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THE BIRMINGHAM BRANCH NEWSLETTER NUMBER 275 MAY 2012
1 Dear Readers. on operations are all facing, so please remember the appeal your Branch Committee have set up. Cost of Newsletters As the cost of producing and then posting Please send any donations you may wish your newsletters costs the Branch more than is to make, to the Branch Treasurer Tom Magee and raised by Branch Subscriptions but with generous he will pass them on to the right place. We still donations from our members and with a Branch need money for the injured lads and lassies so see subsidy, for some years we have been able to keep what you can do. We are still collecting money £5.00 th the Subscription at , but as from 30 this for the further support of our injured troops. month, Royal Mail is raising the cost of a second We must remember them after they leave class stamp to 50 pence so unfortunately, it looks Queen Elizabeth Hospital or Headley Court, for as though we will have to increase the Branch those badly injured may need support and or Subscription. assistance for the rest of their lives. Up until now, a second class postage The Royal British Legion is the best stamp has cost 36 pence, so for twelve issues of option for this and this year our new Lord ’s “Home for the Brave Appeal” is the be the newsletters, the annual cost of postage was Mayor st £4.32. This alone – without all the other one for us to support this year. For those wishing administration costs - was getting very close to to make donation directly to the hospital, please £5.00 the annual Branch Subscription. Now this address any donations or correspondence to; month Royal Mail has increased the price of RCDM, Level 2, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, second class stamps by 39 per cent from 36p to Mindelsohn Way, Edgbaston, Birmingham, 50p. B15 2WB. The price of second class stamps will then And as the point of contact for all rise further by inflation every year for seven donations (financial and non-financial) has years. There will be no limit on the price of a first changed from Major Cheesman to Mrs D Binion, class stamp, which will now go up from 46p to please address them to her and due to lack of 60p. So from this month, the annual cost of storage space for goodies, could everyone please posting your newsletters to you will now rise to first contact Mrs Binion on 0121 371 5317 to £6. 00 and it is unlikely that we can continue to arrange a suitable appointment. absorb such increases. BRANCH BIRTHDAYS I have an extensive list of other branch A very Happy Birthday to the following members and others interested in the Birmingham Birmingham Branch members whose birthdays Branch newsletters who have asked to be put on are this month, may you all have many more. my mailing list, and we currently charge them 2nd May Ralph Dean Birmingham West Mids £7.00 per year for this. This level of subscription 7th May Trevor Round Dudley West Midlands is an economic one that we can live with but if we 17th May Maurice Madeley Lower Wick Worcs £7.00 then we will put up Branch Subscriptions to 23rd May Tom Magee Warley West Midlands have to put up the Newsletter Subscriptions 27th May Richard Cox Royston Hertfordshire accordingly too. A suitable Newsletter 30th May Richard Oxford Coventry Warwicks £9.00 but it Subscription in my view would be £10.00. would be much easier if we put it up to Death of a Member The issue of subscriptions will of course have to I regret to inform you of the death of ’s AGM and then we will be debated at next year Hector Mackenzie who passed away at the age of have to come to a decision. 94 on 13th April 2012. Hector, who was born on 26th June 1917, enlisted at RAF West Drayton as Goodies for our Injured Boys a Ground Gunner on 6th July 1939 and served It is most important that we remember the throughout the Second World War. He served dangers that our young men and women serving with 2709 and 2797 Squadrons and a unit numbered 5026 at various RAF stations in the UK
3 and at Kai Tek airport, Hong Kong until his Foot Guards receive Freedom of discharge as a Sergeant on 14th September 1946. Birmingham He was awarded the Defence Medal, the Last month, hundreds of delighted War Medal and the Pacific Star. He joined the Birmingham and Midlands residents watched as Leicester Branch of the RAF Regiment the Foot Guards were granted the Freedom of the Association until it closed and then transferred City of Birmingham. In a very rare, if not unique, into the Birmingham Branch on 25th February distinction, all five regiments of Foot Guards 2006. The funeral was held at 3.00 p. m. at the received the Freedom of the City on Wednesday Gilroes Cemetery, Groby Road, Leicester on st th 21 March. The honour now entitles them to Thursday 26 and there was a Wake afterwards at march through the city centre with 'drums beating, The Forge, Glenfield, Leicester. We will bayonets fixed and colours flying'. The Freedom remember him. of the City has been granted to the Foot Guards New Member after a 2,000-name petition was presented to We welcome Ken Davies of Mobberley, Birmingham City Council last summer requesting Cheshire. Ken enlisted on 25th March 1957 and the honour for one of the regiments, and served with 27 Squadron at Akrotiri, Cyprus, until councillors then decided they wanted to grant all his discharge on 25th February 1960. We five regiments the freedom. welcome him and hope that he has a long and To celebrate this honour, a parade of some happy association with us. 230 officers and guardsmen from all five regiments of Foot Guards marched through the Soldiers of the Queen city, watched by the Lord Mayor of Birmingham, A right Royal bunch: The uniforms you Councillor Anita Ward, and the Major General will see at the Queen's Diamond Jubilee are Commanding the Household Division and revealed with a show of pomp and pageantry. General Officer Commanding London District, Standing to attention in the photograph below, Major General George Norton. these soldiers, sailors and aircraftmen show off The parade was led by the Commanding the uniforms you will see at events over the Officer of the 1st Battalion Irish Guards, Diamond Jubilee weekend. The 28 men and Lieutenant Colonel Chris Ghika, as they marched women, who