The Badge Newsletter No 17 February 2018

For ex and Serving RAF PTI’s, PJI’s, ATI’s & ERI’s

RAF PTI Association Motto

Friendship and Respect

Chairman’s New Year Message Happy New Year to one and all as we now head into 2018 and the long awaited 100th Anniversary celebrations. The Roebuck memorial is now in place at the National Memorial Arboretum. I have to say it looks magnificent and is befitting to all those who it stands for, past and present. I hope you will share the same sense of pride and achievement on 14th April during the consecration service. From the outset the Roebuck project was ambitious especially considering the sum of money that needed to be raised. I know this caused Darrald a little anxiety at times! But in true PEd spirit, people started to get behind the project. As the months rolled by the fund started to accumulate, allowing us to pay off our debts in full. This would not have been possible but for the generosity of all those who contributed in whatever shape or form – a massive well done and thank you. In this my last year as Chair of the PTI Association, I would like to take the opportunity to thank you, the members, for the support you have afforded me throughout my tenure. I am humbled yet proud to have been accepted as your Chairman. There are a small number within the Association; you know who you are whose advice and guidance has been invaluable – my heart-felt thanks to you. To the incoming Chairman, WO Mick Barron the current WO SofPT, I wish you all the best during your tenure. Throughout 2017 there have been sad bereavements and unfortunate illness within our membership. To the families and friends who suffered the loss of loved ones and anguish during illness, on behalf of the membership I extend our sympathies and condolences. On a final note, I somehow doubt it has escaped your attention but the RAF celebrates its 100th Anniversary this year. What with marching bands, 1000s of marching airmen and women, 100+ aircraft fly pasts down the Mall, the month of July promises to be SPECTACULAR! Couple this with our own celebration of 100 years of Physical Education within the RAF, 2018 promises to be a very special and memorable year indeed. See you there………………. WO Clarke Coghill 1

In this issue:-

School of PE WO Mick Barron

Kenneth Irvine George Medal

Tribute to John Doran – Terry Hagan

My first Free Fall – Terry Hagan

Mountaineering article – John Henderson

Kevin Redstone ‘Moving On’

The Roebuck Memorial Cycle

Standard Bearer Update – Roy Rigg

Memorabilia Reminder – Ronan Archbold

New Official RAF Centenary Five Pound Coin

RAF PTI Association Reunion, Centenary Event

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Mick Barron WO School Of Physical Training As I write this introduction, it is six months since I was honoured to assume the mantle of School Warrant Officer from Clark Coghill. Not the easiest of shoes to fill – Clark is one of the most unflappable and thoughtful PTI’s I have had the pleasure to know. To Clark go my sincere thanks for the advice, stewardship and patience he provided whilst I initially found my feet. So what’s it like? What are the challenges? As ever, the greatest strength of the School lies in the quality of the people that serve it. They are committed, professional and forward-looking. They embrace and deliver on the challenges the RAF presents them and then they immediately look for the next one. They are the same as many of the previous generations – determined to secure promotion, keen to obtain their specialization, pursue their career and have a lot of fun doing so. They will definitely keep me on my toes… The challenges are clear. As with nearly every organization at this time, resources are limited and forecasts predict little change on that front. So developing and investing in both research and the staff to ensure TG10 and Physical Education remains abreast of the times is the first challenge. We must continue to remain relevant and seek to lead the way – as mentioned previously, we have the people to do it and they clearly possess the passion to do so. Manpower has also taken a hit lately with a significant amount of movement and gapped posts. We must be careful that our ‘can-do’ approach does not lead to a ‘proved you can-do without’ response by those that hold the purse strings. One of the more immediate challenges surrounds the centenary celebrations for the School. It is a busy period at Cosford – as a matter of note it is also the centenary celebrations of No1 Radio School, so there is a lot of anticipation for 2018. From our perspective, a number of options are being considered. When we have finalized our commitments to the RAF 100 celebrations, the ‘big parade’, RAF Cosford’s 80thcelebrations, the Cosford Air Show and addressed the design and delivery of two very special graduations, we can go live with our plans. I am aware that Facebook comments are calling for the detail; rest assured, we are working on them and when we have approval we will publish the blueprint. The School acknowledges the magnitude of the event and is seeking to mark it appropriately. That’s a snapshot. I look forward to keeping you informed of School of PT life – including whether Nick Hitchman is still the top dog at table tennis! It is unfair to measure the Cpl’s against Nick – he has all day to practice after all, unlike them…

