September 2010 - RAF Regiment Association Official Website
September 2010 - RAF Regiment Association Official Website
September 2010 - RAF Regiment Association Official Website
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NO ONE HAS YET COME<br />
FORWARD Page 2<br />
GOODIES FOR OUR<br />
INJURED BOYS Page 2<br />
<strong>RAF</strong> REGIMENT NEWS<br />
Page 4<br />
NATIONAL MEMORIAL<br />
ARBORETUM UPDATE<br />
Page 7<br />
FROM THE <strong>RAF</strong> REG.T<br />
SECRETARY Page 11<br />
ONLY FIVE MORE<br />
MONTHS TO GO<br />
ROYAL AIR FORCE<br />
REGIMENT<br />
ASSOCIATION<br />
www.rafregt.org.uk<br />
BIRMINGHAM BRANCH<br />
IMPORTANT NOTICE<br />
My Retirement as Your Branch Secretary Page 2<br />
No One has Yet Come Forward Page 2<br />
Branch Appeal – Goodies for Our Injured Boys Page 2<br />
Help For Heroes – a Calendar Page 2<br />
Centurion Journal – Moving to an Annual Edition Page 2<br />
Branch Birthdays Page 2<br />
Spring Reunion Bodelwyddan Castle Hotel, North Wales Page 2<br />
Belton Park Page 3<br />
Two Reports from Hughie Cooper Page 3<br />
Our Visit to Belton Park Page 3<br />
Smith Gun & Northover Projector Page 4<br />
Our Visit to the NMA Page 4<br />
National Memorial Arboretum Update Page 5<br />
<strong>RAF</strong> <strong>Regiment</strong> Memorial Garden Page 5<br />
Future Events at the NMA Page 5<br />
<strong>RAF</strong> <strong>Regiment</strong> Books Page 6<br />
Books about the <strong>RAF</strong> <strong>Regiment</strong> Page 6<br />
Books Containing References to <strong>RAF</strong> <strong>Regiment</strong> Page 7<br />
From the <strong>RAF</strong> <strong>Regiment</strong> Secretary Page 7<br />
Death Notices Page 7<br />
New Notices Page 7<br />
Corps Diary Dates Page 9<br />
Dates for Your Diary Page 10<br />
Birmingham Branch Committee Page 10<br />
YOU WILL HAVE NOTICED THE GRADUALLY<br />
DIMINISHING SIZE OF MY NEWSLETTERS<br />
FOR I AM WINDING DOWN MY WORK AS<br />
YOUR BRANCH SECRETARY<br />
The Best Fighters in the <strong>RAF</strong><br />
Operate on the Ground<br />
The Royal Air Force <strong>Regiment</strong>.<br />
Ground-based specialists,<br />
protecting <strong>RAF</strong> assets from<br />
enemy attack.<br />
I AM COUNTING DOWN – FIVE MONTHS<br />
UNTIL I RETIRE AS YOUR BRANCH<br />
SECRETARY. A NEW SECRETARY IS<br />
REQUIRED IF THE BRANCH IS TO CONTINUE.<br />
PLEASE GIVE IT SOME THOUGHT<br />
NEWSLETTER NO: 255<br />
SEPTEMBER <strong>2010</strong>
2<br />
THE BIRMINGHAM BRANCH NEWSLETTER<br />
NUMBER 255 SEPTEMBER <strong>2010</strong><br />
Dear Readers.<br />
My Retirement as Your Secretary<br />
No one has yet come forward to volunteer<br />
to stand as the Branch Secretary at the Branch<br />
AGM next February. Please would you all give it<br />
some thought for after three attempts to retire as<br />
your Secretary, this time I will be - so if the<br />
Branch is to continue to function efficiently,<br />
someone needs to volunteer their services.<br />
Goodies for our Injured Boys<br />
It is most important that we remember the<br />
dangers that our young men and women serving<br />
on operations are all facing, so please remember<br />
the appeal your Branch Committee have set up.<br />
With your help, we can continue to<br />
provide these small comforts and any other items<br />
that members of the military staff ask us for. We<br />
can never get enough goodies for the lads, so in<br />
the mean time, your continued support is<br />
appreciated for we need much more money.<br />
It is very much appreciated for it is a huge<br />
boost to the lads who are treated at Selly Oak to<br />
know that the general public offer the wounded<br />
lads and lassies such wonderful financial and<br />
moral support. It is difficult to work out just how<br />
much money we have raised so far, for as a result<br />
of our Appeal, many of you send money directly<br />
to the lads but from what I have been told we are<br />
well on our way to £5,000. . It may be more, so<br />
well done lads.<br />
If any of you would like to contribute<br />
items or cash directly for this appeal, you must<br />
contact Major Ian Cheesman, Officer ficer I/C Patient<br />
Support Services, or post them to him at RCDM,<br />
Selly Oak Hospital, Raddlebarn Road, Selly Oak,<br />
Birmingham, B29 6JD. If cash, please make your<br />
cheques out to RCDM - PSS.<br />
HELP FOR HEROES<br />
Chris Yelverton has done a sterling job in<br />
producing a 2011 calendar costing £5.00 plus<br />
P&P based on the well-known “Calendar Girls”<br />
and just like them, all the photographs are on<br />
“ladies of a certain age”. I understand that they<br />
feature ladies discreetly attired in items of military<br />
equipment. If anyone would like one of these<br />
calendars please let me know.<br />
CENTURION JOURNAL<br />
In recognition of the workload involved in<br />
producing the semi-annual Centurion Journal<br />
against the pressures on peoples time, the<br />
Commandant General has directed that the<br />
Journal will move to an annual edition from 2011.<br />
As such the Spring Edition will not be produced.<br />
The copy for 2011 will be produced in the<br />
autumn and will cover the Corps life. Further<br />
details as to submission will be published in due<br />
course. However, contributors will need to factor<br />
this into their programme, not least to capture the<br />
necessary detail in preparation for their<br />
submissions.<br />
It is intended that the size and<br />
number of colour pages will be increased to<br />
reflect the “Year Book” approach.<br />
BRANCH BIRTHDAYS<br />
A very Happy Birthday to the following<br />
Birmingham Branch members whose birthdays<br />
are this month, may you all have many more.<br />
3rd Sept Bernard Wynn Birmingham West Mids<br />
7th <strong>September</strong> Clive Cumber Woking Surrey<br />