represent regiments from across through the city centre bearing their colours, Britain's Armed Forces, appeared at the accompanied by the Band of the Irish Guards led Wellington Barracks, London, as details of the by Drum Major William Harvey. Following the event were announced. Numbers 6, 7 and 27 are parade the Guards were hosted at a civic reception RAF Regiment Gunners so the RAF Regiment is ’s quite an honour. by the Lord Mayor and the Council. represented three times so it The Lord Mayor's son, Lance Sergeant Vince Hockley, currently serves with the 1st Battalion Irish Guards in Aldershot, and the Lord Mayor was delighted that he could join her in Birmingham for this special day. Having previously served in Afghanistan, he is now undertaking a language course and hoping to return to operational duty in due course. Reading out the freedom declaration to the parade and the crowds of onlookers in Victoria Square, Councillor Ward said: "First and foremost, as Lord Mayor, this is a very proud day for me and the people of Birmingham. Honouring The ceremony will include a 60-gun salute the Guards Division with the freedom of the by the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery while second city demonstrates our recognition of the the Royal Navy will dispatch several vessels, commitment our young men and women make to including one featuring a band of Royal Marines. the Armed Forces." In response, Major General Norton said: "All regiments of the Foot Guards are immensely
4 grateful to the Lord Mayor and City of snipers to intercept aircraft in restricted airspace, Birmingham for the honour they are conferring on and airborne surveillance aircraft including Royal us today, which reflects the long and close Navy Sea King Airborne Surveillance and Control relationship that we have had with both the city helicopters and RAF E-3D Sentry aircraft. and its community." On the ground, the RAF is providing Those on parade were elements of additional mobile ground radar systems, while the Nijmegen Company, Grenadier Guards; Number Army is deploying air observers and Rapier and 7 Company, Coldstream Guards; F Company, Starstreak missile systems, which also provide Scots Guards; the 1st Battalion Irish Guards; and additional detection capability, though a final the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards (most of the 1st decision on their deployment has yet to be taken. Battalion Welsh Guards have deployed to The Armed Forces personnel will be Afghanistan in the past few days). joined by officers from the Metropolitan Police, CLOSURE OF THE RAF REGT SHOP who are leading security for the whole Games. The RAF Regiment Shop, based at RAF Military activity, including the Air Security Plan, Honington, ceased trading officially on 31st March supports the overall police operation, so the 2012. No further orders or payments should be exercise is a chance for both the police and made to the facility. Those customers with military to learn more about how the other outstanding business should write to the former operates. Manageress at the RAF Regiment Shop c/o RAF Air Commodore Gary Waterfall, the Honington, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk IP31 1EE. Deputy Air Component Commander, said: A replacement facility is being developed and "Whilst there is no specific threat to the Games, further details will be published in due course. we have to be ready for whatever occurs and play ADVANCE NOTICE OF ANNUAL SERVICE our part in what will be a safe and secure AT TOWER OF LONDON Olympics for all to enjoy. Our multi-layered The annual Assoc muster and service at security plan means that we have a range of the Tower of London, hosted by Uxbridge Branch responses available to us, ensuring we can deal will take place on Sunday 8th July 2012. appropriately with anything from redirecting an Branch Standards may be paraded. Further details aircraft that may have strayed into restricted will be issued shortly. airspace, to preventing an attack." RAF Regiment News RAF Regiment reservist claims Regiment Snipers and the Olympics Guinness World Record UK Armed Forces air assets and personnel An RAF Regiment reservist has claimed are this week training for their vital role providing the world record for running the fastest ever half- air security for the Olympic Games. Exercise marathon - in a gas mask. Senior Aircraftman Taurus Mountain 3 have been putting airmen, Andy McMahon completing the Kinloss-to- soldiers and sailors through their paces in the Lossiemouth half-marathon in his Service skies over North Yorkshire. The exercise took respirator, in record time. place from 20th to 22nd March and over the three Senior Aircraftman (SAC) Andy days, they will practise detecting and intercepting McMahon, a member of 2622 (Highland) an aircraft that intrudes into restricted airspace. Squadron of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force The Air Security Plan for the Olympic Regiment, based at RAF Lossiemouth, ran the Kinloss to Lossiemouth half-marathon on Sunday Games builds on the Royal Air Force's existing th defence of UK airspace, which includes round- 19 February 2012, breaking the Guinness World the-clock radar surveillance and Typhoon fighters Record for the fastest half-marathon completed in held at high readiness every day of the year. The a gas mask. exercise integrates the additional forces being SAC McMahon completed the course in 1 used to ensure the safety of the Olympics, as part hour, 27 minutes and 23 seconds, breaking the of the Ministry of Defence's role to ensure a safe previous record of 1 hour, 51 minutes and 31 and secure Games this summer. seconds by 24 minutes and 8 seconds. He ran this These include RAF Puma helicopters - half-marathon in the newly-issued General together with Royal Navy and Army Lynx Service Respirator (GSR), which is now entering helicopters - carrying teams of RAF Regiment service with the Armed Forces:
