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THE BIRMINGHAM BRANCH NEWSLETTER NUMBER 233 NOVEMBER 2008

Dear Readers. The Branch Roll of Honour Page gives details Through the hard work of Gordon Diffey of all Birmingham Branch Members who have who designed the Association Website, I am now passed on to that great squadron in the sky since responsible for updating the Birmingham Branch 2002. I have included all the details of the pages of the Association Website. With his help, deceased in my possession. In some cases though I have put a considerable amount of information this is limited, particularly pre-2006, so if anyone onto it. Gordon has been tireless in explaining to has more information about any of them that I me how to update the Birmingham pages and could add please let me know. even more diligent in putting right my many The Birmingham Branch History Page contains mistakes. His help has been invaluable and I am four items of historical information about the extremely grateful to him. Birmingham Branch. If you have access to the Internet, have a Item 1. A History of the Purchase and look at it and let me know what you think. Also, Development of the RAF Regiment if any of you have any ideas for developing the Memorial Garden. This item is just a Birmingham Branch pages of the Association title as there is a link to the complete WebSite, for we can have as many pages as we article that is on the history section of the want, so let me know of any ideas too. main Association page. Clicking on this At the moment, the Birmingham Branch link transfers you straight away to the section of the Association Website has five pages article. on it headed as follows; Item 2. A History of the Birmingham Branch The Branch Home Page Standard, that was Purchased in April Birmingham Branch Committee 1990. A full history, of how the Branch Birmingham Branch News Standard was purchased and then formally Birmingham Branch Roll of Honour presented, to the Branch by a RAF Birmingham Branch History Catterick Colour Presentation Party on th Thursday 14 June 1990. The history The Birmingham Branch Home Page has st information about Branch meetings, basic includes three photographs. 1 the information about current Branch news, basic Standard being collected by Squadron information about the Branch Standard and basic Leader Terry Noyes from the Standard Colour Party Warrant Officer Les information about the Branch newsletters and the nd Formation of the Birmingham Branch. Chapman. 2 Squadron Leader Noyes presenting the Standard to our Standard The Birmingham Branch Committee Page is rd just that, a page giving all committee members Bearer Doug Tapsell and 3 , Birmingham contact details together with photographs of Branch members gathered behind the new myself and the Branch President Peter Swash. I Standard. would like to include a photograph of all Item 3. The Dedication of the Birmingham Branch Standard at Birmingham committee members so if any Committee Member th would like me to include a photograph, if Cathedral on Sunday 19 May 1991. possible, e-mail a suitable one to me, if not, send This history also includes twelve ’ll scan it into my computer. me a hard copy and I photographs of the parade afterwards, in a rolling format. The Birmingham Branch News Page has all the current news about the Branch for the month of The RAF Regiment Association WebSite ’s Branch Members October, it has that month was commissioned by the Association Chairman birthdays, it has news about the Birmingham Steven Brereton Martin and the Association Branch Commemoration of Air Vice Marshal Executive Committee and launched in late Donald Pocock at the NMA and it has the latest September 2007 so it was a year old last month. news of our donations to the Military Ward. It is a large site with a total of 153 pages and since

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September 2003, the number of visitors to the site each visit they are asked for their next request so has increased from 86 in that month, to 3,302 in we have a continuing need for regular donations. September 2008. The number of visitors is With the ever increasing number of casualties growing regularly and up to September this year being evacuated from the combat zones, we need there were a total of 29,212 visitors since the site to encourage continuing donations to the Appeal was launched. As the site is slowly getting ranked Fund. With your help, we can continue to provide on search engines, is likely to be the main site this these small comforts and any other items that the year for enquiries about many things regarding the Military Ward staffs ask us for we can never get ’s an excellent site so if you RAF Regiment. It enough goodies for the lads. So in the mean time, ’t seen it yet, give it a go. haven your continued support is appreciated. Please BRANCH BIRTHDAYS don't hesitate to contact me if you have any other Happy birthday to the following ideas where we could help. All donations will be Birmingham Branch members whose birthdays gratefully acknowledged and will be recorded in are in November. We hope that they have many the Birmingham Branch newsletters. more of them. Some members have not fully Donations to the Ward completed their Application Forms so if I have This month The Military Ward Appeal missed anyone out, give me a call and I'll put it Fund has given the following items to the Military £330.00 batch of 36 W right. As I have said above, I have also put these Ward. A aterproof wound birthday greetings onto the Birmingham News covers from Limbo Technical Products Ltd. This page of the RAF Regiment Association WebSite company has been very supportive and do not but if anyone does not wish to be included in charge us for delivery. The covers allow patients these birthday greetings, please let me know. to shower without getting their bandaged wounds 5th November Alan Addis of wet. They are available on prescription from the Cannock, Staffordshire. NHS but the Military Ward staff do not work for 8th November Jeffrey Johnson of the NHS, they work for the MoD. Consequently, Cannock, Staffordshire orders for these items have to go to the MoD and 9th November Harry Ravensdale of it takes two or more weeks for the order to be Newcastle under Lyme, followed through and delivered to the Military Staffordshire. Ward. Of course, by that time, the patients 22nd November Peter Swash of Rowney needing them have been discharged or transferred Green, Worcestershire. to Headley Court for further treatment. 24th November Doug Tapsell of Solihull, Additionally, this month we have supplied West Midlands. the Military Ward with three DVD Players and 24th November Paul Acres of games for the lads. This has cost us another £300.00 and as a consequ Swadlincote, South ence, these purchases Derbyshire. have resulted in the Military Ward Appeal Fund 25th November Norman Prince of Wem becoming very much depleted. In fact we only £3.41 left in the Fund so d Shropshire. have onations are 26th November Brian Stanier of urgently required. We are expecting other Stourbridge, West donations but if anyone would like to contribute Midlands. financially to this appeal, please send a cheque to the Branch Treasurer Tom Magee, made out to the Branch Appeal – Birmingham Branch Military Ward Appeal. Goodies for the Military Ward If any of you would like to contribute It is most important that we remember the items to this appeal, you can either take them dangers that our young men and women serving directly to Ward S4, Selly Oak Hospital and ask on operations are all facing, so please remember for Major Ian Cheesman, or post them to Major I the appeal your Branch Committee have set up. “goodies” to the R Cheesman, OC Patient Support Services, We are now regularly sending RCDM, Ward S4, Selly Oak Hospital, Raddlebarn lads in Selly Oak Hospital. Through Roy Thomas Road, Selly Oak, Birmingham, B29 6JD. and Ralph Dean we have regular contact every month with the military ward nursing staff. At ********************

