weather was colder than foam producing crash fire tender that station en-route for basic training at RAF I could have ever imagined. We were had seen better days was replaced with Bridgenorth, Shropshire, innocently not billeted in the usual timber huts heated by a new Thornycroft Mark 5A foam crash realising what we were letting ourselves in one small coal/coke stove fire that we all fire tender, a Mark 1 Dual Purpose foam for. On arrival at Bridgenorth rail station took turns to collect coke fuel to keep the crash fire tender and a long wheelbase all hell was let loose from drill instructors fire going. The glass in one window pane (ACRT) aircraft crash rescue bellowing orders for us to swiftly grab was cracked with a small piece of glass tender. At this time there were no other our kit bags from the train guards van missing, and on waking in the morning aircraft movements to and from the airfield and get on the Bedford trucks outside the there was frost on top blankets of beds and 617 Vulcan V-Bomber Squadron had station. On the short journey by road to nearest the window. Driver training was yet to arrive at the base. While we were RAF Bridgenorth we were all in a state of over several weeks starting on a Bedford waiting for their arrival myself and Bill complete shock and silence this was our truck, followed by a short wheelbase (sorry cannot remember his surname) were first taste of service discipline and thoughts land rover, an airfield towing tractor, and sent on temporary positing to assist at RAF of just what had we let ourselves into. finally a Mark 5 crash rescue tender. As Wittering fire section, but recalled after new drivers we were taught the ‘double only a week due to the imminent arrival of de-clutch’ method 617 Vulcan Squadron at RAF Scampton. of changing gear On different dates five of us were sent in due to heavier groups one of three and one of two, on fire vehicles an Alvis Mark 6 foam crash rescue truck having a crash driver operator training course at Sutton gearbox instead on Hull School of Fire fighting. For me of a synchromesh as the new boy having only left Sutton on gearbox. We Hull on completion of basic fire training had to pass a recently, this was a thrilling experience and road test in each a challenge having only learnt to drive a vehicle, including few months ago a RAF Weeton. After an a systematic pre- enjoyable and successful completion of vehicle oil, water a Mark 6 driver operator training course and tyre pressure we returned to RAF Scampton to find a and before driving brand new Alvis Mark 6 crash rescue fire 1958 Crash Crew outside Fire Section by airfield control tower off a check around truck had been delivered. What a vehicle the vehicle. On with its central position power assisted Arrival at RAF Bridgenorth was worse successful completion of the driving course steering, six wheel drive with front four than at the rail station and even more drill we were given our postings with all my wheels steering, pre-select gearbox, great instructors screaming in your ear to get pals being posted to Germany and for me suspension and handling over off road a move on or else, which all of course it was RAF Scampton, Lincolnshire. I must undulating ground, and capable of high we all did at high speed. Basic training admit feeling jealous at my mates postings, gallons per minute foam production by a or ‘square bashing’ as was popularly and also at the time as my late elder brother roof mounted monitor and with practise known, was 12 hectic weeks of non-stop in the was also stationed on the move before bringing the vehicle billet and kit inspections, cleaning and in Germany at the time. Nevertheless to a stop. Two hand line delivery hose clean again, physical training, every day recalling second world war history of with foam branch could be deployed marching and rifle drills, and increased RAF Scampton and 617 Lancaster ‘Dam from each side of the vehicle, and back- team work discipline. Then the great day Buster’ Squadron famously led by Wing up tank of CBM (Chlorobromomethane) arrived for the ‘passing out parade’ a day Commander in successfully with two small diameter hose reels on everyone on the three squads had been breaching both Mohne and Eder Dams, and rotating drums located on each side at waiting for. From here I was posted to RAF subsequently severely disrupting German the rear of the vehicle. Soon after this the Sutton-on-Hull School of Fire Fighting war industry, with the famous bouncing first wave of the majestic and placed in the hands of instructors bomb created by Barnes Wallace. 617 squadron aircraft all in white livery Sergeants Rocky Rich and McCaffery for landed with a great roar from reverse basic fire fighting training over a number On arrival at Lincoln rail station and engine thrust and drogue parachute was of weeks. I can still smell the strong public bus ride I arrived to my new posting deployed from the rear of the aircraft to characteristic odour from foam liquid at RAF Scampton, in pouring rain and

Flashpoint Magazine - AUTUMN 2017 6 www.rafanddfsa.co.uk foam producing who got on extremely well and had many crash fire tenders enjoyable relaxing times at the Services we were positioned Club in Lincoln City, and dances on the at rendezvous first floor of the other ranks mess hall at points one midway RAF Scampton. Two of us played regular opposite the first team football for RAF Scampton runway and one with memorable games against local RAF opposite the end stations at Waddington and Swinderby. of the runway Although I can recall first and surnames threshold. After a of some of the guys on the Scampton fire low level fly past section regretfully many other surnames the Control Tower escape me as it is so long ago now. Some by the Vulcan a of you reading this may recognise faces final approach was from the accompanying photos. made by the pilot After serving nearly two years at RAF 1958 Crash Crew outside Fire Section by airfield control tower and a text book Scampton I returned from one weeks leave landing on the two to find myself on one weeks embarkation assist in braking. The drogue parachute main undercarriage leave prior to being posted to RAF was later ejected and we were deployed wheels keeping the nose of the aircraft up Khormaksar in Aden a British Protectorate to pick up from the runway and return. off the runway until sufficiently slowed at the time on the Persian Gulf , between From then on the airfield became very down the undercarriage nose stump minus Oman and the Red Sea. And that of course busy with Vulcan aircraft carrying out the nose wheel, was lowered to the surface is another story and experience. regular take off and landings (‘circuit and of the runway in a bumps’) and the ground shaking on taking shower of sparks off. Other aircraft visiting the airfield were and smoke. Once Dehavilland Vampire and Venom fighter the aircraft had jets, English Electric Canberra bombers, come to a stop the Dakota DC3, Varsity transport aircraft, crash crew arrived and an owned and flown to deal with any fire by the made one resulting from the visit. Serious aircraft incidents were few magnesium metal and mostly small fires from undercarriage undercarriage nose hot overheated brakes or burst tyre, mainly stump. Dealing from Vulcan aircraft. Even so these with a magnesium particular incidents had to be dealt with metal fire in those carefully and with caution as a fire fighter days was difficult in ensuring you were correctly positioned due to the lack 1958: Pete, Roy, Ken, Jock, Bill, Myself, Ted Hall, Mick as there was always the risk of a metal of a suitable Centre front: Corporal John Hodges wheel fracturing outwards with explosive fire fighting force from a hot brake fire. There was one extinguishing media with foam, water, A few years ago I made a very enjoyable ‘full emergency’ when on take off a Vulcan CO2 and Halon being both unsuitable return visit with my wife to RAF Scampton lost its nose wheel that went bouncing and dangerous. Fortunately due to the and arranged a day visit with Steve off down the runway for some distance expertise and competency of the Vulcan Shirley who runs and organises the very before finally coming to rest beyond the pilot landing the aircraft the risk of ignition impressive RAF Fire Fighting Museum. threshold end of the runway. The Vulcan of the magnesium undercarriage nose We spent most of the day at RAF Scampton aircraft continued flying around for some wheel stump from friction in contact with and as well as the impressive fire fighting time out to sea using up fuel before finally the runway surface had been kept to the museum Steve kindly took us around returning for its final and very difficult minimum. station buildings, old aircraft hangers, the landing. As the duty Crash Crew with three existing operational fire section building Due to the increase in numbers of fire and crash rescue trucks by the air traffic fighters required to form two duty shifts control tower, and off course a view our small fire section building at the rear of of the famous Red Arrow aircraft who the guardroom was no longer large enough unfortunately were not flying that day, to accommodate us all and we were moved parked nearby in readiness on the tarmac. to a two storey block opposite the other ranks mess room building. A new Bedford Many memories of my time at RAF domestic fire tender was added to the fleet, Scampton were resurrected during the visit replacing the old Bantam domestic fire and made a very enjoyable day thanks to tender, and stationed in the garage at the Steve Shirley. front of the old fire section building. We Roy Kane Membership No 577 1958 Fire Section Garage were a mixture of English, Scottish, Welsh Russ, Mick, Don, Jock McPhee and Irish regular and national servicemen www.rafanddfsa.co.uk 7 Flashpoint Magazine - AUTUMN 2017 MEMOIRS OF TAFF THE FIRE

This is a massive article of many row of little rooms, each one dedicated to continuous “spit and polish” etc. chapters so I will be putting this in assessing various bits of us. The results RAF Padgate, or to give it its correct title, future editions as it would fill the entire were to be entered on a card with boxes on Royal Air Force Personnel Reception issue. Ed….. it, two for each test, one marked “ Pass” Unit, Padgate, seemed quite a friendly and the other marked “Fail“, There was place. The Sergeants would say, “Right no middle road. I heard my name called gentlemen, please follow me and we will Chapter 1 at the first room, went in and a voice said, get you fitted out with your uniforms and “Passed”. As I left the room I noticed a One little brown envelope. To say that any other kit you might need.” It was the sign on the door ‘Hearing Tests’. The next this envelope would have some effect first time anyone had ever called me a room was the eye test. on my future equals Noah’s words in the gentleman, I felt quite proud. Old Testament when he said, “I think it’s The doctor said, “See that chart on the The kitting-out took a few days, and we going to rain” wall? “ were issued with everything needed to I was eighteen and due for “National I replied, “Yes” and he said “Passed”. exist in air-force life. Uniform, underwear, Service”, a two year stint in some branch of towels, knife, fork, spoon, needle and In the next room a chap put a stethoscope the armed services. In the fifties all fit, and cotton, plus the most important bit of to my chest and told me to take a deep some not so fit, young men were expected kit, a giant one-pint mug. Where the breath in. Once again I heard the word to do their bit for King and Country. Do army marches on its stomach, the RAF ‘Passed”. Coming to think of it, he never not bother to look up the word “Expected” obviously flew on a continuous supply of actually told me to breathe out. Could this in the dictionary, for when the government tea, drunk from pint mugs. On my second be the reason for the row of blue-faced uses the term it has a slightly different night an omen of things to come occurred. chaps, gasping for breath after this test? meaning. Their “Expected” means “You Away from their mum’s apron strings, a will or else” The next test, where one had to step up and load of teenage lads took the opportunity to down on a bench, had been cancelled. I The “OHMS” (On His Majesty’s Service) sample the delights of the NAAFI (Navy, gather that some bright person realised that stamp in the corner of the envelope worried Army and Air Force Institute) club and you had to climb up two steps to enter the me. Opening the letter confirmed my bar. The beer flowed and young men who building; therefore, anyone in the building worst fears. Inside a typed sheet informed were not used to it got rather drunk; two had automatically passed the test. me that I was to report to the military or three pints seemed to be the average recruiting centre a few days later, for Many tried various tricks to beat the needed by most. a medical examination and attestation. system, but to no avail. We all passed and On the way back to our hut, one lad ie I promise to serve the crown. Being were given a certificate stating that the decided to do a balancing act on the wall the average teenager, I was quite happy bearer was deemed to be “10% FIT”. To of an emergency water tank. His ability at looking after my own needs and felt no this day I wonder if the typist had left a “0” balancing equalled his ability to hold his desire to serve the needs of the crown, out by accident or the “10%” was nearer beer, and he fell in. Not to worry, we would or any other person come to that. I had a the truth than “100 %”. That was that. soon dry him off in front of the pot-bellied good job, nice home, ample food and most A few weeks later another brown envelope stove back