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He said: "The GSR is fantastic and streets to the International Security Assistance Force ahead of the S10 respirator. I think I was running (ISAF) mission. at almost maximum pace; I have been training The Tonga Defence Services has served as hard but I did not imagine I would go anywhere part of the Camp Bastion Force Protection Wing near as fast." since November 2010. The 55 personnel serve SAC McMahon is now awaiting alongside members of the RAF Police and RAF ’s confirmation from Guinness for the World Record Regiment to provide security for Camp Bastion Also said: "I would like to thank 2622 (Highland) main entry points, perimeter, and airfield. Squadron Royal Auxiliary Air Force Regiment for Accompanying the Tongan Prime Minister all the support and encouragement I have received on the three-day visit to Camp Bastion were ’s Representative Semisi Palu ‘Ifoni for all my record attempts. People ’ai The assistance from the squadron and Tapueluelu, and Brigadier General Tau ka ‘Uta’atu, Commander of the Tonga Defence from RAF Lossiemouth have been constantly first-rate and with this kind of back up behind me Services. The party was met by the Commander it has definitely been a motivation for me of the Joint Operating Base, Group Captain David throughout." Waddington, before heading out to the perimeter ’ wider role SAC McMahon, whose full-time job is as fence to get an overview of his units a Youth Development Officer with the Highland and responsibilities. “The Council in Inverness, is no stranger to world Group Captain Waddington said: record attempts as he is the current Guinness Tongan soldiers do a vital job at Camp Bastion as world record holder for running a marathon in part of our security forces, so it was a great military kit, when he completed the Lochaber honour and pleasure to welcome their Prime Marathon in April 2009 in 3:49:21 wearing full Minister to show him how we work side by side ” body armour, uniform, boots and helmet; an and how much we appreciate their contribution. incredible achievement given that the helmet and Tonga Prime Minister, Lord Tu'ivakano, body armour alone weighed around 10 pounds visit one of the Camp Bastion's perimeter. ’a (4.5kg). Tongan officer Lieutenant Colonel Aleamout “We welcome and were honoured by the PM Lieutenant James Fraser, Royal Navy, said: previously held the record for the 'fastest half- visit to Camp Bastion. The PM and his delegation ’s contribution to marathon in a gas mask' which he completed on had the opportunity to see Tonga 27 March 2011 in Yeovil. On gaining this record ISAF and the close mutual co-operation between SAC McMahon said: the Tonga Defence Services and the British forces "I have trained very hard to beat the record in Camp Bastion. “We are proud and honoured to held by Lieutenant James Fraser and I am He said: absolutely delighted to have achieved this whilst contribute to the security and protection of Camp gaining contributions to some very worthwhile Bastion with the Force Protection Wing. We are charities." fully aware of the importance of our roles and 2622 (Highland) Squadron plays a vital every man in the deployment is doing his utmost ” role in providing reservist RAF Regiment to ensure that the roles are carried out diligently. Gunners and other support personnel to reinforce The trip follows a recent UK visit where the RAF on operations and in times of crisis. As the Tongan Prime Minister met the Armed Forces well as gaining another world record, SAC Minister Nick Harvey and inspected a ceremonial McMahon raised funds for Moray Firth Radio guard from the Household Cavalry Mounted Cash for Kids and the RAF Benevolent Fund. Regiment. The Tongan Prime Minister said: “It was a unique experience to see my Tongan Prime Minister visits his troops in Afghanistan troops in Afghanistan. To learn from a two-star Last month, His Excellency Lord general down to a private soldier how well my ’ivakano, Prime Minister and Minister for Tu contingent were performing and contributing to Foreign Affairs of Tonga, met senior US and UK the international mission. I would like to thank commanders before spending time with troops to everyone for making the trip possible and I look learn about the contribution his nation is making forward to returning to Tonga to inform the King,
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Parliament and the Tongan people of my from Gnome-Rhones to Merlins is now covered ” experience. with houses, flats, shops, pubs and schools. RAF Regiment Books RAF Castle Bromwich holds a special place in my memories for it was from that airfield I think I might need to add another section “RAF Regiment Books” for in addition to that in 1946 I first flew in an aeroplane as a to “Books about the RAF Regiment” and “Books twelve-year old ATC Cadet. The aircraft was an ” I have just r Avro Anson. Referring to the RAF Regiment ead a The Avro Anson was a twin-engine, multi- couple of very entertaining books, the first one role aircraft that served with the Royal Air Force, about the RAF Regiment and the second one Fleet Air Arm and numerous other air forces prior about the adventures of a Boy Entrant, but they ’ll just to, during, and after the Second World War and are only obtainable as e-books. Or maybe I was originally designed for maritime list them as e-books in the original two lists. ’ve reconnaissance, but was soon rendered obsolete in What is this all about then? Well, I ’m that role. However, it was rescued from obscurity recently treated myself to a Kindle and I by its suitability as a multi-engine air crew trainer. currently filling it up with e-books as they are How well can I remember climbing into much cheaper to buy than non-e-books. One of – “Pull up a Sandbag and Pass me a that aircraft and making my war forward them is called ” ’s climbing over the centre wing spar on the way to Lamp by John Harriss and it only obtainable as ’s a great read and describes the my seat. Of course to a young lad it was the thrill an e-book. It of a lifetime and the forerunner of many, many adventures of a young man named Matt Jenkins who I think is really the author, who joins the RAF Regiment and rises to become a Warrant £2.99 to buy and is Officer. As an e-book it costs well worth it. It was published in October 2011. I recognized several of the locations and incidents described in the book, indeed as one of the characters referred to in the book is a Warrant Officer Silver, I wondered if he was one of our own members of the Birmingham Branch, ex- Warrant Officer Mick Silver. Is it you Mick and if so, do you know the author? “Boy Entrant – more flights in RAF aircraft that I was so The other is called The ” by Brian fortunately able to make, first as an ATC Cadet Recollections of a Royal Air Force Brat and then during my service with the Regiment. Carlin. This one recalls his experiences during an eighteen-month training as a Boy Entrant. The The Avro Anson RAF Regiment is frequently referred to as most of As a Cadet I later flew in a Tiger Moth, a their non-technical training is given by RAF ’s. It Lancaster Bomber and another most memorable Regiment NCO was published in May 2011 £1.92 and is also a ve flight in a Sunderland Flying Boat. But it was that and costs ry good read. first flight that I remember most of all - and it was A Memory Jogger at RAF Castle Bromwich and that has prompted Last month, the Branch Vice-President me to include the following history of the airfield. Peter Swash, gave me an old copy of the 1978 RAF Castle Bromwich Birmingham Evening Mail special edition of “Sixty Glorious Years” a Tribute to the Diamond In September 1909 a large piece of “the playing Warwickshire grassland known as Jubilee of the Royal Air Force and in it was a ” fields became the privately-owned Castle history of RAF Castle Bromwich. Bromwich aerodrome, when Alfred P Maxfield All Brummies will know that the land flew the first aeroplane in the Birmingham area. once occupied by RAF Castle Bromwich is now In 1911, Bentfield C Hucks flew a Bleriot the Castle Vale housing estate and the land which 50 hp monoplane from there and gave passenger once resounded to the sound of aircraft engines flights. In 1925 the Midland Aero Club was established there - one of the first in the country -
7 and a hangar was built for the aeroplanes. The tanks), canteens, surgeries, sports and social War Office requisitioned it for use by the Royal clubs, and power-generating plants. Flying Corps and flying schools in 1914, when In 1940, Vickers-Armstrong was placed in proper roads and buildings were established. charge of the factory. The factory built almost Further decisions led to the formation on 12,000 Spitfires, over half of the total number October 15th 1926, of No. 605 (County of produced. Often fifty Spitfires a week were made. Warwick) Squadron, part of the newly formed In 1941, 200 Avro Lancaster Mk II bombers were Auxiliary Air Force. ordered and by the end of the war 305 had been In 1915 No 5 Reserve Aeroplane built. Fifty Seafire 45s were also made. Squadron was formed, later becoming the No 5 When aircraft were completed, they were Training Squadron. Nine other Royal Flying towed across the main Chester Road to the airfield Corps and Royal Air Force squadrons resided at where they were flown by test pilots and delivered the airfield during and just after World War I. to the RAF by Air Transport Auxiliary pilots. After the war, Imperial Airways started a Alex Henshaw was Chief Test Pilot from 1940 to service from London. In the inter war years, the 1946, personally putting more than 10% of the aerodrome had a dual military and civilian aeroplanes produced through their paces, and function. In 1930 the first scheduled airmail providing some spectacular air displays with service was operated by Imperial Airways. From Spitfires. 1920, and every year into the 1930s, the British The airfield was visited by many famous Industries Fair (the forerunner of the National people. Winston Churchill (Prime Minister) and Exhibition Centre), was held in buildings built on Mrs Eleanor Roosevelt (wife of Franklin D land adjacent to the aerodrome and Castle Roosevelt - President of the USA) visited on 26 Bromwich Railway Station. September 1941. The King of Norway also visited In 1934, the Air Ministry stated that Castle during the war. Bromwich aerodrome could not be used for civil Post war, the airfield reverted back to be a purposes indefinitely, so a new airport was built at training station. Various units used it and there Elmdon (some five miles (8 km) away), that is was an annual display to mark the anniversary of just outside the Birmingham city boundary. It the Battle of Britain. Amongst the units based opened in 1939, and is now the present there was the Warwickshire Wing of the Air Birmingham International Airport. Training Corps. In 1937 at Castle Bromwich, more hangars Civilian flights returned, including the first and a squadron headquarters were built for the scheduled helicopter service from London. The Royal Air Force. In 1939, it was extended further aeroplane factory was closed in 1945 and became to become a fighter station and a base for other a car factory. It was first sold to Fisher and units. The airfield was also used for experimental Ludlow Ltd, which was acquired by the British purposes, including the Handley Page H.P.54 Motor Corporation in 1953. Later, it became part Harrow, an early twin-engine heavy bomber. of Jaguar. Part of the original site was also As World War II approached a new bought by Dunlop to extend its premises, and shadow factory was established to produce house its research programme. aeroplanes. This was to be built between Fort The airfield closed in 1958 and in 1960 the Dunlop and the airfield. Construction commenced site and that of the British Industries Fair, plus on 14th July 1938 and an initial order for 1,000 nearby farmland, was sold for housing. The Spitfires was placed on 12th April 1939. runway was broken up, the buildings were Castle Bromwich Aeroplane Factory was demolished, and construction of a Birmingham then the largest of its kind in Britain; it covered overspill estate (Castle Vale) started in 1964, and 345 acres (1.40 km2) and employed 12,000 was completed in 1969. people. The site plan shows main offices, All that remains today are a stained glass ’s church, streets and ho drawing offices, tool rooms, stores for finished window in the estate using parts, areas for the assembly of wings and blocks with aviation names, a row of ex-RAF fuselages, and covering of tail planes and fins, houses along the Chester Road, and a Spitfire drape shops (for covering of parts including petrol Memorial. This is a large steel sculpture called Sentinel designed by Tim Tolkien which was
