INSIDE THIS 24 PAGE ISSUE RAF Catterick Event JUNE 2006

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

INSIDE THIS 24 PAGE ISSUE RAF Catterick Event JUNE 2006 ROYAL AIR FORCE & DEFENCE FIRE SERVICES ASSOCIATION MAGAZINE INSIDE THIS 24 PAGE ISSUE RAF Catterick EvENT JUNE 2006 REPoRT - SPoTlIGHT oN RAF Catterick FIRE SqUADRoN PART 2 EX - RAF CATTERICk FIRE and RESCUE SqUADRoN - 1982 &THE WoT1 - ASSoCIATIoN SHoP REmEmbRANCE PARADE 2006 DetailS - “DoES yoUR CHEWING GUm loSE IT’S FlAvoUR etc?” REmINDER that SUbSCRIPTIoNS ARE DUE 1ST SEPTEmbER - SToP PRESS - mUSEUm SHoCk! Augustwww.fireservicesassociation.net 2006 wwww.fireservicesassociation.net 1 Flashpoint Magazine - August 2006 brief History of The Association Formation of the Association CONTENTS The formation of the Royal Air Force & Defence Fire Area Coordinators were subsequently elected to cover 2 Brief History of the Services Association took place at Shoreham Airport in East the U.K. Association Sussex, on the13th. May 1995, when 23 ex-service personnel The Intervening Years got together to settle the question of why there wasn’t an 3 Who to Contact Many changes have taken place since then as the organisation relating to the trade of firefighter when most & Proposed New Association established itself over the intervening years Book recording other trades had formed one of their own many years ago? and, with its formation, colleagues, past and present, now the history and Inaugural Committee Formed have a better chance of finding each other again, renewing the development old friendships and making new ones. of the RAF and On that day, when those founder members turned up from Defence Fire and all over the country, they went on to form the inaugural The Association publishes Flashpoint magazine 3 times Rescue Service committee of the Association and elected the following per year with information, news, updates, articles, Officers and Committee:- anecdotes, photos. and stories. 4 Editorial - Useful Contact Numbers Member Association membership is made up of ex and serving - Front cover photo President Late John Arthur 11 firefighters and includes those personnel who made Vice President Ken Rimmel 20 up the Air Force, Army and Royal Navy* Fire Service 5 Catterick Report Chairman Keith Penfold 9 Departments, which became the Defence Fire Services. Vice Chairman Mick Clark 2 Together we are the Royal Air Force and Defence Fire 6 Membership News Secretary Dennis McCann 7 Services Association. &1st September Subs reminder Treasurer Late John Knight 21 Associate Membership is open to ex and serving personnel Editor * Late Alan Alsop 49 having a minimum of three months service with the 7 ‘ D o e s y o u r Civilian Aviation Authority (CAA) Licenced Aerodrome chewing gum lose Fire Services. it’s flavour etc.’ *The position of Editor first introduced in 1995, when thelate Alan Alsop took post as founding editor, but after the * Royal Navy have since founded their own Aircraft 8 Letters & Stop formation of the Association in May of that year. Handlers Association. Press Area Coordinators Elected 12 Catterick Garrison Army Open Day 14/15 Spotlight on RAF Catterick Fire Squadron 1958 to 1988 Pt 2 16 In Memoriam 17 Shop 18 N e w s - Vi e w s U p d a t e s a n d Deadlines - ‘Big’ Jim Crabtree ill 19 R e m e m b r a n c e Day Parade 20 P h o t o g r a p h i c Memories 21 Heroes of the RAF Fire Service Sgt George Masterson RAF Luqa 1971 22 RAF & Defence Photo shows 21ex-RAF Firemen attending Shoreham Airport, East Sussex on Sunday the 13th May 1995 Fire and Rescue Service - ‘Nimrod’ for the forming of the Association, but only 15 are named - Basil Cotton, Barry Poulton, Bob Good, Roger Exercise & SSAFA! Brooks, John Knight, Joe Shackleton, Len Nightingale, John Arthur, ‘Nobby’ Clarke, Bob