9th <strong>September</strong> Spencer Wilcox Tipton West Mids<br />
15th Sept Roy Thomas Sutton Coldfield W Mids<br />
17th Sept Derek Trust BEM Torquay Devon<br />
23rd Sept James Patterson Wolverhampton WM<br />
SPRING REUNION WEEKEND<br />
The Spring Reunion Weekend will be held<br />
at the Bodelwyddan Castle Hotel, North Wales<br />
from Friday 8 th to Monday 11 th April <strong>2010</strong>. Prices<br />
are from £209.00 per person in comfortable ensuite<br />
rooms.<br />
The Bodelwyddan Castle Hotel
3<br />
You will all by now have with your latest<br />
copy of “The Flash”, received a booking form<br />
and with its superb location and military<br />
connections it is sure to be a great hit so get your<br />
bookings in early. This majestic Grade II castle<br />
with spectacular views of the North Wales<br />
coastline is home to the National Portrait<br />
Gallery’s Victorian Collection. It is set amid<br />
beautiful woodlands and sensory gardens, less<br />
than an hour from the Snowdonia National Park.<br />
With its magnificent views stretching to<br />
the Clwydian Hills and its feast of live<br />
entertainment on offer, this is a hotel where you<br />
can really spoil yourself. Outside, the beautifullytended<br />
grounds include a maze, an aviary and a<br />
tranquil woodland walk.<br />
The scenery could best be described as<br />
magnificent and dramatic. It is just under an hour<br />
from Chester, 10 minutes from the seaside town<br />
of Rhyl, and half an hour away from the Victorian<br />
Pier at Llandudno. As well as being a historic<br />
house and museum with a free audio tour<br />
available, the Castle also boasts large areas of<br />
formal garden and natural woodland.<br />
A particular feature is the area of practice<br />
trenches dating from the First World War. In<br />
1914, the house that a century earlier had been<br />
designed to look like a castle was requisitioned by<br />
the army for nearby Kinmel Barracks.<br />
Within the grounds, there is a reminder of<br />
the Great War years. Training was an important<br />
activity during the First World War (1914-1918).<br />
It helped to prepare newly recruited soldiers many<br />
of whom had never considered the intricacies of<br />
'modern' warfare. The local training camp for the<br />
area was Kinmel Park Camp, which is located not<br />
too far from the Castle. The camp has operated<br />
for many years but is remembered by many as the<br />
camp where the infamous riots took place after the<br />
First World War.<br />
The training trenches are located in the<br />
Bodelwyddan Castle Parkland. A set of<br />
interpretive panels will be available shortly that<br />
will provide information on what it was like to be<br />
a soldier living, fighting and dying in the trenches<br />
and illustrations of how the trenches were<br />
constructed.<br />
BELTON PARK<br />
Now for a couple of reports from Hughie<br />
Cooper the Branch Research Co-ordinator who<br />
visited the site of the first <strong>RAF</strong> <strong>Regiment</strong> Depot<br />
Belton Park, Lincolnshire and on the following<br />
day visited the NMA.<br />
At the beginning of World War I, like<br />
many other British landowners, the 3rd Earl<br />
Brownlow offered his house and park to the<br />
Government for war service. The offer was<br />
accepted, and in 1915, the home depôt and<br />
training ground of the Machine Gun Corps were<br />
established in the southern part of Belton Park.<br />
The lie of the land there, where the River<br />
Witham passes between the Lower Lincolnshire<br />
Limestone and the Upper Lias mudstone, lent<br />
itself to the development of the necessary firing<br />
ranges close to good communications by way of<br />
the Great North Road and the East Coast main<br />
line railway station at Grantham.<br />
The depôt was closed in 1919, the site<br />
cleared and the land restored to Lord Brownlow in<br />
1920. Little sign of the Machine Gun Corps's stay<br />
remains in the park, but plaques and inscriptions<br />
can be followed from the south gate of Belton<br />
park to the memorial gate on the way from there<br />
to the town centre and in the north aisle of<br />
Grantham parish church.<br />
Belton Park again saw war service during<br />
World War II.<br />
On the formation of the <strong>RAF</strong><br />
<strong>Regiment</strong> in 1942 the park became the first home<br />
of the <strong>Regiment</strong>, when soon afterwards it moved<br />
to Belton where it was housed in nissen huts in<br />
the park. In January 1984 as a result of death<br />
duties, coupled with the rising costs of the<br />
upkeep, made Belton too much for the Brownlow<br />
family and ownership of the house, garden and<br />
some of the contents was transferred to the<br />
National Trust.<br />
OUR VISIT TO BELTON PARK<br />
14 th August <strong>2010</strong><br />
By Hughie Cooper<br />
When I first heard about this event we<br />
decided to go and at the same time, as they lived<br />
in the same area, meet two of my brothers. When<br />
we were discussing the visit, one of them said that<br />
they could do with some rain in Lincolnshire as in<br />
July; they had only had 5 mm of rain whereas in<br />
other areas they had 134 mm.<br />
I told them their worries were over as the<br />
<strong>RAF</strong> <strong>Regiment</strong> would solve their problem, for in<br />
my experience at various <strong>Regiment</strong> functions,<br />
particularly ceremonial events, it always seemed<br />
to rain. Were therefore arranged to meet at<br />
Sleaford and then travel down to Belton Park for<br />
the Saturday and Saturday if weather permitted,
4<br />
which of course it did not. We met as arranged<br />
but because of the torrential rain decided that it<br />
was too bad to continue with our proposed visit.<br />