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For some time now I have been concerned questions this situation. After reading this article, ’m puzzled but that we do not read in the media of how many of I what do you all think? Let me our young men and women are being casevacced know. from conflict zones, for we all know that MoD accused of covering up normally, the number of those injured in action, far outweigh the number of those killed in action. injuries to troops The media always publish the details of those Defence chiefs have been accused of killed in action and quite right too but very little is covering up the severity of injuries to published about those who have been wounded in troops wounded in combat in action. Is this right? A spokesman for the MoD said that Afghanistan. summaries of those injured are published on the Soldiers, MPs and lawyers representing MoD website every two weeks and that these injured servicemen and women claim the real cost regular updates record the severity of the injury to those fighting on the front line in Helmand suffered and an indication of the cause. Does the province, southern Afghanistan, is being hidden following information on the MoD website tie-up from the public for political reasons. The Sunday with the above statement by the MoD spokesman? Telegraph has learnt that every week dozens of The MoD spokesman also said that soldiers are being injured, some severely, yet “ details of injuries are not released to protect the details of the nature and severity of the wounds ”. Would soldiers' families from media intrusion are never made public. While the Ministry of publishing further details of injuries and wounds Defence argues that details of injuries are not be an intrusion? Would we be able to find out released to protect the soldiers' families from personal details of those injured if these details media intrusion, many within the military believe were published? I think not but what do you all the policy is designed to keep secret the attrition think? Read the article and let me know what you rate being suffered by the Army in Afghanistan. think? However, not everyone has access to the The Second Battalion the Parachute internet and we do not see much about casualties Regiment, one of the five infantry units currently in the media, as details of the nature and severity based in Helmand has had a particularly grueling of the wounds are never made public. tour of duty in which seven members of the ’ve accessed the I MoD site and the battalion have been killed and more than 50 information given for up to 21st September 2008 injured. In one of the most horrific incidents, Lance Corporal Thomas Neathway lost both legs is as follows. Fatalities and an arm when he was blown up by an Killed In Action 2. improvised explosive device. During his Died of Wounds 0. evacuation another soldier, Corporal Jason Others 0. – Barnes, was killed. While tributes were made to Casualties excluding natural causes Cpl Barnes, no details of LCpl Neathway's Very Seriously Injured or Wounded injuries were made public by the MoD. 5. A week earlier, an 18-year old Ranger Seriously Injured or Wounded serving with the Royal Irish Regiment lost both 4. legs in an ambush close to the British base in Total 9. Musa Qala. As with every incident involving a

soldier wounded in Afghanistan since 2006, no Field Hospital Admissions details were released. Last month, four British Wounded in Action 20. soldiers from the 5th battalion the Royal Disease or Non-Battle Injury Regiment of Scotland were injured in a friendly 523. fire incident when a 105mm artillery shell Total 543. mistakenly landed on British troops. Once again, Aeromed Evacuations 279. no details of their injuries were made public. The following article published last month Although the MoD insists that it is not on 21st September, by Sean Rayment, Defence "covering up" details of soldiers' injuries, the Correspondent of the on-line Telegraph, also department refused to reveal how many servicemen and women have suffered paralysis or

5 brain injuries, or been blinded, while serving in every two weeks. These regular updates record southern Afghanistan. In the past it has also the severity of the injury suffered and an consistently refused to release details of the indication of the cause. The MoD recognises number of amputees. But the ministry relented there is considerable public interest in the number last week and told The Sunday Telegraph that 34 of military personnel who are seriously injured in soldiers had one or more limbs or parts of limbs the course of their duty. This is why we publish amputated after being wounded while serving in our casualty statistics on the MoD's website and Afghanistan since 2002. The MoD publishes a regularly facilitate media access to Headley Court table of casualty statistics on its website, but no and Selly Oak to demonstrate the levels of care mention is made of the type or severity of the we provide to seriously-injured service personnel. injuries. One senior officer told The Sunday But we also have a duty to protect the privacy of Telegraph: our personnel and must ensure we continue to "There is a general policy by the MoD to protect our injured from unwelcome intrusion." keep the horror of what's going on in Afghanistan AIR VICE MARSHAL DONALD POCOCK – out of the public domain, and that's probably for CBE (CG 1973 1975) th – th political reasons. If the real truth were known it b 5 July 1920 d 30 July 2008 RIP would have a huge impact on Army recruiting and You will all know by now of the death of the Government would come under severe one of our most distinguished Commandant pressure to withdraw the troops. Injured soldiers Generals, Air Vice Marshal Donald Pocock, who do not get enough coverage and many feel let was greatly respected within the Corps, as you down by and angered by this. The public are only will have read of his death and his Obituary in told about those killed in action. Telling the truth these newsletters. As I did, many of you will would give the public a better understanding of have come to know him through the RAF what war is like, because far more soldiers are Regiment Association and such is the regard in seriously injured than are killed." which he was held by the Birmingham Branch, ’s Paul Harrington of MPH solicitors, who that we discussed the matter at September has represented soldiers injured in Iraq and Branch Meeting and on your behalf, your Branch Afghanistan, said: "The MoD has a very clear Committee have decided to commemorate him at agenda: it does not want pictures of soldiers the National Memorial Arboretum. There is a injured on the battlefield getting into the press facility for this in the walkway between the because of the negative impact it would have on Visitor Centre and the Millennium Chapel. public opinion." Similar concerns were raised by This is paved with red brick pavers upon James Buchan, of Irwin Mitchell solicitors, who which the details of those to be commemorated added: "The MoD has consistently refused to pass can be carved. We have already commissioned a on details of soldiers with brain injuries. Either number of these pavers commemorating various the MoD doesn't know or doesn't want to know. people and we intend to commemorate AVM It is a completely paranoid organisation when it Pocock with another of these pavers. Of course, I comes to releasing details of casualties." first wrote to his family first for their permission Patrick Mercer, the Tory MP and former to do so and received a reply from his son Max, infantry commanding officer, said: "Are the thanking us for the suggestion and giving us the injured the unacceptable face of war? If they are required permission. He also asked me to let him then our young men should not be sent to war. know when it was installed as the family may The dead are the dead but the injured will be with wish to visit the Arboretum. I shall of course do us for the rest of their lives. They need to be so, particularly as we may wish to have a short encouraged and supported - not hidden away." dedication service for the laying of the paver. I A spokesman for the MoD dismissed the will keep you all informed. The following letter claims of a cover-up of the severity of casualties from Birmingham Branch member Squadron in either Afghanistan or Iraq as "nonsense". He Leader Richard Cox RAF (Rtd) is also relevant, said: for Richard knew Air Vice Marshall Pocock as he "The MoD keeps comprehensive medical served with him. records for each operational casualty and Sqdn Ldr Richard Cox RAF (Rtd) summaries are published on the MoD website