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WO Mick Barron – Warrant Officer School of Physical Training

Mick Barron joined the RAF in 1995 as a Physical Training Instructor (PTI). After completing his PTI course, he was posted to RAF Odiham. This tour was followed by a move to No1 Parachute Training School (PTS) where he gained his Q-annotation as a Parachute Jumping Instructor and was promoted to Sgt. Detached to Wattisham Airfield as part of the RAF detachment to 16X, his exposure to large scale parachuting activities afforded him a valuable insight into the planning and leadership required for complex exercises involving multiple agencies. Following this, Barron deployed to Bosnia on Op OCULUS, completing a tour at Banja Luka providing physical fitness and welfare activities for NATO personnel. A brief return to No1 PTS led to the Joint Service Adventure Training Center Weston on the Green, where he delivered Force Development activities through the medium of parachuting. This enabled him to develop his FD competencies and ensure students experienced a rewarding exposure to FD activity. To date, this is his most rewarding tour. In 2007, he was posted to 22Gp to manage a number of tasks associated with overseas detachments, including the preparation of PTI's to support operations and the Heat Acclimatization Policy. In 2009 Barron took over as SNCO PEd at High Wycombe before being promoted to the rank of FS and returning to 22Gp. Here he was responsible for the delivery of PEd policy with a specific focus on the RAF Fitness Strategy. In 2011 Barron was deployed on Op TELIC to FOB ar Rustimayah where he worked as a NATO mentor with the Iraqi Physical Education team training Iraqi Army Officers. Upon return he was posted to RAF Cranwell as a Deputy Flight Commander on OACTU before transitioning into Staff Training Flight. In 2013 he returned to No1 PTS as FS Military Training Flight, responsible for a large team of instructors delivering ab-initio training to personnel from all 3 Arms. This period also witnessed the introduction of Army instructors into PTS. Married to Victoria, they have 3 children and enjoy the theatre, gardening and (some) DIY activities. He has a Master’s degree in Education and a Bachelor’s degree in Humanities with Art History. He plays tennis for his local club, enjoys bouldering and American Football due to the science behind its training methodologies. To relax he enjoys viewing art and listening to opera.

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Kenneth Irvine George Medal Taken from “Medal News” February 2007 Forty one years ago Constable D121 Kenneth Irvine arrested a thief and held on to him despite being stabbed in the heart which subsequently earned the Constable a George Medal. Kenneth Irvine’s fitness was well above average even for a policemen. Following National Service in the RAF as physical training instructor 1946-48, he became a logger at Tahsis on Vancouver Island in Canada, returning to England in 1957 to join the Manchester Police. Ken’s positive attitude made him a natural for dangerous work, as a plain clothes policeman, a duty which presented him with an opportunity to display exceptional courage when tacking a thief armed with a knife. The incident occurred around 11.50 on 11th June 1965. Ken was on plain clothes duty with a colleague in an unmarked police car. The officers observed a man get out of a car and enter the back gate of a property only to exit a few minutes later carrying a large square object which he placed in the back of the car. His suspicions aroused, Constable Irvine drove diagonally across the road to block the car but as he did the car drove straight at the van, causing Irvine to swerve violently to avoid an accident. Reacting swiftly Irvine set off in pursuit of the car and after a high speed chase managed to get the police van alongside the car forcing it on to the pavement and jamming the passenger side door against the other vehicle. The man got out and ran down a nearby entry, closely followed by Irvine who quickly caught up with and apprehended the man. As Irvine began to caution the man, he felt a thud in his chest and realised he had been stabbed. Although in great pain he retained a powerful grip on the man with his left hand, while putting his right hand on his chest to feel the handle of a knife embedded in his chest. He pulled the knife from his chest – a wooden handle and six inch blade. Despite his serious injury, Irvine retained hold of the knife and held the man down on the ground until his colleague PC Howard came to his aid. It was not until the man was in safe custody at Moss Lane East Police Station that Irvine was rushed to Manchester Royal Infirmary for an emergency operation. There were 2 pints of free blood in the right chest and the pericardium was pierced and bleeding, the surgeon stated it was almost miraculous that Irvine’s heroic efforts had not resulted in his death. Following the hearing at which the judge, Mr Justice Glyn Jones commended PC Irvine for his gallantry, the Chief Constable subsequently submitted a recommendation for the Award of the George Medal to Constable Irvine. Apart from forwarding a detailed report of the circumstances, together with supporting statements, he commented that Constable Irvine 5