Anyway, in spite of the appalling weather<br />
on the Saturday, my wife Eileen and I decided to<br />
go to Belton Park and in spite of the weather, we<br />
found it to be extremely interesting with various<br />
military re-enactments taking place and chatting<br />
with people in between the heavy showers.<br />
It was quite surprising how many people<br />
attended, so much so that the car park was<br />
absolutely crammed but everyone was rewarded<br />
for their efforts in attending by the displays.<br />
Two <strong>RAF</strong> <strong>Regiment</strong> recruitment trailers<br />
were there as well as 2503 RAuxAF Squadron<br />
from Lincoln as well as various military vehicles,<br />
both those in current use and previously used<br />
vehicles that also took part in the displays. There<br />
was also a climbing wall which the youngsters<br />
enjoyed immensely.<br />
The commitment and professionalism of<br />
everyone who is involved in the current situation<br />
is quite firm and confirms their absolute belief in<br />
the onerous tasks and risks they undertake both at<br />
home and abroad.<br />
Amongst several topics raised was about<br />
the Home guard Re-enactment where they had<br />
what appeared to be a rather ancient mortar with a<br />
vertical magazine on one side capable of holding<br />
four – thee inch mortar shells in cylindrical pipes,<br />
apparently called a Smith Gun. We were told that<br />
there were only four still in existence and that<br />
they had been issued to the Home Guard.<br />
When we returned home I looked through<br />
my various reference books on different weapons<br />
without success. I then searched my archives and<br />
found an article that had been published in the<br />
<strong>RAF</strong> <strong>Regiment</strong> <strong>Association</strong> “Rocks” Bulletin No<br />
1 dated 1 st July 1990. It was entitled the:<br />
“Smith Gun and Northover Projector”<br />
Early in World War Two when, just after<br />
Dunkirk, things looked very black indeed, those<br />
who had managed to get out of Dunkirk were<br />
billeted all over the country. Weapons were in<br />
short supply and until better, more efficient ones<br />
could be produced, a series of odd, cheap and<br />
mainly inefficient weapons appeared on the scene.<br />
The Smith Gun was amongst the first. It<br />
consisted of two very large wheels, about four feet<br />
in diameter with two inch rubber tyres. Its barrel<br />
was smooth bored and about four feet in length.<br />
The projectiles ranged from converted three inch<br />
mortar cases to 3 inch by 7 inch cast iron cases<br />
containing smoke ingredients and HE.<br />
The idea was that the weapon could be<br />
towed behind a small car or other vehicle to the<br />
spot where it was required - a towing eye was<br />
fitted to the end of the barrel for this purpose - and<br />
then the weapon was turned onto one wheel on its<br />
side. The other wheel was conical and served as<br />
overhead protection.<br />
As everyone knows a smooth bored barrel<br />
without rifling offers no spin and therefore no<br />
accuracy. The result being an indecisive<br />
trajectory and a total absence of accuracy, not<br />
only that, it was very unstable when being towed<br />
and frequently the towing eye snapped or the gun<br />
took over and caused the towing vehicle to<br />
somersault. It wasn’t a weapon to either have<br />
faith in or to like and after a short while it was<br />
phased out and handed over to the Home Guard.<br />
The second weapon, also to go to the<br />
home Guard, was the Northover Projector. This<br />
consisted of a piece of piping roughly four feet<br />
long and with a 2 ½ inch bore. It was mounted on<br />
four legs and the sighting was rudimentary and of<br />
the type later to be found on the “Energa”.<br />
The sight slipped up and had sighting<br />
holes along its length which was roughly 11<br />
inches. Some models had a “Heath Robinson” No<br />
8 battery firing pin, others were purely spring<br />
loaded and again, it was smooth bored and of<br />
course highly inaccurate. Its legs were also badly<br />
finished and may were the injuries sustained from<br />
its angular construction.<br />
The main thing that both weapons had in<br />
common was that they offered a tangible means of<br />
defending a position and gave a feeling of being<br />
armed. Their faults were not readily apparent<br />
owing to the lack of proper ammunition and<br />
above all, they looked like guns, which I suppose<br />
was psychologically the intention.<br />
********************<br />
Hughie ended this article with “we<br />
sincerely hoped that the weather would be better<br />
on the following day as we had a prior<br />
appointment at the National Memorial Arboretum,<br />
so we left Grantham early on the Sunday morning.<br />
OUR VISIT TO THE NMA<br />
15 th August <strong>2010</strong><br />
By Hughie Cooper<br />
Dave Harris and I had completed our<br />
Basic Training together and so we arranged to
5<br />
meet him and his family at the NMA so after we<br />
had arrived from Grantham we met them there.<br />
The weather was much better than that we had<br />
experienced at Belton Park and over the last two<br />
days.<br />
The day was the 65 th Anniversary of the<br />
ending of the war in the Far East and services<br />
were being held to commemorate this, particularly<br />
from the Far Eastern Prisoners of War<br />
<strong>Association</strong>. It is always a very poignant<br />
reminder of the terrible things that happened then.<br />
Also, it gave me the privilege of meeting<br />
once again, Jack Plant who was one of the prime<br />
movers in the erection of the Sumatra Railway<br />
Memorial that was dedicated in 2001 on the<br />
Anniversary of VJ Day, an event he attends every<br />