at the hut. When we entered the important at all, I managed to fall in and arrived containing a request (another hut the stove seemed to have gone out. ie out of love on a regular basis. What more government word meaning “You will”) gone out as in no fire, not, gone out for could any young man ask from life? As far that I report to RAF Padgate. A train a walk. Still, the pipe, which led up to as I was concerned two years of my life warrant, one way only, was attached. the ceiling, was still warm, so, having were due to be wasted doing what some undressed the soggy lad, we wrapped other person thought was “Expected” of They say that a journey of a thousand old newspapers around the stovepipe and me. miles starts with one step. As far as I was then hung his clothes on it. Hopefully by concerned, my journey had started on the The day I reported for my medical opened morning, the clothes on the outside and the two steps of the recruiting office. Little did my eyes to the rather strange way service lad on the inside, would be back to normal. I know, but those two steps would take me personnel think. I followed other baffled half way around the world. Sometime during the night I was rudely young men into a building with a rather wakened by shouts of “Fire”. Climbing out tattered “Union Jack” fluttering over the of bed, all I could see was the hut full of entrance and an equally tattered mat on Chapter 2 smoke and lads jumping out of windows. the floor. Some comic had scribbled on Not wanting to be the odd one out and the wall, “Abandon hope all ye who enter As they say, “What do you want first? The having no desire to end up looking like a here” and “Roll on death, demob’s too far good news or the bad?” smoked kipper, I followed them. I gather away”. The doom and gloom experienced Well the good news, as far as I was that the fire in the stove was not completely on receipt of the little brown envelope took concerned, centred on the fact that service out and as the wind rose during the night, a turn for the worse. life was not so bad, in fact it was a lot better the fire rekindled and the pipe got rather Inside our details were taken down, than I had expected. There had been stories hot. Now red-hot pipes, newspapers and followed by our trousers, in preparation of horrible Sergeants shouting at you, rifle clothes do not mix, and, the rest you can for the so-called medical. There was a drill, tough physical training, exercises at guess. The RAF Fire Crew arrived and night in the wildest bits of countryside and watching them at work I decided that I Flashpoint Magazine - AUTUMN 2017 8 www.rafanddfsa.co.uk would never join that lot. Famous last to a recruit-training unit at a place called life seemed to get worse each day. After a words. Little actual damage was done and Hednesford. To this day I have never fully day or two of constant marching our boots the good life plodded on as if nothing had understood the word “Posted”. It sounds as felt as if they were killing us. A day or two happened. if some person will come along and stick later, we wished they had. a second-class stamp on you. NB Second Soon we were fully kitted-out, our uniforms At the end of the first week we had a parade class for airmen, First class for Officers. had been taken in or let out where needed on the drill square - complete with the Anyway posted to the RAF meant, “Sent by a team of tailors, and we were at last station band. At the end I chatted to one of to.” looking something like airmen, or so we the bandsmen and mentioned the fact that I thought. On arrival at Hednesford we were met also had been in a brass band. He took me by one of the most evil men I have ever straight to the Band Sergeant who asked The following day we were taken to a come across. To those who were under me why I had not been informed of the large hangar with hundreds of desks laid the impression that heart operations were request for men who were musical. I gave out in rows. This was to be our “Trade only thought of in the late sixties, here my story of the NAAFI piano; he laughed, aptitude test”, a test where we were to was living proof that such operations went over to the Drill Sergeant and said: be asked a load of different questions on were being carried out in the fifties. This various subjects to see which RAF trade “He’s one of us now, so lay off OK” Sergeant assured us that he had no heart we would be best suited to. I wanted to be and over the coming weeks he would I gather RAF camps were proud of their a motor-cycle driver, so having had one make us aware of this slight modification bands and every camp wanted the best. before joining up; made sure I answered to his person. Due to this, bandsmen were treated all the questions on motor vehicles and with the greatest respect and excused all road knowledge correctly. On the other Our belief that we looked like airmen was unpleasant tasks. Whilst the other men hand, any questions on trades I did not soon shattered. Sarge assured us that we were marching up and down the parade want, e.g. cook, police, fireman, etc. I were the scruffiest load of deadbeats he square in the rain, bandsmen drank tea in answered wrongly. The tests lasted all had ever seen and if he had his way, we the band hut. At last, the pint mug came morning and later that day we were all would all be shot at dawn. He called us into serious use. The biggest shock of lined up in the hanger to hear the results. many other things, but as this story will all was, besides having an easy life; the An Officer shouted out, “First two rows, not be printed on fireproof paper, I will Sergeant now smiled at me and called me cooks; next row, police; next row, clerks; not mention them. “Taff’. next row (mine), firemen.” I had just learnt Breakfast, for want of a better word, on another fact of service life. Now in civilian The eight weeks training flew past and the first day consisted of porridge which, life we know that justice must not only soon we were all to be informed of where when slapped onto your plate, stuck there be done, but also seen to be done. Well we were being sent to for our stint in the and even turning the plate upside down in RAF life, tests must not only be done, mob. The big day came, and I jumped for had no effect on this concrete lump. This but also seen to be done. The fact that the joy when the Officer in charge said, “Jones, was followed by kippers. Now I know results will be completely ignored is of you are off to the Middle East”. there are so called ‘Boneless kippers’ and little consequence. No doubt half the clerks I’d often wondered what happened to the The exact base had not been decided, but would be unable to write their own name, bones once taken out. Now I knew — we I was to fly out to Malta, the headquarters and from future first hand experience of had them. I hated kippers, and on pushing of all RAF bases in the Mediterranean, service food, half the cooks would possibly them one side my mate asked if he could and would receive my final routing details have made first class cement mixers. As for have them. “You’re welcome” said I. there. In the fifties, you were lucky if you my famous last words the day before, no went to , Blackpool or Southend- Soon we were marching, drilling, doing way am I going to be a fireman? The omen on-Sea; only the really rich went abroad. I physical training, cross-country runs and had proved true! Possibly, if the lad had was going to Malta. cracked his skull open on the side of the endless polishing. The following day I was emergency water tank that second night, I famished and when my mate again asked if Having been kitted-out with a nice warm could have been a brain surgeon. We will he could have my kippers I said a definite uniform I now had to be kitted-out again, never know; such is the way of fate. “No” and scoffed them down. It’s amazing but this time with a lightweight overseas what one will eat with an appetite brought kit and shorts. This was done at RAF Well, as I said, that’s the good news, on by hard work. Lytham, a few miles outside Blackpool. sort of. The bad news? Our idyllic life Days of little to do and nights on the town On one parade we were asked if any of us at Padgate would soon become a distant (and up the tower) in Blackpool ensued. could play a musical instrument. Although happy memory. For some unknown reason, possibly the I played most brass band instruments and Looking in the mirror convinced me that low pay servicemen received, as long as the organ, my mate advised me to say I was now the perfect airman. I must have you wore uniform everything was cheap. nothing. He had heard that they wanted been right, for the two or three hundred One only paid half-fare on the buses, a gang to move the NAAFI piano to the other eighteen-year-old chaps who had entered the tower half-price and even a six- Officers’ mess and it was a catch question passed through the kitting-out period at penny bag of chips was only four-pence. to try and fool a few raw recruits into Padgate, also felt the same. Well for some volunteering for the job. The Sergeant What a life, and I was being paid for it; unknown reason the RAF did not hold the soon proved the “no heart” theory and but not much. One pound five shillings a same view. All of us were to be posted www.rafanddfsa.co.uk 9 Flashpoint Magazine - AUTUMN 2017 week, that’s One pound twenty-five pence that we were National Service Airmen and as the little dot in the sky grew larger, in today’s money. I know that a pound was with no money. They left without even the more they panicked. When it landed, worth a lot more then, but even allowing a “Good-bye.” During the day we went out came someone we all recognized, for that it was still a pittance I can assure swimming, sightseeing or just hung around Princess Elizabeth, escorted by the Duke you. Soon my stay at this holiday camp wondering what was going to happen to of Edinburgh. All not in the know thought, would come to an end, but ‘The Med’ was us. After an enjoyable, though too short “What in Heavens name are they doing in around the corner and considering it was a stay on this pleasant island, about fifty this God forsaken hole?” now January, with all the frost, snow and of us were taken to Valletta harbour and Later we learnt that the King had died, wind, I couldn’t wait to get out to the sun. embarked on the MV Empire Shelter, a and the Princess, (now Queen), had been troop-ship bound for Tobruk in North To those who now fly direct to Malta in a recalled urgently from her holiday at the Africa. She was not what one would call a few hours, I give a brief description of the Tree-tops hotel in Kenya. The King’s luxury liner, but the sea was calm, the food journey in 1952. death was to be kept a secret until all who good and the accommodation reasonable. needed to know had been informed. When We took off from Bovington in the south Chugging along at a steady twelve knots I think of the crowds who spend hours of in a Vickers Viking. Two petrol the journey would last three and a half waiting at great state occasions, just to engines driving two propellers. It chugged days. The entertainment consisted of a few catch a glimpse of the queen, and those along at a nice steady 180 miles per hour well-thumbed books and a pack of cards, who would do anything to attend a garden but flat out it was capable of over two- so I spent most days just watching the party at Buckingham Palace, just to stand hundred mile per hour! world, or at least the sea, pass by. It was a near her and there was I, standing only two life I could get used to; nothing to do and It carried twenty-eight passengers in feet away from her and the Duke. I can still all day to do it in. reasonable comfort and more legroom remember thinking: “Gosh! That perfume than today’s charter flights. We landed at We arrived in Tobruk harbour about mid- smells expensive.” Paris to refuel; then Nice, to refuel; then day. If you looked north there was nothing For reasons which always baffled me, Rome, to refuel; then, at last, we arrived but sea; If you looked south, nothing but reporters at any royal function always at Malta; twelve hours after leaving the sand. The thought crossed my mind that if start with the phrase, “Her majesty UK. Slightly slower than today, but in a you were into building sand castles, this appeared wearing a… “. There would lot more style. was the place to be. I was not into sand follow a detailed description of every item castles, so the future looked as bleak as of clothing from hat to shoes. I cannot the view. Chapter 3 remember what she wore that day, but one Our destination was a little airfield called thing I will always remember:… As she Music, besides being something I have El Adem, which lay roughly, in both approached our eyes met for a moment, always enjoyed, also forms part of my meanings of the word, twenty miles inland though I doubt if she noticed it. Suddenly memories. Whilst on basic training we from Tobruk. I gather that many battles I saw, not some high and mighty member were woken up, not with a bugle call, had been fought over this desert outpost, of the royal family, but a sad young lady but by the tune “You touched my finger not trying to capture it, but trying to give who was returning home to a house where tips and my heart was aglow”. This was it away! a seat at the dinner table would now be broadcast over the camp ‘Tannoy’ system empty. Someone she had loved had gone, As we approached this RAF camp, the first thing every morning. The thought never to return. Grief for prince or pauper view of the sea disappeared and other of the Sergeant touching my fingertips? is a burden one has to carry alone. She than a few dreary tin huts and a barbed Yuck! Last thing at night they played “I’ll was