Hodgeson, Dennis McCann, Graham Kennedy, Keith Penfold, Bill Bennett & Tony Cullen (didn’t join)! The 23 Brief Histories of photo was taken Sunday morning and several founder members were missing, for various reasons. They the RAF and the were, C Ayling, S Morley, F Hoxey, R Smallridge, A Watts, R Rideout, D Shields, J Dalton, G Bridges, Defence Fire and Bob Westwood, Reg Silcock, Richard Callanan, ‘Brummie Yates, Brian Wooldridge, Brian Ford, Ron Rescue Service Mason and, now,Charles Sharp. A grand total of 32 who started things off, for all those of us, who have 24 Ex - RAF Catterick followed on behind - Are there any more out there or, is that it? Ken Rimmel, D/Day Museum, and founding Fire & Rescue vice-president, member 20, took the photograph - Ed. Squadron 1982 & WOT1 Flashpoint Magazine - August 2006 2 www.fireservicesassociation.net Who To Contact Officers and Committee Area Co-ordinators Northern Ireland Australia Kenneth Green member 255 Bill Wylie member 785 President Devon & Cornwall 2 Brooklands Drive 102 Kingsclere Avenue Keith Penfold member 9 Wilf Longmire member 83 Whitehead Keyborough 80 Pitts Field 28 Cormorant Drive Carrickfergus Victoria Cricklade St Austell Antrim Australia 3173 Wiltshire Cornwall N. Ireland tel Melbourne 9769 0826 SN6 6AW PL25 3BA tel 01960 372 595 te l 01793 751 536 tel 01726 642 74 Cambridge Scotland Vice-President Norfolk Howard Harper member 682 Alec Robertson member 753 Dennis McCann BEM member 7 Steve Doran member 41 34 The Westering 12 Kinclavin Crescent Lulworth, Ronal Meadowlands Murthly Clacton Road 22 Gunn Street Cambridgeshire Perth Weeley Heath Foulsham CB5 8SF PH1 4EU Clacton on Sea Norfolk tel 01223 292 298 tel 01738 710 487 Essex NR20 5RJ CO16 9ED tel 01362 684 132 Member, Mark Watson, volunteered as coordinator to cover Riyadh, tel/fax 01255 830 546 email - [email protected] Saudi Arabia - still awaiting details - Ed. Chairman RAF Co-ordinator VaCanCies Roger Brooks member 16 Steve Bowden member 413 east Yorkshire - LinCoLnshire -MidLands - sCotLand - south east 18 Farm Close Station Fire Officer Seaford RAF St Athan other areas as neCessarY. it’s not too arduous, just a Matter of keeping in Sussex Barry touCh, and proMoting the assoCiation when abLe to do so. if You Can heLp, BN25 3RZ Glamorgan pLease ContaCt a CoMMittee MeMber. we assure You of a warM weLCoMe. tel 01323 899 562 CF62 4WA [email protected]. tel 01446 798 393 co.uk Wales PROPOSED NEW BOOK – members will Vice-Chairman Ian King member 242 be aware from the April 2006 Flashpoint, that a Jim Paterson member 405 Warren Bungalow 18 Plover Court John’s Lane book is in the process of being produced outlining Rossington Hirwaun the personnel, past and present, who have been Nr. Doncaster Mid Glamorgan South Yorkshire Wales members of the Royal Air Force Fire Service or DN11 0HU CF44 9TB Defence Fire Services, (now the Defence Fire and tel 01302 864 742 tel 01685 811 131 Rescue Services). Secretary South Yorkshire & Derbyshire Many stories and anecdotes have already George Edwards member 238 John Arnold member 394 been received and each article, however short 8 East Close 22 Crookes Broom Lane or long, is a unique contribution to the project. Ecclestone Park Hatfield Prescot Doncaster Please consider submitting an article as everyone Merseyside DN7 6JN has something to say and your contribution will L34 2RA tel 0132 351 196 tel 0151 426 5093 be recorded for posterity. Contributions to myself email - george.edwards46@ South please. Contact details as per the Who To Contact virgin.net John Hurl member 564 page. 34 Copt Elm Close Treasurer Charlton Kings George Edwards Secretary member 238 Geoff Varley member 221 Cheltenham 3 Fairway Gloucestershire Girton GL53 8AE Cambridge tel 01242 522 503 CB3 0QF HOW TO JOIN - For more information tel 01223 276 772 London ‘’Jess’ Jessup member 133 about the Royal Air Force & Defence Fire Services Membership Secretary 44 Quentin Road Association and to request an application form John Hanley member 69 Lewisham contact :- 17 Carnegie Road London Peterborough SE13 5DF PE8 6AJ tel 020 8463 0737 John Hanley, Membership Secretary, tel 01780 784 964 email - [email protected] North 17 Carnegie Road, Peterborough PE8 6AJ serve.co.uk Joe Shackleton member 22 2 Westminster Close Tel - 01780 784 964 or email - john@hanley7438. Eston Editor Flashpoint Middlesborough freeserve.co.uk Dave Kenyon member 239 Cleveland or 47 Grange Avenue TS6 9NU Visit our website at - www. Thornbury tel 01642 285 098 Bradford BD3 7BE fireservicesassociation.net tel/fax 01274 666 043 e-mail: [email protected] www.fireservicesassociation.net 3 Flashpoint Magazine - August 2006 Flashpoint Editorial eaders will quickly early Friday and Sunday mornings to meet R note that this is- with 2MT Squadron when they delivered, Useful Contact sue is chock full with and then uplifted, the WOT1, on our be- Numbers ex RAF Catterick Fire half. Saturday morning the WOT1 front RAFBF - The Heart of the RAF Family:- Squadron items for nearside tyre was soft and Logistics were which I make no apolo- very helpful with advice to sort the matter. 0800 169 2942 gy. As a Sutton-on-Hull ‘skiffLe’ & raf ternhiLL - In RAFA - The Royal Air Force Association:- man, I’m honoured and the last issue, I promised an item from 0800 018 2361 member, Colin Nixon, on ‘Skiffle’ and delighted to present the SSAFA Forces Help - The Soldiers, information on Catterick for your enjoy- hope you enjoy it. For those of you who Sailors, Airmen and Families ment. I only hope that someone out there haven’t a clue what it’s all about, prepare to Association:- 020 7403 8783 has similar items on Sutton, Manston or be enlightened briefly on the subject! Colin Teeside. If so, please dig them out and would like your help in trying to identify a The Royal British Legion - RBL - send them in. name from a photo taken at RAF Ternhill, 08457 725 725 the front CoVer shows the Catterick
Recommended publications
  • Downloadable Content the Supermarine
    AIRFRAME & MINIATURE No.12 The Supermarine Spitfire Part 1 (Merlin-powered) including the Seafire Downloadable Content v1.0 August 2018 II Airframe & Miniature No.12 Spitfire – Foreign Service Foreign Service Depot, where it was scrapped around 1968. One other Spitfire went to Argentina, that being PR Mk XI PL972, which was sold back to Vickers Argentina in March 1947, fitted with three F.24 cameras with The only official interest in the Spitfire from the 8in focal length lens, a 170Imp. Gal ventral tank Argentine Air Force (Fuerca Aerea Argentina) was and two wing tanks. In this form it was bought by an attempt to buy two-seat T Mk 9s in the 1950s, James and Jack Storey Aerial Photography Com- PR Mk XI, LV-NMZ with but in the end they went ahead and bought Fiat pany and taken by James Storey (an ex-RAF Flt Lt) a 170Imp. Gal. slipper G.55Bs instead. F Mk IXc BS116 was allocated to on the 15th April 1947. After being issued with tank installed, it also had the Fuerca Aerea Argentina, but this allocation was the CofA it was flown to Argentina via London, additional fuel in the cancelled and the airframe scrapped by the RAF Gibraltar, Dakar, Brazil, Rio de Janeiro, Montevi- wings and fuselage before it was ever sent. deo and finally Buenos Aires, arriving at Morón airport on the 7th May 1947 (the exhausts had burnt out en route and were replaced with those taken from JF275). Storey hoped to gain an aerial mapping contract from the Argentine Government but on arrival was told that his ‘contract’ was not recognised and that his services were not required.
