206 SQUADRON ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER
(Last Updated: 23.01.08)
Derek Straw the secretary of the 206 Squadron Association has recently provided me with the Newsletter from June 2007, happy reading...
No 206 Squadron AssociationNewsletter - June 2007
Newsletter - June 2007
Chairman: Air Vice Marshal Stu Butler RAF
Secretary: Wing Commander Derek Straw MRAeS MRIN RAF (Retd)
Life Vice Presidents: Mrs Alix Donald & AVM David Emmerson CBE AFC RAF (Retd)
Old Dominion House
Kent End
Ashton Keynes
Wiltshire SN6 6PU
(t) 01285-869437
Dear Members, June 2007
Welcome to our latest Newsletter. As I write this letter our Chairman, Stu Butler, is leading the RAF contingent onto Horseguards to participate in the ‘
In the Newsletter there is an account of the recent Reunion as well as other events such as the President’s visit to
ncluded with this newsletter are reminders to those who have yet to pay their 2007 subscriptions. It would be a great help to the secretary if members would consider the options of a standing order or the single payment, ‘Life Membership’. Such consideration would reduce the secretary/ treasurer’s workload as well as benefit the Association.
My apologies to anybody who have tried to contact me this year but have been frustrated by any delays getting a reply. I have been permanently in
s ever, keep the news, gossip, articles, and answers to queries coming. The Newsletter, like the Annual Reunion, is the means to keep you all in touch with your Association.
Very Sincerely,
Derek Straw
MARITIME AIR TRUST SCOTTISH TRIBUTE – 4 MAY 2007
The Maritime Air Trust was formed on 15 August 2001 under the patronage of HRH The Duke of Edinburgh to commemorate the maritime aircrew who gave their lives in the Second World War and to highlight the enduring importance of maritime aviation to the nation. The first of these aims was met with the dedication of a Relief Sculpture in Westminster Abbey by HM The Queen on 16 March 2004.
The vital part played by
A large contingent of past and present maritime aircrew and groundcrew, and other invited guests, attended to see the Tribute unveiled by Flight John Cruickshank VC and dedicated by The Reverend Peter Mills, Chaplain-in-Chief of the Royal Air Force. The Royal Air Force was represented by the Deputy Commander-in-Chief Air Command, Air Marshal Ian McNicoll; Air Chief Marshal Sir Peter Squire represented The Maritime Air Trust and Group Captain Bob Kemp represented the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund. The 206 Squadron Association was represented by the Association President Air Commodore Bob Joseph.
ANNUAL
Some 60 members of the Association enjoyed the Annual 2007
The Reunion Dinner was a splendid affair: well organised by the Hotel staff we were well provisioned; then splendidly entertained with speeches from the President and our guest – Sqn Ldr Drew Steel, lately of the Nimrod MRA4 development team.
Sqn Ldr Mark Faulds & team Guests at Dinner
Well done and thanks to all who attended. In particular to the group from the MRA4 development team who joined us and helped lower the average age by 20 years! – well 10.
SHACKLETON CRASH SITE, LOCHAILORT – 19 MAY 2007
On 21 December 1967, Shackleton Mk III XF702, with a 206 Squadron crew crashed into the hills below Creag Bhan, above Arienskil, to the west of
With time, it is hoped to trace more of the ‘children’ of the crew. It is believed that at least another five exist. For more information on the site try the following web sites:
www.moidart.org.uk/datasets/shackletoncrash.htm and link …./shackletoncrash2.htm or www.peakdistrictaircrashes.co.uk/awayxf702.htm
EVENTS FOR YOUR DIARY 2007/08
VISIT TO RAF ALDERGROVE - 5 SEPTEMBER 2007
RAF Aldergrove has agreed to host a short visit of Association members & guests. To make the journey more worthwhile and cost effective the timing dovetails with the Shackleton Association’ last Ballykelly reunion (6-11 Sep). The journey to Aldergrove will be left to individual discretion and planning; just let the secretary know names, dates of birth and car registrations. Interested persons should inform the Secretary by 21 July to facilitate the visit arrangements.
The Ballykelly reunion (optional of course) will include visits to Shackleton Barracks (Ballykelly), mayoral receptions at Limavady & Derry, Portrush airshow, Giants causeway and the American Folk Park and much more! Full details including accommodation, costs, timings can be obtained from the secretary or Norman Thorpe (02877-769807).
LUNCH AT ROYAL AIR FORCE CLUB - 17 NOVEMBER 2007
In response to a proposal at the recent AGM there will be an Association Lunch at the RAF Club. We will meet at 1200 hrs and lunch will start at 1300 hrs. Dress will be suits or jacket & tie; spouses, partners and guests will be very welcome. Cost will be £35 per head (including drinks) that will be collected on the day (cash or cheque payable to: 206 Squadron Association). It is also planned to provide suitable ‘entertainment’ to accompany the good food, fine wine and fellowship.