year.<br />
Again the events were well supported and<br />
very busy. It impressed everyone who we spoke<br />
to and many could not believe the amount of work<br />
that had been carried out in such a short time.<br />
********************<br />
Many thanks for your reports Hughie and I’m so<br />
glad the weather did not put you off.<br />
NATIONAL MEMORIAL<br />
ARBORETUM (NMA) UPDATE<br />
<strong>RAF</strong> <strong>Regiment</strong> Memorial Garden<br />
The <strong>RAF</strong> <strong>Regiment</strong> Memorial Garden's<br />
new block paving has enabled the establishment<br />
of individual and personalized Memorial Stones<br />
in the pathway. The Memorial Stones,<br />
manufactured in honed light grey granite and<br />
available in several distinct styles, may be ordered<br />
by anyone who may wish to commemorate a<br />
Corps individual, unit or event.<br />
A bespoke order form is now available in<br />
hard-copy and electronic formats from the <strong>RAF</strong><br />
<strong>Regiment</strong> Secretary and may also be downloaded<br />
from the <strong>RAF</strong> Regt Assoc website at<br />
www.rafregt.org.uk.<br />
Individual Memorial Stone<br />
For commemorating individual Corps<br />
members 8 in x 4 in x 1.2 in, with chamfered<br />
edges and containing three lines each of up to<br />
sixteen characters at £80.00.<br />
Unit Memorial Stone<br />
For commemorating a numbered unit or<br />
group of individuals. 8 in x 8 in x 1.2 in with<br />
chamfered edges and containing five lines each of<br />
up to sixteen characters at £125.00.<br />
De-Luxe Unit/Corps Event Memorial Stone<br />
For commemorating a numbered unit or<br />
group of individuals or Corps Event. 8 in x 8 in x<br />
1.2 in with chamfered edges, <strong>RAF</strong> <strong>Regiment</strong><br />
Crossed Rifles motif and containing five lines<br />
each of up to sixteen characters at £165.00.<br />
Special Corps Event Memorial Stone<br />
For commemorating a Corps Operational<br />
Event or Theatre of Operations. 12 inches square<br />
or 16 inches square.<br />
Design to be agreed.<br />
Number of lines and characters dependent on<br />
design selected. Price on application.<br />
Future Events at the NMA<br />
Thursday 16 th <strong>September</strong> <strong>2010</strong><br />
At 2.00 p.m. in the Millennium Chapel<br />
and later onsite the Ambulance Service<br />
Benevolent Fund will hold its bi-annual service to<br />
honour all ambulance personnel and especially<br />
those who have died in Service.<br />
For further information contact Simon<br />
Fermor, National Secretary, by telephone on<br />
01323 721150, or by e-mail at <<br />
asbf.enquiries@hotmail.co.uk>.<br />
Thursday 30 th <strong>September</strong> <strong>2010</strong><br />
At 2.30 p.m. the Royal Anglian <strong>Regiment</strong><br />
will hold a dedication of the memorial to the<br />
Royal Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire<br />
<strong>Regiment</strong>s.<br />
For further information contact Lieutenant<br />
Colonel Tony Slater on 01603 400290 or by email<br />
at .<br />
Saturday 2 nd October <strong>2010</strong><br />
Ride to the Wall for <strong>2010</strong> organised by the<br />
Harley-Davidson Riders Club Great Britain<br />
(HDRCGB) will take place on Saturday 2 nd<br />
October <strong>2010</strong> and is open to riders of all makes<br />
and models of motorcycles. Participants are<br />
asked to pay a registration fee and all money<br />
raised after necessary expenses have been covered<br />
will be donated to the National Memorial<br />
Arboretum.<br />
Everyone who registers will receive a<br />
commemorative <strong>2010</strong> year bar. Drayton Manor<br />
Theme Park, near Tamworth will once again be<br />
the assembly point for the 11 o'clock start of the<br />
official ride to the Armed Forces Memorial at the<br />
National Memorial Arboretum in Alrewas<br />
Staffordshire. Registration will open on 1 st March<br />
<strong>2010</strong> and can be done by post with a cheque /<br />
postal order to HDRCGB, PO Box 62, Newton<br />
Abbot, Devon, TQ12 2QE, or by telephone to<br />
their 24 hour answer phone 01179 600779.
6<br />
Sunday 24 th October <strong>2010</strong><br />
The Vulcan Crew Chiefs Register has<br />
received a Big Lottery Fund grant and is installing<br />
a bench in the <strong>RAF</strong> section. At 11.00 a.m. M<strong>RAF</strong><br />
Lord Craig of Radley, their President and Patron<br />
will unveil the memorial bench at a dedication<br />
service. There will also be a wreath laying<br />
ceremony. For further information Tony Regan<br />
on 01297 20280 or email .<br />
Thursday 11 th November <strong>2010</strong><br />
At 10.30 a.m. the annual Armistice Day<br />
Service of Remembrance will be held on the<br />
Armed Forces Memorial. There will be a limited<br />
number of tickets available for this service and<br />
application details will be publicised from 1<br />
<strong>September</strong>.<br />
<strong>RAF</strong> <strong>Regiment</strong> Books<br />
I am often asked for information about<br />
books about the <strong>RAF</strong> <strong>Regiment</strong>. The following<br />
list is of the books that I know of that I am<br />
regularly adding to. If anyone knows of any other<br />
books about the <strong>RAF</strong> <strong>Regiment</strong>, please let me<br />
know. All the books are listed by their date of<br />
publication.<br />
Books about the <strong>RAF</strong> <strong>Regiment</strong><br />
"Khaki and Blue" the early ground defence of<br />
the <strong>RAF</strong> in WW2 by Colonel Ronald Sherbrooke-<br />
Walker TD DL. Published in 1952 by The Saint<br />
Catherine Press Ltd. Now out of print. No ISBN.<br />
“A Brief History of the <strong>RAF</strong> <strong>Regiment</strong> 1942-<br />
1960” by Air Vice Marshall J. H. Harris, C.B.,<br />
