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NOTICE BOARD .
POLITICAL CORRECTNESS !
"Political correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end !
So now we know !
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Looking for someone, an old friend or ex Pal ? 192.com can help - for free.
Who we are ?
192.com is a people-finding website and the UK's most awarded online directory.
We reunite friends and family, and we want to help reunite ex-National Servicemen.
We collect publically available information and put it on one website.
This is data from Directory Enquiries, the Edited Electoral Roll, Director Reports, Land Registry Records, and the Births, Deaths and Marriages Register, with records starting from 1837 .
Therefore we're a really powerful people-finding website, containing millions of records for UK residents. So if you're looking for an old friend, 192.com is a great place to start your search.
What we want !
We want to visit National Servicemen looking for old friends and conduct free internet searches for them. We could give the National Servicemen free 192.com credits and access to our Births Deaths and Marriages Data, so if people want to conduct their own research in their own time, they can do so and it won't cost them a penny.
In return, we want to interview the Servicemen about their experiences, and publish their stories in the newspapers. These stories would make good publicity for 192.com, and also good coverage for the NSRFA .
If you are interested in getting involved please do call me on 0207 909 2151.
Alexander Clare
Public Relations Executive
192.com
0207 909 2151
NOTE The NS(RAF)A is only passing on this information as a possible service to our members who wish to follow it up.
The NS(RAF)A accept no responsibility, nor will get involved in any way, over any matters arising from any dealings via 192.com or any other tracing service.
The data base records of NS(RAF)A members will not be disclosed or passed on to any third party. PGH Hon Sec.
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. St Dunstans Stamp collection.
If you work in an Office or get a lot of mail - please save all you stamps and send them to:
Mrs G Wheeler: 99 Birchmore, Brookside, Shropshire. TF3 1TL. Tel 01952 596860.
She ensures they are all used for the funding of St Dunstons (the support Agency for Blind ex Service Personnel). - a very worthy cause.
All contributions appreciated.
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4a): Royal Air Force Croydon Association,
is applying for to the College of Heralds for a Heraldic badge for the Association, as despite being an RAF station in World Wars 1 & 2, RAF Croydon never had a Station Badge.
Station Badges cannot be applied for after the closure of an RAF Station, but a badge, similar to a Station badge, can be issued to an RAF Station Association.
If anyone has served, or knows of anyone who has served at RAF Croydon during World War 2,Please be aware of the plan to set up the RAFCA.
Croydon Airport Society currently has some 600+ members, only one of whom served at RAF Croydon during World War 2. I should be grateful if you could help me.
Anyone who served at RAF Croydon, or would like to support the Association should contact: Dr Frank Anderson. Croydon Airport Society. Airport House
Purley Way,CROYDON. CR0 0XZ
or by e-mail cas.cavc@hotmail.co.uk
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Royal Air Force Bircham Newton Heritage Room and Memorial to those who served from 1918-1962.
OPEN DAYS 2010.
Sunday, 25th of July
Sunday, 29th of August
Sunday, 26th of September
Open 11 am to 5 pm
Venue:-
The National Construction College Bircham Newton. (Signposted off the A148 and B1454).
Come and discover the fascinating history of this former Royal Air Force station and its satellite airfields.
Admission FREE!!!!!!!
For more information visit our website: www.rafbnmp.org.uk
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RAF Bomber Command Appeal
See the new photographs of the simulated finished Memorial on this website in the Gallery: NOTICE BOARD.
Planning application.
Bomber Command Memorial is submitted for Planning Approval - 5th February 2010
Liam O'Connor Architects and Planning Consultants' design for the Bomber Command Memorial is now formally with Westminster City Council for their consideration.
The Portland Stone and bronze memorial will stand on the northern edge of Piccadilly at the junction with Hyde Park Corner and Green Park, at the heart of London.
A planning decision is expected in April.
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The Telegraph has joined the Bomber Command Association to help raise funds to erect a permanent memorial to the 55,000 bomber aircrew killed in the Second World War.
The forgotten heroes who deserve a memorial
Telegraph Media Group has launched a major fundraising campaign to build a memorial to the forgotten heroes of the Second World War - the men of Bomber Command. Of all the branches of the armed forces, they faced the deadliest odds, with 55,573 killed, almost half of all those who flew on operations over Nazi Germany and occupied Europe. Yet nearly 70 years on, their sacrifice remains unrecognised by any monument.
What we need to do now is to raise the profile in order to get all the support we can.