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“My Dear Malcolm. I read with interest of its kind. Its purpose was to train airmen in and much sadness the Obituary of Donald Pocock gunnery for the defence of airfields against air for he and I, and a host of others, were all at the attack. Many of the men would see action when Isle of Man Centre together and were thus later in the year; the Luftwaffe launched their Founder Members of the RAF Regiment and attacks on fighter stations during the Battle of arrived in the Middle East in early January 1942. Britain. At this time the RAF Regiment had not The Obituary does not make it clear that been formed so training was given to non- 2932 was not the only squadron formed at Castel specialised ground staff by Technical Training Benito for there were four squadrons made up of Command. The Empress Hotel in Douglas personnel from Desert Air Force units. In became the unit's Headquarters though all February 1943, they were originally A B C and D. personnel involved in the training were In May 1943, they were renumbered 2930, 2931, accommodated in Castletown, use being made of 2932 and 2933. We formed and trained as 6 flight the boarding houses along the Promenade and - Rifle Squadrons and we had no AA houses within the town itself including Bridge responsibility for the landing ground there, where House. The Fort Island (Golf Links) Hotel there was no AA capability apart from Lewis became the school where instruction was given on Guns. This remained the position until September the mechanics and operation of Lewis, Browning 1943 when we received 20 MM cannons prior to and Bofors Guns. moving to northern Syria in early November Practical experience was gained by firing 1943. at drogues towed by aircraft and even by a high 2933 and 2997 and 2918 were all part of speed motor boat in the early months. The whole “For Seturn”) and we left the Aleppo Force 686 ( training was something of a crash course lasting area in March 1944 and re-equipped and trained ten days so there was constant movement in and as Bofors squadrons. 2933, 2907, 2932 and 2914 out of Castletown. Officers also took the course went to Italy as 1322 Wing in July 1944 to cover accommodation for them being found in the the Foggia airfields. As far as our AA role was Peveril Hotel, Douglas. 1943 saw the Gunnery concerned, we were stood down in September School disbanded when it was absorbed by the 1944. 2932 of course went on to Austria and RAF Regiment which had been formed to take disbanded in March 1946. 2933 and 2907 over airfield defences. Most of the personnel disbanded in the Naples area in November 1944. moved to Douglas where the Empress Hotel had 2930 disbanded in January 1944. 2931 disbanded become the Headquarters of the RAF Regiment in June 1944 with one flight merging with 2933 to training establishment. Ground staff continued to go to Italy. 2914 went on to Greece and Austria be trained in gunnery for which purpose a large and disbanded in March 1946. Yours ever black concrete dome was constructed in the Richard Cox. grounds of the Villa Marina near the Broadway ******************** entrance. Projected on the inside of the dome Many thanks for your letter Richard and were the shapes and paths of aircraft which the ’s letter, following on from Richard the next article gunners tracked with cine-guns. The school is for the benefit of our younger readers. moved from Ronaldsway in 1943 when it became No 1 Ground Defence Gunnery part of the RAF Regiment School. School, Ronaldsway, Isle of Man NEWS OF THE RAF REGIMENT Like all commercial aerodromes Ronaldsway had been commandeered by the Air Ministry in September, 1939, but it was not until the following March that a function was found for it. Here would be based No. I Ground Defence Gunnery School which had been formed the previous December at North Coates on the east FROM THE RAF REGIMENT SECRETARY coast of England. Personnel from a similar unit in General: The following Parish Notices are Northern Ireland - the Armament Training School provided for your information and interest. at Aldergrove - would also transfer to Ronaldsway DEATH NOTICES: which would then accommodate the only school

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ABBOTT Norman. Former Regt FS at the RMA Sandhurst from Jan 48-Jul 49. He Norman (Bud) ABBOTT, born 28 Oct 27 died then joined 61 (Rifle) Sqn (at Fassberg) before peacefully on 3 Oct 08, aged 80, following a short moving to the Light Anti-Aircraft Gunnery illness. The father of the current CG, he enlisted School (LAAGS) at Watchet in Sep 49. in 1949 and served on 66 (Rifle) Sqn and 4001 He was then posted to 19 (LAA) Sqn AC Flt (both in Aden) and on 74 (LAA) Sqn (Guetersloh, Jun 51), returning to the LAAGS in (Geilenkirchen), 63 (LAA) Sqn (Tengah), 66 Jul 52. He was then posted to the RAF Regt (LAA) Sqn (Catterick) and on 26 (LAA/Field) (Malaya) at Changi in Feb 55 before moving ütersloh) – Sqn (G when he was injured in a within the force to 91 Sqn at RAF Kai Tak in terrorist bomb attack while serving in Hongkong. He moved to the RAF Regt Depot, Londonderry in Mar 73. He also served on GDT Catterick in 1958 before being posted to the Aden Flts at RAF Cranwell, Finningly, Stanbridge, Protectorate Levies (APL) on promotion to Sqn Laarbruch, West Raynham, Kinloss, St Athan, Ldr that year. In 1961 he was posted to the RAFC Benson and High Wycombe. The funeral was Cranwell as Snr Regt Instructor (SRI) and then held at St Edmunds Church, RAF Honington, on moved to HQ FEAF in Changi in 1965. Thu 16 Oct at 1200hr. He was pre-deceased by He returned to the UK in Jan 66 to go to ‘Margret’, in Aug 2004. his wife, No flowers RAF Staff College at Andover and, on completion were requested but donations, if required, should of the course, moved to HQ Fighter Command at ’ or be sent to the Priscilla Bacon Support Group RAF Bentley Priory. In 1968, he became GD1 in ‘McMillan Cancer Support’, care of Alcock the Directorate of Gnd def at MOD UK in the Family Funeral Directors, Falcon House, 96A rank of Wg Cdr. He then went to the JS Staff City Rd, Norwich, NR1 2HG. The Corps extends College Course at Latimer before assuming its sincere condolences to the family. command of 33 Wg RAF Regt at Catterick in ARMITAGE Eric. Former RAF May 70, where he coordinated the RAF Regt Armoured Car Company Airman, Eric response (48 Sqn Tigercat) to the threatened ARMITAGE died peacefully on 3 Oct 08. He Guatemalan invasion of British Honduras (now – served on 2 ACC from 1942 46 and was an Belize) in Jan 72. active member of the RAF AC Assoc. No further He was promoted to the rank of Gp Capt details are known at this stage and funeral on 1 Jul 72, when he assumed the appt of Snr Gnd arrangements should be published shortly. Def Staff Offr (SGDSO), HQ Support Comd at CLAKE William. Former RAF Regt Gnr RAF Upavon. He then became the Comd Regt William CLARKE, born in Belfast, NI, in 1920, Offr at HQ RAF Germany in Jun 72 before died in Canada on 16 Sep 08, aged 88. He was a becoming the Comdt at RAF Catterick in Nov 74. WWII veteran who served in the UK and Africa, In Dec 77, he moved to become Dep Dir before emigrating to Canada, where he became a Gnd Def (DDGD) in the Regt Directorate in teacher in Oshawa, Ontario, and a member of the MOD before retiring, at his own request, in Dec Ontario Regt, in which he achieved the rank of 78. He then went to work for the British Aircraft Major and was the second-in-command. Corporation Guided Weapons Division on the In later years, he was a Regional Imperial Iranian AF Rapier Project in Tehran, Councillor for the Clarke township and Chairman before the downfall of the Shah curtailed the ’s Project of the St Johns ambulance, in which he achieved mission. He returned to the UK as BAC the level of a Comdr of St John. He was also a Manager for Overseas Rapier Contracts. member of the Canadian Chapter of the RAF Regt In 1980, he then became the Clerk to the Assoc. A memorial service was held in Oshawa Worshipful Company of Saddlers, one of the on 26 Sep. He is survived by his wife, Mary, to ancient Liveried Companies of the City of whom the Corps extends its sincere condolences. London, before finally retiring in 1994. He ’ ‘Short History of the RAF OLIVER Kingsley. RAF Regt Historian, published the Corps ’ in Feb 70, ‘Through Adversity’ Gp Capt (Retd) Kingsley M Oliver, born 12 Dec Regt - the – 28, died peacefully on 5 Oct 08 aged 79, definitive history of the Corps from 1942-92 in ‘The RAF Regt at War’ in 2002, the following a short illness. Kingsley, who was a 1997 and member of the Birmingham Branch, was latter being privately funded by him. He was the commissioned on 13 Jul 47 and was then trained unofficial RAF Regt Historian for most of the last