must have been well aware that the expenditure of energy entailed in detaining a struggling prisoner would imperil his life. Nevertheless in spite of the fact that he was a married man with a family, his sense of duty was so compelling as to make him risk his life to prevent a felon from escaping. Kenneth Irvine remained in hospital on the critical list for some weeks, but was discharged in time to attend an investiture by The Queen at Buckingham Palace where he received the George Medal on November 5th 1965. PC Irvine was promoted to Sergeant in Dec 1959 engaged on uniformed duties on Moss Side and promoted again to Inspector in 1969, eventually retiring in June 1983. Following that he attended a 3 year course and became a graduate member of the British Horological Institute, an activity which still engages him in his beloved clocks. Even so, he felt obliged to accept an invitation to become a Drugs Sampling Officer for the Sports Council in 1988, a task he carried out for the next ten years, becoming heavily involved in the development of the task. Some years ago, Ken became a valued member of the Gallantry Medallists’ League (GML) when membership was extended to holders of the George Medal. He is now the Vice President of the League which is dedicated to all holders of Gallantry medals in the UK and from across the Commonwealth. The main objective of the League is to create, cherish and maintain “esprit de corps” and comradeship amongst League members through the frequent exchange of information and regular meetings on both a formal and social basis

Ken is pictured holding the knife which the assailant used to stab him. He is wearing his George Medal and Police Long Service Medal

NB Ken is trying to get in touch with Alan Beston, if anyone knows his whereabouts please could you contact the secretary Denise Street Brown [email protected]

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Ken Irvine National Service - middle row 2nd from the right

Swim Test and certificate awarded to A/C Irvine course 8C

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Tribute to John Doran – Terry Hagan John and I were friends since circa 1955 remembered because it was the year I bought my first car on the Hire Purchase. We met at St Athan South Wales which was then The School of PT. My car facilitated transport to various pubs and being helpful to giving lifts to Welch young ladies distressed at missing the Coach home to the Welsh Coalmining towns. John was an incredible flirt, the life and soul of our group and a laugh a minute. John's RAF Service included representing Stations at Football and was a stylish Basketball player. He was dedicated to his job teaching survival skills to aircrew where he was held in high esteem. When a young Pilot asked how he could teach this without ever doing a parachute drop himself he replied “You are right sir, I will remedy that” and he volunteered and completed the four jump AMO course at Abingdon's No 1 Para Training school, where I was stationed at the time. John returned triumphant to the applause of his Aircrew pupils. John and I kept in touch after leaving the Mob attending practically all PTI Association Reunions except the 2017 event which he was unable to attend due to the illness which took him away. He was the kind of friend you confide in and trust. One of the few I would choose to have beside me in an emergency or a life and death predicament. John is missed by many and for me life won’t be the same.

JD centre with Terry Hagan left and Frank Platts right

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My First Freefall – Terry Hagan Denley gave me the “briefest” of briefings in preparation for my first free fall Parachute drop out at Kidlington, a small airfield a few miles west of Oxford, where at weekends in the summer, the free fall nutcases met up to hire space in light aircraft and pilots had their flying paid for. Intrepid, or perhaps Idiotic, parachutists stubbornly gained hair-razing experience using dubious equipment (often black market Ripstop Canopies “written off” by virtue of expiring shelf life at a nearby American Airbase station). Somehow shortly afterwards, some of these 'written off’ canopies mysteriously appeared for sale at Kidlington at well below market price. Mine cost me £13 compared to the official price of £120-a snip you will agree!