head of a great empire, millions of wire fence, there was nothing but sand. see you in my dreams”. Again, the last loyal subjects, people prepared to obey, There was a sign, which said, “Welcome person I wanted in my dreams was Sarge. instantly, any request she made and always to Royal Air Force El Adem”. Welcome? (Nightmares, yes?) surrounded by servants, great and small. Who’s kidding who? Malta always comes to mind when I hear The expensive clothes, fancy make-up, and the tune “Perfidia”. It was, or seemed to Like all RAF camps, when you first arrive, typical British “Stiff upper lip” showed be, the only record in the possession of nobody knows what to do with you, so they to all that here was royalty at its best, the local cinema at Sliema. Well it was put us in some empty huts, told us where but in that brief moment when two pairs the only one they ever played. Most nights to get a meal and left us. The following of eyes met, I saw a human being, alone were spent at the local cinema. We had morning an Officer rushed in, shouted with a burden no one could help her carry. started going to the many bars located “Get your best uniforms on and make sure For once in my life I said “God bless the in the famous Straight Street. (Famous your shoes are clean, then fall in outside”. queen” and meant it. Baffled but obedient we did what we were to any servicemen stationed there and Soon they returned to the Royal Plane, told. We were inspected, passed as OK affectionately known as “The Gut”). salutes were given, engines started, and and marched up to the airfield. Here we Here we were surrounded by beautiful, once again it returned to its “Little dot in were lined up, inspected again and left, and some not so beautiful, ladies of the the sky” position, and then disappeared still baffled. Soon all the top brass on the night. They offered some of the most into the desert haze. The top brass breathed camp arrived, seemingly in some state unusual services one could think of. After a sigh of relief and life at RAF El-Adam of panic. In the distance the sound of an introducing ourselves, they soon realized returned to normal. approaching aircraft brought them to life

Flashpoint Magazine - AUTUMN 2017 10 www.rafanddfsa.co.uk I use the term “Normal” very loosely when in the sun, busy polishing the equipment 200 rifles being turned into scrap. referring to the day-to-day routine at El on the ‘Karrier Bantam Domestic tender’. Adem. Though the British were in control What use this vehicle was has always Needless to say, the Fire Section was not of the base at the end of the war, the day been a mystery to me. It carried hoses, very popular. Well that isn’t exactly true. hostilities ended they should have given it two standpipes, a ladder, a 30 gallon foam They were very unpopular with all ranks back to the Arabs. Waiting a few days gave extinguisher, and no water. Behind it was from the CO (Commanding Officer) the locals a chance to think about it. They towed a ‘Coventry Climax’ water pump. down to some SNCO’s, (Senior Non had more sense than us; they said: “Keep Considering there were no water hydrants Commissioned Officers, e.g. Sergeants, it!“ and we were stuck with it. at El Adem, why the standpipes? The only Flight Sergeants, etc), but they were heroes emergency water tank was normally full to the average airman, who sadly had to The base consisted of a few rows of tin of sand, so why tow a water pump? Add miss the monthly parade. Hooray! huts, an Air Traffic Control tower, a cinema to this that all accommodation was of the of sorts called “The Astra” and a strip of That night in the NAAFI everyone wanted Nissen hut type, why the ladder? This was tarmac called a runway. The Royal Plane to buy the firemen a drink. Now as most before the days of the sound barrier fire was the only aircraft seen for weeks. I readers will be aware, firemen are noted for engines, but the ‘Carrier Bantam’ did have gather the odd plane dropped in to refuel refusing this sort of offer, but firemen are a sort of speed barrier. This was about 20 if it needed to after practicing dummy also noted for making supreme sacrifices if MPH and above this it bounced up and bombing over the desert, and the CO who needed. Reluctantly they made the supreme down like a wild horse. Any control the had his own plane, took off now and again. sacrifice and accepted the free drinks. It is driver had over it seemed to disappear (He also came back, but not of choice.) sacrificial acts like this that makes one feel above this speed and drivers who hit the The only other activity to take place on proud of the RAF Fire Service and could magic 30 MPH were worth a medal, or a the runway was the runway sweeper, a even bring a tear to the eye of the most visit to the mental ward of sick quarters. contraption that spent all day sweeping hardened Crew Commanders. the sand off the tarmac. It, needless to say, At 10.47 the biggest disaster that can hit By the end of the night a few of the lads fought a losing battle. an airfield crash crew occurred. They ran were a little bit, (well OK, a big bit,) under out of tea. The Crew Commander tried to There were six new arrival firemen, the influence. Now firemen under the ring the domestic crew to try and solve including myself, though we knew nothing influence seem unable to return to their the problem, but Reg was polishing the about fire-fighting, having had no training Fire Section billet until they have proved routine phone, so there was no reply. whatsoever in the trade. We reported to something. Tonight’s proof was to pinch The Crew Commander, with the normal the Fire Section and met our boss-to-be, the old ‘World War 1’ cannon from the brilliance they are renowned for, picked a Sergeant with a fag in one hand and a front of the Station Headquarters building up the RED phone which set off the alarm bottle of Gin in the other. In the corner was and leave it as a present for the CO outside in the domestic section. Now the domestic a Corporal’s body. I refer to him as a body, the Officers’ Mess. Now the cannon, crew had never had a fire callout so Reg for, at first sight it was rather difficult to tell weighing in at about half a ton, took a bit panicked. He picked up his RED phone, if he was alive or not. A yell from Sarge of moving, but as soon as it started to roll, and as soon as he heard the words “Crash brought the body to life and the Air Traffic there was no problem. As they got close to Crew here” he said “We’re on our way” Control tower. Most days were spent either the Mess doors, someone shouted: “OK put and slammed the receiver down. polishing the fire engines or drinking tea. the brake on” followed by someone else Being a fireman did have advantages. In At 10.48 Reg is tearing up the main road shouting: “What bleeding brake?” those days Saturdays were working days gritting his teeth, as he was about to hit This, alas, was followed by a large crashing and once a month there was the obligatory the 20 speed barrier, (the teeth gritting was sound as the weapon entered the Officer’s CO’s parade. Firemen were excused, as due to his slight problem with piles), and mess at a speed it was never designed for. full fire crews, domestic and crash, had to when he hit the speed barrier, the bouncing be on duty at all times, parade or no parade. of the vehicle made his little problem into On Monday morning the Section was a big problem. As they approached the visited by the CO, OC Admin, Station At El Adem, which had no parade square, Astra, Reg was elated to see the cheering, Warrant Officer, Provo (ie police) Officer the parade was normally held on the main waving crowds, led by the Officer in etc - and it wasn’t a social call. The Motor road outside the Astra’ cinema. At 09.30 charge of the parade. Due to the noise Transport Officer had been asked to attend all airmen not on essential duty picked up from the engine he couldn’t hear what they but had to be excused on medical grounds. a .303 rifle at the station armoury; then were shouting and gleefully waved back. He suffered from a rather strange affliction. followed a rehearsal. At 10.45 they laid As his speed increased, the ride seemed to Every time he heard the words “Firemen their rifles down on the road and leant back get even rougher than normal. He surged Drivers“ he would lock himself in his in the shade of the ‘Astra’ for a fag break, on, oblivious to the cries of “Watch the office and refuse to come out until the ready to take up their positions on the word bleeding rifles!” Medical Officer had given him a sedative. that the CO was on his way. By now the parade Officer had burst into If the Fire Section was ever to get back At 10.46 Reg, the Corporal and driver of tears and a deathly silence fell; well at least in favour, something had to be done - and the domestic vehicle, was busy in the office from the men. There was still the noise of done soon. polishing the two telephones. The black Reg complaining about his piles, the roar phone was for routine calls and the red At this point fate decided to give us a sort of the vehicle engine - and the sound of phone for emergencies. The lads were out of welcome hand. Reg grabbed hold of the www.rafanddfsa.co.uk 11 Flashpoint Magazine - AUTUMN 2017 “Station Notices”. He shoved them under leading from the camp gate to this house. miss, so I accepted. He somehow managed Sarge’s nose and pointed to a paragraph, Finally I borrowed the three firemen and to have a load of posters printed stating which read:- ‘To boost the morale of the with a great heave - the piano refused to ‘Have a good night at Taff’s sing-along. troops, the CO has decided to put on a live budge. The blond made some camp remark NAAFI bar, Saturday night.’ The bar was variety show in the ‘Astra’. Volunteers, (camp, camp, not RAF camp,) about butch packed and soon I started playing some actors, singers, musicians, stage hands or firemen. This hurt the lads pride and drove of the many popular songs of the day. As any interested personnel are asked to meet them to put everything they had into the things picked up, Harry shut the lid of the in the ‘Astra’ cinema at 18.00 hrs Tuesday effort. Suddenly the piano gave a shudder, piano and grabbing me by the arm, headed night. YOUR help will be appreciated I the little wheels came unstuck, and the towards the exit. There was a great roar can assure you.’ piano shot across the stage at a similar rate from the crowd, to which Harry replied, to the SHQ cannon, heading towards the “You lot can’t expect a bloke to play the Signed, stage door. There was a slight problem. piano on a dry throat? “ The hint was taken Joe Bloggs, CO Between the piano’s present position and and a free beer appeared for me. Harry Sarge, who was proud of his rendering the door, were two obstacles… nudged me and I said, “What about one for my manager? “ Harry’s free beer appeared. of ‘Land of hope and glory’ in the mess 1) The blond, standing on his stool. He The night was a roaring success and it bar after a few pints of the local beer, somehow jumped up in the air and did a hadn’t cost us a penny. At the end of the would sing. He offered me the choice of landing astride the piano that would have evening Harry had a word with the NAAFI volunteering to play the piano, or extra put the average horse rider in Hollywood manager and pointed out to him the sudden night shifts. Reg, who was famous for his westerns to shame. wit, was ordered to volunteer as compare, upturn in his profits due to our efforts. We 2) A rather large sheet of canvas, called a and the three butch firemen who had would be available every Saturday if he screen. Thankfully, instead of demolishing pushed the cannon into the Officers mess, wished but? Harry came back to me and the whole thing, the piano, complete with were detailed as stagehands. At that time gave me a pound and pocketed one for rider, cut a perfect hole right in the centre. ‘The Chippendales’ had not been thought himself. One pound may not seem much Finally, with a scream that would have of, though coming to think of it, they have now but it was equivalent to a weeks done Shirley Bassey proud, the piano and big chests and small waists. Our lot had big wages for a National Serviceman. Life was blond disappeared through the stage door, chests and even bigger beer-bellies, so it getting better at last. completely ignoring the “FIRE DOOR – wouldn’t have worked. Here was a chance One day Harry noticed a stores wagon PUSH BAR TO OPEN” sign. for the Fire Section to become ‘Flavour of heading out into the desert with a load of the month’ again. Sarge could see his position in the CO’s old bedding on the back of it. A short time friend of the month book going even lower, Tuesday night we turned up on time. There later a small cloud of smoke could be seen which was a slight problem, due to the fact were a few others there, including a rather on the horizon, then the wagon returned that he was already at the bottom. Quick pretty signals lad with soft pale skin, blue empty. I could see Harry deep in thought action was needed. I was sent to buy some eyes, blond hair and a pink dress on, which (a rare event!) After making a few discreet needle and cotton from the NAAFI shop he had made out of some old curtains. He enquires he discovered that all old bedding and we set to work repairing the hole. convinced us that he did a fantastic Shirley was dumped in the desert miles from the Sadly, this little episode not only lost us Bassey act. I was about to point out to him camp and disposed of by burning. Harry the good-will of the higher-ups, but also that Miss Bassey wasn’t exactly a blond, arranged an interview with the safety the lads. Everyone went to the ‘Astra’ blue eyed, fair skinned lass, but by now he/ Officer and convinced him