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38 years and most deferred to his deep and Honington. Note that the title is not Honorary Air passionate knowledge of the Corps history. Commodore, since he is a serving officer, like his There was a private family funeral on Thu elder brother, HRH Prince William, who has also 30 Oct 08, but a Service of Thanksgiving for his been appointed HACmdt of RAF Coningsby. Life and Work was held in the City of London, The chosen title confers no rank, thus mid-afternoon that day. He is survived by his allowing the Prince to use his current serving rank wife Audrey, to whom the Corps extends its during visits, should he wish to do so. This is a sincere sympathy. Letters of condolence may be signal honour for the Station and yet more sent to Mrs A Oliver at 8 Chiltern Gardens, evidence of Honington's relevance, operational Bromley, Kent BR2 0PT. focus and profile. More details will be published GENERAL NOTICES: in due course. Appointments RAF Regt Association Membership. AVM Graham Stacey The Constitutional objective of the Air Cdre G E Stacey is to be promoted AVM and Association shall be to maintain and promote is to assume the appointment as Senior British esprit de corps and comradeship amongst all RAF Military Advisor to US Central Command Regiment personnel, both past and present, in (CENTCOM) at Tampa, Florida, on 18 Mar 09. order to promote the good name, reputation and Gp Capt N Bray. Gp Capt Bray is to assume the traditions of the Corps. All who wore the 'Flash' appointment of RAF FP Force Comdr and Stn are entitled to join. Comdr RAF Honington on 19 Dec 08. For more information and an application Gp Capt R La Forte. Gp Capt La Forte is to form, contact the Assoc Membership Sec, Frank undertake the Higher Command and Staff Course Xavier at: [email protected]. at Shrivenham in Jan 09. Commemorative Brochure RAF Fairford Mailing of Parcels to Operational Theatres To commemorate the presentation of The The British public and the RAF Regt Queen's Colour for the Royal Air Force Regiment Assoc have been very generous in sending at RAF Fairford on 11 July 2008, the Regimental out parcels to personnel on operations in Iraq and Secretary has a limited number of copies of a Afghanistan. However, in the last year, no less specially produced 8-page souvenir brochure - than 146,000 sacks of mail has been sent and the adapted from the colour pages of the latest BFPO has become swamped with such items, all Centurion Journal - together with the RIAT '90th of which have to be scanned and checked to make Anniversary of the Royal Air Force' programme. sure they are suitable for air mailing (and do not The latter may be particularly appreciated contravene any Theatre or international laws). if your own was spoilt in 'the great flood' The net result is that personal mail from afterwards. Both items are free of charge, but will serving personnel families is being delayed incur a P&P charge of 70p plus an invited significantly and, significantly, valuable logistics donation to the RAF Regiment Museum resources are being used which expose Refurbishment Fund. I regret that only one set our forces to additional journeys and higher risks. per addressee can be sent for now and the offer is Consequently, you are asked NOT to send subject to availability. When the '90th parcels to other than specified people, Anniversary' programme stock is exhausted, only particularly in the period leading up to Christmas the Souvenir brochure will be sent. Please allow when the families needs must take priority. In 2-3 weeks for mailing; it's a busy time of year!! place of such parcels, donations may be made If you are interested, please send a suitable direct to Forces' charities, such as UK4U Thanks!, cheque made payable to the RAF Regiment the RAF Benevolent Fund, the British Legion, Museum) to M R Hooker, RAF Regiment Poppyscotland, SSAFA and Help4Heroes or, Secretary, RAF Honington, Bury St Edmunds, indeed, the RAF Regt Fund. Suffolk, IP31 1EE. HRH Prince Harry - Appointment as Membership of the RAF Regt Fund Honorary Air Commandant of RAF Honington While these Corps Parish notices (CPNs) HM The Queen has graciously approved go directly to over 800 people (53,000 have been the appointment of HRH Prince Harry as sent since its inception), some 25% are not Honorary Air Commandant (HACmdt) of RAF registered members of the RAF Regt Fund. While

