600 Praeter Sescentos

“THE RIGHT OF THE LINE”

600 (City of ) Squadron RAuxAF Association Newsletter

Patron: The Viscount Trenchard of Wolfeton Affiliated Members; 601 & 604 Squadron Associations.

March 2011 Editorial

Welcome to another edition and another new year, well not so new now! I would like to thank all of you who have sent me messages of support for the newsletter – thank you, it is much appreciated and good to know I am hitting the right spot although remember, this is YOUR newsletter and I need YOUR continuing contribution to make it a success.

Following the last newsletter, it became apparent that whilst the new format newsletter was greatly received, those of us who need spec-savers would have appreciated a larger format copy – hence this one is bigger – suits me as the pictures are even better now!

You have been sent a lot of great material (thanks!) and have used all of it, but please keep it coming. In this issue, I must give thanks for one of a series of special articles from the Author and Historian, Ian White. Ian has written many successful books, in particular the history of 604 Sqn titled “'If You Want Peace, Prepare for War': A History of No. 604 (County of Middlesex) Squadron, RAuxAF, in Peace and in War. I am sure you will enjoy Ian’s VERY interesting article.

What I and the Squadron Archivist are particularly interested in please is war time material, photo’s records etc. We have a good deal of Squadron archive but are missing huge chunks from the war years. Any photos etc will be well taken care of, copied and returned safely, so please have a dig and send me all you have!

Earlier this month, I joined the Blenheim Society and so will be bringing you regular and up to date information regarding the Blenheim restoration projects along with air show details when one gets back into the air and that won’t be long now! I have included in this newsletter some factual corrections and an update, but would be particularly keen to hear from anyone with any stories, recollections, photographs (especially please!) or service records of time spent flying or working on, Blenheim’s.

I would also like to welcome all affiliated members from the now disbanded 601 & 604 Squadron Associations. Please do send me any material you have for inclusion in future newsletters.

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Obituaries

We will try to keep this up to date, but sadly we can only report the passing of old friends and colleagues if we are told about it. Since our last Newsletter, we are sorry to report the loss of the following;

Robert Ernest Hills - 4 February 1921 – 28 December 2010

Bob was born in Hendon in February 1921 and grew up there. His father had been a machine gunner in the First World War and was a fireman at the local Fire Station. Bob and his younger brother Doug grew up in Hendon: their school was opposite Hendon Aerodrome.

Bob’s best friend at school was Charlie Whatley. They joined the Boy Scouts together and after leaving school Bob become an apprentice at the local garage. Later they joined the Auxiliary Air Force at Hendon. At the outbreak of war both he and Charlie became fully-fledged members of 600 City of London Squadron.

Bob was a ground engineer and during the first year the squadron was involved in attacking German troops advancing through the Lowlands, during which they suffered significant losses. The squadron specialised in night fighting and during the blitz that followed they moved station many times as the Germans moved their attention from one city to another.

During this turbulent time Bob married Charlie’s sister Joan in 1942; after only a few weeks together he was posted abroad and they did not see each other again for 4 years. Bob went first to North Africa to support Monty’s defeat of the Africa Corps.

From North Africa they pushed on to Malta, Sicily and up through Italy. He was involved in the beach landings at Salerno, when he exited the landing craft driving a Bowser full of aviation fuel with heavy artillery fire going overhead. He was told under no circumstances was he to take his foot off the throttle. He went down the ramp into deep water which came well up in the cab. To begin with the bowser was afloat, but then he felt the wheels bite and slowly the truck went up the beach. They went on to establish the forward airfield before the squadron aircraft arrived. Frequent moves from airfield to airfield followed as they fought their way up through Italy.

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Bob became a Sergeant and applied to become aircrew on several occasions but was always refused on the basis that it took 4 weeks to train aircrew and 4 years to train engineers.

After the war he continued to work with aircraft, working for De Havilland and Napier. He then joined Airwork Services at Blackbushe Airport and later at London Airport (now Heathrow). He worked on Hermes, Viking & Viscount aircraft and was eventually promoted to Chief Planner. During his time at Airwork, Bob was involved in planning some of the countries first commercial charter flights; including between London, Wadi-Halfa and Khartoum for the Sudanese government and to carry Muslims to and from Jeddah for the annual Hajj pilgrimage under a UK Civil Service contract. Other notable events at that time included winning contracts to take troops to Singapore and Aden. Stuart also remembers being taken by his father to see Donald Campbell’s Bluebird being shipped out to Lake Mead in America for a world record attempt.