8 erected in 2000 on the roundabout where the road chippings and a large covering of sand to to the estate joins the Chester Road. The represent the Canal Zone in Egypt. However, to roundabout was subsequently renamed "Spitfire keep it looking smart proved to be very high Island". maintenance, falling on a small number of Suez No. 605 (County of Warwick) Squadron Veterans who live reasonably close to the remained at RAF Castle Bromwich until 27th Arboretum to manage it. So a decision was taken August 1939. It was then moved to RAF to refurbish the Memorial and make alterations Tangmere in Sussex and from then on, its that would make it much lower maintenance in personnel fought throughout the Second World the future. War at various other airfields in the UK and The new design incorporates a new abroad until 10th May 1946, when it returned to pyramid, a new memorial cross and paving to RAF Honiley and the Squadron remained there replace much of the sand. A palm tree from the until it was disbanded on 11th March 1957. original memorial has been replanted there. 2605 (County of Warwick) RAuxAF Brian watts, who coordinated the refurbishment and the rededication event for the Regiment LAA Squadron My Sqdn) “With many of our veterans being After valiant service in World War Two SVA, said: the Auxiliary Air Force was reformed on 10th May quite elderly now, we could not expect them to 1947. In recognition of its wartime achievements, continue to maintain the Memorial as it was, so on 16th December 1947, the force was granted the we opted to refurbish it and make it lower honour of the prefix Royal by HM King George maintenance. We are very pleased with the end result, which is an attractive, informative, long V1. The same year, it was decided to expand and ’s a fitting tribute to those lasting memorial that broaden the scope of the RAuxAF. ”. Each flying squadron was to have a who lost their lives The re-dedication event started with a Regiment Light Anti-Aircraft (LAA) squadron ’s marquee at and an air defence unit, later re-designated as service in the Arboretum 12.00 Fighter Control Units (FCUs). noon, followed by a parade to the Memorial for ’ the re-dedication, with over 40 standard bearers An LAA squadron s primary role was ’s airfield defence, using Bofors L40/60 Guns marching. The event was part of the SVA against attack by low-flying aircraft, with a back Spring Reunion weekend, which was held at the up function of local ground defence. They were Best Western Premier Yew Lodge Hotel in equipped with transport to make them fully Kegworth, Derby. Transport was arranged to take mobile in a crisis. To emphasise their affiliation members and guests from the hotel to the with a flying squadron, the LAAs number plate Arboretum in time for the service and back to the was prefixed by the number 2 - for example, my hotel later in the afternoon. auxiliary squadron was based at RAF Honiley and Engraving of names of those killed in was affiliated to 605 (County of Warwick) RAF 2011 Squadron thus, it had the number and title 2605 The painstaking process of engraving the (County of Warwick) RAuxAF Regiment names of the UK Servicemen and women who Squadron. were killed on duty or through terrorism in 2011 NATIONAL MEMORIAL began on Monday 23rd April 2012 at the National Memorial Arboretum. The engraver, Nick ARBORETUM (NMA) UPDATE Hindle, started work on the Armed Forces Suez Veterans Association Memorial Memorial at 09:30 hours, carefully tracing the About 500 visitors attended the characters of the first names to be engraved, rededication of its newly refurbished memorial before picking up his hammer and chisel to make st which took place on Saturday 31 March at the the first mark in the Portland Stone. The names National Memorial Arboretum. The original Suez of those killed will be read out and dedicated in a Veterans Memorial to those who had lost their special service for families later in the year. Nick lives in the Suez Canal Zone was dedicated in Hindle the stonemason has engraved hundreds of March 2004. names over the past four years. It incorporated a pyramid shaped ‘canal’ made of blue glass memorial plinth, a
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Olympic Torch Relay to reach the Adams, cabinet member for economic growth and National Memorial Arboretum on enterprise, said the investment would help to Armed Forces Day make the arboretum a world-class centre of remembrance. The Olympic Torch Relay, which will take "The National Memorial Arboretum is at place over a period of 70 days and via more than the heart of our collective sense of identity," he 1000 local communities across the British Isles, is said. "It is a symbol of remembrance for the scheduled to reach the National Memorial sacrifices that past and present generations make Arboretum on Armed Forces Day - Saturday 30th to protect our freedom and prosperity." He added: June. Armed Forces Day was introduced in 2009 "We know this will continue to be a symbolic as a day for the nation to show its support and place to learn, remember and celebrate." appreciation for the men and women who make The arboretum already attracts more than up the Armed Forces community. Since then it 300,000 visitors a year, attracting people has been commemorated annually at the worldwide. This will create a huge boost for Arboretum, which is part of The Royal British tourism in Staffordshire, bringing even more Legion family of charities. visitors into the county to experience our The arrival of the Olympic Torch at 8.30 wonderful attractions," Councillor Adams added. a.m. will start the Armed Forces Day Since 2003, the arboretum has been part of commemorations at the Arboretum, for which a The Royal British Legion family of charities and full programme of events and activities is is sited on 150 acres of reclaimed gravel planned, including a moving Service of Tribute, workings. The attraction has over 200 dedicated musical entertainment, a variety of interesting memorials including the iconic Armed Forces exhibitions and special displays. Memorial, the Shot at Dawn Memorial, and the After departing the Arboretum, the Far East Prisoners of War Memorial Building. Olympic Torch Relay will continue to 16 other Chairman of the National Memorial locations, including Streethay, Lichfield, Arboretum Appeal, Major General Patrick Tamworth and Walsall, en route to Birmingham. ’s chief executive, Charles Bagot Cordingly DSO, said: "The three-million pound The Arboretum contribution from the county council is of major Jewitt, said: “The arrival of the Olympic Torch Relay importance to the appeal. He added "We are