9 membership of the Fund is not a prerequisite - as my own treasured copy that I regularly refer to for yet - for CPN subscription, please do consider articles in these newsletters, has the inscription “ joining and supporting YOUR Regimental Fund For Malcolm and Valerie, with all good wishes, ” and enhance its ability to support its men. For Kingsley Oliver, Birmingham 24 Feb 97 . membership details and an application form, Kingsley was a real gentleman and will be please contact the Fund's Membership Secretary sadly missed by all of us as Hughie Cooper put so through the RAF Regt Secretary. well in the following e-mail from him for I could CORPS DIARY DATES: not have put it better myself. Hughie is of course (Updated - not exhaustive - contributions the Birmingham Branch Research Co-ordinator welcome). and as such, had a great deal of correspondence – – 25 Nov 08 Thanksgiving Service 3 Sqn RAF with Kingsley and knew him as well as any of us. – Regt KIA Peterborough Cathedral. HUGHIE COOPER by E-Mail 15 Dec 08 - Centurion Journal No26 - Hallo there Malcolm. Like you I was very Contributions Due Date. saddened and shocked to hear about Kingsley – – 17 Jan 09 RAF Regt Assoc NEC Meeting Oliver. His knowledge of the Corps tradition, RAF Waddington. history and events together with his enthusiasm 6 Feb 09 - Officers' Corps Formation Dinner - and willingness to help others was first class. RAF Honington. Every query to him was answered most promptly, – 10 May 09 Annual RAF Regt Chapel generally by return letter or in recent years by e- – Commemoration Catterick Village mails if possible, or when he had researched the – ’ Dinner Club 29 May 09 RAF Regt Officers particular topic fully. This was in addition to his – Reception RAF Honington writings and other pursuits which were many. 27 Jun 09 (TBC) - RAF Regt He will be sadly missed not only for his Memorial Commemoration - NMA Alrewas knowledge but also for the manner in which he (Veterans Week). helped others so courteously. He was a real – 2-4 Oct 09 RAF Regt Assoc AGM and Reunion gentleman. Hughie Cooper. – venue TBD. ******************** ’ Dinner Club ’ 30 Oct 09 - RAF Regt Officers Prince Harry s appointment as Honorary – Annual Dinner Def CBRN Centre, Air Commandant to RAF Honington was one of a Winterbourne Gunner number of honorary titles approved by The Queen FROM THE BRANCH SECRETARY as part of moves to honour links between the royal DEATH NOTICES: family and the RAF. The 24-year-old prince, who GROUP CAPTAIN KINGSELY is third in line to the throne, was made Honorary OLIVER MA RAF (Rtd). I regret to inform Air Commandant at the base, near Bury St you of the death of Group Captain Kingsley Edmunds. Buckingham Palace said in a th “The Queen has been pleased to Oliver who passed away on 5 October 2008. statement: Many of our members will have met Kingsley approve new Royal Air Force honorary who, many years ago after his Regiment History appointments in recognition of the strong links “Through Adversity” st was published on 1 between the Royal Air Force and the Royal ” February 1997, wrote to me and offered to attend Family. The news was welcomed by community ’s a Birmingham Branch meeting to sign member leaders who said the base deserved the honour and copies of the book. This was a rare privilege recognition, given its numerous tours of duty in indeed as I believe that we were the only branch the Middle East. Rebecca Hopfensperger, County “It is really good to be offered this opportunity and was much Councillor for the base, said: appreciated by our members. The book signing news. The base really deserves it - they've been session took place at the Nautical Club on involved in active duty on a number of occasions Monday evening, 24th February 1997 and many of recently and they have lost people. They deserve you took up the opportunity of having a copy of some kind of honour and this is really good news, “Through Adversity” personally signed by the ” both for the base and for the county as a whole. author. As Kingsley was about to sign each book, Base plans to welcome Prince he asked the owner what he would like written in Gunners at a RAF Honington have told it so each one was signed with a personal touch, “absolutely delighte ” at having how they are d

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Prince Harry made their Honorary Air guarding the base says the attacks remain little Commandant. The 24-year-old prince was more than a minor irritant. Meanwhile, new- appointed to the honorary role at RAF Honington, found co-operation from neighbouring Afghans is near Bury St Edmunds, by his grandmother, The helping the British go after the Taliban teams that Queen, last Thursday. The base's station launch the antiquated weapons, Air Commodore commander, Group Captain Russ La Forte said Andy Fryer of the Royal Air Force said. how much the base was looking forward to Prince "They're trying to disrupt our operations Harry's first visit to RAF Honington and how his and frighten us," he said, a smashed rocket - “a long Gunners were looking forward to forging mounted and framed - propped against his desk. ” relationship with the royal. and rewarding He But they're doing neither . . . It has no significant said: effect on us whatsoever." The attacks have long “We at RAF Honington are absolutely been a tradition of life at the airfield, with one delighted and enormously privileged to hear that forcing a Canadian stage show to be halted for an approval has been granted by Her Majesty the hour in May. Based on an outdated Soviet-era Queen, for the station to enjoy the singular honour design, the 107-millimetre missiles land of a royal affiliation with His Royal Highness throughout the huge facility, which has a 30- Prince Henry of Wales as our Honorary Air kilometre-long perimeter, though hardly ever do Commandant. We hope to welcome Prince Harry any significant damage. Blast walls surround to the station soon on his first visit, and look most buildings and tents, and many of the crude forward to a long and rewarding 'special weapons fail to explode on impact, Air relationship' thereafter. Indeed, I suspect that Commodore Fryer said. Previous reports suggest Prince Harry will find the operational focus of the insurgents prop them against rocks, attach a timer, Station very close to his heart, given his recent then scurry away long before they take off. active service in Afghanistan. I am sure that he Though two of the recent sirens were false will pay close interest not only to our activities, alarms, the base recorded six attacks in September but also to our families and friends upon whose - most with two rockets each - almost all in the support and understanding we rely so heavily. last week. Each time, soldiers and civilian The establishment of this relationship is further workers, including about 1,800 Canadians, evidence, were it needed, of the critical crowded into bunkers, where the mood tends to be contribution that RAF Honington makes to more festive than frightened. Tuesday saw no defence in the service of our country, and the attacks, but then Wednesday night the "voice" profile that it enjoys. This is one of a number of announced the threat level had risen to "dress cat. additional relationships with the royal family three," meaning everyone was supposed to put on established for RAF units across the country, and his or her flak jacket and helmet. About a dozen is particularly apposite in the 90th Anniversary parachute flares lit up the desert sky west of the year of the RAF's creation as the world's first airfield. Soldiers from Air Commodore Fryer's ” independent air arm. RAF Regiment - a sort of air force infantry unit that specializes in guarding airfields - had received a tip about rocket activity and went in KANDAHAR AIR FIELD, AFGHANISTAN search. "Sometimes that means the safest thing to Published on 2nd October by Tom Blackwell in do is keep the camp in shelter," he said. Canwest News Service In responding to the rocket launchers, his For six days in a row, sometimes twice a team uses precision weapons designed to avoid day, the sirens blared and the Cockney-accented civilian casualties, said the officer. Although they voice echoed through Kandahar Air Field: came in quick succession, September's six attacks "Rocket attack, rocket attack, rocket attack." The are still close to the long-term average of about main NATO base in southern Afghanistan has five a month, Fryer said. He would not say where been subjected to an unusual spate of the Taliban's the rockets are made, but the supply seems ample, haphazard barrages recently, resulting in a handful despite attempts to cut it off. U.S. soldiers found of casualties, and a rare order one night for the and destroyed a cache of 1,800 near the base in camp's thousands of residents to all don their body 2003. armour. But the British officer in charge of Women in the Front Line