If members of National Service (RAF) Association will write to their MPs asking them to voice their support for the Memorial this will help.
Suggestions:
All these men of Bomber Command volunteered and gave their lives for the freedoms that we all enjoy today.
There is no national recognition of this enormous loss of young life, the largest of any single operational command during WW2.
As a former National Serviceman in the RAF you feel that this generation of airmen that went before you should not be forgotten etc
This will be a monument to their sacrifice not war.
As one of your constituents, I ask you to support the Memorial campaign in the House.
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Funds are still needed
RAF Bomber Command Appeal: Donate by cheque
To contribute now to the Bomber Command Memorial Fund please send a cheque, payable to Bomber Command Memorial Fund to:
Doug Radcliffe MBE.
The Secretary
Bomber Command Association
RAF Museum
Grahame Park Way
Hendon
London
NW9 5RR
Tel: 020 8358 4841
Website information links:
http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/HistoryAndHonour/CampaignToRememberforgottenHeroesOfWwii.htm
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/rafbombercommand/
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To anyone who served their time servicing "B29 Washingtons" at
RAF MARHAM, CONINGSBY, WATTON and MU's in the UK.
There is an Organisation for you: "The WashingtonPost".
Quarterly newsletter and an annual re union.
Further info: Tel: 01460 281500 or e mail: chrishowlett@tiscali.co.uk.
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54 (Fighter) Squadron Association.
Based at RAF Odiham in the 50's.
54 (Fighter) Squadron was disbanded about 3/4 years ago at Coltishall and the colours laid up in Norwich Cathedral.
About 2 years ago, the Squadron was re-formed as a Training Squadron for AWAC's and is now at RAF Waddington.
The new Squadron Association welcomes any former 54 Squadron members.
Membership is free and there is a reunion at RAF Waddington each year. Secretary is Flight Sgt Jason Brewster, email; 54RSQN-WSU-ESM@mod.uk
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British Forces Post Office is under threat !
Want to save the BFPO System ?
SIGN THIS PETITION PLEASE.
http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/SaveBFPO/sign
Please click on and sign the above petition. Though we all understand that defence cuts are to be made, this is an area which affects the families in particular.
The BFPO system is the mechanism whereby post is received by our serving soldiers, sailors and airmen and their families abroad at a postal address recognised as being part of this country, no matter where in the world they are serving, even in war zones.
Amongst other things the loss of the BFPO service will disenfranchise them if they are postal voters; some credit card providers will not send cards abroad (M&S for example) whereas they will to a BFPO address; it may affect their ability to let their house whilst posted abroad, or away from home; it may take away their tax advantages such as being able to have an ISA whilst posted abroad. It will affect Open University students who have a BFPO address as they will be charged higher fees; it will potentially effect children of serving soldiers when they go to University, as they may not be eligible for student loans/fees to be paid, and will be charged higher fees as they live abroad. They will also be charged different rates for subscriptions etc as they will now have to come via local mail, and not the UK mail.
Please access a computer and sign the petition and please make as many of your friends aware as best you can, you will get the thanks of all our serving servicemen and women together with their families by doing so. PGH.
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RAF Buttons.
Member John Mitchell is seeking: 1 RAF Tunic button to complete his collection:
Small type (Breast pocket size) and MUST be STAYBRIGHT with the KINGS CROWN.
If you can help - willing to purchase and pay postage etc:
John Mitchell. 7 Hanbury Drive. Winchmore Hill. London N21 1SZ. Tel: 0208 3606671.
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RAF Buttons and Badges.
Source of some of these items could be:
Stan Bass: Give him a call: Tel. 01785 760586 or e mail: stanleybass@fsmail.net
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BIG LOTTERY SUPPORT OVERSEAS PILGRIMIGES FOR VETERANS:
The Big Lottery Fund has announced the opening of its funding initiative:
Heroes Return 2,
pledging funding for veterans, spouses, widows and carers wishing to mark overseas anniversaries: throughout 2009 and 2010.
Second World War veterans across the country can sign up for a new
multi-million pound commemorative funding scheme that will provide
Lottery support for anniversary trips to the places where they saw action.
Applicants can apply for a fixed amount grant of between £150 and £5,500 ~ depending on the number of people taking part and the destination.
Grants should be requested between 1 April 2009 and the deadline for applications, which is 31 January 2010.
The Big Lottery Fund will make grants towards the costs of commemorative
visits.
A fixed amount of money will be available for each veteran and their spouse or carer towards the cost of their visit.
There will five levels of 1.1 funding according to the destination.