It cost thirty bob for the first two thousand feet and ten bob for every five hundred feet after that. ( Circa 1957/8). I paid up front after briefly being introduced to the Pilot, “Two pounds” he said holding out his hand as I handed over the cash paying for a drop from two thousand five hundred feet, the minimum height laid down by some authority or other, maybe the Air Ministry - for a five second delayed drop, after that Denley did the talking. Denley was a fellow RAF Sergeant Parachute Instructor, based like me a few miles down the road at RAF Abingdon, he was organizing “the drop” and liaised with the Pilot of the Avro Auster. This fragile looking aircraft was standing idle on the grass runway as we walked toward it carrying our Parachutes, the main on our backs and reserves on our midriff.

As it was my first Free Fall, I was to exit from the plane at the minimum height and fall for five seconds before pulling my ripcord and releasing the parachute canopy. The accuracy of this time period was achieved miraculously by counting up to five. I was at this time an experienced static line parachutist having successfully trained many soldiers of the Parachute Regiment, but Free Fall parachuting was different, you alone were responsible for the operation of your chute opening, it wasn't done automatically as in Static line drops.

Pete Denley was experienced by dint of having survived several free falls, but it was a little like the blind leading the blind. The main part of the briefing was the drill of how to get out, of the tiny cramped space of the cockpit seated next to the pilot. The main chute on your back weighed 28 pounds and the reserve on your front 12 pounds and were enough to fill the seat with my nose practically resting on the windscreen. To add to the discomfort, the door had been removed on my side (Starboard), which was to facilitate my exit when the jumping height had been reached, but also added to the terror of falling out prematurely. Why was I voluntarily risking death and paying £2 (a week’s wages) for the doubtful privilege of potentially dying whilst still a virgin - I was still only a lad then!

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Pete climbed into the back seat and explained the exit procedure. Above and forward of the open door hung a leather strap, I was to hold onto this with my left hand, then swing my legs to the outside of the open door. Below the door sill was a steel step, you couldn't see it but had to feel for it. Once your left foot was resting on it, you leaned out of the plane and reached out to the spar below the wing of the plane grasping this and lowering the rest of your body into space with right leg dangling. At this point (we were on the ground rehearsing before the plane took off), Denley leaned out behind me shouting “This will be you on the run in to the Drop Zone, I will tell you to get out of your seat and into this position. We will be running in at 2,500 feet. All you have to do is take up the position, arms crossed, right hand gripping the ripcord, legs spread, when I tap you on the shoulder you will push off away from the aircraft to avoid hitting the tail, then you count up to five and pull the rip cord”. Apart from some fine tuning, moving my right hand higher up the strut and my “dangling” right leg into a neater position, that was the end of the briefing. Back in my seat, the pilot yelled at some bloke to swing the propeller and after 2 or 3 attempts there was an almighty bang , the engine belched smoke and roared as the propwash blew in the through the open door. I was committed as I thought … to suicide!

The plane lurched forward over the uneven grass surface. I remember vaguely thinking the suspension could be better as we gathered speed and the pilot opened up the throttle while advising me to hang on. Anyone who has ever flown in one of these single engine planes (seemingly made of canvas and aluminium), will know that it beggars belief how they actually fly and how the pilot could be trusted with our lives. We bounced along for what seemed an eternity and then everything went smooth… well not quite smooth, more like being afloat at sea riding the waves… we were airborne!

At 2,500 feet the airfield looked the size of our back garden and over the racket of the engine Pete yelled in my ear “Get ready”. I wanted to tell him at this point I wasn’t ready to depart this life and urgently needed a c**p and some time to reflect on my foolhardy decision to agree to allow myself to be in this very dangerous situation, which only the insane and born again Christians should be in. As an Atheist there were no options, no back up from Jesus, Mary or Joseph (I was a lapsed Catholic by then), should I exit this life. Pete was urging me to hurry or we would soon be over the “drop point” and he didn’t want the expense of a re-run as he was due to do a drop himself after mine from 5000 feet. If climbing out of the plane while stationary on the ground was a gymnastic feat, at 2500 feet and a speed of 60 knots, bumping and lurching with slip stream howling in your ears, it was like walking a tightrope over Niagra Falls on one leg and blindfold.