During his time at Airwork, Bob started the Sports and Social Club and was a leading player in their cricket team.

Stuart was born in 1949 while the young family was living in a Nissen Hut and Barry in 1951, by which time they had moved to a bungalow in Hawley, near the airport: Bob then had a new detached house built at Hawley, where they lived until Bob decided to change direction and become his own boss. He had always been independent and would only take orders from those he respected: he had famously had a clash with the trade union when he worked for Napier. When the shop steward tried to tell him to "down tools" because they were in dispute about something, instead of downing his tools he went and got his cards and left on the spot.

As he was not completely happy at Heathrow he took the decision to go into business. He bought a Ford Dealership in Newport Street, Tiverton and moved from Surrey into a cottage attached to the business. Both his and Joan’s parents followed and settled down in bungalows next to each other at Pinnex Moor, Tiverton. In 1962 Bob built ‘Stonehayes’ at Ashley, which was to remain his and Joan’s much loved home until December 2010.

In the 1960s Bob expanded and modernized his garage, with new workshop, stores, forecourt, reception and office facilities. Joan was the Secretary and very active in the business. It was one of the best-equipped dealerships in the region. It had modern 4 post lifts, optical wheel alignment, up to the minute tuning equipment, the first rolling road - and the first forecourt in the South West with a self-service 24 hour petrol pump that would take a pound note.

As a Round Tabler Bob was actively involved in fund raising for numerous charities, he started both the ‘Tivvy’ Struggle for home-made craft down the River Exe and the travelling Santa & carols at Christmas. He was a founder member of the 41 Club and a long serving member of the Rotary Club.

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Bob sold the Ford dealership in the late 70s, but continued in the motor business with a small workshop and body shop in Castle Street, finally retiring in 1986. But it was not an idle retirement, as he was then able to devote more of his time to his passion for model engineering.

He set up a workshop at home and built superb live steam models of a Showman’s Traction Engine and a King Class Railway Locomotive, which will become cherished heirlooms and reminders of his skill as an engineer for generations to come. He also loved repairing things for his friends & family. He loved a challenge, hated to throw anything away and would spend hours making or machining parts you could no longer get.

He also loved his garden and spent many happy hours tending his vegetable and fruit plots and sitting on his ride-on mower.

Bob was a proud grandfather to Richard, Andrew, Stephanie and Victoria. He was a people person: he loved entertaining, was generous and reliable - always the first person called on to help. Strong and determined, he didn’t suffer fools gladly, but he was very well liked and respected. He and Joan were together for 68 years, a remarkable record of love and caring. He will be much missed.

(Stuart Hills)

A footnote from Bob’s Nephew, Brian Whately;

When my Dad & Bob joined 600 before the war there was a third school friend with them (I'm afraid I don't have his name). One of the saddest events that he used to talk about is connected with the Rotterdam raid that was mentioned in Norman Hayes's obituary as well. It seems that their friend made air-crew & was in one of the six Blenheim’s on the Rotterdam raid. Bob helped them get on-board & was sat on top of the aircraft. He helped them in through the hatch & made sure it was secure, banged on the hatch & jumped down. He never saw his friend again. He is named on the memorial in Holland that Bob & my Dad went to visit with 600 Sqn in the 80's.

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They were very proud of having the Queen Mum as the "head" of the squadron (I forget the correct title) & attended at least one, but possibly more Sqn Association dinners at the Guildhall in London with their wives when the Queen Mum was there.

As you know the Sqn was moved around a lot in in the early years & at one point were even split up a bit with one flight in one place & the other in another. Bob always seemed to be able to say from memory where they were at any one time. How he remembered that I will never know.

Bob remained a fantastic practical engineer all his life. About 2002 it was my great pleasure to take him to see the Beaufighter under restoration at Duxford & also the one at Skysports. He was made very welcome & signed both aircraft. Later the guys at Duxford (The Fighter Collection) asked him if he had any knowledge about the tooling required to open the "centrifuge" on the oil system of the Bristol Hercules engines. They ended up sending one down to Bob & he made, in his workshop, the special holding devise they needed to do the job. The last time he worked on a Beaufighter part.