These fixed amounts have been set so that there is enough money to cover, funding the cost of travel and insurance.
The Fund has opened up a Heroes Return 2 hotline for all veterans to ring for further information. They can be telephoned on 0845 00 00 121.
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Holiday on the Isle of Wight.
Members of the National Service (RAF) Association can have a discount of 10% for holidays at: Shanklin Manor Mews. Isle of Wight. By mentioning the Association or Mike Crowe.
Contact via website: http://www.shanklinmanormews.co.uk/. Or Tel: 01983 404727.
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"Get Some In",
If members of the NSRAFA are interested, the acclaimed ITV comedy series "Get Some In", based on National Service in the RAF in the 1950s, is now available for the first time on DVD.
The DVD of the first series has a running time of 3 hours 20 minutes.
It features the first seven episodes and costs £14.99. The order code is 131568, and orders can be phoned in, using a credit/debit card, on 0845 122 0315. Alternatively, the website for ordering from Simply Home Entertainment is: www.simplyhe.co.uk
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New RAF Colours.
The Royal Air Force and the Royal Air Force Regiment were presented with new colours by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the 2nd on Friday 11th July 2008 at RAF Fairford, Gloucester in the presence of an invited audience.
Some 140 NS(RAF)A members were present to watch the proceedings.
148 Squadron Standards were on Parade along with 600 RAF Personnel.
The Parade was followed by a flypast of 90 aircraft.
Photographs of this event can be found in the Gallery / Fairford - as these photographs were in a very high resolution standard they would take too long to download and therefore in order to show as large a selection of photographs of this event as I can and to enable downloading on to the web and on to your computer quicker and easier - I have reduced all the pics in size (and thus in quality)to achieve this.
I have also added some photographs of the 1953 Royal Review at RAF Odiham which have come my way.
I do have the much sharper high quality photographs available and if you require one or 2 in the full format I can e mail them to you on request: pgh87@talktalk.net .
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NS(RAF)A members: Re: National Service Medal.
HOUSE OF COMMONS. LONDON SW1A OAA. 23 May 2006
I enclose this reply of 20 May 2006 that I have now received from the Defence Minister, Tom Watson.
I recognise that this will be a disappointing response for some of you but hope that it is, at least, helpful in clarifying the Government's position.
Information regarding a National Service Medal and a Government-sponsored memorial for those who performed a period of National Service in the Armed Forces.
There is no official British medal specifically for those who performed a period of National Service.
It has never been the Government's policy to consider service in the Armed Forces as the sole justification for the institution of a medal.
I am certain that you would agree that it would be divisive to offer National Servicemen a medal simply for being conscripted, when those who volunteered for service would be excluded from receiving any award.
Medals were issued to National Servicemen in exactly the same circumstances as those who volunteered for service.
As a result, if they served during the war years they were eligible for the range of medals instituted after World War II, including the 1939/45 Star, 1939/45 War Medal, the Defence Medal and the Campaign Stars for the various campaigns in which they served.
Those who volunteered for service, or were called up between 1946 and 1960 were equally eligible for the various clasps to the General Service Medal for the operations in which they may have served in Malaya, Cyprus, Kenya and the Suez Canal Zone, or for the campaign medal instituted for the Korean War.
Even today, many people leave the Armed Forces without having received a campaign medal during their service. This does not imply that their contribution to the defence of the country has not been appreciated.
It has been mentioned that the arrangements made by the Australian Government for National Servicemen who were conscripted into the Australian Armed Forces between 1951 and 1972 should apply in the UK !.
As you may know, the Australian Government consciously withdrew from the Imperial Honours System some years ago and has since instituted a number of specifically Australian medals, including ones recognising service performed many years previously.
As a result, any approval which The Queen may have given, as Queen of Australia, to proposals to institute retrospectively a medal for National Service performed by Australian Service personnel, would have been on the advice of Her Australian Ministers.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office, which we have consulted, advised that this does not set a precedent for the UK to follow suit.
I must stress that National Servicemen have not been forgotten.
Finally, the Government is recognising all Service personnel, including National Servicemen, who have died since the end of the Second World War, while on duty or as a result of terrorist attack, by the creation of the Armed Forces Memorial, which is also to be located at the NMA Alrewas.
Details about this project, including information about the design can be found at http.//www.forcesmemorial.org.uk or by writing to:
The Armed Forces Memorial Project Team Ministry of Defence. First Floor, Zone A
St Georges Court. Bloomsbury Way. London. WC1A 2SH
Minister for Veterans
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Royal Air Force tartan.