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Timidly I found myself spread-eagled precariously beneath the starboard wing outside the plane on my own, perilously close to the twirling propeller. The whole thing seemed unreal until I felt a sharp bang on my shoulder and my instinct told me it was time to jump. As I away, I glimpsed the plane seemingly climbing but I swiftly realized it was me falling! Forgetting to count, panic stricken, I yelled “A thousand and one, a thousand and two, a thousand and three, a thousand and four, a thousand and five - then I yanked hard on the ripcord D ring. To my amazement the parachute opened and the speed of the descent dramatically reduced …I was alone in the sky, it was a moment of rejoicing, of achievement, I had cheated death…..

The moment was short lived, I was not heading for a triumphant landing or the acclaim of the mob on the ground. Looking down I discovered I was heading for a landing not on the airfield, but a rendezvous with the main Oxford- Cheltenham trunk road, the A40 and its convoy of cars, lorries and buses. Denley must have dispatched me too early on the run into the airfield drop point or so I thought! As I realised death was being run over by a lorry rather than a heroic free fall, I tried to come to terms with the inevitable disgrace and simultaneously reverted to be a Catholic! The whole thing seemed so unreal, but I wasn’t dreaming. The worst thing was the cold…I was freezing! The wind on my back was propelling me towards the road and the telegraph wires. The chute was old fashioned and uncontrollable, I could neither slow down, nor speed up and it was touch and go whether I would be killed by being run over by a lorry, or land on top of the approaching telegraph wires, my chute collapsing and breaking my neck!

All these things were running through my head as I tried desperately to propel myself over the road by pulling down the front lift webs of the chute aiming to at least clear the busy road away from danger of the speeding traffic. I was by now losing height rapidly, skimming the roof of a high Pickford’s removal van and miraculously landed heavily just before the telegraph wires into a boundary airfield hawthorn hedge. If the hawthorn hedge was a handicap, the chute added to my humiliation by flying over the telegraph wires hanging upside down while remaining inflated by continuous fluctuations in the wind speed. The ebb and flow of this phenomenon succeeded in raising and lowering me rhythmically up and down into the prickly hawthorn hedge. This curious spectacle attracted several motorists to park their cars and cluster at the side of the road a few feet from me as I rose and descended to the rhythm of the inflating and deflating parachute canopy unable to undo my reserve parachute or get out of the harness due to my frostbitten hands. Appealing to the nearest of

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the gaping audience, I croaked “Can you give me a hand?” Following instructions he removed my reserve and turned and banged the quick release box freeing me from the harness. All during this episode my frozen brain was plotting revenge! Retribution was icily being computed. I basically wanted Denley to suffer as I had. I planned systematically to remove his testicles using a hacksaw to elicit the most pain, however, I will not continue with my graphic description of further torture for fear of “censorship”. Anyway, as we all know revenge “is a dish to be eaten cold” and following the retrieval of my equipment from the telegraph wires, I had a far more exciting prospect on my mind. I left to hurry off and meet up with my date for the evening – Gill, a gorgeous blonde WRAF girl who was under the allusion that I was the greatest thing since sliced bread.

As I did not see Denley until some days later, I was in a better frame of mind to listen to his reason for prematurely dispatching me before reaching the DZ. It seems on the run in while I was dangling outside the plane, the pilot complained of difficulty controlling the aircraft. It seemed my helmet was shoved up against the underside of the wing thus preventing the movement of controls like the aileron and the flaps on the right hand wing. He advised Denley to immediately do something about it! So he did and I jumped which may have saved the plane and Pete as well as the pilot. The result should have been me lowering my head away from the controls, but how was I to know that it was not the signal to jump! The gorgeous blonde WRAF I was going to meet that night was more in my mind than parachuting. She may also have taught me a little about the “birds n bees”… but that’s private.