    [Show full text]
  • Library Additions BOOKS
    Library Additions BOOKS GENERAL No12 Squadron during the Lincoln, Bristol Beaufighter, de ‘Sam’ Marshal of the refineries. S J Zaloga. Osprey Low Altitude Bombing System Havilland Mosquito/Vampire/ Royal Air Force The Lord Publishing, Kemp House, (LABS) weapons delivery Venom, English Electric/ Elworthy: a Biography. R Chawley Park, Cumnor Hill, trials among many other BAC Canberra/Strikemaster, Mead. Pen &Sword Aviation, Oxford OX2 9PH, UK. 2019. experiences recalled from a Gloster Meteor, Hawker Pen & Sword Books, 47 96pp. Illustrated. £14.99. ISBN flying career of over 45 years. Hunter/Sea Fury, Hunting Church Street, Barnsley, S 978-14728-3180-4. Percival Jet Provost, Short Yorkshire S70 2AS, UK. 2018. A very detailed analysis of Dorset Aviation Past and Sunderland/Sandringham, xiii; 330pp. Illustrated. £25. the operational effectiveness Present. Royal Aeronautical Supermarine Walrus and ISBN 978-1-52672-717-6. of the USAAF ‘Tidal Wave’ Society Christchurch Branch. SEPECAT Jaguar among A biography of the New mission of 1 August 1943 2016. 50pp. Illustrated. other aircraft types) that were Zealander Air Chief Marshal during WW2 which aimed A concise illustrated either sold to or operated in Sir Charles Elworthy MRAF to destroy strategically history of the development Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Cuba, (1911-1993) – subsequently important oil refineries in of aviation in Bournemouth, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, the Lord Elworthy – who, from Romania using Consolidated Poole, Portland, Weymouth, Mexico, Peru, Uruguay and initially joining the Reserve Air B-24D Liberators flown from Chickerell, Bridport, Toller, Venezuela and the British Force Officers in 1933, rose Benghazi in Libya. Upton, Moreton, Christchurch, colonies of British Guiana/ to being appointed both Chief Global Megatrends Swanage, Weymouth, Belize and the Falklands, of the Air Staff in September German Flak Defences and Aviation: the Warmwell, Tarrant Rushton Bolivia, Guatemala, Honduras, 1963 and also in 1967 Chief vs Allied Heavy Bombers Path To Future-Wise and Hurn.
    [Show full text]
  • RAF Centenary 100 Famous Aircraft Vol 3: Fighters and Bombers of the Cold War
    RAF Centenary 100 Famous Aircraft Vol 3: Fighters and Bombers of the Cold War INCLUDING Lightning Canberra Harrier Vulcan www.keypublishing.com RARE IMAGES AND PERIOD CUTAWAYS ISSUE 38 £7.95 AA38_p1.indd 1 29/05/2018 18:15 Your favourite magazine is also available digitally. DOWNLOAD THE APP NOW FOR FREE. FREE APP In app issue £6.99 2 Months £5.99 Annual £29.99 SEARCH: Aviation Archive Read on your iPhone & iPad Android PC & Mac Blackberry kindle fi re Windows 10 SEARCH SEARCH ALSO FLYPAST AEROPLANE FREE APP AVAILABLE FOR FREE APP IN APP ISSUES £3.99 IN APP ISSUES £3.99 DOWNLOAD How it Works. Simply download the Aviation Archive app. Once you have the app, you will be able to download new or back issues for less than newsstand price! Don’t forget to register for your Pocketmags account. This will protect your purchase in the event of a damaged or lost device. It will also allow you to view your purchases on multiple platforms. PC, Mac & iTunes Windows 10 Available on PC, Mac, Blackberry, Windows 10 and kindle fire from Requirements for app: registered iTunes account on Apple iPhone,iPad or iPod Touch. Internet connection required for initial download. Published by Key Publishing Ltd. The entire contents of these titles are © copyright 2018. All rights reserved. App prices subject to change. 321/18 INTRODUCTION 3 RAF Centenary 100 Famous Aircraft Vol 3: Fighters and Bombers of the Cold War cramble! Scramble! The aircraft may change, but the ethos keeping world peace. The threat from the East never entirely dissipated remains the same.