Designed by Arthur Mackie who served as a pilot from 1942 to 1947 after which he moved into the textile industry in mill management and latterly into tartan design and is the founder member of a new business called MacTartan promoting the tartan on a worldwide basis.
The origin of the tartan is best described in the letter below that Arthur wrote some time back;-
The particular colours in the design can be interpreted in many of ways.
When I designed the tartan, I had in mind all those like me who had served in the Force in both peace and war and the colours which I chose were symbolic of the boys and girls in blue.
Bearing in mind the principle function of the RAF is to safeguard us all from the skies above, both at night and during the day; it was not difficult to choose blues to describe the changing moods of the skies above.
If you can visualise from the darkest night to the dawn and daylight beyond, you can get a variance of blues, with a red stripe to represent the blood of those who protected our skies, to the white of peace which we hope prevails. The only colour left is Royal Blue, my accolade to those who went before me and those who will continue to uphold the tradition of all who still serve.
Per Ardua ad Astra: "Through adversity to the stars".
We supply made to measure trousers, trews, kilts, skirts and ties , bow ties ,shawls, scarfs, cummerbunds and custom make a number of unusual items.
If you want to know more come visit us at www.mactartan.co.uk OR Tel:Arthur Mackie on 01307 463 870 or Brian Redwood at 01575 570081 or email arthur.mackie@mactartan.co.uk or brian.redwood@mactartan.co.uk.
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Pingat Jasa Malaysia Medal:
In essence, the Queen has accepted the medal for wear by all her Commonwealth subjects who served during the emergency, including her High Commissioner in Australia, but she has had to accept the advice of the Honours and Decorations Committee (quoting the Imperial Honours System) to deny UK citizens the right to wear the medal.
Thus, the medal can be accepted but not worn -- but holders of the medal have been told by Whitehall that the wearing of the medal will not be policed !
The "Fight4thePMJAssociation" are not pleased and are recruiting.
To be able to join the Campaign for Permission to Wear the Medal use Google and enter: Pingat Jasa Malaysia Medal.
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H M Armed Forces Veterans Lapel Badge.
Free (on application to the Veterans Agency) to all Men and Women who Served in HM Armed Forces up to and including 31st December 1984.
It is regretted that the Badge cannot be issued posthumously as it is a Survivors Badge which is to be worn on civilian clothing.
Application form is available for downloading from the Veterans Agency website.
Postal: Veterans Agency (Veterans Badge), Thornton Cleveleys, Norcross, Blackpool. FY5 3WP.
E Mail: help@veteransagency.gsi.goc.uk Fax: 01253 330561.
Free helpline: 0800 169 2277 (UK only). 44 1253 866043 (overseas).
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LAND ARMY / TIMBER CORP LADIES.
If you have any relative or friend who served the Womens Land Army or the Timber Corps during WW2 - they are entitled to claim a Badge as well.
Details from: DEFRA. 5e Mill Bank. C/o 17 Smith Square. London. SW1P 3JR.
Tel: 01845 335577 or e mail: womenslandarmy@defra.ps.gov.uk.
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RAF Ensigns and RAF Table Flags.
7ft x 5ft RAF Ensign c/w eyelets: £7.50 ea plus p and p.
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RAF table flags, 10 inches high / gold base and tip (see pics in Gallery/ Notice Board web pics.)
£2.99 each plus p and p.
Midland Imports, Tel 01782 760507.
E mail: sales@midlandimports.com
Website: www.midland-flags.com for full rang of available items including most of the worlds National Flags and other specialist items.
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RAF Berets / badges: Suppliers are:
Sabre Sales of Poole: Tel 023 9283 3394
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NU Global.
RAF Berets, Side Hats and metal badges. Details: NU GLOBAL LTD, 27 LANCELOT DRIVE, STRETTON, BURTON-on-TRENT, DE13 0GJ. TELEPHONE: 01283 512475. E-MAIL Nick@waller44.freeserve.co.uk.
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WANTED:
NS(RAF)A member Barry Rose would like to have the following back numbers of ASTRAL magazine.
2002 Winter volume 1 issue 1
2003 Spring, Summer, Autumn & Winter volume 1 issues 2 - 5
2004 Autumn & Winter volume 1 issues 8 & 9
2005 Spring, Autumn & Winter volume 1 issues 10 &12 and volume 2 issue 1
2006 Spring, Summer, Autumn & Winter volume 2 issues 2 - 5
If you can help him and have any spare - please contact him on: 01625 420018 to discuss..