(Brian Whatley)

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C.J. Annals, Secretary Treasurer 604 Squadron Association

John Annals held a unique place in the 604 Squadron Association. Not only was he the Joint Founder of the Association but from the start was its chief organiser and administrator. He published its Newsletter and as a result became the Association’s main point of contact for all its members and everyone getting in touch with the Association. He took particular pleasure in arranging the annual lunches. The photograph above was taken in October 2005 by Al Hanley- Browne at the last formal autumn lunch held by the Association. At the lunch the 604 Squadron Association members presented John and Betty Annals with a silver salver in recognition of all the work that they had done for the Association.

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He was born in 1916 and spent the early part of his life working for Smiths, instrument makers in Cricklewood. He was called up at the beginning of the war and served in the Auxiliary Air Force. He was with 604 Squadron in the early ‘40s whilst the squadron was establishing its reputation as one of the country’s premier night fighter squadrons under the command of John ‘Cats eyes’ Cunningham (later the Comet test pilot). The relationship that he established with his CO at that time blossomed post-war when he invited John Cunningham to become President of the 604 Squadron Association, a post that he held until his death in 2002.

By the end of the war John was in where he met and married his wife, Betty in 1946. After the war he returned to Smiths and continued his career there. He retired in 1980. Throughout his life John developed a huge range of friendships. He was held in the highest regard for his honesty, constancy and ability. Of particular value to the 604 Squadron Association was his personal knowledge of both 604’s wartime personnel and those who joined post-war.

He is survived by wife, Betty, their son and two grand-daughters. However, for 604 Squadron Association members, as for his family, he is IRREPLACEABLE.

(M. Allen)

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Clifford Reginald Baynam

Despite being christened Clifford Reginald, from childhood he was always known as Reg. He was born in Tonyrefail, a small town in the Rhondda Valley on 3rd September 1918 beating his twin brother Fred into the world by a few minutes.

The family spent their early years living in South but moved to London in the 1930’s in seek of work. He would recall happy times of growing up in settled in Fulham then Hammersmith with his twin brother Fred and younger brother Eric. In the days when few people had cars and Reg and his brothers would cycle everywhere and think nothing of cycling down to Brighton or Southend and spending a night under canvas before cycling back the next day, a round trip of at least 120 miles. A trip to Box Hill or Guildford was a simple one day trip!!

Reg was conscripted into the RAF in August 1939 and underwent basic training at Middle Wallop and went on to serve as a Fitter Armourer at Warboys, Alconbury and Upwood with 156 Pathfinders Squadron and 600 Squadron. It was to his great regret that, unlike his twin brother Fred, he was never posted to serve abroad. He was promoted to the rank of Sergeant before being de-mobbed on 2nd November 1945, his release papers record that he was “a man of very good character who has, at all times, satisfactorily carried out his duties to a high standard”.

On returning to civilian life, he forged a career as a printer with drug companies Allen and Hanbury and Glaxo reaching the position of Print Shop Manager until his retirement in 1980. In the years after his retirement, he liked to travel and spoke fondly of trips to Spain, Italy and Yugoslavia enjoying the sun and seeing different scenery and cultures. He was never quite so keen on the foreign food!!

His early family life was difficult but he settled happily in North West London before moving down to a new bungalow in North Bersted in 1980. Reg enjoyed life on the South Coast and enjoyed spending time maintaining the bungalow and tending his immaculate garden. He was always proud of his green beans!!

When on a holiday trip in 1989 he met Catherine and they married in Rugby in 1990 and they set about a new life together in North Bersted.

He enjoyed driving starting on two wheels with a variety of motorbikes before moving on to three wheels with some very scary Reliant Robins, he was into his 60’s before finally graduating to four wheels. Well into his 80’s, he was happy to drive to Yorkshire via Coventry to see Catherine’s family. He continued to drive around the local area until a matter of months ago and enjoyed trips

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with Catherine to his favourite fish and chip shop on the seafront in Littlehampton. He enjoyed a pint of traditional bitter and together with Catherine they would share a beer of a glass of wine with their evening meal.