that, as fire was and there, displayed for all to see, was an she was surrounded by the three firemen, involved, surely fully trained firemen and example of fire-section sewing. Our repair sticking out their chests and trying (and not stores personnel should carry out this left a bit to be desired and all films from failing) to pull in their beer-bellies. Owing task. Volunteering for work was not a trait thrillers to ‘Tom and Gerry’ now had the to curry for tea, all this belly pulling in was Harry was noted for, so when he offered his outline of a man riding a piano etched a disaster, for one of them passed wind and and my services for the bedding disposal across the middle of the screen. This lasted rehearsals had to stop whilst the ‘Astra’ job, I knew something was up. for six weeks as one cannot pop down to manager switched on the ventilation fans. On our first run with the old bedding we town and buy a new cinema screen. While Sarge sang a bit, the blond climbed loaded the wagon up with mattresses, onto a stool and Reg practiced his jokes My ability to play the piano had been blankets, sheets, plus a can of petrol and etc., I tried to get the piano from the side noticed, unbeknown to me, by Harry. He an old tyre Harry had found. Once out of of the stage into the centre. Now the piano was a bit of a lad who, before joining the sight of the camp we poured the petrol had been there for years and the little RAF, ran a stall in one of the many markets over the tyre, set it alight and I was all set wheels under it had stuck solid. Dragging located around London. He was proud to start chucking the bedding on. the three firemen away from the blond was of his “Barrow Boy” upbringing and his “Hold your horses” said Harry as he leant harder than trying to push the piano. In all skills at making a few pounds out of any back lighting a fag. fairness to them, the nearest thing to the situation that came his way. After the fiasco fair sex out in El Adem were three old hags in the station cinema, Harry approached In no time at all a few Arabs on camelback who ran a house of dubious pleasure, just me and offered to do all my washing and appeared, then more. Harry’s skills as a outside the camp gates. Officially out of cleaning - if - he could be my manager. ‘Barrow Boy’ were realised, and the cries bounds, it baffled me at the well-worn path This seemed to be an offer too good to of “Mattresses twenty Ackers, blankets

Flashpoint Magazine - AUTUMN 2017 12 www.rafanddfsa.co.uk ten Ackers and sheets five ackers” rang came up with a solution. If we brought a the help, or should one say, the hindrance across the desert. In ten minutes we had fire engine round the back of the NAAFI, of the RAF police. got rid of the lot and left with our pockets plus of course the necessary pennies, he Finally my musical abilities really paid brimming with the local currency. Work? would supply our needs and we could carry off (bad news for Harry). The padre, on a Not Harry’s favourite pastime. Making on with the booze-up in the Fire Section visit to Malta HQ, had made the mistake of money? He was an expert. block. The Austin Domestic fire engine, telling the Chaplain in Chief at Malta about which we used for odd jobs, was ideal for Besides playing the piano, I also played this fantastic organist at El Adem. Now the this task. It was a box van, which carried the church organ every other Sunday at the Chaplain at Malta had a large church, a more water in its radiator than it’s water C of E church. This strange arrangement large congregation, a large pipe organ and tank. In fact, as a fire engine it was as much was due to the fact that there was only guess what? - No organist. As he was mates use as a bicycle. Perhaps the bicycle had a one little organ at El Adem. One Sunday with the Air Marshall in Chief, I received slight advantage - the bike was faster and we had it, the next Sunday the RCs had a signal asking if I would like to take up you didn’t have to take your hands off the it. Being carried back and forth across the the position of organist at RAF Luqa, in steering to ring the bell. Any way, booze desert between the two churches, the organ Malta. They realized that it would be hard back at the Fire Section, but without the covered more miles and saw more Arabs to leave my friends etc, but to make up for piano to sing to, it wasn’t the same. Bright than a Bradford bus. this I was to be promoted to SAC (Senior idea! Why not borrow the little church Aircraftsman) and given another pay rise. The organ was one of those little organ? The NAAFI piano was a bit on the At a speed equivalent to a fireman picking harmoniums which you pumped with your heavy side and the manager might have up a duster when he sees the boss coming, feet, though for some unknown reason, it wanted a few more pennies, so the organ I replied “Yes”. mattered not how hard you pumped, all was decided on. Out came the trusty Austin that came out was a faint wheeze. Once Domestic, and with strict instructions from As I went round saying my farewells, I again Harry had an idea. We took the me that the organ must be returned to the bumped into Harry fixing a small water organ back to the Fire Section workshop church later that night ready for the C of E tank onto the back of his blanket truck. and dismantled it. Surprise, surprise It was service on Sunday morning, the organ was He had convinced Sarge that, as he was full of sand. Cleaned out and reassembled I “borrowed”. Now we could now carry on burning stuff, it would be a good idea to tried it out. The sound was fantastic. Much with our sing song. The organ was placed have some water handy, just in case the to my amazement Harry stuffed an old sack at the bottom of my bed and my faithful fire spread. Thinking back to our burning inside it and returned it, now sounding mate Harry lay under the bed, pushing the site I wondered, how does fire spread in wheezy again, to the church. He told the pedals up and down to get air into the thing. the desert? I also thought, Harry sold the Padre that the oscillating valve leading to Soon the various verses of “There was a blankets, not burnt them. the air inductor was faulty but he knew a young lady from Ealing” echoed round There must be a catch. mate in London who might be able to get the still night air of the desert. Some of a replacement valve at cost price. A week the verses were rather rude, but the camels Two days later I boarded a DC3 (The later we returned to the church, took the couldn’t speak English, and if the Padre famous Dakota aircraft, with a cruising sack out of the organ, and it sounded great. heard them - well he knew more verses speed of 160 mph) As we climbed away Harry told the Padre that the spare part had than us with more songs and a plentiful I looked out of the window and watched only cost two pounds, including postage. supply of the amber nectar, the night El Adem, with its crash line stuck in the That night Harry slipped two pounds into slowly faded into oblivion. The next thing middle of the desert, slowly fade into the my hand. I said, “What about your share?” I remember was looking at my watch. It distant haze. Looking down at the slowly He replied, “Oh that’s OK I spun the same said one- o’clock and the sun was shining. disappearing desert I thought I saw a plume yarn to the RC Padre so I’ve got my two The next thing I noticed was that there was of smoke and a RAF truck in the distance. quid.” I pointed out that I did not agree an organ at the bottom of my bed. Making Alongside it were two men, one appeared with swindling the church, but he pointed a quick calculation (firemen are renowned to be selling blankets and the other one out that it was the RAF who paid the bills, for this if the sh-t is about to hit the fan) I looked as if he was selling water. so that was not a problem. worked out that at one o’clock on a Sunday Bye, bye El Adem. Malta, here I come! One Saturday night we were having a right there shouldn’t be an organ there, and ….. old knees-up at the now regular sing-song, Later that night we sneaked the organ back beer going down at a rare rate of knots and into the church and every loyal fireman Taff the Fire NAAFI. profits going up at a comparable was sworn to secrecy. Church organ? What rate. The singing would have made a Welsh church organ? Looking innocent, when male voice choir proud. All went well until you know you are not, is another quality the orderly Sergeant appeared on the scene fire men have to be admired for. and called “Time”. He was the NCO i/c the The following day I was walking down RAF police and pleading with him was the main camp road and passed the C of a complete waste of time. The NAAFI E padre mumbling to himself “Bloody manager, seeing his profit related bonus Catholics. They’ve kept the organ for two going down the drain, (which is where all weeks; I’m going to see the CO about this.” beer finally ends up when you think of it,) The mystery was never solved, even with www.rafanddfsa.co.uk 13 Flashpoint Magazine - AUTUMN 2017 Re Enlistment

urther to my story of my first spell in on a tooth and had to have it cauterized. the cab with me so there was nobody to the RAF Fire Service after demob in look after the extinguishers so the obvious F The Fire Section consisted of a Cpl and two Nov 1959 I went back to my old job in happened, they all fell over, when we got SACs. The Cpl I/c was Andy Robertson the market gardens at Leverton (this was back to the section and opened the curtains and the SAC Taff Rogers, the vehicle we the walled garden which later featured in there was foam and water everywhere, had was Bedford TK domestic. One of the TV programme “Victorian Kitchen Jock was not a happy Cpl. the tasks we had was to give lectures to Garden’’ I was only there for about a year the WRAF recruits once a week we took Our office was a seco hut and our vehicle then did a bit of lorry driving for a Corn it in turns it was very interesting but could was kept in an adjoining hangar. During Merchant collecting animal food from also be embarrassing at the same time, the severe snow in the winter of 63 the London and then delivering it to those girls might have been youngsters snow had piled up the doors to a depth of the local farms. I married my wife on June but they certainly knew a thing or two, one about fifteen feet so we had to dig a lane 18th 1960 and went to work at AWRE occasion when they embarrassed me was to get to the doors, took us all day until Aldermaston again driving a lorry for a when I was going to demonstrate how to we went home at 17:00. Next morning construction company as they were still remove someone from a building. I spread it had all filled in again. The snow was building Aldermaston at the time. a blanket on the floor and asked this very about three feet deep all over camp and In January 1961 the New Zealand Air Force young and pretty girl to lay down this she what did our genius of a Cpl do? Sent were advertising for ex RAF Firemen so did and lay on her back looking up at me Jack and myself out checking hydrants I applied for that, I went to New Zealand I then said roll over on to your stomach Honest. When asked what he was going House in London and passed medical and please, she looked straight in my eyes and to do he said he was going to stay in and interviews but unfortunately as my wife said “I’ve never had it that way before” check all the record cards. Jack didn’t say was pregnant they wouldn’t take me until all I could hear was the other girls saying a word, he just went into the hangar and after the birth. By the time they were born “Look he’s blushing” I was too. got a tin of CTC climbed on the roof and (twins) and I contacted them again I was poured the lot down the chimney, a few After I had been there about nine months informed that as it had been several months seconds later Jock comes tearing out of Taff got demobbed and a new SAC was they had filled all the available slots and the office followed by a cloud of greeny posted in, Jack Cooper an ex army lad we I could apply again in the future. Shortly yellow smoke. The Setion stunk of the stuff got on like a house on fire he was a real after this I had a letter from the RAF for quite a while. Our Fire Officer was the character. offering me the opportunity to rejoin the Ped O so we went outside his office RAF with no loss of seniority same rank Shortly after Jack arriving Andy decided window and started clearing the snow from and straight to a permanent unit. I know to remuster and joined the Regiment he the area, naturally he comes to the window several other firemen who were given the was the only fireman I knew that went and asks what we think we are doing, our same opportunity, I understood that the over to the Rock’s and never came back, answer is checking hydrants because we reason for this offer was because National he did very well for himself and ended have been told by the Cpl to do so. He Service had just ended and they realised up as a WO, I met him again many years sends us back to the section and phones the that there was a shortage of men joining later when I went to Cattererick for the Cpl to give us a job in the warm. up. I decided to take up their offer and re Mk6 deployment course. The new Cpl enlisted. I went to Reading recruiting office posted in was one Gideon “Jock” Webster One day the fire alarm sounds Jock on January 22nd 1962 and was sworn in according to him he had been on domestic answers the phone then tells us “Chimney then sent to RAF Bridgenorth for rekitting. units his whole career he came to us from fire 92 AMQ,” Pull the other one that’s I spent two weeks there along with about a Melksham which at the time was a training my quarter” I said we turned out and when dozen other reenlisted men being