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BLAZERS.
Blazers www.chums.co.uk/offers price £ 39.99 and a free shirt thrown in.
Enquiries: 0871 911 0601. 24 Hour order Line: 0871 911 9999.
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Try your local Charity Shop for a Blazer as well. PH.
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BLAZER BADGES.
THE GOLD WIRE BADGE Co.
11 Dalehead Drive.
Shaw.
Lancs. OL2 8JT.
Tel: 01706 846648. e mail: sales@thegoldwirebadge.co.uk
Website: www.thegoldwirebadge.co.uk
Specialists in Blazer pocket Badges - will make a one off, of any RAF Station / Unit / Squadron / Association /Branch etc as required.
Also have RAF Badges (Queens Crown) in stock.
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Royal British Legion Wreaths.
NS(RAF)A roundel centre.
The large size wreath (for laying at Memorials) with the NS(RAF)A roundel and letters in the centre panel is available in 2 styles.
(Picture on the www.nsrafa.org website ).
The one made with Poppies costs £18.
The alternative of red / white and blue Chrysanthemums (for the RAF) costs £21.
Both prices include delivery to any UK address within 48 hours from ordering.
Orders can be placed with: Royal British Legion Village. Hall Road. Aylesford. Kent. ME20 7NX. Tel 01622 717172.
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Want a copy of your Service Record.
RAF Form 543R = Record of Service Airmen.
Write to:
RAF Disclosures.
DPA Room 220,
Trenchard Hall,
RAF Cranwell,
Sleaford,
Lincs,
NG34 8HB.
Tel: 01400 26 followed by:
For ones own personal records: ext 8172 / 8173 / 8174.
For 3rd party enquiries: ext: 8162 / 8163 / 8168.
Enclosing details of your service number, and possibly, address at that time.
One of our members told me they also need proof of identity, such as copies of either, passport, utility bills or driving licence.
We have also been advised that a charge may now be made in certain circumstances.
PGH.
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Site plans of RAF Stations
Some are now available and if required apply to:
Office Administrator. Dept of Information Services. RAF Museum. Grahame Park Way. Hendon. London. NW9 5LL (Stating years of Service).
(NOTE: I have requested maps of RAF Church Lawford and RAF Wellesbourne Mountford where I served. Both came within 2 weeks at a cost to me of �7.50. PGH)
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Air Historical Branch.
This has now moved from RAF Bentley Priory to RAF Northolt. West End Road. Ruislip. Midx. HA4 6NG. Tel No: 0208 833 8163.
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RAF El Firdan (9MTBD and 751 MU).
This Group has about 200 members and holds an annual re union.
Contact: John Leatherbarrow on 01257 462554.
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RAF (Egypt) Memorial commemoration Service:
took place on Sunday 14th May 2006 at the St Clements Dane RAF Church in London.
For further information regarding this memorial contact:
John Mitchell, 7 Hanbury Drive. Winchmore Hill, London N21 1SZ.
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RAF WEST KIRBY ASSOCIATION.
If any ex West Kirby personnel want further information please contact: Clifford East, 82 Sileby Road, Barrow on Soar, Loughborough, Leics. LE12 8RL.
Tel: 01509 414303.
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RAF Melksham re union.
Attention all ex RAF Melksham Staff and ex Trainees.
Anyone interested in possible re unions please contact:
Mr Derek Lord.
24 Middlewood.
Cockwood.
Exeter. EX6 8RW.
Tel: 01626 890207.
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RAF Bridgnorth Association.
This active Association is run by Mick and Su Briggs.
Re union At Bridgnorth August 8 / 9th 2009.
To contact them: Tel: 01952 216733. or e mail: Michael.603@btinternet.com
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RAF SWINDERBY Association.
Mr L Wall. 34 Freshfields Lea. Preston. PR2 1TJ. Tel:01772 722702
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RAF LYNEHAM Association.
Mr Jim Semple: Tel: 01793 728206.
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Recommended reading for any ex National servicemen.
National Service revisited. (ISBN 978-0-9558411-0-1).
174 page booklet by ex SAC John Sandalls describing why we had National Service and what our boys did, covering interviews with Lads who served in Korea, Malaya and other theatres of combat plus reference to some hilarious incidents.
To order send a Ch for £11.99 (includes p and P) to:
John Sandalls. Tamara. Locks Lane. Wantage. Oxon. OX12 9DB.