He was a practical man and, from a youngster, couldn’t resist buying new tools, toys and gadgets, most of which stayed wrapped up and never saw the light of day again. He had a very organised lifestyle, everything he owned was labelled and filed away neatly.

Reg always had strong views on how things should be done and whilst in later years he could be dogged and stubborn, he was a kind and generous man who would do anything to help anyone.

Reg and Catherine celebrated 20 years on marriage in 2010 and whilst not always outwardly showing it he had a deep love and affection for Catherine and our thoughts are with her in this sad time. It is a great sadness that Catherine has to miss today’s final farewell, she will certainly be quietly remembering her happy times with Reg.

He will be greatly missed by wife Catherine, her daughter Val and son Philip and their families, his son Brian who has travelled over from to say his farewell, his granddaughter Megan, who he was thrilled to meet for the first time last month, his nephew Jim, nieces Ana and Linda’s children Simon, Kelly, and Jane and John and their sons who have been great friends and neighbours for 30 years. C.R. Baynam died 28 Dec 2010 aged 92.

(Jim Baynam)

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E.W. Allen

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J. Riordan

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General

WO WJ(Bill) Foxley

I regret to inform you of the death of WO WJ(Bill) FOXLEY on 5 Dec 10.In Mar 1944, Bill Foxley was badly burnt in a bomber crash. He became a member of the Guinea Pig Club, having been operated on by the pioneering plastic surgeon, Sir Archibald McIndoe, at East Grinstead Hospital. He appeared (up-ranked for effect) in the 1969 film The as the badly-burned flt lt who is introduced to Suzan

(Bill Foxley. Photograph: Lucinda Marland)

“It was March 16 1944 when we pranged our bomber during training. I managed to escape relatively unscathed, but went back to help my crewmates. The plane was like an inferno. I had to climb out of the astrodome at the top and that's when I got burnt. Three of the crew were killed and three, including me, survived.

At East Grinstead I had 29 operations over three and a half years, rebuilding my face and repairing what was left of my hands. The surface of my eyes were burnt and I lost my right eye. I've managed to lose the glass one in all sorts of places - most recently in Sainsbury's - but I've just had another operation to strengthen the socket using membrane from my mouth, so it should stay in place now.

When people ask me how my experiences have affected me, I say it's your personality that will come through, whatever. I've never let it worry me too much, I've just got on with it. Before I retired, I worked for the Electricity Generating Board and took the train up to London every day. There'd always be an empty seat next to me. Someone would go to sit down and then change their mind when they saw me. I used to tell them, It's all right, I'm not going to bite you!".

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Military Quotations:-

“Bombing is often called ‘Strategic’ when we hit the enemy, and ‘tactical’ when he hits us, and it is often difficult to know where one finishes and the other begins”

Air Vice-Marshal J.E.’Johnnie’ Johnson, RAF

“Cluster-bombing from B-52s is very, very accurate. The bombs always hit the ground”

US Air Force

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600 (City of London) Squadron RAuxAF News

600 (City of London) Squadron honoured with Freedom of City of London

To mark the close links between the and the City of London the Commanding Officer of 600 (City of London) Squadron was awarded the Freedom of the City of London on Friday 18 June 10 at the Chamberlain’s Court in the City of London. The ceremony was conducted by Mr Paul Double, the City Remembrance. In attendance from the City were: Murray Craig (Clerk to the Chamberlain’s Court), Gerald Pulman (Chief Commoner), William Fraser (Alderman) and Peter Cook (Sheriff).

Commanding Officer Wing Commander Michele Crossman was accompanied by husband Simon and daughter Katie. Chris Coulls (Assistant Chief of Staff Operations) and his Personal Staff Officer Nick Robson were also in attendance representing the RAF. Five Squadron members also attended the ceremony and lunch reception afterwards.

600 Squadron is the only RAF unit to enjoy “Privileged Regiment” status within the City of London, an honour awarded on 12 June 2007. The status means that the Squadron can parade through the City with Colours flying, drums beating and bayonets fixed. The award of the freedom to the Commanding Officer is a mark of the close links with the City throughout the Squadron’s history since it was formed at Finsbury Barracks in 1925.