rekitted school. More of him later. Shortly after we got there my wife had carried out the but otherwise doing nothing constructive, Jock arrived I was sent to Catterick for instructions I gave her in case this should at the end of those two weeks I was told the Advance Fire Course which was where happen, carpet rolled back fire in grate my posting, it was to the WRAF Depot I came across the famous WO Danny extinguished. Took me quite a while to Spitalgate just outside Grantham. Gault. I passed the course and returned to live that one down. Spitalgate. On arrival I was informed that I could In February 1964 I was told I was posted either do fire piquet for a week at a time There follows a brief rundown of the to RAF North Front Gibraltar so it was which meant sleeping in the guardroom happenings working for Jock. He had a packing my wife and three children off which didn’t appeal to me or I could do nameplate on his desk with I/C section on to her mothers in Kent where they were duty driver for MT which meant I could it so I got hold of a Double Diamond beer going to stay until I could get quarter in sleep at home but be ready for call out so desk sign and put SAC Brown 2 i/c Fire Gib. I left Spitalgate in April 64 so ended I opted for that. One night about two in the Section on it. This upset Jock so I had to 2 years four months of laughs. I’ve no morning I was called out to take a WRAF remove the 2 I/c from it. About this time idea what happened to Jock but when I recruit to RAF Hall Hospital which they took our Bedford away from us and joined the Association back in 1997 I asked was up near Lincoln, next day she was gave us an Austin domestic in its place, one of our members Joe Shackleton if he back with her fellow recruits apparently older members will remember this vehicle could trace Jack for me as I knew Jack she was suffering PMT WRAF medic which was called the matchbox on account lived in Stockton on Tees, I then found out wasn’t taking any chances. I did several of it’s shape, a square box with canvas that Jack had sadly died in 1995 ol lung runs to Nocton Hall which was quite a curtains on the back instead of doors. One cancer which didn’t really surprise me as journey through to pick up I day Jack and I went round camp picking he smoked constantly and it was always believe the A19 to Lincoln. I did spend a up two gallon foam and Soda Acid fire Capstan full strength. RIP Jack old friend. few days in Nocton Hall as I had a abcess extinguishers, Jack insisted on riding in Ron Brown - Mem No 294

Flashpoint Magazine - AUTUMN 2017 14 www.rafanddfsa.co.uk Museum of RAF Firefighting

here has 2017 gone? I cannot Wbelieve how busy we have all been trying to keep the Museum of RAF Firefighting out in the public domain. Regular updates on the web site, twitter, facebook, radio and newspaper interviews together with several magazine articles have done so much to keep our story out there. The interest has been fantastic and has done much to keep our spirits high through a very difficult year. We have taken our vehicles to shows at RAF Digby, The Lincolnshire Show, Pistons in the Park (Lincolnshire Showground), The Lincolnshire Steam and Vintage Vehicle Rally, Cranwell Aviation Heritage Centre Open Day, RAF Elsham Wolds Annual Reunion, Aviation Heritage Festival at Two Storey External Office Block Hibaldstow Airfield, Scampton Airshow, not as easy as some of you might think, about our search for a new home, I was RAF Metheringham Wartime Weekend, but fortunately, the Museum had always contacted by a chap named Bob. He was a Baston in the Blitz Weekend and the been run along a set of fairly tight rules security guard who was guarding an empty Preston Hall Fire Engine Rally. The WOT1 and regulations. We had a management factory complex that had been mothballed also had a part in a new film about the committee, an AGM, a constitution, a for four years. Perhaps if we spoke to the . I’m afraid I can’t give bank account. Surely, that’s it, isn’t it? directors, a deal could be done? A meeting you any more details at the moment as it’s Well no! Luckily a local solicitors heard was arranged soon after and yes, they a bit hush hush! about our plight on the local radio station were very interested in providing a new and had offered us help with any legal home for the Museum! At this stage we Not bad for a Museum that’s closed! work required free of charge! It actually felt it prudent to contact the local council Obviously work has continued throughout took 5 months to get the application form to see if they would support us in our the year, predominately on the fleet of filled out with their help! When it was quest to find a new home. vehicles, where we concentrated on completed, our solicitor told us it would District Council have given us 100% making sure that they were mechanically be at least 40 days before we’d get an backing to establish the Museum of RAF sound and in fine fettle ready for their answer. Two days later, I got an e-mail Firefighting in the town of Gainsborough. adoring public. More artefacts have also from the Charities Commission. Thinking Numerous meetings have followed and been collected over the past few months I’d missed something off the application I we are nearly at the stage when we can so there will be even more to see when opened the e-mail with a sinking feeling in formally sign a lease. Unfortunately, we re-open! my heart. Imagine my surprise when I read there was a small delay as our project was that we’d been grated our charity status! considered so big that we had to apply to Now then, what’s been going on behind Our solicitor couldn’t believe it, this was the planning department to change the use the scenes? unprecedented! All that effort getting the of the building from an industrial unit to a In order to move the Museum forward we paperwork right had paid off. Museum even though we were not actually had to take a good look at ourselves to doing any building work to the building Our official title is now Museum of RAF see what we could do to survive outside itself! This took an extra 8 weeks and has Firefighting and our registered charity the wire as this was considered our best put us a little bit behind. number is 1172939. chance of re-establishing the Museum in We have a 5 year business plan in place a secure environment. The first task was Now the best bit! Having given an and that calls for the Museum to be self- to set up a registered charity. Now that’s interview on BBC Radio Lincolnshire

Three Bay Workshop (Crash Bays?) View of the complex from the carpark www.rafanddfsa.co.uk 15 Flashpoint Magazine - AUTUMN 2017 Lincolnshire County Show supporting by then. Although this is a I cannot thank you enough! This is a site, we cannot wait to get moved in. big leap into the unknown, on paper at fantastic gesture and one which should Thank You All for your continued support, least, we are very optimistic that we can see us achieve our aim of re-opening in please stay updated via our website and do it. The problem comes with our first Gainsborough, in a new building, early stand-by for the next exciting chapter in year of operation. How can we sustain in the New Year just in time to support the history of the Museum. ourselves whilst we open up and start to the RAF 100 celebrations and the 75th attract visitors? We’ll still have quite large Anniversary of the RAF Fire & Rescue WO Steve Shirley MBE, GIFireE overheads to cover. At this point, both Service. The building itself will enable us Chairman Steve Harrison and I decided to approach to house everything under one roof for the Museum of RAF Firefighting. the Association for help. A meeting was first time ever. There is enough under cover held at RAF Waddington between our parking space for 100 vehicles. It has a Chairman Neil, the treasurer Trevor, Steve separate three bay area which would make and myself where we outlined our plans, an ideal vehicle aspirations and worries. We then asked if workshop. There K A I T A K C H A N G I the Association could assist financially. is a two storey The initial plan was to give us a rolling internal office M O U O W N loan that would tide us over. This was block, an external fantastic. Obviously, this was only the four two storey office C O M A D U R I F C of us coming up with a plan. It would have block. Both have N S O S U T A H to be discussed at the AGM. plenty of display rooms, offices C O L T I S H A L L C Sadly, I couldn’t make the meeting as I was and classrooms to on holiday so Steve Harrison attended on display the 20,000 L E I C behalf of the Museum. exhibits. There T O B R U K R A F T E R Well, I’m still not sure what happened are toilets, and next, but I was completely amazed when a canteen area. G I I L Steve text me in Malta to tell me that a Outside parking U F I N N I N G L E Y unanimous decision had been reached to for 100 vehicles, give the Museum of RAF Firefighting a a picnic area and K E P I G N H R donation of £5000 in order to get it up and local amenities running in its new home. close at hand in a I E N D E D T R A P thriving town. As if that wasn’t generous enough, we also T L O I E N received another sum from the evening’s The potential is raffle! enormous as is the E L A D E M A E R A T E

Flashpoint Magazine - AUTUMN 2017 16 www.rafanddfsa.co.uk The RAF Fire Service Museum at RAF the Association as Scampton became a Charity earlier this the end of year year and is now called “The Museum accounts at 31st of RAF Fire Fighting”. This charity is August 2017 would organised and run by five Trustees. show cash assets exceeding £26,000. WO Steve Shirley’s vehicles and his other RAF fire fighting equipment and Our chairman, memorabilia is on permanent loan to the Neil Slade, and charity. myself had a meeting on 17th Due to the RAF’s demand for their hanger August with two to be returned, The Museum of RAF of the Museum’s Fighting’s estimated 20,000 items had Trustees, Steve to be moved and are currently in secure Harrison and Steve storage. The trustees hope to move to a Shirley, at RAF permanent building in Gainsborough, 15 Steve Harrison receiving the Cheque for £5000 off our Waddington. miles north, in the near future. Association Patron, Air Marshal Sir Roger Austin At that meeting, a Two months prior to our AGM in Bristol capability and financial support for the copy of the accounts were provided and all in October, a request was made from the Museum’s purpose was written into our questions answered adequately in writing. museum to the committee for funds to constitution. The accounts clearly showed that the assist the transportation of the Museum It was then suggested from some museum would be unable to cover the cost of RAF Fire Fighting’s equipment and Association members that what seemed to of this forced move from RAF Scampton, memorabilia to its new home. The request be a continuous loan should be changed to a and their funds were reducing by £96 per was for a gift of £5,000. A meeting with the donation without ties from the Association month, which was the cost of storage . trustees was requested by the committee. to the Museum. This idea was seconded At our committee meeting on 5th Prior to that meeting I forwarded a list and the vote passed unanimously. September, it was agreed to put the of thirteen searching questions and a Please see the photograph of a cheque for suggestion of the 5 year loan before the request for a copy of the museum’s last the £5,000 being presented by our Patron, members of the Association at the AGM. annual accounts to establish the charity’s Air Marshal Sir Roger Austin, to Steve financial situation. I also suggested to During the meeting at the AGM, Steve Harrison. other members of our committee that Harrision comprehensively explained the Trevor Hayes an interest-free loan for £5,000 over 5 changes and challenges to the Museum Treasurer years and reviewed in 5 years could be and its charity status. I explained that a offered. This was financially viable from loan was well within the Association’s

Michael Moncrieff: ex Warrant Officer RAF Fire Service. It is with great pain and sadness that I to reside in Holland where he had a experience of knowing him. write to inform you that my dear friend property. After a period of time he moved Mick you were a wonderful lifelong and colleague Mike Moncrieff was back to Narberth in Wales to the house friend: our paths have crossed many, called to the Lord on Sunday 30th July he had purchased while based at RAF many times during our careers and after 2017 after a determined battle against Brawdy. During his career Mick always our retirement. I will always have fond a terminal illness. He will be greatly found an opportunity to find employment memories of you- RIP my friend until missed by all his family especially his to supplement his RAF income. He had we meet again. wife Mary and his 3 children: Heather, numerous jobs including lorry driving Paul and Jenny and his grandchildren. in London window cleaning, buying and Mike Traynor Mike was a loving, caring and devoted selling everything from cars, caravans, 5th August 2017 husband to Mary and their 3 children. furniture, toys, balloons, he also did taxi Everyone who met Mick would be aware driving; you name it and Mick would “Sadly since writing this tribute Michael’s wife Mary died 10th September 2017: of his boundless energy, sense of humour, have done it! thoughtfulness and professionalism. 6weeks to the day after Michael. Mary While serving at RAF Catterick Fire had suffered from terminal cancer for I first met Mike at RAF Sutton on Hull School as an Instructor he instructed on many years and was an inspiration to in 1959 when we attended the basic all courses- he particularly enjoyed the all who knew her- now she is at peace Fire Course-that was the beginning of further training courses on Fire Fighting with Michael. Our thoughts go out to a lifetimes friendship. Mick served in where he was known to be a very hard their family. “ numerous locations abroad and in the taskmaster and mentor but very fair. He Dennis McCann UK. He completed 34 years service will be remembered by many students President and retired from RAF Brugen deciding who were fortunate to have had the www.rafanddfsa.co.uk 17 Flashpoint Magazine - AUTUMN 2017 WARRANT OFFICER R.J. (Smokey) FAIRHURST