    [Show full text]
  • RAF Regiment Fund Property Member
    “History cannot give us a program for the future, but it can give us a fuller understanding of ourselves, and a common humanity, so that we can better face the future”. Robert Penn Warren The RAF Regiment Fund maintains over 650 items of Regimental Property on behalf of the Corps. This booklet contains information on the most significant items that the Fund holds. Front Cover Image: 2777 Sqn RAF Regt outside the Brandenburg Gate and Reichskanzlerei, Berlin, in the Winter of 1946-7. One Flt of cars was detached permanently to Berlin and based at RAF Gatow, where they formed part of the British Military presence (British Air Forces of Occupation - BAFO) in Berlin after WWII. Lead car comdr is Fg Off Dickinson, RAF Regt. Photo courtesy of Flt Lt Don Nelson RAF (Retd). Flt Lt Nelson was latterly a Lt Col in the RCAF and still lives in Canada. Edition 2.0 “Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II” Air Commodore-in-Chief Royal Air Force Regiment Her Majesty The Queen unveiled this portrait of herself, which now dominates the entrance hall, in 1967. The portrait depicts the Queen as Sovereign of the Most Noble Order of the Thistle, Scotland’s premier Order of Chivalry. The portrait was commissioned by the Officers of the RAF Regiment to commemorate the Regiment’s 25th Anniversary and was executed by Huseph Riddle. Both at the unveiling and subsequently at the Royal Review of the RAF Regiment to commemorate the 40th Anniversary in 1982, The Queen expressed her particular satisfaction with the portrait. Gunner 2007 Although the significance of a 65th anniversary in military terms is not great, it was recognized in 2006 that the Corps should recognize yet another milestone in its short history in some way and the idea of a new and significant piece of silverware was developed.
    [Show full text]
  • Raaf Personnel Serving on Attachment in Royal Air Force Squadrons and Support Units in World War 2 and Missing with No Known Grave
    Cover Design by: 121Creative Lower Ground Floor, Ethos House, 28-36 Ainslie Pl, Canberra ACT 2601 phone. (02) 6243 6012 email. [email protected] www.121creative.com.au Printed by: Kwik Kopy Canberra Lower Ground Floor, Ethos House, 28-36 Ainslie Pl, Canberra ACT 2601 phone. (02) 6243 6066 email. [email protected] www.canberra.kwikkopy.com.au Compilation Alan Storr 2006 The information appearing in this compilation is derived from the collections of the Australian War Memorial and the National Archives of Australia. Author : Alan Storr Alan was born in Melbourne Australia in 1921. He joined the RAAF in October 1941 and served in the Pacific theatre of war. He was an Observer and did a tour of operations with No 7 Squadron RAAF (Beauforts), and later was Flight Navigation Officer of No 201 Flight RAAF (Liberators). He was discharged Flight Lieutenant in February 1946. He has spent most of his Public Service working life in Canberra – first arriving in the National Capital in 1938. He held senior positions in the Department of Air (First Assistant Secretary) and the Department of Defence (Senior Assistant Secretary), and retired from the public service in 1975. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree (Melbourne University) and was a graduate of the Australian Staff College, ‘Manyung’, Mt Eliza, Victoria. He has been a volunteer at the Australian War Memorial for 21 years doing research into aircraft relics held at the AWM, and more recently research work into RAAF World War 2 fatalities. He has written and published eight books on RAAF fatalities in the eight RAAF Squadrons serving in RAF Bomber Command in WW2.