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"Kitbag Hill", Mr C J Whitehouse, the co-author and Publisher of this booklet which includes a potted history of RAF Hednesford and his "account of times remembered by a National serviceman".
(ISBN 0 9512903 0 4 on which Copyright still exists) from: Marquis Drive Visitor Centre. Brindley Heath Road. Hednesford. Staffordshire. WS12 4PW. Tel: 01543 878690 enclosing £6 to cover cost and Postage etc.
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"An Erk's-Eye View" - Memories of National Service in the R A F 1952-54 by Ted Caton (ISBN 0 9533030 0 4). at a cost of £7.50, plus £1. p & p. Please send a cheque for £8.50 (payable to E Caton) at 108 Moulsham Drive, Chelmsford, Essex CM2 9PZ.
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"Sweet water blues" - Memories of National Service in the RAF by John Mitchell at a cost of £9.95 plus �1 p & p. Please send a cheque for £10.95 (payable to Mr J Mitchell) at 7 Hanbury Drive, Winchmore Hill, London. N21 1SZ.
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"No Brylcream - no medals" - A book of humour and unfortunate tragedies by Jack Hambleton, a WW2 conscript MT driver !
Cost £5.95 (P and P included) from Jack Hambleton. 166 Thornbridge Rd. Sheffield. S12 3AN.
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"West Kirby And Beyond" which is subtitled "An RAF National Serviceman looks back", written by Dennis Tomlinson. UK price is £8.50 plus £1.25 p and p. (Please add £2.50 for outside UK and Air Mail rates are available on application) and the full reference is ISBN O 95345052 X
It is Published by Ameliel Press, 66, Greenborough Road, Sprowston, Norwich,NR7 9HJ.
Please make payment to Mr D Tomlinson.
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"Memories of Royal Air Force Bridgnorth, Shropshire"
Clive Gwilt has written and published a 30 page booklet. It has what appears to be an excellent fully detailed history of the base. It also contains assorted photographs of individuals, buildings, etc. There is also a plan of the base with an index listing all 375 buildings. The booklet is available from clive.gwilt@sky.com for £2.50 including postage and I can sign them if required. Also a large Ao size map of the camp is also available if required.
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"Bridgnorth re visited".
Thoughts, recollections, and experiences of ex SAC Jim Brown.
Copies available at a cost of £6.20 (inc p and p) from: "Marham". 14 Shepherds Way. Saffron Walden. Essex. CB10 2AH. (Ch made out to Mr J Brown please).
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"Mayhem in the Med'
A Chronicle of the Cyprus Emergency 1955-1960',
by R G M L Stiles. ISBN No. 1902366387 Hardback, 392 Pages, £28.00
This work is the culmination of ten years research and fills a major gap in
post war British military history. The contribution made to this campaign
by the Royal Air Force (including RAF Regt) is detailed in full.
The hardback volume is 392 pages long and contains many previously
Un published photographs, most of which were submitted to me by veterans of
the conflict. The book is written in an easy to read, journalistic style
and includes full obituaries for all personnel killed, (military and
police),78 RAF), plus honours and awards, unit dispositions, etc.
This work covers an important period in the history of the Royal Air Force.
A period normally eclipsed by the Suez operations.
Anyone interested in obtaining a copy of this work should contact the
publisher direct. Copies can also be ordered from leading high street
bookshops and online book sites such as Amazon.com.
Publisher Details
Savannah Publications, 90 Dartmouth Road, Forest Gate, London, SE23 3HZ
Tel: 0208 244 4350 Fax: 0208 244 2448 E-Mail: savpub@dir.co.uk
website: www.savannahpublications.com
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"White Knees Brown Knees", ISBN is 0-905389-01-8.
287pp. 150 photographs. Price £15.99 inc P and P in UK. Add £7 to this figure for overseas airmail service.
The Tome weighs a Kilogram.
Enquiries and orders to Douglas J Findlay, Glenesk, Canonbie, Dumfriesshire, DG14 0SZ.
For those who served in the Canal Zone information on where and when you served and your unit or regiment and your nickname at that time would help the author to personalise a dedication in your copy.
Voice copies of the book are available to blind persons in South Africa via Tape Aids for the Blind.
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In Defence of the Realm.
An "erk-some" account of National Service In the Royal Air Force. 1954 to 1956.
By Peter Voyce.
£10 inc p @ p to Peter Voyce, 24 Churchdale Road. Frechville, Sheffield. S12 4XT.
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Suez - The Hidden Truths.
John Hunts personal recollections as a radar operator combined with a mass of information, documents, newspaper articles and photographs relating to the Suez crisis.