CBE. Published in 1960. Now out of print. No<br />
ISBN.<br />
“A Short History of the <strong>RAF</strong> <strong>Regiment</strong>” from<br />
1942 to 1970 with a brief account of the approach<br />
to the problems of airfield defence in the <strong>RAF</strong><br />
from 1918 to 1942 by Kingsley M Oliver. Printed<br />
by Thanet Printing Works in 1969. No ISBN<br />
Number and now out of print.<br />
“The Royal Air Force <strong>Regiment</strong> – A Short<br />
History”. A 40 th Anniversary edition. An<br />
updated short history of the <strong>RAF</strong> <strong>Regiment</strong> from<br />
1942 to 1982 with a brief account of the approach<br />
to the problems of airfield defence in the Royal air<br />
Force from 1918 until the formation of its own<br />
defence Corps in 1942. By Group Captain<br />
Kingsley Oliver and Wing Commander Keith<br />
Batt. Published in 1982 by Adlard and Son Ltd,<br />
Bartholomew Press, Dorking, Surrey. No ISBN<br />
Number and now out of print.<br />
“No Tigers in our Jungle” about life in the <strong>RAF</strong><br />
<strong>Regiment</strong> in South-East Asia Command 1943/45.<br />
By ex-Flight Lieutenant Harry Homer. Service<br />
number 127613. Published in 1982 ISBN 84 398<br />
8656 X.<br />
“The Edges of War” An <strong>RAF</strong> <strong>Regiment</strong> Story by<br />
Tim Hillyar. About 2804 Armoured Car<br />
Squadron, from landing in France at the end of<br />
June 1944, through the fighting in Europe to the<br />
British Victory Parade in Berlin on 21 st July 1945.<br />
Privately published in 1992 by Tim Hillyar. In<br />
1996, he lived at 36, Trefor Jones Court,<br />
Brookfield Avenue, Dover, Kent, CT16 2QP.<br />
“The Blue and Khaki Hunters” Privately<br />
published in a Limited Edition of 500 copies in<br />
1993 by D F Sampson through Newton<br />
Publishers. ISBN 1-872308-34-1. Can be<br />
obtained directly from Mr D F Sampson, 17<br />
Shelley Close, Highcliffe on Sea, Christchurch,<br />
Dorset, BH23 4HW. Telephone number 01425<br />
279206.<br />
"Below the Bottom Rung" the <strong>RAF</strong> <strong>Regiment</strong> in<br />
Palestine by Edward Grocott. Published in 1996<br />
by J and K H Publishing. ISBN 1 900511 57 6.<br />
"Through Adversity" the History of the <strong>RAF</strong><br />
<strong>Regiment</strong> 1942 - 1992 by Kingsley M Oliver.<br />
Published in 1997 by Forces and Corporate<br />
Publishing Ltd. ISBN 0 9529597 0 4.<br />
"In Adversity" Exploits of Gallantry and Awards<br />
to the <strong>RAF</strong> <strong>Regiment</strong> and its Associated Forces<br />
1921 - 12995 by Nicholas G Tucker. Published<br />
in 1997 by Jade Publishing Limited. ISBN 1-<br />
900734-08-7.<br />
With British Snipers to the Reich” by Captain<br />
Clifford Shore, first published in 1997 by<br />
Greenhill Books, London and Stackpole Books,<br />
Pennsylvania, USA. ISBN 1-85367-292-0. As a<br />
Flying Officer with 2834 AA Squadron, <strong>RAF</strong><br />
<strong>Regiment</strong>, after landing in Normandy on 7 th June,<br />
Clifford Shore served through France and<br />
Germany during World War Two.<br />
"The <strong>RAF</strong> <strong>Regiment</strong>" History, Colours,<br />
uniforms and Equipment of the <strong>RAF</strong> <strong>Regiment</strong>.<br />
Edited by Stuart Asquith. Published in 2000 by<br />
Nexus Special Interests Ltd. Book Number<br />
001772. Foreword by Air Commodore R C<br />
Moore, MBE, <strong>RAF</strong>, Commandant General, <strong>RAF</strong><br />
<strong>Regiment</strong>. But now out of print.<br />
"The <strong>RAF</strong> <strong>Regiment</strong> at War" 1942 - 1946 by<br />
Kingsley M Oliver. Published in 2002 by Pen and<br />
Sword Books Limited. ISBN 0-85052-852-6.
7<br />
"On the Road to Mandalay" featuring the life of<br />
the author Randle Manwaring focussing<br />
particularly on his time with the <strong>RAF</strong> <strong>Regiment</strong> in<br />
the Burma Campaign. Published in 2006 by Pen<br />
and Sword Books Limited. ISBN 1844154971.<br />
"Constant Vigilance" the <strong>RAF</strong> <strong>Regiment</strong> in the<br />
Burma Campaign by Nigel W M Warwick.<br />
Published in 2007 by Pen and Sword Books<br />
Limited. ISBN: 9781844155002.<br />
“Gunner’s Tales, Warts and All” by Ron<br />
Taylor. This is a collection of stories, myths and<br />
legends from the <strong>RAF</strong> <strong>Regiment</strong>. A cartoon book<br />
similar to the Giles cartoon books only all<br />
<strong>Regiment</strong> cartoons.<br />
A Limited Edition book<br />
privately published in 2009 at £10.00. Copies can<br />
be obtained from Mr. R Taylor, 710A Hern Road,<br />
Pondersbridge, Ramsay St Mary’s, PE26 2TL.<br />
Ron can also be contacted on 01733 844817.<br />
Books containing references to the <strong>RAF</strong><br />
<strong>Regiment</strong><br />
“The Lost Lady” all about the American Bomber<br />
"Lady Be Good". No publication date available.<br />
By Mario Martinez. Published by Leo Cooper at<br />
£19.95. Mentions 2926 Squadron <strong>RAF</strong> <strong>Regiment</strong>.<br />
“Flugplatz Gutersloh”. A Short History 1937/87<br />
with references to the <strong>RAF</strong> <strong>Regiment</strong>. Published<br />
in 1987. By Gerry Lewis. Published 1987.<br />
“The Battle of the Airfields 1st January 1945”<br />
by Norman L Franks. About “Operation<br />
Bodenplatte” when the Germans attempted to<br />
destroy the advanced Allied Airfields. First<br />
published in 1982. ISBN 1 898697 15 9.<br />
Republished by Grub Street in 1994 in an updated<br />
version.<br />
“Britain's Modern Royal Air Force” which<br />
contains a complete chapter on the <strong>RAF</strong><br />
<strong>Regiment</strong>. Published in 1994. By Peter F Guiver.<br />
ISBN 1 85260 4328.<br />
“The Autobiography” by Brian Clough.<br />