Service Details in a pub yard. We arrived to find the pilot hanging upside down in and History his harness, complaining bitterly I enlisted at the Bolton recruiting that he was soaked in high octane. office early in 1940 I was called up However we cut him free and to R.A.F Padgate, to be ‘sworn in.’ after he had been carted away, the I was called up to 10 R.T.C (recruit landlord of the pub invited us in training centre) at Blackpool for for a drink. basic training on the Wireless Another one with a much more Operators/ Air gunner’s course. entertaining note, was when we After 6 weeks training several of were called out to the WAAF us on the flight were involved in a Quarters at 04.00hrs one lovely training accident, this unfortunately summer morning to remove a very affected my eyesight, bringing large sow from a Static Water Tank. it below aircrew standard. I was With an audience of lots of lovely posted, to R.A.F Pershore in deepest scantily clad young ladies cheering Worcestershire. us on. This had a lovely sequence, Pershore was still in the process of sometime after the ‘Wingco’ called being built, it was a sea of mud filled me in, and on behalf of the farmer with large hunks of construction who owned the sow, gave me a large machinery and hundreds of ‘wimpy’ £5 note, as it had farrowed nicely workmen. However, after a period and produced lots of little piggy’s, of walking and, sleeping in and this was shared among the section damn near eating mud the airfield and we had a bit of a “do”, beer was only about sixpence a pint in those was completed. The billets became all we had a Sergeant, two Corporals and days so it went a long way!! habitable, the hangers built, the runways a full section of twenty men. laid, and all the other thousand and Early one morning I was sat in the office RAF Pershore became fully operational. one things needed to open an airfield wondering when the tea bucket would be 90% of the aircrews were Australians, completed. around, when the phone rang “Command Canadians, New Zealanders, South Fire Officer” here. “There is a Corporal We became operational and the aircraft Africans etc, etc, so we had a very mixed required at RAF Valley, would any of flew in. These were Wellingtons (known to bag of personnel. We had many incidents, your Corporals be interested in the posting us as ‘Wimpies’) and were to form 23OTU some very serious, some very hilarious, as there? With the possibility of promotion (operational training unit) they were large can only be expected with so many young after a probationary period, ring me back twin engine bombers with crews of 5 or 6 chaps who were mostly in their late teens ASAP”. I went to the door and shouted as on each aircraft... and early twenties, each full of their own loud as I could, but there was no answer, invincibility, hurling huge lumps of metal In those days there was no formal ‘Fire the fact that the Crash Tender bay was a around the skies. We learned rather rapidly Section’ fire cover was provided by a 6 few hundred yards from the living quarters and coped reasonably well and at least man ‘Fire Piquet’, this was formed by was unfortunate! It was not my fault that none of us were shot at dawn! We learned airmen being detailed from the various no one heard me, I rang the CFO back and our trade through trial and error, and I think sections on the station. They received told him I would have to take this task on we became quite efficient. about 4 hours training from a SNCO who my own! had been on a short fire course which I spent 3½ happy years at Pershore, during I arrived at RAF Valley, to be really I believe was at R.A.F Cranwell. They which time I attended a formal fire course thrown in at the deep end. I was suddenly manned the Crossley FWD crash truck at RAF Weeton. which held 300 gallons of water and i/c of a full Fire Section, with all the 25 gallons of a foam compound called In September 1942, 1 was involved in a administration jobs, duty rosters, leave ‘Saponine’ which was pure liquid soap; rather bad incident and finished up in the roster and crash details etc which I had this was lovely for washing shirts and Queen Victoria Hospital at East Grinstead never had been involved in before. I must sheets etc. for nearly six months amongst the legendry have got something right along the way. Mc Indoes ‘guinea pigs!!’ This was quite For after three months I was wheeled into The fire piquet was changed weekly, so it an experience for a fireman. the Group Captains office and marched out was quite a haphazard affair (although it proudly with a third tape! ensured everyone on the Unit knew how to On return to Pershore I was promoted set up a hydrant and run out a line of hose) to Corporal and became i/c B crew. This The SWO (of whose kind I had spent most in the end the “powers that be” recognised was quite an elevation in status and the of my time at Pershore avoiding like the in their wisdom that a permanent full time increase in pay did not go amiss either. plague) escorted me into the Sergeant’s fire section was required to meet the flying Many incidents happened in the following Mess, explained the mess rules, and bought commitment, as I had been in the Auxiliary months, to mention just a couple of the me a drink at the bar. A new life had begun, Fire Service before joining the Royal Air less serious ones. We were called out to I sat down to my first meal with a knife and Force, I quickly became a member of our a village outside the unit; a ‘Tiger Moth’ fork laid out on a pristine white clothed newly formed Fire Section, in no time at had crash landed, finishing upside down table and a very pretty young lady asking

Flashpoint Magazine - AUTUMN 2017 18 www.rafanddfsa.co.uk me “Would I like soup to begin with?” stretching all down the west coast of Africa this back and that back and we did our best What a lovely world I had entered. and up through the centre of Africa to to get the desired items. In fact, sometimes Khartoum and on to Egypt. the aircraft was so full of goodies there was The war had progressed and the “D-day” hardly room for the pilot to squeeze in. invasion of the ‘Fortress Europe’ had Then to the North African front of Tubruk, begun. We were one of the Atlantic Ferry Ben Gazi and El Alamein. Spitfires, The last scheduled trip in Nigeria was to Terminals for the U.S.A.A.F. B17’s, B24’s, Hurricanes and other fighter aircraft were Fort Lamy, this actually was a real French (Fortresses and Liberators) also Marauders, shipped out to West Africa, built up and Foreign Legion fort, and the airstrip was Mitchels, Lockheed Lightning’s and A26 then flown, In short stages for refuelling situated on the only dry bit of the land Invader’s. You name them we got them; up to the war front. in the middle of many square miles of they were serviced, refuelled and then marshland called Lake Chad. We were The fighting was over in North Africa, passed on to the operational stations trying to sort all this out when the real these stations had to be inspected. Some around the UK. There were some hairy mother and father of all sandstorms blew of these units were very small by this time moments and some strange, like the up (yes I know, I know, a sand storm in (in fact I was told that one unit was so time when an engine fell off a Liberator the middle of miles of swamp, I couldn›t small the Station Commander was only and landed on the railway line that ran believe it either) However it was still an L.A.C!). So the inspections did not through the middle of the camp. This held blowing when we were due to leave and take too long, we usually had to wait a up the London to Holyhead boat train, the aircraft was grounded, and we were few days before the next available transit this pleased a lot of the Yanks. Instead of stranded. aircraft. Some of the places we explored travelling on to Holyhead and having to are perhaps not for your delicate ears, Eventually it was decided that we could walk a long way back to camp, they just some were quite exciting and some very join a convoy of French Legionnaires got off the train and walked across the illuminating (very!) travelling overland to a place called fields to their billets. Dikwa, and then on to Maidugerie to catch At Maiduguri on the southern border of the It was while at Valley I was first given the the next transit out. That journey is a tale Sahara desert we really lived it up. Johnie name of “Smokey” this was by the Yanks, in itself. And then finally back to Freetown had managed an invitation to a luncheon after a cartoon in one of the American and the promise that we would be static party at the District Commissioner›s comic strips at the time, ‘Smokey Stover’ for a while. residence. It was all very ‘plus fours and the Fire Chief. And it appears to have stuck bay window’ white shirts. A temperature Three days later we were informed «go to me ever since. I was really settling in of about 90° a really substantial lunch, north young men» first to Takoradi, then and getting things organised, then the and several large G&T’s later, all helped on to Bathurst, in the Gambia, then onto phone rang again. Command Fire Officer to create an overall sense of well being! further points up the chain. ‘Tak’ was no again, but this time a different one. A Mr. problem. We gave ourselves a day off at Johnson, he asked me If I would join an The boss insisted that we took a walk Bathurst. We lunched on the veranda of the ‘inspection team’ I knew that “inspection around town! This was the walled town central hotel as we watched a cricket match teams” did not do any work they just went of Maiduguri all built of dried red mud. on the grassy town square. Later on in the round finding things wrong and telling The sun reflected off these buildings and week we had to inspect the installation of other people to put it right! the heat was unbelievable. So with great the «Base line Foam Induction system» reluctance and much complaint I staggered A winter cruise (at high speeds to avoid in the bulk fuel storage tanks at the along to be met with a sight that was ‘u-boats’) across the Atlantic on the Sunderland flying boat station at ‘Half Die’ certainly a life-time experience. “ANDES”, till we almost touched New way up the river Gambia. York. A smart 180° and back across again, As I found out later, the Hausa and This had to be finished that day as we had and we eventually arrived at the dead Fulani tribesmen, who roam the southern an air passage booked for the following of night to the safe haven of Freetown Sahara desert, bring their camels, goats, morning, perhaps what I should have harbour in sunny Sierra Leone. Except donkeys, sheep, wives and children, in mentioned before, was the small matter of that it was throwing it down and did so for fact everything, about twice a year to a the end of the «War in Europe» had been the next three weeks, so I did what every huge market and general ‘Ram Sam’. It officially announced earlier that day!. Yes good «Coasty» did I bought an umbrella! was fantastic sight literally thousands of it was «VE» day so we thought we should animals and people dressed in their tribal I was posted to A.H.Q, Freetown, as a finish the job early and get back to Bathurst costumes, swirling around in a cloud member of the Command Fire Staff. smartly. We arrived back at the Mess to of dust and noise that is really beyond The full team consisted of Mr Johnie find everyone in, shall we say an emotional description. Johnson who held the honorary rank of state!! They just had to be, all the beer had Flt Lieutenant and yours truly! We dived into this merry throng and been disposed of.’ began to carry out our ‘secondary duties’ We were to visit Maiduguri and Fort Then we off was to Dakar, in French we began ‘shopping’! One of the perks Lamy, (where?) we found them (right at Senegal, it was only a short flight and we of these inter unit/inter country flights the top of Nigeria, turn slight left at Kano arrived to find Dakar in a complete state was that various goods and items were and you can’t miss them!) we would be of madness! They were dancing in the available in some places and not in others. calling at Accra, on the Gold Coast now haystacks they were dancing in the ricks. This covered lots of ‘goodies’ highly Ghana, Abidjan on the French Ivory coast, Joy was unconfined (and her sister wasn›t coveted by the lads who never got more Lagos, Ekegja, Appapa, Port Harcourt, Jos doing too badly either), and we were out than a few miles from their bases. On each and Kano all in Nigeria. These «exotic» on the town, to join in the celebrations. The trip we were deluged with requests to bring sounding places were small staging posts local French people took us to their hearts www.rafanddfsa.co.uk 19 Flashpoint Magazine - AUTUMN 2017 and feted us well. The liberated free French The intricacies of the Yankee trucks were on a very dark and foggy night. We lit were certainly free and very liberal! finally mastered, Dodges, Chevvies and the FIDO, the whole system worked like rather a large beast called a ‘Mac’ A lot clockwork and they landed safely. Have you ever flown in a Dakota the of training had to be done, perhaps one morning after a gigantic three day thrash? It was during this time