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Completing the Irish Furths - John Henderson In 2017 I officially became an OAP at age 65 but luckily I was still blessed with good health and fitness, so I was able to continue to climb mountains and tick off another list. I had been to Killarney, on 3 occasions over the years in an attempt to climb the fearsome Macgillycuddy’s Reeks. There are 10 peaks over 3000ft in this range including 2 narrow arêtes (knife-edges) to negotiate. On previous occasions I had encountered strong winds, heavy rain and low cloud cover which made it too dangerous to venture on to this type of terrain. In June 2017, the south west of had an unexpected sudden heat wave for a few days, and this was the signal to make a last ditch attempt to get these done. I flew from to Cork and hired a car for the 90 min journey to Killarney. There I met a mountaineering club friend (also ex-RAF) who was doing a tour of Ireland with his wife. Dave Galloway has climbed many big mountains in his time, including The Matterhorn so he was the ideal partner to accompany me on this challenge. On the first day we managed to do seven of the summits in glorious sunny, windless conditions in 10 hrs, and on the 2nd day we were out in similarly great weather to do the remaining 3 summits in around 7 hrs. From the car park at Cronin’s Yard, we began our ascent up to the first summit of Cruach Mhor. At this point is the warning: “If your head is not good – do not press on”! We did press on with trepidation, on to chaotic heaps of rock followed by some exposed scrambling, but the dry rock allowed for good hand holds and the odd bypass path where scrambling almost became climbing! This difficult section leads to the rocky summit of and then there is the next awkward, rocky section up to Cnoc na Peiste, before your heart rate begins to return to normal! Thankfully after this summit, the route, although involving steep climbs up to Caher and Caher West Top, begins to ease in to more enjoyable walking. The descent however, was via the wet, loose boulder gully called the Devil’s Ladder. Slow and steady down this section and we could see the fast flowing Gaddagh River and the bridge back to the car park. The first pint of Guinness hardly touched the sides! On an equally glorious 2nd day, we set off again, up Hags Glen and then the first steep climb up to in searing heat. A huge boulder field leads to the narrow summit and then you peer down to the heart stopping sight of the narrow, exposed arête and the most difficult part 13

of the whole ridge. An awkward down climb brings you to the start of the ridge with exposure on both sides. We tentatively eased our way across a well-worn path with loose scree all around. After what seemed like an eternity weaving our way over and around difficult rock formations we were at the base of our last summit. From here a steep loose stony path led up to the summit cross of Carrauntoohill (1039m/3414ft), the highest mountain in Ireland. It was certainly a place to linger as other walkers enjoyed their lunch in the sun. It is almost a pilgrimage for Irish people to get to this summit at least once in their life? In Scottish parlance the 3000ft hills in England (6), Wales (15) and Ireland (13) are called Furths. Once you have completed all 282 ’ in Scotland you may as well finish off all the other big hills in the rest of the and Ireland. You can log all these hill lists on the Scottish Mountaineering Club website (www.smc.org.uk) and the classic six lists they recognise are Munros, Tops (227), Furths (34), Corbetts (222), Grahams (219) and Donalds (89). I just have 75 Munro Tops left to complete the classic six! I still have my own hips and knees so hopefully I can make it happen in 2018!

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Kevin Swaps the RAF for local car sales team A serviceman with long links to the Royal Air Force in Shropshire has become a new addition to a local new car sales team. Flight Sergeant (Retired) Kevin Redstone has joined Furrows Ford Store, Haybridge Road, Telford upon leaving the RAF after a 37 year career as a Physical Training Instructor (PTI). Kevin is well known in the local area having completed long tours in the County. Born in Newton Abbot, Devon he joined the RAF on 1 July 1980 and, after six weeks of Basic Training at RAF Swinderby in Lincolnshire, first came to Shropshire to spend 6 months at RAF Cosford completing the RAF PTI course. After graduating he was posted to RAF Waddington in Lincolnshire and subsequently undertook numerous other tours in the UK as well as detachments to the Falkland Islands, Belize, Cyprus and Iraq. A highly competent sportsman, Kevin represented the RAF at Football, Rugby and Squash at various levels and also boasts a 9 handicap in Golf, playing at Shifnal and the Shropshire Golf Clubs. In September 1996, after a 2½ year tour on Unst in the Shetland Islands, Kevin began his close association with Shropshire, at the RAF School of Physical Training, RAF Cosford, as an Instructor responsible for the delivery of training to students on PTI courses. He immediately set down roots in Telford and, after over 20 years in the County, it became home to him, his wife Ann and 2 children. Whilst at Cosford Kevin joined Shifnal Squash Club and became an integral member of the Shropshire Squash committee, enjoying a 10 year association during which he managed the County Leagues, organised competitions and became a key member of the County Over 35 team. In February 2008 Kevin moved to RAF Shawbury where he spent a highly successful 5 years as the Flight Sergeant in charge of the Physical Education Flight. In his time at Shawbury he oversaw the planning and building of a brand new fitness centre, the Jubilee Hall and was instrumental in numerous community projects, including co-organizing the inaugural RAF Shawbury 10k Airfield Race; an event that attracted a field of over 400 runners. A particular highlight was the organization and participation in an 8 day, 800 mile cycle from RAF Kinloss in Scotland to RAF Northolt in London to mark the 70th anniversary of WW2. The ride included eleven riders visiting 70 former and current RAF Stations and raised over £12000 for RAF and Station charities.