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I understand that military chiefs are looking very post. He used his final day as the UK's most carefully at proposals to allow women to fight in senior military officer to issue his strongest the Army's front line. Women already occupy warning yet about the effects of allowing women combat roles on ships and in planes, and female to serve in the infantry and the Royal Armoured soldiers in the artillery may find themselves Corps. While he acknowledged the bravery of nearer the front line than the infantry, but women individual women he questioned the effect their are not allowed to drive tanks, serve in the front presence would have on units to operate – line infantry which includes the RAF Regiment effectively in war situations and said "We have - on submarines or as divers. For combat got the greatest armed forces in the world. I am effectiveness reasons women do not serve in roles not going to muck about with that. We want to be where they may be required to engage the enemy quite careful not to hazard what we have got." deliberately face to face in combat, often at the Airport improvements a point of a bayonet; these roles are within the Royal Marines (General Service), the Household positive sign for Basra Cavalry and Royal Armoured Corps, Infantry and On 25th September 2005, the Mod said that RAF Regiment. Currently, there are 16,500 RAF Regiment Gunners from 5 Force Protection women serving in the armed forces, only 8% of Wing, normally based at RAF Lossiemouth in the total, though the number of potential posts Scotland, are helping to drive forward vital open to women has improved from 47% to 70% in improvements to Basra International Airport. The the last two years. The Chief of the Defence Staff airport, gateway to Iraq's second city, is seeing Admiral Sir Michael Boyce has said the forces steady improvements thanks to local people could move with the times as long as it did not working closely with the RAF Regiment damage their ability to fight. He said: "We are the personnel, many of whom have previously best in the world at what we are invited to do and, completed operational tours at the base. The whatever changes we make, we want at the end of improvements at Basra Airport are building on it to be able to carry on doing as well as we do similar progress seen at the port of Umm Qasr in now. Women of course are already in the front recent months. The port is gradually growing into line; they fight in our ships, they are flying our a thriving area of commerce as it fulfils its role as aeroplanes and they are in 70% of the army. Iraq's only deepwater quay facility. In addition, There is sometimes a misconception that they earlier this month, Major General Andy Salmon, aren't already in the front line - they very much the UK's most senior military representative in ” are. southern Iraq, gave an upbeat assessment of the So the Army is carrying out an assessment progress he believes is being made across the of the suitability of women for close combat region, in particular the work of the Iraqi Security fighting and a panel of experts will submit a Forces in ridding the city of rogue militias as well “ report, A Study of Combat Effectiveness and as the increase in foreign investment. ” Gender , to ministers next year and Defence Sergeant Darren Bailey, 38, one of the Minister Geoff Hoon has indicated his willingness RAF Regiment personnel helping to deliver to allow women to serve on the front line. He has improvements at the airport, is on his third tour of challenged opponents to come up with a good Basra. He has seen how the pace of change is reason why they should not be allowed to do so. accelerating: "I've been coming here since 2003 Opponents believe a high number of and it's great to see the ordinary Basrawis taking female front line casualties would be bad for control. They are now beginning to see real Army morale and unacceptable to the public but a improvements in their quality of life," he said. change was signalled last year when the Sgt Bailey is providing the technical expertise government announced combat trials and mixed with local people providing the labour in an regiments for women. Sir Michael has taken over arrangement that is now commonplace across from the former Chief of the Defence Staff Sir much of the country: "We work very well Charles Guthrie. together, although they are a lot happier about Sir Charles warned that Britain may never having their photo taken than I am!" be ready to accept women soldiers in front-line As the security situation continues to combat fighting roles when he retired from the improve, work to develop the appearance of Basra

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International Airport and the facilities around it is body packs weigh about 100lb, no small burden in well under way. Recently the work has included temperatures as high as 57C. Sergeant Ross said building projects such as the construction of fuel it angered him to hear reports that the British storage areas to meet international standards, and armed forces were poorly equipped. “There's a lot of rubbish written back the erecting of retaining walls, supporting the ” he said. return of the airfield to civil operations. As Force home about us being badly kitted out, “I've been doing this job for 18 years and I've Protection specialists, RAF Regiment personnel ” also work with their military colleagues to provide never been so well kitted out in my life. Like all a safe operating environment for both the civil of the servicemen and women at the Basra base, and military flights into and out of the airport. he has noticed a marked change in the atmosphere “When I left last April we Always vigilant in Iraq on this tour. were being rocketed several times every day. Now Published in the Aberdeen Press and Journal ” weeks go by between attacks. on 1st October The RAF Regiment, formed during World A Moray-based RAF squadron has been War II to defend the Royal Air Force's assets in assigned the all-important task of protecting the Britain while the Army was occupied with airspace around the British Army's main base next fighting overseas, has one of the shortest to Basra Airport. About 135 soldiers from 51 turnaround times between tours in the British Squadron, RAF Regiment, from RAF Army. Squadrons enjoy only about 10 months at Lossiemouth, are responsible for defending home between deployments, compared to an aircraft flying in from the north and taking off to average rotation of two years for the Army's the south. It's their job to protect against small- infantry troops. The RAF Lossiemouth Squadron arms fire, surface-to-air missiles and rocket has found itself in the thick of fighting in attacks on the base itself. They also carry out Afghanistan in recent years as well as performing patrols in their armoured vehicles and on foot in its duties in Iraq. Flight Lieutenant Michael the towns and villages surrounding the camp. McGregor, 31, from Dufftown, was in Iraq in For much of the time, troops depend on 2003 when the squadron's job was more a war- Snatch Land Rovers with machineguns, grenade fighting role. He was there again in 2004 when launchers and an array of imposing weaponry the Iraqi army was just beginning to get on its mounted on top to get around. The vehicles have “It's feet. Now he is back during his current tour. come in for criticism in recent years after a a different place in that the Iraqi security forces number of deaths led to questions about their ” he said. “The are really coming into their own, vulnerability under attack. Army troops operating – people haven't changed 99.9% of the time we out of Basra have largely abandoned the Snatch ” get a great reception wherever we go. Land Rover in favour of the more heavily- ******************** armoured Bulldog and Mastiff vehicles. Sergeant My next article was stimulated by a John Ross, of 51 Squadron, insisted the Snatch conversation that I had with Colin Clarke, remained the best vehicle for their job. “Ask any of the guys here and they'll tell Secretary of the Norfolk Branch during which he