very grateful for the council's on-going support, at the National Memorial Arboretum will be a which will help us to realise our aim of becoming very special moment for our staff, volunteers, a world renowned centre of remembrance." visitors and the local community. It seems fitting The National Memorial Arboretum will that it falls on Armed Forces Day, which is a key ’s calendar of also be playing host to the signing of date in the Arboretum Staffordshire's Armed Forces Community commemorative events, and we hope that many ” Covenant on Thursday, May 3, which will see the people will join us to celebrate. coming together of the county's key partners. The Arboretum will open early to the public on 30th June to admit visitors for what is Lisburn funeral director donates expected to be a very memorable event for the memorial seat th Arboretum and the community. On Saturday 28 April local members of £3 million investment begins at National the Regimental Association of the Ulster Defence Memorial Arboretum so we remember Regiment attended a memorial service and dedication of the UDR Stones at the National them always Memorial Arboretum, in memory of all the men A six-year investment project to create a and women of the UDR who made the supreme new learning centre at the National Memorial – sacrifice. Arboretum has begun with the first payment of The Memorial Stones have been erected in half-a-million pounds. Staffordshire County £3m in the the Ulster Section of the Arboretum in Council has said it will invest Staffordshire. The Stones are an impressive 10 Remembrance Learning Centre, which will offer feet high and dominate the surrounding area; the "lifelong multi-learning and education". The stone incorporates the Harp and Crown badge of council's cabinet approved the cash last year. Ben the Regiment. Sixty-three more memorial trees
10 planted in memory of former members of the Saturday 26th May 2012 UDR who died as a result of terrorist action after On Saturday 26th May 2012 at 12.00 noon they had left the Regiment. onsite at the HSF Grove, the Inns of Court and SD Browns Funeral Directors Ltd in City Yeomanry will hold a short service and act of Lisburn have kindly donated a Memorial Seat to Remembrance. For further information contact: be placed alongside the trees at the Arboretum so John Sabini on 020 8527 6871 or that ex-members and their families can sit and [email protected] or the website: reflect on past memories. www.iccy.org.uk The Chairman of the Lisburn Branch said Saturday 26th May 2012 the donation has been greatly appreciated by all On Saturday 26th May onsite at 2.00 p.m. and looks absolutely fantastic in its setting. He the Monte Casino Society will hold a service of “We would like to take this opportunity to added: dedication for their new memorial. For further thank Mr David Brown for this kind donation and information contact: Mike Anslow, Committee his continued support, the members of the Member, on [email protected] Association have been totally amazed by this kind Saturday 27th May 2012 ” th gift. On Sunday 27 May at 12.00 noon on site Future Events at the NMA at RMA memorial, the Royal Marines Association (RMA) will hold their annual service of Thursday 17th May 2012 remembrance followed by luncheon reception. On Thursday 17th May at 11.00 a. m. on For further information contact: Ralph Eales, site at REA memorial, the Royal Engineers Event Organiser, on 01332 671 753 or 07771 Association (REA) will hold a drum head service 765021 or
McLennan (Controller REA) on 01634 847 005 or Saturday 2nd June 2012 [email protected] Website: www.reahq.org.uk On Saturday 2nd June at 11.15. a.m onsite, Sunday 20th May 2012 the Arborfield Old Boys' Association, as part of a On Sunday 20th May at 11.30 a.m. a reunion weekend, will hold a drumhead service of service will be held to dedicate a memorial for the Remembrance for ex-apprentices of Arborfield Falklands conflict. Places at the main event are Army Apprentices College. limited. Applications may be made via the For further information contact David website below. Closing date 28th February. For (Tich) Schofield, Honorary Secretary, on 01249 further information contact the Secretary, SAMA 248898 or at
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Saturday 16th June 2012 commemoration service. For further information On Saturday 16th June at 11.30 a. m. in the contact the Assistant Regimental Secretary at Millennium Chapel and onsite at RMP memorial,
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On Saturday 15th September at 11.00 a.m. On Sunday 11th November at 12.00 noon onsite at the South Atlantic Medal Association onsite at the Allied Special Forces Grove, (SAMA) Memorial, the HMS Invincible WO's members of the Allied Special Forces will hold a and CPO's 82 Association will hold a service of short service of remembrance. For further remembrance. For further information contact information contact: Mike Colton, ASF Peter Westbrook on 02392 580158 or at Secretary, on 07929 118598 or
13 requested but donations may be made to the 2968, 2961 and 2739 Sqns RAF Regt, including charity, Garden House Hospice in Letchworth, via service in Sumatra. Funeral details have yet to be the Funeral Directors, E H Crouch, Letchworth announced. He is survived by his sons and Brian (tel 01462 682868). Steggall may be contacted at He is survived by his wife, Jeanette, of 1 [email protected] . The Corps Bennett Court, Letchworth, Hertfordshire SG6 extends its sincere condolences to the family. 