    [Show full text]
  • Henges in Yorkshire
    Looking south across the Thornborough Henges. SE2879/116 NMR17991/01 20/5/04. ©English Heritage. NMR Prehistoric Monuments in the A1 Corridor Information and activities for teachers, group leaders and young archaeologists about the henges, cursus, barrows and other monuments in this area Between Ferrybridge and Catterick the modern A1 carries more than 50,000 vehicles a day through West and North Yorkshire. It passes close to a number of significant but often overlooked monuments that are up to 6,000 years old. The earliest of these are the long, narrow enclosures known as cursus. These were followed by massive ditched and banked enclosures called henges and then smaller monuments, including round barrows. The A1 also passes by Iron Age settlements and Roman towns, forts and villas. This map shows the route of the A1 in Yorkshire and North of Boroughbridge the A1 the major prehistoric monuments that lie close by. follows Dere Street Roman road. Please be aware that the monuments featured in this booklet may lie on privately-owned land. 1 The Landscape Setting of the A1 Road Neolithic and Bronze Age Monuments Between Boroughbridge and Cursus monuments are very long larger fields A1 Road quarries Catterick the A1 heads north with rectangular enclosures, typically more the Pennines to the west and than 1km long. They are thought to the low lying vales of York and date from the middle to late Neolithic Mowbray to the east. This area period and were probably used for has a rural feel with a few larger ceremonies and rituals. settlements (like the cathedral city of Ripon and the market town of The western end of the Thornborough pockets of woodland cursus is rounded but some are square.
    [Show full text]
  • RAF Wymeswold Part 4
    Part FourMemories from members of 504 Sqn RAF Wymeswold– Postwar Flying 1948 to 1970 (with a Second World War postscript) RichardKnight text © RichardKnight 2020 illustrations © as credited 2020 The moral rights of the author and illustrators have been asserted. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without prior written permission from the author, except for brief passages quoted in reviews. Published as six downloadablePDFfiles only by the author in conjunction with the WoldsHistorical Organisation 2020 This is the history of an aerodrome, not an official document. It has been drawn from memories and formal records and should give a reliable picture of what took place. Any discrepancies are my responsibility. RichardKnight [email protected]. Abbreviations used for Royal Air Force ranks PltOff Pilot Officer FgOff Flying Officer FltLt Flight Lieutenant SqnLdr Squadron Leader WgCdr Wing Commander GpCapt Group Captain A Cdr Air Commodore Contents This account of RAF Wymeswoldis published as six free-to-downloadPDFs. All the necessary links are at www.hoap/who#raf Part One 1946 to 1954 Farewell Dakotas; 504 Sqn.Spitfires to Meteors Part Two 1954 to 1955 Rolls Roycetest fleet and sonic bangs; 504 Sqn.Meteors; RAFAAir Display; 56 SqnHunters Part Three 1956 to 1957 The WymeswoldWing (504 Sqn& 616 SqnMeteors); The WattishamWing (257 Sqn& 263 SqnHunters); Battle of Britain ‘At Home’ Part Four Memories from members of 504 Sqn On the ground and in the air Part Five 1958 to 1970 Field Aircraft Services: civilian & military aircraft; No. 2 Flying Training School; Provosts & Jet Provosts Part Six 1944 FrederickDixon’simages: of accommodation, Wellingtons, Hampdens, Horsasand C47s Videos There are several videos about RAF Wymeswold, four by RichardKnight:, and one by Cerrighedd: youtu.be/lto9rs86ZkY youtu.be/S6rN9nWrQpI youtu.be/7yj9Qb4Qjgo youtu.be/dkNnEV4QLwc www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTlMQkKvPkI You can try copy-and-pasting these URLsinto your browser.