BIRCHAM NEWTON HERITAGE ROOM - 29 JUL, 26 AUG, 30 SEP 2007
The Bircham Newton Memorial heritage Room will be open to the public on the dates above. Other dates are by arrangement. The Memorial Appeal is seeking funds still to provide a memorial at Docking. Visits to the Heritage Room help to fund such appeals. Also take time out to visit the Cross of Sacrifice and War Graves in St Mary’s Church, Great Bircham.
ANNUAL
The 2008
For any further queries, problems or explanations please contact the secretary.
QUERIES TO THE ASSOCIATION
The number of queries that come to the Association continue unabated. Perhaps all the recent historical anniversaries are jogging people’s memories about relatives long gone? Perhaps there is a genuine increase in interest in military history? Here are a selection of the recent queries:
Cuban Missile Crisis. Robin Woolven is keen to contact any Shackleton aircrew who were operational in October 1962 – during the Cuban Missile Crisis. In particular, were you briefed on or did you conduct any surveillance sorties? Did you carry any operational loads? Were you detached or even stood by to deploy? Robin seeks any information that will help him to resolve ambiguities in the information currently in his possession. The information will support a
U384/ Convoy HX229. On 19 Mar 43, Fortress FK208 of 206 Squadron, captained by Plt Off Clark, attacked and sank U384 south west of Iceland while protecting convoy HX229. This U-boat had attacked the convoy two nights previously and sank (among others) the SS Coracero killing five of the merchant seamen aboard. Peter Carr-Smith writes from
A fuller description of the extended battle for convoys HX229 & SC122 can be found in Alfred Price’s ‘Aircraft versus Submarine’. The crew were named as:
(Note: Peter Carr-Smith is the step son of Wg Cdr Sam McHardy, a New Zealander, who flew in Coastal Command with distinction and lead one of the Banff Wings.)
Liberator Loss –Apr 45. On 20 Apr 45, Lt Cdr Nicodeme Guilonard (NLN) and his Liberator crew, flying from RAF Leuchars were shot down and killed near
Charles Samuel Wright. Mrs Joan Jaggard seeks any service anecdotes about her brother WO Charles Wright, a WOP/AG, who served 206 at Aldergrove, Benbecula and
Jack ____? Ted ____? Alex ____? Durandy____?
CSW Lary ___? Sam ___?
Fortress 1943:
? ? ? ? CSW
? Red___? Ted___? Chas___?
Can anybody fill in the blanks or answer the ? marks.
Alec Weaver. Charles Leese’s brother seeks information about him and his friend Flt Sgt Alec Weaver. They trained together in
Any answers, explanations, further questions or anecdotes contact the secretary. And thanks to those members who have already responded so generously and quickly to these and other queries over the past six months.
MEMORABILIA
The Association has acquired disposal details of the 206 Squadron memorabilia. This includes items presented by the Association or its members as well as historical mementos. Most items appear to have gone into store at
PRESERVING THE MEMORIES
Established as a charity to collect and preserve memories, the ‘Second World War Experience Centre’ is developing a huge archive of recordings, letters, photos and other memorabilia from anybody who lived through the war. More information, setting out the aims and objectives, can be obtained from the Centre at 5 Feast Field, off Town St, Horsforth, Leeds, LS18 4TJ, or tel 0113 2584993, or visit www.war-experience.org
This item was featured in a previous Newsletter, but is repeated briefly in response to ‘Any Other Business’ discussion at the recent AGM.
IN MEMORIAM
Mr Joe Griffith Squadron Navigator 1942-43
Died: May 2007, Surrey, British Columbia
The 206 Squadron Association is selling the following items:
Squadron Ties - £13
Squadron Lapel Badges - £2.50
‘Naught Escapes Us’ - £18
All items include P&P and are available from the secretary
MINUTES OF THE 17TH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
OF THE 206 SQUADRON ASSOCIATION HELD AT THE BEDFORD HOTEL,
LYTHAM ST
Present: Air Cdre Bob Joseph CBE RAF (Ret’d) President/ Acting Chairman
Wg Cdr Derek Straw RAF (Ret’d) Secretary/ Treasurer
Plus 25 other Members of the Association as listed at the Annex.
Apologies: AVM Stu Butler RAF Chairman
With further apologies received from those listed at the Annex.
ITEM 1. WELCOME AND APOLOGIES
The President welcomed and thanked those present for attending. He explained that he would be Acting Chairman since AVM Butler was unable to attend due to Service commitments.
ITEM 2. MINUTES OF THE 16TH AGM
The minutes of the 16th AGM held on 13 May 2006 at The Horwood House Hotel, Bucks were agreed without amendment.