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After a short tour at RAF Wittering in Cambridgeshire, Kevin returned to RAF Cosford and took up the post as Training Supervisor on the School of Physical Training where he served until his retirement from the RAF in July 2017. As a car enthusiast and after being part of a highly respected organization for over 30 years, he wanted a new career in an environment where he was able to continue to utilize the initiative, resourcefulness and discipline that the RAF has engendered. Kevin says “I chose to join Furrows because they are a highly respected family business in the motor industry, providing 100 years of fantastic service to Shropshire and the surrounding areas. “One thing that people may not know about Furrows is that we offer great discounts for serving and retired members of the military”. Kevin hopes to maintain his strong links with the sporting and military community of Shropshire by becoming an ambassador for Furrows in providing a service based on the mutual values of respect, honesty and integrity.

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The Roebuck Memorial Cycle Challenge 17/18 June 2017 – Ronan Archbold A big thank you to all the cyclists participating along with what every event requires a good support team in raising funds towards The Roebuck Memorial Statue to be placed at the National Memorial Arboretum near Lichfield commemorating 100 years of the Physical Education Branch. Raising money the PEd Way…..The ability to keep going when you have nothing left pushing yourself mentally, physically and emotionally, 258 miles peddled, over 14000ft of ascent climbed and all in 23hrs and 15 minutes. The team of past and present went that extra mile with donations and sponsorship standing at £5554.95

The intensity of the weather didn’t help, on the hottest weekend in 40 years! However, the team set off at 1030 on Sat 17 Jun to complete what was to be a gruelling challenge. With a send-off of 40 riders lining the start from the local Nova Riders Cycle Club, family and friends.

Memorable quotes:- My body is in bits My under carriage is worn away My neck, back, feet, hands all shot That one was for the Badge Being a part of something great fills me with pride, respect all round guys did the business!

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Participating Cyclists Ronan Archbold “Archie”, Ian Kevan, Kristie Harper (only lady), Ollie Hill, Mick Carter, Steve Davies, Andy Rose, Tony French, Dominic O’Sullivan, Charlie Quinn, Paul Renton, Richard Gammage, Pete Golding, Dave Alcock (Sponsor). The Crew and back up team Andrea Shaw, Geoff Snelling, Darryl Jones, Tom Hardman, Paula Watts, Tony Betteridge, Jake Skinner (Bike mechanic from Nova Cycles), Gary Round (Sponsor.

Amigos

A spot of maintenance

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Bacon Baps never tasted so good courtesy of Darrald Jones

Refuelling

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The Final Leg

Ian Kevan sponsor and organiser of the Roebuck Challenge Cycle Fundraiser

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Dear members it is with great pleasure that the Roebuck Memorial Account is now closed. The current total is £21649.16 however, this is likely to increase when a few late cheques have been processed. Many thanks to all those who have very generously donated to the project. I look forward to seeing you at the National Arboretum on Saturday 14th April for the dedication.

We have a book of those who have contributed to the fund, if you know of anyone who has good “calligraphy skills” and would be able to scribe the names of Contributors in the book, please get in touch with me.