Mentions his service at <strong>RAF</strong> Watchet. Published<br />
in 1995. ISBN 1 85225 198 0.<br />
“The Royal Air Force” an Illustrated History<br />
by Michael Armitage. Published by<br />
Brockhampton Press in 1995. ISBN 1 86019<br />
8511. Contains several references to the <strong>RAF</strong><br />
<strong>Regiment</strong>.<br />
“Esprit de Corps” by Walter Archibald Elliott.<br />
A Scots Guards Officer on Active Service 1943 -<br />
1945. Published in 1997. In Chapter 7 it’s about<br />
the Transfer of <strong>RAF</strong> <strong>Regiment</strong> Personnel to the<br />
Scots Guards. ISBN 085955 220 9.<br />
“Sunset in the East” by John Hudson published<br />
by Leo Cooper in 2002. ISBN 0 85052 846 1. It<br />
briefly mentions The <strong>RAF</strong> <strong>Regiment</strong> on page 43.<br />
Its main interest is the fact that to maintain order<br />
and to control the nationalist in Java, the author<br />
employed captured Japanese army personnel. It<br />
also gives a lot of detail about the war in Burma.<br />
“Joint Force Harrier” by Commander Adrian<br />
Orchard, with James Barrington. The true story<br />
of a Royal Navy Fighter squadron at war.<br />
Published in 2008 by Penguin Books and Micael<br />
Joseph. ISBN 9780718153991.<br />
FROM THE <strong>RAF</strong> REGIMENT<br />
SECRETARY<br />
DEATH NOTICES:<br />
WATKINS GEORGE. Former <strong>RAF</strong><br />
Regt LAC George Robert Watkins, born 23 Sep<br />
21, died on 4 Aug 10 aged 88. He enlisted into<br />
the <strong>RAF</strong> in 1940, was assimilated into the <strong>RAF</strong><br />
Regt in 1942, and served in various parts of the<br />
UK during WWII before being discharged in<br />
1945. He was a member of the Norfolk Branch of<br />
the <strong>RAF</strong> Regt Assoc.<br />
The funeral was held at 13.30 on Thu 19<br />
Aug at the Earlham Crematorium, Norwich.<br />
Family flowers only were requested but<br />
donations, if required, may be made to the RBL<br />
and/or <strong>RAF</strong>A (Watton Branch), c/o Breckland<br />
Funeral Services, 25 Norwich Road, Norfolk.<br />
Next of Kin details are not known but<br />
correspondence may be sent to Mr R Wheeler of<br />
21 Ovington Road, Saham Toney, Thetford,<br />
Norfolk (tel 01953 881068. The Corps extends it<br />
sincere condolences to the surviving family.<br />
MARLOW GEORGE. Former <strong>RAF</strong><br />
Regt Sgt George Marlow, born 10 Apr 26, died on<br />
12 Aug 10 aged 84. He served in the Corps from<br />
Oct 44 until Apr 48, and was employed firstly on<br />
bomb disposal duties and then as a Para Instructor<br />
with 2 Sqn <strong>RAF</strong> Regt. He was a member of the<br />
Notts & Derby Branch of the <strong>RAF</strong> Regt Assoc.<br />
The funeral was held at 11.20 on Wed 25<br />
Aug 10 at the Wilford Hill Crematorium,<br />
Nottingham, NG2 7SE. Family flowers only were<br />
requested but donations may be made to the<br />
<strong>RAF</strong>BF via the Funeral Directors, A W Lymn of
8<br />
Varney Road, Clifton. (tel 01159 456232). He is<br />
survived by his daughter, Ms Barbara Marlow of<br />
18 Barnet Road, Bakersfield, Notts, NG2 7AQ, to<br />
whom the Corps extends its sincere condolences.<br />
NEW NOTICES:<br />
THANKSGIVING SERVICES<br />
McNEIL IAN. A Thanksgiving Service<br />
for the Life and Service of the late Air Cdre Ian<br />
McNeil, CG <strong>RAF</strong> Regt 1995-99, who died in Apr<br />
10, will be held at the <strong>RAF</strong> Church of St Clement<br />
Danes in London at 11.00 on Thu 7 Oct 10.<br />
Further details will be issued in due course but<br />
those interested in attending the Service and<br />
Reception afterwards may register with the Regtl<br />
Sec in the first instance.<br />
DUNHILL BRYAN. A Thanksgiving<br />
Service for the Life of the late Bryan Dunhill,<br />
who died on 22 Mar 10, will be held at the <strong>RAF</strong><br />
Chapel at Biggin Hill, Kent, at 11.00 on Fri 3 Sep<br />
10, after which will be a burial of the Ashes. All<br />
are welcome to attend and Medals may be worn.<br />
Further details may be obtained from his wife,<br />
Mrs Jane Dunhill of 4 Lullarook Close, Biggin<br />
Hill, Kent TN16 3XG (Tel No 01959 571571).<br />
MEMORIAL STONES FACILITY IN <strong>RAF</strong><br />
REGIMENT MEMORIAL GARDEN -<br />
UPDATED<br />
The <strong>RAF</strong> Regt Memorial Garden's new<br />
block paving in late-2009 enabled the<br />
establishment of individual and personalized<br />
Memorial Stones in the pathway. The Memorial<br />
Stones, manufactured in honed light grey granite<br />
and available in several distinct styles, may be<br />
ordered by anyone who may wish to<br />
commemorate a Corps individual, unit or event.<br />
A bespoke order form is now available in hardcopy<br />
and electronic formats from the Regtl Sec<br />
and may also be downloaded from the <strong>RAF</strong> Regt<br />
Assoc website at www.rafregt.org.uk .<br />
<strong>RAF</strong> ARMOURED CAR ASSOC & AUTUMN<br />
REUNION<br />
The <strong>RAF</strong> Armoured Car Assoc was<br />
originally formed to link former members of the<br />
<strong>RAF</strong> Armoured Car Companies (ACCs, 1921-46)<br />
but it was expanded to include the <strong>RAF</strong> Regt<br />
armoured car involvement post-1947. There is no<br />
membership fee but those wishing to join the<br />
Assoc should contact the Hon Sec, John Rolph at<br />
no1.rolph@btinternet.com .<br />
<strong>RAF</strong> REGT SQN STANDARD<br />
PRESENTATIONS<br />
26 AND 27 <strong>RAF</strong> REGT SQNS' STANDARD<br />
PRESENTATIONS - DATE CHANGE<br />
Further to previous CPeNs, the<br />
presentation of the new Standard for 27 Sqn <strong>RAF</strong><br />
Regt (and recovery of the 26 Sqn <strong>RAF</strong> Regt<br />
Standard) will now take place at <strong>RAF</strong> Honington<br />
at 14.00 on Tue 28 Sep 10 (not 30 Sep as<br />