Wing Commander Crossman said “To receive the freedom as the Commanding Officer of 600 Squadron was a huge personal honour and a highlight of my 18 year career. But for the Squadron this historic occasion has provided the opportunity to reaffirm the exceptionally strong link between the Squadron and the City of London.”

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Some images of Squadron activity that didn’t make the last newsletter

(The Honorary Inspector General of the RAuxAF, Air Vice-Marshal Lord Beaverbrook, attended the training weekend which saw the dedication of the new 600 Squadron Association Standard. Pictured with Wg Commander Crossman, 600 Sqn Padre and Andy Cameron)

(Viscount The Lord Hugh Trenchard, the Honorary Air Commodore of 600 Squadron with the Honorary Inspector General of the RAuxAF, Air Vice-Marshal Lord Beaverbrook and Squadron Leader Chris Owen..)

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Sgt Luddington awarded a Lord Lieutenants Certificate

(Sgt Luddington was awarded a Lord Lieutenants Certificate for meritous service for her efforts over the years in supporting both the Sqn and the Association)

Sgt Luddington was awarded a Lord Lieutenants Certificate for meritous service for her efforts over the years in supporting both the Sqn and the Association. Her work not only in supporting the Sqn but also the Association was the catalyst behind the Squadron nominating her for the award. She had for years worked hard in supporting the Butchers Dinner and also the Sqn Nimjegen March Entry, her work in supporting the Association again was a key factor in the Squadron nominating her. The nomination read:

“Sgt Luddington is employed as a Flight Operations Assistant (FOA) on 600 Sqn at RAF Northolt. Luddington for sometime now has been an outstanding asset for the Royal Auxiliary Air Force and the wider RAF Family. She has for many years been heavily involved with the 600 Sqn Association as the Secretary where she has continually worked to ensure that the needs of its members both past and present are met to its fullest extent. She has shown time and time again a level of maturity that is way beyond that I would expect from a SNCO. Working tirelessly and often in her time without recompense she has largely been the driving force behind its success. She is the complete diplomat as the secretary of the Sqn Association and her ability to engage across the whole rank range up to 2 star level and beyond has meant that she has received numerous laudatory reports for her outstanding efforts. She has been an outstanding asset to me, the Sqn and the Reserve Forces Community.

Of equally worthy note, has been her work as the focal point for our links with the City and in particular with the Masterful Company of Butchers. Again for some years she has been the project officer for the annual dinner that sees the Sqn Dine in the splendid surroundings of the Butchers Hall in London . This is in the highest traditions of the service and is an essential part of our relationship with the city. With out her this vital part

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of our Sqn ethos would have floundered many times. She has shown again and again her commitment to the Reserve Air Force by her long and often unpaid work to make this prestigious event happen. The events that she has been involved with have been outstandingly run, all down to her superb drive and determination and her commitment to the Reserve Community. She has also for many years been a stalwart of the Nijmegen Marches and has supported the Sqn with its efforts in that area.

Sgt Luddington is a model SNCO who epitomises what the Reserve Forces are about. She is the most dedicated SNCO I have on my Sqn. A role model for the junior members of the Sqn and a mentor for my junior officers, she is the complete individual who deserves long overdue recognition for her efforts to the Reserve Community. I have no hesitation in recommending her for this prestigious award.”

Congratulations Angie!

(The Association Standard)

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(The 600 (City of London) Squadron RAuxAF Annual Butchers Dinner 2010)

Copyright C M B Barrass 2001- 2008

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( Skills Day 2010)

(The Sovereigns Parade at RAF Marham)

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600 Sqn Update from Wg Cdr Crossman, OC 600 Sqn