Proposed by: David Fellowes Seconded by: John Ingamells
ITEM 3. MATTERS ARISING
There were no matters arising, except items to be raised later on the Agenda.
ITEM 4. APPROVAL OF ACCOUNTS FOR 2006
The Secretary presented the 2006 Accounts and explained that they were in a healthy state. This was mainly due to the re-introduction of subscriptions since Jan 2005. The majority of which had been paid under the ‘Life’ option; however, this meant that future annual income would reduce as there were only a small minority of ‘annual’ option payers. Income was boosted by continuing sales of the Squadron History Book, Ties and Lapel Badges plus the use of an interest bearing account. Although the accounts were unaudited, they were offered for acceptance.
Proposed by: Tony Dear Seconded by: David Castle
ITEM 5. PROPOSAL OF ASSOCIATE MEMBER
The Secretary proposed that Mr Robert Stitt as an Associate member. Mr Stitt is a military writer and historian who is currently engaged on writing an account of The Flying Fortress in RAF, and particularly Coastal Command, operations. He has been in contact with the Association and some members for nearly two years on several matters of historical research. Associate Membership was agreed.
Seconded by: Ted Nelson
ITEM 6. SQUADRON MEMORABILIA
The Secretary briefed the meeting that the Chairman had obtained a copy of the disposal details of the 206 Squadron memorabilia. Therefore anybody who wishes to retrieve items, whether personal donations or from the Association, should contact the Secretary. In addition, the Secretary was to identify any potential items for transfer from storage to more appropriate display venues.
ITEM 7.
As ever, this item was thoroughly debated. Several venues were considered and future ideas were invited from members. The secretary proposed that the 2008 dates should be after Easter, but before May with its rise in Hotel prices and greater potential for a clash of activities. The Committee, through the secretary, was given full authority to act on the Members behalf when selecting the venue. The location would be announced in the December Newsletter, but dates were agreed as 25-27 APRIL 2008 (Note for Your Diaries).
It was also proposed to hold an Autumn lunch at the RAF Club and this idea received strong support. Full details would be in the June Newsletter.
Post Meeting Note: The selected date is 17 November 2007.
Members were advised about future activities that might be of interest:
Marking the cairn at the crash (Dec 67) site of Shackleton XF702 near Lochailort was planned for 19 May 07. Although at short notice those interested had been contacted by the Secretary.
The ‘Falklands25’ celebrations was brought to members’ attention.
A visit to RAF Aldergrove was possible and would be ‘piggy-backed’ onto the Shackleton Assoc Ballykelly Reunion in Sep 07. Details would be published in the June Newsletter.
ITEM 9. WEBSITE
This was an ongoing item that needed further discussion with the Chairman. More efforts would be made to find someone within the Association with the necessary degree of expertise and time to set up a web site.
ITEM 10. AOB
- CXX Nimrod Crash. The President read out the letter of condolence he had sent to the Officer Commanding 120 Squadron after the Nimrod crash in Afghanisthan.A similar letter had been sent to the Station Commander RAF Kinloss. He also informed the AGM the Association had made a contribution of £100 to the CXX Memorial Fund.
- members were briefed that the Bircham Newton memorial appeal was seeking further funds for a memorial at Docking, the satellite airfield to Bircham Newton. It was agreed to contribute £50.
Proposed by: Secretary Seconded by: David Castle
- Ted Nelson raised the matter of dispersal of personal memorabilia. This is a personal matter, but the secretary agreed to repeat the article about the Oral History museum in
- Bert Berryman raised the issue of Association membership and whether it was seen as an ‘aircrew’ preserve. Assurances were made by all present that membership was for aircrew and groundcrew alike. It was pointed out that from 1967 Maritime Squadrons lost their own groundcrew, so interest from groundcrew understandably waned.
There being no further business to discuss, the President/ Acting Chairman closed the Meeting.