    [Show full text]
  • Last Flight of Beauforts L.9943, L.9829 & L
    2021 www.BritishMilitaryHistory.co.uk Author: Robert PALMER, M.A. Bristol Beaufort Mk. I X.8931 L2 No. 5 (Coastal) Operational Training Unit Courtesy of North Devon Athenaeum THE LAST FLIGHT OF: BEAUFORTS L.9943, L.9829, L.9858 A narrative of the last flights of Beaufort L.9943, which crashed near R.A.F. Chivenor on the night of 19 December 1940, killing the pilot, Sgt J. BLATCHFORD and severely injuring the air gunner; Beaufort L.9829 which crashed on 18 February 1941, mortally wounding the Australian pilot, Sgt A. H. S. EVANS, and Beaufort L.9858, which crashed on 24 February 1941, killing the South African pilot, P/O H. MUNDY. Copyright ©www.BritishMilitaryHistory.co.uk (2021) 4 May 2021 [LAST FLIGHT OF BEAUFORTS L.9943, L.9829 & L.9858] The Last Flight of Beaufort L.9943, L.9829 & L.9858 Version: V3_4 This edition dated: 4 May 2021 ISBN: Not yet allocated. All rights reserved. No part of the publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means including: electronic, electrostatic, magnetic tape, mechanical, photocopying, scanning without prior permission in writing from the publishers. Author: Robert PALMER, M.A. (copyright held by author) Research & Assistance: Stephen HEAL, David HOWELLS & Graham MOORE Published privately by: The Author – Publishing as: www.BritishMilitaryHistory.co.uk The author wishes to thank the niece of James BLATCHFORD, Kate DODD; and the daughter of Roy WATLING-GREENWOOD, Ann, for their support and assistance in providing information and photographs for inclusion in this booklet. Without them, the story of these two remarkable men would not be complete.
    [Show full text]
  • RAF Honington
    RAF Honington Part 5 Bringing the Story up to Date With the cessation of flying activities and the departure or disbandment of the resident squadrons, RAF Honington was to take on a new role. In June 1994 the base was handed over to the RAF Regiment and all RAF Regiment basic, advanced, field and air defence training was relocated from earlier homes at RAF Catterick in Yorkshire and RAF West Raynham just up the road in Norfolk. Originally formed by Royal Warrant in 1942, the Regiment drew 66,000 personnel from the former airfield Defence Squadrons and was tasked with the seizure, security and defence of airfields to enable air operations to take place. Aircraft spend most of their time on the ground and this is where they are most vulnerable - both from air raids and attack by enemy ground forces. Similar to the formation of the flying units, the Regiment was made up of a number of ‘Flights’, ‘Squadrons’ and ‘Wings’. A typical Squadron was made up of a Headquarters Flight, three Rifle Flights, (Infantry - for want of a better term), and an Air Defence Flight, (usually equipped with Hispano 20mm cannon or Bofors 40mm anti aircraft guns). There was also usually an Armoured Car Flight to provide increased mobility and wider area coverage. Several Parachute Squadrons were also formed to assist in the seizure of airfields and 11 Squadron currently based at Honington is the only Squadron to retain this function. Obviously at the time of the Regiment’s formation, detailed planning was underway for the invasion of Europe which was to come two years later.
    [Show full text]
  • Raaf Personnel Serving on Attachment in Royal Air Force Squadrons and Support Units in World War 2 and Missing with No Known Grave
    Cover Design by: 121Creative Lower Ground Floor, Ethos House, 28-36 Ainslie Pl, Canberra ACT 2601 phone. (02) 6243 6012 email. [email protected] www.121creative.com.au Printed by: Kwik Kopy Canberra Lower Ground Floor, Ethos House, 28-36 Ainslie Pl, Canberra ACT 2601 phone. (02) 6243 6066 email. [email protected] www.canberra.kwikkopy.com.au Compilation Alan Storr 2006 The information appearing in this compilation is derived from the collections of the Australian War Memorial and the National Archives of Australia. Author : Alan Storr Alan was born in Melbourne Australia in 1921. He joined the RAAF in October 1941 and served in the Pacific theatre of war. He was an Observer and did a tour of operations with No 7 Squadron RAAF (Beauforts), and later was Flight Navigation Officer of No 201 Flight RAAF (Liberators). He was discharged Flight Lieutenant in February 1946. He has spent most of his Public Service working life in Canberra – first arriving in the National Capital in 1938. He held senior positions in the Department of Air (First Assistant Secretary) and the Department of Defence (Senior Assistant Secretary), and retired from the public service in 1975. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree (Melbourne University) and was a graduate of the Australian Staff College, ‘Manyung’, Mt Eliza, Victoria. He has been a volunteer at the Australian War Memorial for 21 years doing research into aircraft relics held at the AWM, and more recently research work into RAAF World War 2 fatalities. He has written and published eight books on RAAF fatalities in the eight RAAF Squadrons serving in RAF Bomber Command in WW2.