Thanks, Dave Percy [email protected]

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Standard Bearer update – Roy Rigg I have recently attended two funerals with the RAF PTI Association Standard :- The first was David Dyer a neighbour and friend, David was a former member of the Rhodesian Army SAS and he completed the Parachute course at RAF Abingdon along with myself in 1961. His son who served in the Regiment, came over from Rhodesia for the funeral. Please read the following article from a local Newspaper which provides some background. “Last year Maureen and I went to the Glenn Miller festival at RAF Twinnfords, Bedford, where Glen Miller took off on his final flight, never to be seen again. The base has a Glenn Miller museum and most people dress up in period uniforms with Military vehicle re-enactments and a weekend of “In The Mood” music. When someone suggested we visit the RAFA club in Bedford, we took the chance and were made welcome by the steward, a former member of the Rhodesian Army, which rang a bell with me… I explained I served in the RAF and The Royal Marines before that and was posted to RM Poole in Dorset. The first thing I had to do was a Para course at RAF Abingdon. This was in 1961 and if anyone out there can remember those days, the course was made up of ‘odds and sods’ from the Army, Royal Marines and six members of the Rhodesian SAS. On completion of the course, the Major in charge got us all together and offered us the chance to transfer (with lots of bonus money and promotion), to the Rhodesian regiment. Bless us Brits, there were no volunteers. The steward then showed us an impressive display of military memorabilia, a lot of it from the Rhodesian SAS and sadly lots of names on the memorial plaques of those who didn’t make it. Probably just as well we didn’t take up the offer then! For anyone who is interested the RAFA Club in Bedford is well worth a visit” The second funeral was for SQD LDR Ron Bain, late of RAF Headily Court rehabilitation unit, a very well know member of the PT world as was shown by the amount of people who attended the funeral. The church was absolutely packed with uniformed members of all Her Majesty’s Forces, including many high ranking officers. The many tributes both serious and humorous were testament to how well he was thought of. My sincere condolences to his lovely family, it was a great send off for an excellent PTI and man. RIP Yours Roy Rigg Standard Bearer

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Memorabilia Reminder Only 38 Special Edition “100 Years” Anniversary boxed sets left (Not available on reserve). Tie, Tie clip and key fob, cost £25 plus pp. Payment should be made to “Service Funds RAF Cosford” and sent to Flt Sgt R Archbold,TSF(D) S of PT, RAF Cosford, WV7 3EX, West Midlands. If you have any queries please email Ronan at [email protected] or call 01902 704576

Celebrate the Centenary of the Royal Air Force This year marks the centenary of the Royal Air Force, arguably the most important military anniversary to be celebrated in British history. To mark this historic occasion a brand new Official RAF Centenary Five Pound Coin has just been issued and it can be yours today for just its face value - £5 for £5 POSTFREE

This brand new coin has been officially licensed and approved by the Royal Air Force and the one-year-only reverse design features the official RAF logo above three aircraft specially selected to demonstrate the developments of the RAF over the last 100 years. The aircraft shown in full colour are the Sopwith Camel, Supermarine Spitfire and Lockheed Lightning II. It really is the ideal way to pay tribute to our Air Force and the brave men and women, past and present, who have served over the last 100 years to help defend our skies. Click here for more information and to order .

RAF PTI Association Centenary Event 13-14th April

We have reached capacity for the RAF PTI Reunion Centenary Event 13-14th April at The Holiday Inn, Telford with 180 in attendance. This has proven to be a very popular event and unfortunately we have had to create a waiting list for those who we cannot “ seat” at the dinner function. We have managed to arrange “overspill” accommodation in the International Hotel which is next door (the hotels share the same carpark) and those who we cannot accommodate for the dinner function will be able to eat in the main restaurant in The Holiday Inn. I appreciate this is not ideal, however it does provide the opportunity for anyone booking late to meet with friends and colleagues. If you want to know more or avail of this option contact the secretary Denise Street Brown [email protected] or call 07737 192103

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PTI Association Area Reps

Scotland George Whitecross [email protected]

Wales: Ron Houghton [email protected]

London & SE Ian Swindale [email protected]

North West John Gallagher [email protected]

North East Mal Broom [email protected]

West Midlands John Weedon [email protected]

East Midlands Vacant

South West Graham Hughes [email protected]

East Anglia Terry Hagan [email protected]

Overseas Sue Zwart Woodward [email protected]

If anyone would like to take on the vacant East Midlands role please get in touch with the secretary Denise Street Brown [email protected]

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