a lot of Jamaicans of the hardest was to convince the West When we landed we saw the foreign had been enlisted into the air force and we African Air Corps lads that the shiny new legion fort. This was at Port Etienne, on had several at Woodbridge at the time. A boots they had been issued with were for the border between Mauritainia and the couple of them had been very naughty and protection when fire fighting, and not Western Sahara. The Legion was there to where under close arrest, and somehow solely for wearing back in their villages stop cross border traffic, why? they had escaped. Bob Man and I were to impress the local beauties!. detailed to go down to docks to see The Fort was there and it added much to Eventually we became operational on a not if they had attempted to board ships there. the Mess facilities. The Flt Sergeant caterer too busy airfield. Two Dakota transit, one We were both armed with revolvers going evidently went up to the fort now and again north one south, each day. A twice weekly on various boats asking if they had been with crate of corned beef, and came back ‘Sabena’ transport to the Belgian Congo, seen any rather dark looking gentleman with a large carboy sized bottle of rough and the odd VIP aircraft. This routine hanging around, on one boat we went to the red wine that was the legionnaires daily carried on till at last ‘VJ Day’ arrived and crew room, asking if they had seen anyone. ration. We returned to Freetown. our thoughts turned to the ‘BOAT’. Some Bob tried to explain who we were and I unpacked my bag and prepared to rest on more than others, who let it be known. pulled out his revolver to emphasise his my laurels for a while. Orders came from Eventually I was on the 24hour train trip point, and suddenly there was a mass high above; I had to settle for the SASO, to Kumasi and Takoradi and then the exodus the crew disappeared out through (Senior Air Staff Officer) which I suppose ‘Boat’ home to England. I was posted to portholes and doors. The Captain called the is fairly high. “Pack your bag again and get Woodbridge in Suffolk to be presented on local police and asked for their assistance the next transport to RAF Jui.” This was my arrival with my ‹Crown›. in getting rid of the two lunatics who were the Sunderland flying boat base right at the attempting to shoot his crew. top of Freetown creek. During the war RAF Woodbridge had been a ‘crash landing airfield’ for damaged After a rather interesting 9 months at The MU hangar was laid out with rack aircraft returning from raids over Germany, Woodbridge the very bad winter of early after rack of hoses, couplings, breechings, France etc. It had 3 parallel runways a mile 1947 hit us and the runways began to extinguishers, thousands of refills, and ten long and judging by the number of wrecks break up, and the whole unit moved across trailer pumps. in the scrap dump it had been very well Suffolk and we opened RAF I had two qualified store men and about used. We carried on using it for emergency which had been on a care and maintenance six African labourers to do the donkey landings, hydraulic failures, no brakes; basis since the war had ended, and we work. Testing all the hoses and checking also under carriage problems etc. became officially a Master Diversion that all the couplings screwed together. I Airfield. We remained an MDA until Whist I was there the airfield was used finally returned to Freetown with reams 1948 when the ‘’ heated up and 3 for lots of experimental flying and testing and reams of paperwork. Where, after it squadrons of B29’s of the USAF arrived newly designed aircraft, The first delta had been checked by AHQ staff, I was told and I was back with American Air Force winged ‘Swallow’ (a fore runner to to return to Jui to supervise the disposal again, this time as I/C of a combined RAF the Vulcan), was flown by Geoffrey de of the equipment. So off I went, to be and USAF fire section. Havilland. Also the new Bristol passenger met by the O.C of the M.U who told me planes Hermes and Hastings. We were This was the start of a very busy three a ‘Bomb Scow’ would be at the dock the actively involved in filling large tanks in years, but thankfully no major incidents next morning and a truck would be at the the fuselage with water for weight ballast took place, although at one period it got hangar to take the equipment to it. Once this was dumped after takeoff, and they a little tense. A Daily Express reporter, we got it all on board and into a deep part would land and the whole procedure would wandered across the Airfield from the of the river it was ditched over the side! be repeated day after day. Brandon road and placed stickers, printed Things had been happening at very high “Blown up”, on about 10 of the B29 We also manned the “F.I.D.O” installation, levels. AHQ was to move to Accra on Super Fortresses and all hell broke loose. I love that title (‘Fog, Intense, Dispersal, the Gold Coast, and to be re-sited on the Within two days, two squadrons of the Of’) a hangar at the end of the runway USAAF base there. Mr Johnson was due to RAF Regiment, a company of the Green which housed 10 Coventry Climax fire return to the UK, and I was to fly to Accra Howards, a company of the Sherwood pumps, these pumped hundreds of gallons immediately to take over the USAAF fire Foresters, a company of the Parachute of 100 octane through pipes that ran either trucks and form a RAF Fire Section. Regiment arrived on the unit and erected side and the length of the runway. This a tented camp in any available space that I lived on the Yankee base and tasted ‘food’ sprayed out of thousands of small holes could be found for them. again, instead of ‘rations’. I had steak, and when ignited created two lines of flame instead of corned beef, potatoes instead the length of the runway, the heat created Every aircraft was guarded by 3 Americans, of yams, ice cream instead of bananas lifted the fog and left that runway clear for each with a rather large nasty looking and real coffee. I actually began to take an a safe landing. gun, which they did not hesitate to point interest in life again. After a slow start a at you if you got within a 100 yards of We only used the FIDO once in ‘anger’ few more ‘bods’ were posted in and with their planes, so you we kept as far away while I was there, a Dakota filled with about 20 members of the West African from them as we could. The bods was returning from Germany, Air Corps (all from the local population). troops guarded the airfield perimeter until

Flashpoint Magazine - AUTUMN 2017 20 www.rafanddfsa.co.uk hundreds of workmen arrived and built a Establishment)at RAF . I was lines while I was there. There were lots of barbwire fence around the entire airfield, to take charge of the ‘working up’ trails bush fires which at time were very, very so we carried on under very strict security, of a new type of fire boat, designated interesting!( a quarter of a mile of fire front and managed to get used to showing our ‘P81’ this was being designed to cover can be a little intimidating) however with I.D card every three or four feet, at least the new ‘Princess Flying Boat’, a large the help of the Royal Engineers with their that is what it seemed like. passenger carrying flying boat able to bulldozers, and the chaps we fly worldwide. The fire boat was double coped and the only things damaged were In 1951 the USAF took over the Airfield hulled (the space between the two hulls the local flora and fauna! completely and I was posted to RAF were used as foam compound tanks) a Hemswell in Lincolnshire and to RAF Our main task was covering the trigger large 1000 g.p.m. marine pump supplied 4 flying again, we had three Squadrons mechanisms, this consisting of standing by monitors (2 forward 2aft). The propulsion of ‘Lincolns’ 83, 97 and 199 ECM, and the ‘explosive firing area,’ dressed in full gear was completely strange to us, it had 2 two squadrons of Mosquito’s 109 and noddy gear and masks, as the scientist’s discs that revolved under the hull and each 39. Hemswell was a very busy airfield let off rather loud bangs, then we would disc had featherable blades that pointed and many incidents took place while I rush in and put out the bush fire they had downwards, so that as the discs revolved was there. 6 Mosquito’s returning from started, before Australia went up in flames. and the blades feathered we could steer a training flight, and unbelievably all the boat forwards, backwards, diagonally, After 12 months in the Aussie bush/desert suffered a fuel problem and all tried to sideways, in fact every which way up, and (except for a 4 days jolly in Adelaide) I land at the same time! They landed all hopefully not down. We spent many happy returned to the UK and England. Posted to over the airfield, on the perimeter track, hours in Felixstowe harbour and at times the School of Fire Fighting at RAF Sutton on the runway; on the grass luckily they creeping up on the to the Hook on Hull as a Supervisor Instructor. While all managed to get down in more or less ferry and probably scaring the lives out of at Sutton I attended an instructor’s course one piece. the passengers when jets of foam shot up receiving an A1 Merit. After 7 months at Another unusual incident was when a alongside them. Sutton the whole unit closed down and we Lincoln tipped its wing against a concrete moved to RAF Catterick. There was another reason why Felixstowe block house and ended up lying across the was a very happy posting for me, I There we had a whole airfield to ourselves, main Lincoln, road. When we married my wife Glad, who I had met at with lots of room to hurl our trucks around arrived, we were met by what seemed like Hemswell, and became a ‘liver out’ and and to set fire to lots of different aircraft hundreds of airmen bailing out of every lived in a ‘house’ instead of a ‘bunk’ in fuselages (ferried in specially for us to set orifice of the aircraft, it eventually turned the mess. However all these good postings ablaze and put out in our many different out that the aircraft was going to an air come to an end too quickly, the Princess ways), hundreds and hundreds of gallons display at RAF Leuchars and as it was a Flying boat was cancelled and my lovely of contaminated octane were always to ‘Grant’ weekend and lots of clever ‘Jocks’ boat with it, and I was posted to RAF hand to give us lots of practice. So we had scrounged lifts to Scotland. Oakington, in Cambridgeshire. “poured” and “lit” to our hearts content, The Lincoln had completely blocked the until one day someone surprised us. I arrived there to find lots of Vampires road, so the C.O ordered it to be removed flying round in circles, after being away We had a Javelin fighter on the pan immediately no matter how it was done from an active airfield for 18 months. prepared for a Crash Fire Exercise; we and told us to cut it in two pieces and drag poured 4x45 gallon drums of fuel around them to either side of the road. Another We covered 2 airfields, RAF Oakington and under the aircraft. incident that was rather a personal one, and RAF Gravely, training Vampire Pilots, which stands out in my memory is that in a very busy period but happily incident As it turned out luckily for us the Fire was 1952 King George VI died at Sandringham free. After 18 months I was given my going to be lit using a Very pistol. We stood and many worldwide members of Royalty marching orders again. This time to the back and the Very was fired, there was a and High Dignitaries were due to fly into “Antipode’s”, To the Atomic Test Range massive explosion the, Javelin leapt about RAF Marham. I was detailed to go there at Maralinga in South Australia, north of 10 feet in the air and we were thrown about immediately and take over the crash line. the Nullarbor Plain. It was 750 miles from 20 feet from the Pan. The C.O told me at 11.00 hrs, and by 11.30 the nearest town, and was manned by After the exercise was over, on investigation I was airborne in a Mosquito, and almost the three British and the three Australian we found out that some ‘Bright Spark’ at before I had time to adjust my oxygen Services (army, navy and air force), and the Fuel Depot had shipped in ten drums mask I was landing at RAF Marham!, civilians from Health Physics the atomic of ‘Avpin’ (a Highly Explosive Engine being briefed by the Station Commander test community it was a fantastic mix of Starter Fuel). We never heard quite what as to what my duties would entail. After 5 trades and skills to cover all the specialised happened at the Fuel Depot, but I did hear days I returned to Hemswell this time on tasks that we were called on to perform. that someone had got his wrist slapped a very slow train! Shortly after my return And under the official secrets act details rather seriously! I received a letter from H.Q. Bomber of some of them cannot be spoken about Command thanking me for my part in the During this period I had attended even now, sounds awfully dramatic, but arrangements in accepting royal visitors an Instructors Course and Instructor that the way it goes. In fact some of the at RAF Marham. Supervisors course at RAF . buildings were so out of bounds that if Back at RAF Catterick I instructed on the In October 1955, after 9 years on the they had caught fire we were not allowed Regiment Officers Fire Courses, SNCO Bomber Command Stations I was posted to enter them and had to be left to burn! Courses and developed the Cross Country to M.A.E.E (Marine Aircraft Experimental Fortunately nothing happened along those Driving Course, with Aircraft Fuselages www.rafanddfsa.co.uk 21 Flashpoint Magazine - AUTUMN 2017 hidden in the Woods and on the opposite the ‘ missile’ and we always place during the Malta tour; one when an side of the River Swale to add