    [Show full text]
  • Raf Squadron
    I am able to show you in this magazine all of our current RAF stock from all of the popular series. Some quantities are low, so do not delay! Also, if there are any covers not featured, please feel free to contact us and let us know. THE ROYAL We are always happy to take on the challenge of acquiring your missing covers for you. AIR FORCE Happy Browsing & Best Wishes June 2019 Issue 9 RFDC Covers RFDC72 £7.50 1989 Anniversaries - 30th Anniversary of RAFLET. RAF Bomber Series RAFC014 £15 1993 Autumn - 50th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain. RAF Museum RAFSC01 £15 RAFB01C £125 £25 per month for 5 months 7th September 1981 Sopwith Tabloid special signed cover by Arthur Bomber’ Harris. 1970 RAF Upavon - Farnborough WWII 50th Anniversary Operation Judgement Battle of Britain 1940 22nd - 31st July RAFA03S £15 Signed Wing Commander George Unwin 01303 278137 JS40/07S £20 Major O Patch & Capt.AWF Sutton EMAIL: [email protected] LOVE COVERS? JOIN THE CLUB and SAVE! Members of our Unsigned Collectors Club save £1 on the cost of each new cover. There’s no obligation to buy but your covers will be reserved for you so you’ll never miss out! Why not join today? Visit our website at www.buckinghamcovers.com/clubs for details Warren House, Shearway Road, Folkestone, Kent CT19 4BF Tel 01303 278137 Fax 01303 279429 Email [email protected] RFDC COVERS RFDC1 £4.50 RFDC2 £4.50 RFDC3 £7.50 RFDC4 £7 1981 Folklore. The 1981 Disabled. RAF Medical 1981 Butterflies - Lepidoptera. 1981 National Trust - Hendon Ghost.
    [Show full text]
  • Their Stories
    NORTH YORKSHIRE’S UNSUNG HEROES THEIR STORIES Acknowledgements We are indebted to the men and women who have given their time to share their valuable stories and kindly allowed us to take copies of their personal photographs. We are also extremely grateful to them for allowing their personal histories to be recorded for the benefit of current and future generations. In addition, we would like to thank Dr Tracy Craggs, who travelled the length and breadth of North Yorkshire to meet with each of the men and women featured in this book to record their stories. We would also like to thank her – on behalf of the Unsung Heroes – for her time, enthusiasm and kindness. © Copyright Community First Yorkshire, 2020 All rights reserved. The people who have shared their stories for this publication have done so with the understanding that they will not be reproduced without prior permission of the publisher. Any unauthorised copying or reproduction will constitute an infringement of copyright. Contents Foreword 3 Introduction 4 Their stories 5 – 45 Glossary 46 NORTH YORKSHIRE’S UNSUNG HEROES I THEIR STORIES Foreword North Yorkshire has a strong military history and a continuing armed forces presence. The armed forces are very much part of our local lives – whether it’s members of our own families, the armed forces’ friends in our children’s schools, the military vehicles on the A1, or the jets above our homes. The serving armed forces are visible in our county – but the older veterans, our unsung heroes, are not necessarily so obvious. With the Ex-Forces Support North Yorkshire project we wanted to raise the profile of older veterans across North Yorkshire.
    [Show full text]