” he said. told me all about the reunion of two old comrades you they would rather be in one of these, “They might not be as heavily armoured as the that had come about through the Norfolk Branch. Well done Colin. Bulldogs but they are much faster and more nimble out in the open, they give the boys inside a Reunited - Norman Hunt and Alan much better idea of what is going on around them Barkes and they're not so imposing to the public. If we The last can, we prefer to be in something a bit lighter so time Norman Hunt we can get out and speak to people on the ” and Alan Barkes ground. saw each other Like all of the vehicles in the Squadron's they were guarding fleet, the Snatch Land Rovers are bristling with a bombed-out the most up-to-date weaponry and sophisticated airport in Singapore in 1945 which had been communications devices available, and troops occupied by brutal Japanese invaders and as these carry so much kit around with them that their members of the RAF Regiment went their

13 separate ways after leaving Kallang at the end of Mr Barkes resumed his career as a baker and then Second World War, they assumed they would went onto to work for Greene King in never meet again but the years rolled back Lincolnshire. The pair were reunited by the yesterday as the former 2810 Parachute Squadron, Norfolk branch of the RAF Regiment Association RAF Regiment Sergeants held an emotional and Branch Secretary Colin Clarke said it was the reunion in Yarmouth - 63 years after they had last first time that the organisation had ever reunited laid eyes on each other. ex-serviceman from such a long time ago. For As soon as Mr Hunt, from Norwich, and more details on the RAF Regiment Association's Mr Barkes, from Lincolnshire, met at the seafront Norfolk branch call Mr Clarke on 01502 585079 Carlton Hotel they started to reminisce about the or visit www.edp24.co.ukdailylinks. bitter Burma and Far East campaign against the Mr Hunt and Mr Barkes were keen to hear hordes of the Japanese Imperial Army. And as about the fate of their former colleague from the the pair swapped stories they soon mentioned how squadron, Frank Duffy, who was from Thorpe. they had been prepared to parachute from Dakotas Anyone with information can call Mr Clarke. at 6,000 ft onto an enemy airfield in Malaya. NEWSLETTER SUBSCRIPTIONS Their squadron was the first RAF Regiment I have a list of members of other branches who squadron to be parachute trained and was due to have asked to receive Birmingham Branch go into action against a Japanese stronghold but newsletters. The Subscription for this service is £7.00 per year. If any non the risky operation was called off when the now -member of the Americans dropped two atom bombs on Birmingham Branch would like to receive our £7.00 as Hiroshima and Nagasaki ending the war. The newsletters, please send a cheque for squadron then went on to secure Kallang airport above, to the Branch Treasurer Tom Magee. from the fleeing Japanese and then it put its NATIONAL MEMORIAL special training into practice as gunners ARBORETUM (NMA) UPDATE parachuted into Indonesia to capture some Staffordshire's Brereton Royal British stubborn enemy occupiers. When asked why he Legion has bought three 6-seat electric powered had volunteered for the parachute squadron Mr “I often wondered myself. The vehicles, or buggies, for the National Memorial Hunt, 86, said: Arboretum. Peter MacPherson-Smith, Chairman first time I looked out of a Dakota I wished I had ” of Brereton British Legion, and Paul Fisher, never volunteered. He remembered how his Chairman of Brereton and Ravenhill Parish unit's padre would say he put his faith in whoever Council, presented the buggies on behalf of packed his parachute every time he went on a Brereton Legion to the Arboretum's Charlie Bagot training jump. Jewitt on Saturday 20th September. The buggies Before being posted to the Far East Mr have four forward and two rear facing seats. The Hunt was one of the first servicemen to be rear seat on one of the buggies is an optional fold- evacuated from Dunkirk and after the war he went down seat providing a cargo platform to carry to work for Colman's in Norwich. Mr Barkes, 87, wheelchairs. Each buggy has an additional audible saw action at the battle of Meiktila, where the warning safety feature and a rear tow bar for more Japanese surrounded and were beaten off by a versatility. The buggies, which cost Brereton much smaller British force in Burma. He recalled £26,000 from B British Legion radshaw Electric that when 2810 squadron liberated Kallang he saw Vehicles of Peterborough, will enable the the Japanese had strung up young girls on Arboretum to enhance the visit experience of lampposts. Mr Barkes said: “The Far East campaign was vicious and Armed Forces Veterans and their families and

friends, particularly those who may be in need of very bloody. The simple fact is I am here today assistance wishing to take in the whole of the 150 and many others sadly are not. I volunteered for acre site in a day and visit the Far East Prisoners the parachute squadron because it sounded of War Museum, the Shot At Dawn Memorial and exciting. But I think we were all relieved that we Watersmeet, the confluence of the Rivers Trent did not have to jump into Malaya as we felt many and Thame beyond the Burton to Tamworth of us would not have pulled through. Today has railway viaduct. been absolutely wonderful and meeting Norman “Pip”, ” Brereton Legion named the buggies has bought back many memories. After the war “Squeak” and “Wilfr ”, the names given to the ed