An excellent read. Copy from: John Hunt. 14 Carriefield. Bamber Bridge. Preston. Lancs. PR5 8BS. (Cost £6 - inc p and p).
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"Shai" Talks over Suez.
John Mitchell has created a slim volume packed with "Odd Odes", cautionary tales, lame limericks and topical illustrations.
Copies, at cost, can be acquired from him @£2 (inc p and p) from: 7 Hanbury Drive. Highlands Village, Winchmore Hill, London. N21 1SZ.
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It is finished. Steve Corless is happy to announce that the third book in the Erk's 'Ardlife - Add Astra Trilogy has been published.
'Erk's 'ArdlifeAdd Astra - The Brat Files
The first in the series this is an amusing story about a young Pie-eater making his way through an apprenticeship at RAF College Halton.
Journey with him through the ups and downs of service training.
The Herc Files.
The Charlie 130 Hercules Transport aircraft is the workhorse of the Royal Air Force. The fleet totals fifty aircraft and it is used primarily to carry troops, passengers or freight.
Each aircraft can carry up to 128 passengers, or 20 tonnes of palletized freight, or vehicles for up to 2000miles.
It requires and enormous amount of effort, in the form of servicing, to perform its Herculean tasks.
The Herc Files is about the lives, loves and escapades of those young men who serviced the Hercules aircraft.
Die Deutche Dateien means The German Files and is about the Harrier Force in Germany in the late seventies. It was a very dark time in political history, where exercises were carried out with extreme realism and the World peace clock went from Seven Minutes to Midnight to Five Minutes to Midnight.
However, there was time for fun. In this fictionalised volume, Stephen, or Willie as he was called in the RAF, tells us the story of one man's attempt to win the cold war.
Equipped with the Harrier, Three Squadron was tasked with battlefield interdiction and close air support for the British Army On the Rhine (BAOR). It regularly carried out exercises at remote bases to keep the force prepared for potential attack.
Despite all of this pressure and training there was humour.
Price £5-99 plus £70p P&P
Price £5-00 plus £70p P&P per copy, Or £16 FOR ALL THREE plus £70p P&P
Tel: Willie on 07981 976 904
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"YESTERYEAR": Specialising in Nostalgia Recordings
Just released Scrapbook Series
A beautifully presented set comprising CD, DVD & 20 page Colour booklet
The National Service Years
Produced in association with British Pathe & ITN.
DVD
Excerpts from original archived newsreels
Includes: RAF Regiment Training 1949, Withdrawal From Palestine 1948
Royal Navy Catapult Trials At Sea 1952, Trooping the Colour 1956
CD
Includes songs by: Ella Fitzgerald, Pat Boone, Anne Shelton,
The Goons, Tommy Steele, Muddy Waters, Harry Belafonte
£14.99 + £2.00 post and packaging
To place your order or enquire about other WW11 related recordings
please contact Elaine Thomsitt our appointed agent:
Email: yesteryear@elainethomsitt.com Tel: 01202 - 883726
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"FIRE CAN JOCKEY"
This soft back book will bring back memories for those of us who were conscripted for post WW2 National Service from August 1951 to August 1953 - the arrival at RAF Padgate - the experiences of the initial training period.
The author was fortunate in being an Aircrew Volunteer and was sent to the Aircrew Selection Board at RAF Hornchurch. Essex. for 2 days, before being returned to Padgate for squarebashing.
He eventually was taught flying at RAF Digby on Tiger Moths, following this training he was posted to RAF Weston Zoyland to fly Meteors.
During his National Service time he clocked up 395 hrs on 10 different aircraft types, quite an achievement for a non regular pilot.
All this is described in an easy flowing and interesting manner, so typical of National Service in the early days.
Cost is £8.99 plus £1.95 p and p.
This book can be ordered from Fast Print, Tel: 01733 237867 or on line from: www.fast-print.net/view.ph.?book=340
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THE ROYAL AIR FORCE'S MUSICAL VOLUNTEERS
The Royal Navy has traditions, Army regiments cherish customs, but the Royal Air Force merely has habits! This cheeky, oft-heard, but affectionate allusion to the comparative youth of the RAF reflects the reality that military man's mastery of the air has yet to achieve its first century. However, the Junior Service has come a long way since 1918 and most of our so-called 'habits' reflect the characteristic strengths, skills and qualities for which the RAF is renowned and respected.