previously listed). Former members of either 26<br />
or 27 Sqns <strong>RAF</strong> Regt who wish to attend should<br />
contact the relevant Sqn Dep Sqn Cdr for further<br />
details and to register attendance.<br />
26 Sqn <strong>RAF</strong> Regt: Flt Lt Dan Quayle (GPTN<br />
95991 7128; BT 01359 237128; email 26fpsqndsc@honington.raf.mod.uk.<br />
27 Sqn <strong>RAF</strong> Regt: Flt Lt Jamie Milne (GPTN<br />
95991 7230; BT 01359 23 7230; email<br />
jcbrnregt27sqnsc@honington.raf.mod.uk<br />
QUEEN'S COLOUR SQUADRON 50 TH<br />
ANNIVERSARY DINNER - 5 NOV <strong>2010</strong><br />
The QCS will host a formal dinner to celebrate its<br />
50 th anniversary on Fri 5 Nov 10 and former<br />
members of the QCS are invited to participate in<br />
the event to be held at the <strong>RAF</strong> Northolt Junior<br />
Ranks' Mess. Dress for serving members will be<br />
No 5b Service Mess Dress for officers and<br />
SNCOs, Interim Mess Dress for JNCOs and Gnrs,<br />
or Black Tie (Dinner Jacket) with medals and<br />
decorations. Pre-dinner drinks will be held at<br />
19.30 in the Junior Ranks' Mess Foyer and the<br />
dinner will begin at 20.00.<br />
Regrettably, owing to the current fiscal<br />
constraints, the dinner will attract a charge of £35<br />
per head. Those wishing to attend should register<br />
by sending their details and a UK Sterling cheque<br />
for £35 (payable to Service Funds, <strong>RAF</strong> Northolt),<br />
to the Proj Offr to arrive no later than 22 Oct,<br />
together with details of any dietary requirements<br />
and vehicle registration details if a parking pass<br />
will be required. Unfortunately, places will be<br />
limited and will be allocated on a first-come-firstserved<br />
basis. Places may only be reserved with<br />
pre-payment and cancellations without penalty<br />
will be accepted no later than 29 Oct 10.<br />
The dinner is a stag event and there will be<br />
no accommodation available at <strong>RAF</strong> Northolt.<br />
Those attending are asked not to approach the<br />
Messes direct and are advised to seek their own<br />
accommodation in the local area. Further details<br />
including a list of nearby accommodation are<br />
available on request from the Proj Offr, who may<br />
be contacted at: Fg Off Dunne, 50 th Anniversary<br />
Dinner Proj Offr, QCS, <strong>RAF</strong> Northolt West End
9<br />
Road, Ruislip, Middlesex, HA4 6NG (Email:<br />
qcs63fp-ocswflt@northolt.raf.mod.uk, BT Tel:<br />
0208 8426094). [CPeN 150]<br />
CORPS FORMATION DINNER 2011<br />
The Corps Operational Review and Formation<br />
Dinner 2011 (CFD11) will be held at <strong>RAF</strong><br />
Honington on Fri 4 Feb 11. All <strong>RAF</strong> FP Force<br />
<strong>RAF</strong> Regt Officers not operationally deployed or<br />
on essential duty are to attend; all other serving<br />
<strong>RAF</strong> Regt officers are invited to attend, as are up<br />
to 30 retired officers. Further details will be<br />
issued towards the end-<strong>2010</strong>. [CPeN 150]<br />
A CPeN MILESTONE<br />
This marks the 150 th CPeN and, since the<br />
inception of the service in late 2006, well in<br />
excess of 150,000 have been sent to Corps<br />
members and a significant number of supporters.<br />
They are often re-transmitted on to other groups<br />
and many addressees are in far distant lands,<br />
including Cambodia, Thailand, Australia, New<br />
Zealand and the Americas. They provide up-todate<br />
Corps news and information that, for the<br />
majority, would go unseen or be received long<br />
after the event has passed. The service is free and<br />
just needs the registration of an Internet Email<br />
address with the Regtl Sec. Please encourage<br />
friends and colleagues to sign up.<br />
<strong>RAF</strong> REGT FUND CHANGES OF ADDRESS<br />
Please advise any <strong>RAF</strong> Regt Fund/Centurion<br />
journal changes of address to the Fund<br />
Membership Secretary Flt Lt Paul Norry at<br />
RTS(C) Trg Wg, <strong>RAF</strong> Honington, or by Email at<br />
ocsigsschool@honington.raf.mod.uk, or by BT tel<br />
01359 237957.<br />
<strong>RAF</strong> REGT ASSOC PRESENCE AT<br />
SERVICE REPATRIATIONS - UPDATED<br />
The National Executive Committee (NEC)<br />
of the <strong>RAF</strong> Regt Assoc has determined that an<br />
Assoc presence at Service repatriations, centred<br />
upon the town of Wootton Bassett, should be<br />
instituted formally, since with the intensity of<br />
operations in which British forces are currently<br />
engaged, it seems sadly inevitable that there will<br />
be more to come. It was agreed that the Assoc's<br />
National Standard should always be on parade for<br />
a <strong>RAF</strong> Regt repatriation.<br />
However, it was also agreed that it was<br />
desirable that the Assoc should be represented, at<br />
least at Branch level, at all repatriations,<br />
regardless of the Service(s) of the individual(s)<br />
being repatriated. It is worth noting that a number<br />
of other Service and ex-Service organisations<br />
attend all repatriations, and the NEC agreed that it<br />
would be wholly fitting to similarly honour the<br />
fallen.<br />
Regardless of whether it is to be a <strong>RAF</strong><br />
Regt repatriation, or that of another Service, the<br />
Assoc should try to parade as a single body, to<br />
maximise our impact on the parade. Clearly this<br />
requires some coordination and Mr Tich Taylor,<br />
of the Hereford Branch, will act as the Assoc's<br />
Repatriations Coordinator.<br />
Branches and individual members of the<br />
Assoc are therefore encouraged to contact Mr<br />
Taylor (contact details below) to register their<br />
interest in attending repatriations. He will then be<br />
able to advise those interested on when<br />
repatriation is due to take place and of the<br />