14 three-medal group of campaign medals issued to bikers from as far as Scotland meeting at the Moto many who had served in British and Empire Services at junction 10 of the M42 near “Pip” the forces and fought in the Great War; Tamworth, before setting off along the A38 to the “Squeak” the British War 1914 or 1914/15 Star, service. Bagpipers performed before the five- “Wilfred” the Allied Victory Medal. Medal and minute service, which ended with a bugler Peter MacPherson-Smith, Chairman of sounding the Last Post. Wreaths were then laid at “Buying the ’s statues. Brereton British Legion, said, the arboretum Mark Darwin, of the ’ Group, said the buggies for the Arboretum brings to a total Nene Valley Harley Owners £78,000 which the Branch has spent in support of service is set to be become an annual event. He “We had counted around the welfare of Armed Forces Veterans and their said: 1,400 bikers at the dependants since 2003 including a mini-bus in registration point in the service station but police 2005 for Galanos House, the Royal British told us there were nearer 2,500. This is far more Legion's nursing and retirement home in Southam, than we anticipated, we originally said we would ” Warwickshire. Charlie Bagot Jewitt, Chief be happy with around 200, and because of this Executive Officer of the National Memorial success we hope to make this an annual thing. Arboretum, and Maynard Scott, a Friend of the There were Harley Davidson chapels from Arboretum and one of the Arboretum's Volunteer Scotland, Essex, all over the UK. But there were ” Guides, thanked the Brereton British Legion for many other bikers too. “Our director Martin Dickinson their magnificent and most generous gift and He added: agreed that the buggies will enable visitors to see visited the arboretum last year for a service and far more in one day of the Arboretum and its was struck by the number of people who were at many memorials within the 150 acre site. During the service. Then this idea came about that we the afternoon Brereton Legion member Andrew should show our support for the service men and Thomson was surprised when he was presented women who have lost their lives at war. They ’t get this sort of recognition in this country. with his UK Armed Forces Veterans Lapel Badge. don Andrew served in Royal Marines during the war. In America they hold events like this one and it is After the war he was demobbed and returned to supported by hundreds of thousands of people. his home town of Aberdeen to immediately enlist But this event went brilliantly and we are ’s event will be an even in the Gordon Highlanders before transferring to confident that next year ” the Royal Artillery. Andrew asked if he was bigger success. entitled to two bars to his Veterans Lapel Badge It was a glorious sight to see so many for his many tours of duty with his three different people attending the remembrance service, which regiments. comes exactly one month before Remembrance After the presentation of the buggies Day. Many of the bikers that took part have Brereton Legion members and their guests went in connections to war; many were once on active convoy in "Pip", Squeak" and "Wilfred" to the service or have children who are currently on Armed Forces Memorial and the furthest reaches duty, and quite a few were taking part for more of the Arboretum; the Far East Prisoners of War emotional reasons to remember lost loved ones. Museum and Memorials, the Allied Special Hopefully, this event will be an annual Forces Association Memorials, the Shot at Dawn commemoration that will attract more and more Memorial and the river confluence where the visitors to the National Memorial Arboretum. River Thame empties into the River Trent. Christmas Festivities Bikers Pay Tribute At Forces Memorial Christmas festivities at the National Thousands of bikers from across the Memorial Arboretum start with the hugely country roared into the Midlands to pay tribute to popular Reindeer Parade on 7th December. Santa fallen soldiers at a special ceremony. An will be there every weekend throughout December estimated 2,500 riders made their way to the and on 19th December the arboretum is hosting an National Memorial Arboretum at Alrewas, near open air traditional Christmas concert. There will Lichfield, on Saturday to honour British forces be a brunch-time guided walk on 1st January to who have lost their lives in conflict. It was the walk off those Christmas excesses. first event of its kind in Britain. The ride was ’ Group and saw Future Events at the NMA organised by the Harley Owners

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’m sorry about the limited informa I tion Thursday the 16th October 2008 at St Edmunds about future events at the NMA. I get most of my Church, RAF Honington information about these events from the NMA How does one start a report on a funeral ’t website but either the NMA Events Page isn which although in many ways was a sad occasion ’t any other milita kept up to date or there aren ry the actual day was a happy reunion for so many events booked for the rest of this year or for 2009. people whose lives had in some way had been – So what I have got you have got. touched, by this man affectionately known to ‘Bud’ or Flight Sergeant Abbot (when 2009 many as the time was right). The weather was fine and Tuesday, 27th January, 2009. Remembrance clear although a bit breezy as the mourners event - Holocaust Memorial Day. More focus gathered from about 11.15 hours in the car park of on education. For further information contact St Edmunds church. Four Branch Standards were NMA - Tel: 01283 792 333. th raised in readiness; Norfolk, Suffolk, Bromley Spring Reunion Friday 17 to and Birmingham which were kept under the Monday 20th April 2009 watchful eye of the SWO, with our Chairman Group Captain Brereton Martin RAF (Rtd) and A booking has been confirmed by Jim ’s Littlecote House Wing Commander Martin Hooker RAF (Rtd) Scott for 200 people at Warner looking on. As the family arrived including of Hotel for Friday April 17th to Monday morning course his son our present Commandant General, 20th April. A booking Form is in the process of they acknowledged the Standards presence. being drawn up in the Regiment colours etc. It Being military-run funeral timing was important will be mailed direct to all members as soon as it and the hearse arriving early was asked to go up is completed. Regretfully, owing to the lateness ‘the official start’ the road until 12 pm . From then of our bid ALL single rooms have been booked. ‘it went like clockwork’. £274. on as they say The The current brochure price is 00 pp but Jim £20 pallbearers were made up of SACs, Corporals and has obtained a reduction to 9.00 pp for Sergeants who were on courses at Honington and Ambassador Rooms as per the previous were as smart as any display team I have seen. arrangements. Bookings will be taken on a first The service itself was officiated by the camps come first served basis as he needs to FILL the Padre with the grandchildren (teenagers) doing the bid, so members should make their booking as readings, the Commandant General and his sister soon as possible, and return the tear off strip to herself recently retired from the Army gave Jim so that he is informed, and can arrange excellent eulogies on their fathers life, as a seating to suit where possible. military person and as a very private and proud FROM DOUG TAPSELL OF SOLIHULL family man. They also thanked the congregation Hello Malcolm. I should like to say what for their attendance. The service included two a real privilege it was to be asked to stand-in as “ ” “ familiar hymns of Amazing Grace and Onward the Birmingham Branch Standard Bearer at the ” Christian Soldiers with the congregation of 70 Folkestone Reunion Weekend. To be the Branch plus doing them justice, also we had the usual Standard Bearer again after all these years was Last Post with the Standard Bearers drill going great. My wife June and I were also very well even with restricted space near the door area impressed with the area chosen for the service and of the church. The main prayer other than the parade. We lingered on there for a moment or ’s Prayer was our very own The Prayer of the Lord two after crowd dispersed as it was such a RAF Regiment. After the service and as we peaceful place, looking out over the sea towards formed up outside, it was decided that it would be France. Our thanks to everyone involved for such ‘stand down’ allowing fitting for the standards to a great weekend. Yours. Doug. for the family, close friends and comrades to say a ******************** more private farewell at the local crematorium. On behalf of the Birmingham Branch, Roy The remainder of us retired to the Thomas and Ralph Dean attended at the funeral of “Bud” Abbott and Roy has Sergeants Mess for a drink while waiting for the retired Flight Sergeant funeral party to return, where we shared in a sent me the following report. finger buffet and of course those all important The Funeral of Flt Sgt Norman (Bud) Abbott memories.

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Norman (Budd) Abbot R.I.P 28th Oct 1927 to the 3rd Oct 2008 BRANCH APPEAL REMINDER Please remember the appeal your Branch Committee has set up for as we are now regularly “goodies” to the lads in the Military Ward sending at Selly Oak Hospital and we need all the money that we can get. If anyone would like further information or can help in any way, please call me. One of the ways in which our ladies can help us to increase our fundraising is by approaching ’s their local organisations such as The Women ’s Guild, local clubs Institute, The Townswomen such as flower arranging clubs etc. This idea was given to me by Hazel, the wife of our Minute Secretary Ken Bridgwood, who has persuaded her ’s Institute branch to donate to our appeal. Women ’s all for now, look Well done Hazel. Well that after yourselves and keep smiling. £30.00 from Norfolk STOP PRESS. Another ’s newsletter. Branch. See next month Malcolm