1QG, and children Alex, Linda and Johnny, to NEW NOTICES: whom the Corps extends its sincere condolences. HOMECOMING PARADE FOR II SQN RAF – WILLIAMS WARREN. Former RAF REGT 30 JUN 12 Regt Cpl Warren WILLIAMS, born 11 May 34, The Homecoming Parade for II Sqn RAF died on 11 Apr 12 aged 77. He enlisted in 1951 Regt, following its return from operations in and served on the following RAF Regt sqns, 48 Afghanistan in May 12, will be held in Bury St ’ Day, Sat 30 Jun 12. Sqn (51-53), 2 Sqn (53-55), 56 Sqn (55-58) and Edmunds on Armed Forces 62 Sqn (58-60) before being discharged in Jun 60. Further details will be issued nearer the event. He deployed on operations to Egypt, RAF REGT ASSOC 2012 TOWER OF – Aden, Cyprus and N Ireland. He was a member LONDON SERVICE 8 JUL 12 of the Lincolnshire Branch of the RAF Regt The annual RAF Regt Assoc Assoc. The funeral took place at Ashby-de-la- Commemorative Service at HM Tower of London Lunde Church, near Sleaford, at 11.00 on Tue 1 will be held on Sun 8 Jul 12. Further details will ’s May 12. Donations may be made in lieu of be issued shortly in CPeNs and in the Assoc ‘MiniFlashes’. flowers to the charity, St Barnabas Hospice, through the Funeral Director, Colin Ward & Sons RAF REG.T COMMEMORATIVE STONE (tel 01529 300123) or at the funeral. A new Corp Commemorative Stone, He is survived by his daughter, Mrs Fiona depicting the RAF Regiment badge and Woodhead of 36 Brach Close, Netherton, Dudley, appropriate wording, is being commissioned and ’s West Midlands, DY2 0JD, and son, Mr David will be placed in the floor of the St Edmund Williams, of 2 Old Field Road, Hampton, London, Chapel at St Edmundsbury Cathedral, Bury St ’ 70th TW12 2AE, to whom the Corps extends its Edmunds, during 2012, the Corps sincere condolences. Anniversary Year. – MacKENZIE HECTOR. Founder The date of the Dedication Service is set - Member. Former RAF Regt Sgt Hector provisionally - for the afternoon of Sunday 30th MaCKENZIE, born 26 Jun 17, died on 13 Apr 12 September 2012, which also coincides with the ’s planned AGM and Annual Reunion aged 94. He enlisted at RAF West Drayton as a Association Ground Gunner on 6 Jul 39 and was assimilated Muster Parade and visit to the Regiment Depot at into the RAF Regt on its formation in 1942. He RAF Honington that day. Further details will be served throughout WWII on 2709 and 2797 Sqns issued in Corps Parish eNotices and in the RAF ’s ‘MiniFlashes’. RAF Regt, and on 5026 Sqn RAF. He then Regiment Association served at RAF Kai Tak in Hongkong until his CLOSURE OF THE RAF REGT SHOP discharge on 14 Sep 46. The RAF Regt Shop, a privately-owned He was a member of the Leicester Branch business based at RAF Honington, ceased trading of the RAF Regt Assoc before transferring to the officially on 31 Mar 12. Those customers with Birmingham Branch in Feb 06. The funeral was outstanding business should write to the former held on 26 Apr 12 in Leicester. He is survived by Manageress at the RAF Regt Shop c/o RAF his granddaughter, Mrs Rebecca Macdonald of 79 Honington, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk IP31 1EE. Henley Road, Leicester, LE3 9RD, to whom the A replacement facility is under discussion and Corps extends its sincere condolences. further details will be published in due course. STEGGALL FREDERICK. - Founder CENTURION JOURNAL 2011 Member. Former RAF Regt LAC Frederick The new edition of the Centurion Journal Charles STEGGALL, born 26 Dec 22, died on 21 was printed and sent to the Distributors for Apr 12 aged 89. He enlisted on 16 Oct 41 as a mailing last week. However, the print quality was Ground Gunner and was assimilated into the RAF viewed as sub-standard and unacceptable and, as a Regt on its formation in 1942. He served on result, those copies have been withdrawn and
14 destroyed. A new print-run has been ordered and MA, that Gp Capt Scott Miller MA RAF, it is hoped that the copies will be mailed after the currently Deputy Assistant Chief of Staff - May Bank Holiday. The edition is just shy of 200 Olympics at HQ Air Comd, is to assume the – pages with four times the normal colour content appointment of Stn Cdr RAF Honington in and worth the extra wait! succession to Gp Capt Andy Hall MBE MA The original copies addressed to RAF (whose next appointment is unknown). Their Honington addressees were already mailed before handover is likely to be at the end of 2012 or early the problem was identified. The new version will in 2013. be made available to subscribers on return of the DEDICATION OF RAF REGIMENT – earlier version. Similarly, the overseas copies COMMEMORATIVE STONE 30 SEP 12 (BFPO, EU and Rest-of-World) were also sent A new Corp Commemorative Stone, and will be replaced upon request. depicting the RAF Regiment badge and If you are a RAF Regt Fund/Centurion appropriate commemorative wording, has been subscriber, have moved since Aug 10 and have commissioned that will be placed in the floor of ’s Chapel at St Edmundsbury not (or are not sure of having) updated your the St Edmund mailing address, please contact Fg Off Elliot Cathedral, Bury St Edmunds, on the afternoon of ’ 70th Haddock at [email protected] to Sun 30 Sep 12, in this the Corps Anniversary register your new address. year. PARLIAMENTARY WELCOME FOR OP The date coincides with the RAF Regt ’s scheduled AGM and Annual Reunion ELLEMY PERSONNEL Assoc More than 100 Service personnel, Muster Parade and its visit to the Regiment Depot including the RAF Regt, were thanked publicly by at RAF Honington that day. Further details will Parliament for their contribution to military be issued in Corps Parish eNotices and in the RAF ’s ‘MiniFlashes’. operations over Libya at a Reception at the Palace Regt Assoc of Westminster yesterday. The Reception, hosted FALKLANDS CONFLICT by the All-Party Parliamentary Group for the COMMEMORATIVE ALE OFFER Armed Forces, followed a joint parade from You will no doubt be aware that 2012 Wellington Barracks to the Palace of Westminster marks the 30th Anniversary of the Falklands of personnel who served on Operation ELLAMY. Conflict, and Shepherd Neame (the oldest The Band of the RAF Regt accompanied the independent brewers in the country) have parade. Baroness Harris took some of the RAF produced a Falklands Commemorative Ale Pack Regt contingent on a personal tour of the Palace which is now available directly from the Brewery. and entertained them to tea. The packs comprise two bottles of RAF REGT ASSOC 2012 TOWER OF Falklands Commemorative Ale and two bottles of – LONDON SERVICE 8 JUL 12 Glorious 2012 Spitfire Ale (Jubilee etc). Each £10, plus £5 p&p. The annual RAF Regt Assoc Commemorative pack costs All the proceeds Service at HM Tower of London will be held on will go to charity; specifically each pack sold will £4, £2 of which will go to the South Sun 8 Jul 12. The event will start at 09.30-10.20 generate ‘Meet ’ near Traitors’ Gate, with with a -and-Greet Atlantic