to the had 4 fully armed Vulcan’s on permanent Italian Air Force Fighter crashed on takeoff confusion! Q.R.A. the Blue Steel missile was fuelled and smashed into the airfield boundary by H.T.P (High Test Peroxide) it was fence and a solid Maltese stone wall this Altogether I had a very happy time at the rather dangerous stuff, if you looked at it jammed the cockpit canopies and trapped School at RAF Catterick, along with Tom sideways it burst into flames if any form of two crew pilot and navigator inside. Woodburn, Ron Shearn, Bob Brean, Bill contamination got in the equipment used Sgt George Masterson and 2 Corporals Ross, Jock McCaffery and lots of other to handle it, it ignited spontaneously, it broke into the cockpits and rescued the stalwarts of the RAF Fire Service. was stored in stainless steel tanks and the two air crew, for which George received After 5 years at the School I was posted buildings and areas where the work was a Queens Commendation for Bravery to RAF Laarbruch in Germany, back carried out were constantly flooded with and the two Corporals receive a C in C’s once again to an Active Airfield, with running water and around the dispersal Commendations. two Canberra Squadrons. As this was in areas there were large tanks of water, Another potentially bad accident was when the “Cold War’ period Laarbruch had a where if anyone was splashed by the HTP a fully loaded Air Malta airliner with 80 Q.R.A. commitment so this involved lots immediately plunged in. passengers and crew arrived at 04.30hrs of ‘Tacivals, with the, Hooter, sounding off Once one of the ground crew chaps was showing only 2 greens and after flying in the small hours of the morning. splashed with the stuff but as it was raining around to use up fuel it finally landed and This meant fully manned crash crews at all at the time his uniform was rather wet, it deployed the escape chute. Luckily only times until the Exercise was over, with all was not noticed. However, a while later a very few passengers received minor sorts of problems thrown at you that had when he was in the dining hall his battle injuries and although the undercarriage to be sorted out in Double quick time and dress jacket dried out somewhat and burst caught fire it was soon put out and the the results, and actions being assessed by into flames, they told me later. passengers (through the Air Malta airline) officers of the many Air Forces involved, sent a letter to the station Commander There were lots of incidents at Scampton, RAF, Dutch, Belgian. French etc etc. thanking the Royal Air Force Fire Service some minor, some rather hairy, one when a some of these problems could be a little for the most excellent handling of a Vulcan landing in a very strong crosswind complicated some positively hilarious. possible tricky situation. shed one of it “bogies”, this shot across the One incident which was a bit dodgy at the airfield hit the corner of the control tower In 1971, on a quiet Sunday afternoon I time but amusing was about a Canberra on and finished about 20 feet in front of the looked through the window of my married QRA () which had crash bays. In those days as I have said the quarter and saw the sky turning black developed a leak in the fuel tank above the unit was on constant readiness alert, and with lots of queer stuff blowing about. It bomb bay. And AVTUR was pouring over from time to time we were involved in turned out to be a tornado sweeping across the weapons in the bomb bay. what we call a ‘Generation’ this consisted the airfield; it had lifted a Shackleton of the QRA aircraft dispersing to different Bomber in the air and smashed into 2 naval The aircraft was parked of course, beyond airfields’ around the country, this meant of helicopters on the dispersal. The crash the ‘No Go Line’. This in turn was course a fully manned crash crew had to crew saw this happen from the crash bays guarded by a USAF ‘Snowdrop’ and be sent out to these airfields to cover the and immediately set off to see what they a RAF ‘Snowdrop’ both had orders to Vulcan flying. could do, they met the tornado half way shoot anyone crossing the ‘No Go Line’ over it stopped them in their tracks with unless escorted by and authorised by an Then one Thursday evening the hooter the ferocity of the wind. American Officer. Somehow though this sounded and the system rolled into action, order seemed to go by the board that day, all the necessary took place and another There was nothing they could do at so when someone had to go into the bomb Generation’ began, this lasted till the next dispersal and when they returned to the bay and plug the leak and wash fuel away afternoon and we received the ‘stand crash bays, they found the wind had who do you think got the job of doing that? down’, We were just winding up when ripped off the complete corrugated iron suddenly the hooter sounded again, what roof from the crash bays and rolled it up On return to the UK I was posted to RAF was happening?. We all doubled back to like a sardine can lid and crashed it down North Coates on the east coast, a complete our prearranged slots expecting to hear on the crew room at the rear of the bays. change of territory on the cold foggy coast the worst. Then a tannoy announcement! So by answering a call to the dispersal of Lincolnshire. No aircraft just static It was a full stand down the Blue Steel had certainly saved lots of injured, if not surface to air missiles sitting pointing to was finished the Navy had taken over our the lives of the crash crew. This meant of the skies. duties. The Polaris was now the course that a new Fire/Crash Section had to Then after 11 months in Sept 1969 I was UK defence in the cold war. be built, but on New Year’s day afternoon promoted to Warrant Officer and posted to 1972 Mr Mintoff the Prime Minister (or We designed a new Fire Station next to the RAF Scampton, with 3 Vulcan Squadrons was it president) waited until we were Control Tower with proper vehicle bays, 617, 83, 27 and a Vulcan Conversion Unit. recovering from the night before, and crew accommodation and workshops, The fire section was a rather large one over Malta radio waves told the British and we carried on with the normal airfield which consisted of 4 Mk6’s, 6DP2’s and to “GERR OFF” He very kindly allowed crash cover. 2DP1’s and as far as I can remember a 7 days for the British forces to get off the section of 60 firemen and 4 SNCO’s. Then in August 1970 I was posted to RAF island, (very good of him). Lucca, Malta to the Joint User airfield and This was a very busy period of my RAF It was decided by the powers that be looked forward to the next three years in life, the Vulcan bombers were armed with that all the families (wives and children) the sun! Several notable incidents took

Flashpoint Magazine - AUTUMN 2017 22 www.rafanddfsa.co.uk would be evacuated by the end of the flight sergeants, Glyn Tow, John Sanders, The posting to RAF for the last week. Then started a fantastic period of Wilf Longmire, who took the weight 18 months of my service was a really activity, throughout the nights and days of my shoulders and made the job a lot enjoyable ending to 35 years of service that followed, the whole unit rang with the easier. Then of all things, I had to catch career as a member of the Royal Air noise of packing crates being delivered, pneumonia (on a tropical island!!!!!.) Force. On my retirement from the RAF and hammering of nails in the packed although that allowed me to have 14 days I joined Hawker Siddley Aviation as crates. This was also being done around sick leave, and through the good offices of Chief Fire Officer based at Bitteswell in the island for the personnel who lived in the Wng/Cmr Ops, to break my tour with Leicestershire. At that time they were hiring’s. Then the Army and Navy lads 10 days back in the UK. servicing Vulcan’s, Shackletons, Hunters, collected all the crates and took them Buccaneers and the Gnat On my return to the UK I was posted to to the docks in Grand Harbour to be aircraft and later on built up the first Red RAF Fairford to take charge of the Fire/ shipped home. Lists of names and dates of Arrows Hawks. So it was the same trucks, Crash section covering the ‘’ departures were issued and aircraft began same job, only thing different was the flight test program. This was a really to fly in to take the family’s home, it really colour of uniform! Which was from blue wonderfully interesting period! The was a most efficient and smooth operation. to black? So I slipped back into civilian life flight testing of the ‘Concorde’ was really quite effortlessly. Then British Aerospace VC10’s and Britannia’s swooped in and interesting and generally trouble free. was formed and I stayed with them as out and by the end of the week all the There were or two instances when our Chief Fire Officer until 1983 and decided families had departed and we service men hair stood on end. Once when on takeoff, that I had been attached to the end of a were left with the job of winding up the it was moving along the runway rather telephone 24/7 for long enough and finally presence of the British armed forces in rapidly,and the ‘reverse thrust clamshell hung up my boots and retired gracefully. Malta. This was after a stretch of 150 years shields’ suddenly operated on the port So when I gave up trying to save the world tenure when it became part of the British engines resulting in the pilot aborting the from going up in flames, Glad and I moved Empire after the removal of Napoleon in take off and finishing up on the taxiway back to Lincolnshire, to just a couple 1814. with large dense clouds of smoke pouring miles from RAF Scampton and became from the undercarriage. The crash crew It had been agreed that a period of 3 a Honoury Member to the WO’S and swung into action and got on with cooling months would be sufficient to wind up the Sergeants Mess so I am still in contact with everything down. services establishment on the island, there the Red Arrows and the service in general, was only 35 of us servicemen left, ATC, On another occasion we were called out to and still go up to the mess once a week Movements and Fire Services to keep the the Concorde hangar to find lots of people for a game of age). So after a long and airfield open for our own aircraft and of rushing about shouting “this” and “that” happy career in the Royal Air Force I can course the civilian air movements. On it turned out the container of the engine truthfully say I would do it all over again. the 28th March the last of us were to be starting fuel was leaking on Concorde As the years advance (all too quickly!!). lifted off by naval helicopters, and taken 002, which was up on jacks. (The engine I still have many many happy memories to HMS Bulwark a naval aircraft carrier starting fuel was rather dangerous stuff) of the wonderful friends I have met and and sail home to the UK. So with only 3 the hangar was reeking of the fumes so cherished over the years with whom I days left our friend Mr Mintoff signed a the only thing to do was to open the doors have been proud to serve. That I thought further agreement for the British services at both ends and let the breeze take over. was end of my connection with the Fire to remain on the island till 1979. Luckily no one had attempted to move any Service. Then the RAF Fire Association electric switches as a spark might have was formed and I became a member (No So we unpacked our bags and began the meant that 002 would have ‘taken off’ 35) and attended many reunions around the task of putting everything back together without needing a runway!! country. Out of the Blue came an invitation again. Equipment began to flood in slowly from Buckingham Palace, to a Luncheon more bods and families arrived back. I was Another incident happened one early hosted by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, asked if I would like to remain in Malta, summer evening there was an extra strong I had the privilege, along with Wilf but if I did I would have to complete cross wind on the runway, Concorde Longmire and Keith Penfold and our wives another full tour of 3 years. I only had 3 004 landed and veered across the grass to represent the Many Many Firemen who years to complete my service till retirement and came to rest on the taxiway. Brian had served in the Air Force over the years, after 35 years and I had to think of house Trubshaw who was piloting the aircraft (on the occasion of the Anniversary of the purchase and civilian job so I turned the at the time exited the aircraft by means end of the 39/45 war) for which I thank the offer down and returned to RAF Scampton, of the Crash Landover ladder. Then when Association. This really was the icing on there hopefully to begin to arrange my he examined the aircraft he found out my cake and I retire happily. change to civilian life. one of the undercarriage securing struts was swinging free and asked us to use After what I am sure you will agree, was However life in the ‘mob’ never went that our ladder to rig up a ‘jury strut’ until the to say in the least an interesting life smoothly, we had put down a deposit on ground crew arrived to secure it properly. our future home just outside Lincoln, then Smokey Fairhurst Passed away 5th April On examination later on it was found that true to service bloody mindedness I was 2011. Ed…… as the aircraft had landed, the cross wind posted to RAF Gan, I was not chuffed but had caused over strain on the undercarriage I went ([and bought myself an umbrella this caused a lot of concern and the again) and began sweat it out in the sun technicians had to put their thinking caps once more. In truth I cannot say Gan on rather smartish. was an onerous task, I had some good www.rafanddfsa.co.uk 23 Flashpoint Magazine - AUTUMN 2017