I hope you enjoyed reading about the activities and achievements of 600 Sqn personnel over the previous 12 months in your Dec 2010 newsletter. Since Dec our focus, as you might expect, has been on ensuring all personnel are able to achieve their annual certificate of efficiency ie bounty. We have run 2 training weekends whereby personnel have undertaken their common core skills military training with the RAF Regt section here at RAF Northolt and received a number of mandatory briefings both from 600 Sqn staff but also outside speakers. Overnight accommodation remains a constant headache. We have been able to utilise some rooms at Uxbridge but this provision will have been removed by the time you read this and we will be having to misappropriate some of our classrooms for dormitory style accommodation and also take some of our training elsewhere. There is light at the end of the tunnel though as RAF Northolt is due to have some temporary accommodation units installed on the site of the old 600 Sqn and these should be ready by Jul we hope. As always, Sqn personnel continue to demonstrate great patience and resolve to deal with the obstacles presented. For example, the ICT Flt went to RAF Leeming for a Flt Training weekend but also to see the practicality of training at the home of the RAF Comms community. Of course dispersed training makes it harder to enjoy the camaraderie and social activity which has made 600 Sqn so special to all its personnel and that key element of Reserve service but we have a weekend planned at the end of Mar at RAF Halton where we hope to focus on team cohesion and enjoy a social on the Sat evening. We currently have 5 personnel mobilised. One Sqn officer is working in the NATO HQ at Kabul and the remainder are at various locations across the UK providing manpower in support of those deployed overseas. The desire to serve on mobilised service is as strong as ever.

We have held a Sqn recruitment open day and also an open day specifically targeted at the Medical Reserves’. Work is continuing to develop the Sqn into more of a hybrid unit. In particular Sqn management are working hard to ensure the HQ Augmentation element of the Sqn is focussed and structured appropriately and has a firm training and employment base. The Training Staff are focussing much effort in laying firm foundations and plans for the annual training programme for 2011-2012 and beyond. Our first member of the Chaplaincy Flt has commenced his Basic Recruit Training and we hope to bring on line some medical capability for 1 Apr.

More socially, by the time you read this Sqn personnel will have attended a Homecoming Reception in the Mansion House and also attended the Greater London Reserve Forces and Cadets Association Annual General Meeting and Awards ceremony. We were also delighted to be awarded a significant grant from the City to develop the Sqn welfare facility ie bar but also to give us the ability to archive, store and display the Sqn artefacts which I know the Association will be very pleased to hear.

Note from Squadron Leader Chris Owen. 2 i/c 600 Sqn

Please note, for the benefit of all former officers that 600 (City of London) Squadron is hoping to have very strong representation on a dining in night at RAF Northolt on 17th June and they should contact myself at the squadron if they are interested in attending. We would be especially keen to hear from anyone that has previously not been formally dined out by the mess.

Please contact via; Doug Leacy Flt Lt 600 (Aux) Sqn Adj RAF Northolt 0208 833 8409 [email protected]

(Copyright C M B Barrass 2001- 2008)

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A Note from the Adj. 600 Sqn, Flt Lt Dougie Leacy

Another very busy period for the Sqn has seen us move across and settle into our new home.

We now await the onset of DII and we will certainly be very well set for the future.

The work to establish solid foundations for the future business wise looks well set now and we already have our first chaplain and work is starting to gather pace for the Medical Support Flight that we will host in the near future. Personnel over the last few months have been working very hard in many areas. This was formally recognised in Oct when Sqn hosted its AFI at its new Sqn HQ and its 85th anniversary dinner in the Butchers Hall in town which was an excellent pinnacle after some extremely hard work by lots of people across the Squadron to complete the move and get us settled into our new home. As ever, the support from the Station was excellent – your help is very appreciated.

The Dinner in the Evening at the Butchers Hall re-affirmed our close links with not only the City but also many organisations and customers in the military community.

In Nov the Sqn led other R Aux AF units through the City at the annual Lord Mayors Show. This was also another major success which was rounded off by the new Lord Mayor presenting an Afghanistan OSM to the Flt Lt Dawson.

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I hope you will enjoy the pictures from these events. As well, we have articles from Sqn personnel which I hope will give you a flavour of the vast range of activities that they get up to. In amongst all of this, the Sqn has retained its busy operational focus and we are as I write mobilising upto 5 personnel in support of operations across the World. The first is due to go to Kabul in less than 10 Days time. We wish him godspeed and I will update you with an article of his travels in future editions.

Flt Lt Dougie Leacy

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600 Sqn Annual FTX 2010

The Sqn Annual FTX provides an all to rare opportunity for all members of the Sqn to operate as a formed unit.

The Aim of the event was to reinforce CCS and IDT Trg and to provide opportunities for leadership development for Sqn members who are seeking promotion.