Medal Association (SAMA) ( £2 to The entry to the Tower at 10.25. http://www.sama82.org.uk) and A parade will be held at 10.40, followed Falklands Veterans Foundation (FVF) ( by a Church Service at 11.00. A Reception in the http://www.falklandsveterans.org.uk). ’ Club will be held after the Service at Yeomans These charities have done - and continue approx 12.00. For further details and to notify to do - important work for veterans of the Conflict attendance, please contact Mr Sam Naylor on and their relatives. The packs should be a great (mob) 07929 764034, Email at source of pleasure for many, enhanced by [email protected], or Roland Blaney knowing that that enjoyment is also benefitting on (mob) 07932 971719. two worthwhile charities. The direct link to order NEXT RAF HONINGTON STATION is:http://www.shepherdneame.co.uk/shop/p-181- COMMANDER ANNOUNCED falkland-islands-ale.aspx . The Chief of the Air Staff has confirmed CORPS DIARY DATES: to the CG RAF Regt, Air Cdre Nick Bray CBE * Provisional Dates
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’ Dinner Club Annual 30 May - RAF Regt Offrs purpose of catching unwary motorists, who may – Reception 2012 (House of Lords) * Date be just breaking the speed limit in a perfectly safe – Change way so is the driving test system yet another 15 Jun - 63 Sqn RAF Regt Assoc Reunion (Union hidden tax - money raising scam I wonder? Jack Club, London). One of our grandsons is now seventeen ’ Day + RAF Regt Annual ’t wait to 30 Jun - UK Veterans years old and like all young men, couldn Memorial Commemoration (NMA Alrewas) pass his driving test, and last month, after earlier 30 Jun - II Sqn RAF Regt Homecoming Parade passing the Driving Test Theory Examination, he (Bury St Edmunds). passed his Practical Driving Test first time. 3 Jul - 3 Sqn RAF Regt Homecoming Parade and As I have been giving him off public roads 25th Anniversary Families Day (RAF Wittering) driving lessons and coaching him for his theory 8 Jul - Annual RAF Regt Service of examination since he was fifteen years old, no one Commemoration (HM Tower of London). was surprised that he passed his practical driving 19 Jul - II Sqn RAF Regt 90th Anniversary test first time. What did surprise us all though, ’ Day (RAF Honington). Families was that he failed his theory driving test twice, 21 Jul - RAF Regt Assoc NEC Mtg 2-11 (venue before finally passing it on his third attempt. TBC) It is not cheap passing your driving test, £31.00 1 Sep - Centurion Journal 2012 - Article Deadline. for the theory examination for a car costs 1 Sep** - Naming Ceremony (for those killed in and the practical driving test for a weekday £62.00 (it goes up to £75.00 if 2011) at the National Armed Forces' Memorial appointment costs (NMA Alrewas). you can only take it evenings or weekends). – 28 Sep 1 Oct - RAF Regt Assoc AGM and Fortunately our grandson was able to take Reunion (Wyboston Lakes) time off for his tests. However, passing his theory – £93.00 and 30 Sep - Dedication of Corps Commemorative test cost him well it cost our family - £62.00, a total of Stone in St Edmundsbury Cathedral (Bury St his practical driving test cost £155.00. With my well Edmunds) -known aversion to – 18-19 Oct - RAF AC Assoc Autumn Reunion politicians and their crafty schemes for getting Morley Hayes (Dinner on 19 Apr) money out of us one way or another, a lot of them ’ Dinner Club Annual – 26 Oct - RAF Regt Offrs aimed at motorists his theory test failure rate – Dinner 2012 (RAF Club, London). made me wonder is this another politicians 11 Nov - Remembrance Day (Nationwide). scam, do examiners have to fail a certain number? ’t think so as that would involve a 2013 I didn 31 Jan - Corps Operational Review (RAF group of hardworking examiners in possibly Honington). fraudulent activity. Not impossible of course but 1 Feb - 71st Anniversary of the Formation of the unlikely. So I started to research the computer- RAF Regt. based theory driving test failure rate on the ’ Briefing and Corps 1 Feb - Corps Officers internet to see if there was another way. Formation Dinner 2012 (RAF Honington). I was not particularly surprised to find that 11 May* - Annual RAF Regt Chapel I was not the only one with such cynicism, as I Commemoration (provisional date, Catterick). found that others are carrying out the same sort of ’ Dinner Club Ladies 28 Jun - RAF Regt Offrs research on the internet. It seems that the most Dinner Night (Morley Hayes, nr Derby). suspicion falls on the type of theory test required ’ Day + RAF Regt Annual 29 Jun - UK Veterans for those wishing to obtain s driving licence. Memorial Commemoration (NMA Alrewas) My grandson has told me that some of the ’ Dinner Club Annual 8 Nov - RAF Regt Offrs multiple choice questions were not clear to him Dinner 2013 (RAF Club, London). and I had originally thought that perhaps he was 10 Nov - Remembrance Day (Nationwide). trying to excuse his first and second failure to pass ’s Theory Driving Our Grandson Exam his theory test. Now I find that others on the We all know that the money raised by internet have voiced the same opinion. many speed cameras is a scam, for many of them Not only that, members of my family who – and police cars and mobile speed cameras - are are experienced drivers have tried out the online positioned in places that can only be for the theory driving test and found many of the multiple
16 choice questions confusing as to which answer should be given, as have two driving instructors that I have spoken to. Can this be the reason for the theory failure rate? Just make the multiple choice questions obscure enough and all at once you can double, treble of even in some cases, quadruple the income gained from the theory test. Well, well, well, are our politicians really as devious as this? Can it really be possible? Or is just that the people who set the test are incompetent and would not know a sensible theory driving test from a slightly incomprehensible one? Or did our political masters simply arrange to make the theory test just a little bit too incomprehensible in order to ’ scam more money out of us? I couldn t possibly accuse our politicians of such disgraceful behaviour could I? So I will leave you all to draw your own conclusions.
’s all for now, keep smiling if you can Well that and stay happy. Malcolm