Delivery of air power is the raison d'�tre and abiding core business of our Service, but there are also many supporting roles where professionalism and commitment are no less apparent: one of these is Royal Air Force Music. RAF Music Services and the three established bands - Central, College and Regiment - are not only important sustainers of the Service ethos, esprit de corps and public image, but they are second to none in the delivery of first-rate military music. The similarity with front-line capabilities does not end there: in common with all other forms of military output, the RAF's professional musicians are expected to deliver value for money from finite resources. So, just as there are shortfalls in ISTAR and helicopter support - to name but two operational pinch-points - the supply of military music is invariably stretched to meet demand; the frequency, breadth and geographical spread of events needing Light Blue music are simply too great.
Enter the RAF's voluntary bands! Back in 1918, along with the traditions and customs of our sister Services - many of which we subsequently eschewed in favour of our own aforementioned 'habits' - the fledgling RAF inherited voluntary bandsmen from the Royal Naval Air Service and the Royal Flying Corps. This welcome musical legacy - a range of semi-official, part-time corps of drums, brass bands, military bands and pipe bands - not only facilitated, in due course, the formation of prestigious professional organisations like the Central Band, but immediately instilled in the new Service a tradition of voluntary music which has endured and continues to drive RAF Voluntary (brass, woodwind and percussion) Bands and Pipe Bands to this day.
Now, 90 years on, there are eight RAF voluntary bands and four RAF pipe bands1, each helping to fulfil the excess demand for military music, mostly, but not exclusively, at local level. Guided by the RAF Ceremonial Office and HQ Music Services, inspired by the high standard of their professional counterparts and co-ordinated by the RAF Voluntary Band Association (RAFVBA), RAF voluntary bands operate at stations throughout the United Kingdom - at Cosford, Halton, Honington, Kinloss, St Athan, Waddington and Wyton - and in Cyprus at Akrotiri. Their underlying aim is to provide an outlet for amateur musical talent among serving personnel, but in practice their primary task is to support Service events at their home base and at other stations in the immediate area. Voluntary bands range in size from 20 to over 40 musicians and comprise serving men and women of all ranks (including RN and Army personnel working with the RAF), and civilians (civil servants, families and friends) who play regularly under Voluntary Band Instructors (VBIs). Each VBI fulfils the crucial role of musical director, bandmaster and administrator, and is the only professional post in each band. Our current VBIs - the majority are permanently appointed to Civil Service posts funded by their units - are much respected for their musical talent, dedication and (most importantly) enthusiasm; every one has years of professional experience in a top military band or as an instrumentalist and conductor.
Voluntary bands undertake routine engagements in uniform at military parades and mess dinners, and also help to keep the Service in touch with the community by performing concerts in schools and town halls, often in aid of local or national charities. Engagements are many and varied. For example, the RAF Halton and Wyton Bands play regularly in London parks during the summer and the RAF St Athan Band appears frequently before matches at the National Stadium in Cardiff. Most recently, the Halton Band became the first RAF voluntary band in living memory to play at the Cenotaph in London. Engagements are not confined to the United Kingdom: Cosford, Halton and Waddington have recently supported British military events in the Falkland Islands, Germany and the USA, respectively. In spring 2007, RAF Halton's Clarinet Quintet was even called upon to accompany an Air Force Board Dinner in Admiralty House! When larger public events require pooling of resources, the RAFVBA acts as co-ordinator: examples are the Royal Star and Garter Homes' Tattoo at Fort Nelson, Portsmouth, and the Asian Tsunami Disaster Relief fund-raising concert in Ministry of Defence Main Building. With the encouragement of its President, Air Vice-Marshal Nigel Baldwin, the Association has also previously organised massed band concerts at Colston Hall, Bristol and in Peterborough Cathedral.
If you would like to find out more about RAF voluntary bands, or the RAFVBA, please go to www.rafvoluntarybands.co.uk. Although the bands often have full diaries - the larger bands average an engagement every week throughout the year - they are always keen to support military events and local communities. If you would like to book a voluntary band, or a smaller ensemble, please make contact direct or call one of the RAFVBA representatives listed on the website. Also, with frequent postings and overseas deployments, voluntary bands are invariably on the look out for new members. Although some trades - including those responsible for tuning the rigging wires on biplanes - were barred from belonging to voluntary bands during the First World War for fear of damaging their hearing, this restriction no longer applies and all standards of brass, woodwind and percussion players are welcomed!
RAF voluntary bands are here to serve, but they need your continued support too.
[by Wing Commander Trevor Kirkin, Chairman RAF Voluntary Band Association]
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