The Exercise commenced on the afternoon / evening of Friday 10 Sept at RAF Northolt with a very full programme including weapons handling training provided by the station Regt Flt and a good IED and mine awareness brief from EOD. A visit from COSOPS was also accommodated and the accompanying update brief was well received

After an overnight stay and early breakfast at RAF Uxbridge the Sqn moved to RAF Halton for Sat 11 and Sun 12 Sept.

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Saturday morning found members of the Sqn on the range for some all to rare live firing under the professional guidance of RAF Halton IFPT staff.

Additional training opportunities on the Saturday included battlefield first aid, section battle drills, Field defences, Field craft and fire control orders

Saturday also involved a visit by 600 Sqns HAC Viscount Trenchard and the HIG for the RAuxAF Lord Beaverbrook. Following a scenario brief from members of the intelligence flight the VIP’s were able to witness all elements of the training and converse across all ranks of the Squadron.

An opportunity for the new 600 Sqn association banner to be blessed was taken and the Association Standard bearer Mr Andrew Cameron attended on the Saturday lunchtime. The first of the Sqn’s new Padres Chaplin Mathew Buchan carried out a short service in the presence of the HAC and HIG and all Sqn members

The evening saw the sqn move into a routine in defence mode with the additional experience of vehicle searches. The Sqn regular staff initially taking the lead, enthusiastically passing on their experience to the Auxiliaries.

Saturday’s refresher training was re enforced on the Sunday with Exercise Post Haste a challenging recce patrol task re tasked part way through into a search and CASEVAC situation. The traditional RAuxAF enthusiasm was enthused throughout even with the addition of a 50k dummy and stretcher to be carried to the extraction point and the traditional testing incidents on the return journey designed to provide plenty of leadership opportunities.

Post exercise feedback was very positive and confirmed a high degree of training / education took place and equally importantly for the “Volunteers” a good time was had by all and the Monday morning weariness was countered by recollections of the weekend achievements.

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Nijmegen March 2010 (Or Van Geene’s Express Rides Again)

The annual test of masochism and self-harm otherwise known as the Nijmegen Four Days March took place this July. As in previous years 600 Squadron – who really ought to know better by now- entered a team. For the benefit of the uninformed, the Nijmegen March is a series of highly- organised route marches held around the Nijmegen/Arnhem areas of Holland, covering a distance of around 100 miles. This year saw the 100th anniversary of the first march although it was only the 95th actual march as the two world wars caused minor distractions. The Nijmegen March is one of the largest sporting events in the world and this year attracted around 46,000 marchers.

The convoy of three coaches, otherwise known as ‘Van Geene’s Express set off from RAF Northolt late on Friday night for the journey through the Channel Tunnel and then on via Belgium and Holland to Heumensoord Camp, where we were to be billeted.

After settling in, I was selected to represent 600 Squadron as part of the very impressive opening ceremony. My own contribution paled into insignificance however, when competing against a Kate Bush look-alike singing whilst suspended from a hot air balloon, a troll drum band straight out of Lord of the Rings and several stilt dancers. Sgt Ian Walton had to settle for being selected for a compulsory drug test; a less likely candidate would be hard to imagine.

At OMG (Oh my God!) hours on the first morning of the march, F/O Tony Van Geene formed us up alongside several thousand other military personnel and marched out through ‘The Boots’, an arch consisting of a pair of giant boots, some 15 feet high topped by a similarly-proportioned steel helmet. Even at this unholy hour, there were local sightseers and well-wishers waiting to see us off.

The 600 Squadron element was part of the RAUXAF team including members of 4626 Squadron and although we had the oldest average age (around 45) of any team on the march our motley band included several veterans with a combined total of some 50 previous Nijmegen marches under our belts. There was therefore a certain smugness whenever we passed other teams fallen by the wayside – especially cadets. (Old age and treachery will always triumph over youth and skill.)

The reception from the Dutch locals was as ever overwhelming and is always a highlight of the whole week. The undoubted star of our team was Captain Gary Fraser of the AAC. Just over a year ago, Gary had suffered a stroke which paralysed the right-hand side of his body and so decided to march 100 miles as part of his therapy. His doctor wanted him certified (fit but insane!). Gary successfully completed the march with the rest of us and was unanimously voted