necessary coordinating arrangements.<br />
The act of registering an interest does not<br />
mean that branches or individuals are committed<br />
to attend, but the greater the pool of those<br />
interested, the greater the chances of the Assoc<br />
having a fully representative turnout. Mr Taylor<br />
may be contacted on Tel: 01446 730894 or via<br />
Email at linda.49taylor@tiscali.co.uk.<br />
20 YEARS IN IRAQ CONFERENCE<br />
The Defence Studies Department of King's<br />
College London and the Royal Air Force Centre<br />
for Air Power Studies is hosting a one day<br />
conference, on 30 Sep 11 at JSDC Shrivenham,<br />
involving air power academics and specialists,<br />
military historians, experts on the Gulf Wars, and<br />
<strong>RAF</strong> and other veterans of theses conflicts. This<br />
conference intends to bring together scholars and<br />
practitioners in the various phases of the Iraq<br />
development in order to explore the following<br />
themes:<br />
<strong>RAF</strong> transformation: from Cold War air<br />
force to expeditionary air force ; The evolution of<br />
air-land integration from 1990 to 2009 ; Modern<br />
air operations and the media ; Non-kinetic and<br />
psychological warfare ; Air policing and the<br />
utility of air power in low intensity operations ;<br />
Casualty tolerance and intolerance ; Prisoners of<br />
war ; International perspectives on the <strong>RAF</strong>'s role<br />
and performance in Iraq ; The legacy of Iraq on<br />
the <strong>RAF</strong> today and the immediate future.<br />
Serving personnel are invited to attend.<br />
For more information, or to book a place, contact<br />
your Unit Representative.<br />
CORPS DIARY DATES:<br />
28 Sep Standard Presentations to 27 and 26 Sqns<br />
<strong>RAF</strong> Regt (<strong>RAF</strong> Honington)
1-4 Oct <strong>RAF</strong> Regt Assoc AGM and Annual<br />
Reunion (Nr Hereford).<br />
7 Oct Thanksgiving Service for the Life and<br />
Service of the late Air Cdre Ian McNeil (London).<br />
21-22 Oct <strong>RAF</strong> Armd Car Assoc <strong>2010</strong> Autumn<br />
Reunion (Nr Derby).<br />
29 Oct <strong>RAF</strong> Regt Officers' Dinner Club Annual<br />
Dinner (<strong>RAF</strong> Club, London).<br />
11 Nov Garden of Remembrance - Westminster<br />
Abbey.<br />
14 Nov Remembrance Sunday Cenotaph, London,<br />
and nationwide.<br />
Well that’s all for now, keep smiling if you can<br />
and stay happy.<br />
Malcolm<br />
10
DATES FOR<br />
YOUR<br />
DIARIES<br />
Sunday 3 rd October <strong>2010</strong> Merchant Navy Day<br />
Fri 1 st -Mon 4 th October <strong>2010</strong> Ass AGM and Reunion<br />
Thursday 14 th October <strong>2010</strong> Branch Night<br />
Thursday 21 st October <strong>2010</strong> Battle of Trafalgar<br />
Sunday 7 th November <strong>2010</strong> Midlands Fest of Rem<br />
Thursday 11 th Nov <strong>2010</strong> Remembrance Day<br />
Thursday 11 th November 10 Westminster Abbey<br />
Thursday 11 th Nov <strong>2010</strong> Branch Night<br />
Saturday 13 th Nov <strong>2010</strong> B’ham Poppy Ball<br />
CHAIRMAN<br />
Ron Sharp<br />
46 Lightwood Road<br />
Yoxall, Burton on Trent<br />
Staffordshire DE13 8QE<br />
Tel No: 01543 472411<br />
r.sharpe@homecall.co.uk<br />
MAKE<br />
A<br />
DATE<br />
10<br />
SECRETARY<br />
Malcolm A Baldwin<br />
61 Pear Tree Crescent<br />
Solihull Lodge, Shirley<br />
Solihull, B90 1LE<br />
Tel: 0121 608 3791<br />
Baldwinmalc@blueyonder.co.uk<br />
Sunday 14 th November <strong>2010</strong> Remembrance Sunday<br />
Sat 27 th -Sun 28 th Nov <strong>2010</strong> B’ham Int Tattoo<br />
Tuesday 30 th November <strong>2010</strong> St Andrew’s Day<br />
Thursday 9 th December <strong>2010</strong> Branch Night<br />
Thursday 13 th January 2011 Branch Night<br />
Thursday 10 th February 2011 Branch AGM Night<br />
A NEW BRANCH<br />
SECRETARY WANTED<br />
AGM THURSDAY 10 th<br />
FEBRUARY WHEN I<br />
RETIRE<br />
REMEMBER<br />
TREASURER<br />
Tom Magee<br />
11 Pavilion Avenue<br />
Smethwick, Warley<br />
West Midlands, B67 6LA<br />
Tel: 0121 429 5635 e-mail<br />
rockape2005@tiscali.co.uk<br />
MINUTE SECRETARY<br />
Ken Bridgwood<br />
29 Claverdon Drive<br />
Great Barr<br />
Birmingham<br />
West Midlands, B45 5HR<br />
Tel: 0121 357 4242<br />
Kenbridgwood@aol.com<br />
PRESIDENT<br />
Peter Swash<br />
‘Mdina’ Rowney Green Lane<br />
Rowney Green<br />
Redditch<br />
Worcestershire, B48 7QF<br />
Tel No: 01527 60870<br />
peter.swash1@btinternet.com<br />
BRANCH<br />
QUARTERMASTER<br />
Tom Magee<br />
11 Pavilion Avenue<br />
Smethwick, Warley<br />
West Midlands, B67 6LA<br />
Tel: 0121 429 5635 e-mail<br />
rockape2005@tiscali.co.uk<br />
VICE-PRESIDENT AND RBL<br />
LIAISON OFFICER<br />
Dave Gooding<br />
31 Queen Elizabeth Road<br />
Rubery, Rednal<br />
Birmingham, B45 0NE<br />
Mob: 077597 36879<br />
legionaire480@msn.com<br />
STANDARD BEARER<br />
Dave Gooding<br />
31 Queen Elizabeth Road<br />
Rubery, Rednal<br />
Birmingham<br />
West Midlands B45 0NE<br />
Tel: 0121 604 4637<br />
legionaire480@msn.com<br />
RESEARCH CO-ORD/<br />
LINK-UP DATA BASE<br />
Hughie Cooper<br />
11 Sandringham Close<br />
Baswich Lane<br />
Stafford, ST17 0AB<br />
Tel: 01785 242269<br />
loz@monarchs.freeserve.co.uk<br />
PUBLIC RELATIONS<br />
OFFICER/SOCIAL SEC<br />
Michael Beard<br />
21 Abingdon Road<br />
Bloxwich, Walsall<br />
West Midlands<br />
WS3 2SX<br />
Tel: 01922 491453<br />
FINANCIAL AUDITOR<br />
Trevor Round<br />
7 Board School Gardens<br />
Dudley<br />
West Midlands<br />
DY3 1XA<br />
Tel: 01902 672597<br />
FINANCIAL AUDITOR<br />
Joan Round<br />
7 Board School Gardens<br />
Dudley<br />
West Midlands<br />
DY3 1XA<br />
Tel: 01902 672597<br />
THIS NEWSLETTER IS PHOTOCOPIED AND BOUND BY KIND<br />
PERMISSION OF WRAGGE AND CO SOLICITORS