Present at 17th AGM Apologies Received for 17th AGM Mr Tony Wyatt Mr & Mrs Brian Doughty Mr Ron Gifford Mr Colin Paterson Mr Collin Hughes Mr & Mrs Peter Brookes Mr & Mrs Jim Glazebrook Mr Ted Nelson Mr David Castle Mr Colin Taylor Mr John Ingamells Mr Richard Thomas Mr David Fellowes Mr Tony Usher Mr Jack Farley Mr Tony Dear Mr Mal Morris Mr Peter Gunn Mr Bert Berryman Mr Mike Sweeney Mr Jacko Jackson Mrs Violet Harris AVM Stu Butler RAF AVM David Emmerson CBE AFC RAF (Ret’d) Mr Ian Grant Mr John Sadler Mr Vic Reynolds Ms Jan Ratcliffe Mr Richard Yates Mr Charles Peacock Mr Peter Curry Sqn Ldr Donald RAF (Ret’d) (RSA) Mr Norman Tench Mr Frank Goff Mr John Blackburn Mr TM Howat Sqn Ldr Jack Bury RAF (Ret’d) Mr Jack Frost Mr Peter Dallison Mr John Munday Sqn Ldr MJ Martin DFC AFC RAF (Ret’d) Gp Capt Andy Fryer RAF Mr John Gentle Mrs Betty Beaty
We are the ground crew of two-o-sick
The aircrew think we are thick
We service the aircraft on the ground
After flights and some turn rounds
Shift stays on till after five
While the aircrew fly around the sky
At half past eight they are still there
And sir comes down Emergency air
Next day the kite goes into the hangar
Looks like the riggers have dropped a clanger
After lots of sweat and toil
They find there is no hydraulic oil
The kite takes again next day
To fly, we hope far away
Searching the sea for submarines
ALL! Eyes watching the radar screens
Suddenly Sonics jumps for joy
Navigator drops a sonobuoy
And as they start their bombing run
The pilot says “Oh dear, what fun”
Navigator selects the lot
Presses the tit but six don’t drop
All thought they scored a direct hit
Ha comes back and snagged it
He enters the snag with a chuckle
He’s a bustard for causing trouble
Asks the plumbers to get it fixed
They curl up and throw a fit
Then they send two plumbers out
To find out what the snags about
They find the connels in a muddle
And clear the snag as finger trouble
Chiefy Swann is always telling us a tale
About fishing off Padstow and catching a whale
He’ll sink one day when he’s out too far
Sir will pick him up when he is SAR
Now we’re on standby again
To fly somewhere out of our domain
When we go we are fully manned
And usually end up in
Come back Saturday the weather is bleak
Told to stand down for the rest of the week
They forgot that they are flying Monday
And drag us in to service them Sunday
We get I Sunday it’s pouring with rain
It’s enough to drive us all insane
We get to the squadron but it’ all in vain
Because the whole damn thing has been changed again
We’ve not done a good detachment yet
But my friends do not fret
Because if you wait a little while
We’ve been promised a trip to the Emerald Isle
Not so very long ago
Foxtrot was flying much too low
And without the aid of the riggers spanner
Two squabbling bleeders lost the scanner
Should have gone to the
But had no kites to take us away
There is not reason to wonder why
When that shower off! Fly them around the sky
Here we are at St Mawgan
Going for a ride in a Shackleton
The galley equipped with seats and bunks
Only for aircrew – sleepy heads
Now if you want to go for a crap
You sit on the Elsan at the back
Then the pilot takes in man-u-ally
And you find yourself sitting in the galley
The fogs come down and no flying today
But we’ve had a phone call from GCA
Even though we were on the ground
Chiefs in a circuit and won’t come down
On Monday we go to work alone
With our nose to the old grindstone
We hope it’s not for very long
And that’ the end of our calypso song!
(A contemporary commentary on ground and air crew relations? Many thanks to Mal Morris and a good memory!)
(The following are excerpts of Mal Morris’ 1963 memories.)
I joined 206 Sqn at RAF St Mawgan in early 1963 as a Cpl Tech Armament Fitter, where I served under the “notorious” Chief Tech John Swann. At that time the Squadron would be detached to various Stations, usually RAF Ballykelly. As “passengers” on these trips, we ground crew stayed in the galley, which was our ditching station, where we helped to make and serve coffee and Atlantic Stew, while we were given ‘doggy bags’.
I remember being instructed on ditching procedure by the junior Air Signaller: normally we sit on the floor, against the bulkhead – no straps and brace yourselves – we would probably ricochet around the aircraft like ping pong balls! Another part of the ditching instruction was that on coming to a stop in the sea, we should jettison the overhead hatch in the galley, and throw out the dinghy that was contained in a large holdall. as a very keen young Cpl, I would probably do this in a very short time. Unfortunately I had been on three flights before a more conscientious air crew man told me that before throwing out the dinghy, I had to open a small panel in the holdall, take out a cord, and tie it to a strong point in the aircraft! This would operate the air bottles and inflate the dinghy. I had visions of throwing it out and the dinghy sinking to the bottom of the sea. So ever since then I have paid attention to the safety brief and read the card available; do not trust air crew, they often get it wrong! So ended my first year on the job – a good start to a good squadron.
I recall one incident at St Mawgan: I was ground crew to see off WR983/ C. If weapons were fitted it was normal practice for the armourer to attend and help the navigator remove the pins from the weapons and like. As a cpl I would be in charge after the aircraft had left the pan and was seen to be airborne, we would clear away the ground equipment and retire to the crew room for a well earned coffee. We were in the crew room when a call came through that the aircraft was returning; on seeing the aircraft land we started counting bits to try to find out what was wrong: fuselage – ok, two wings, tail and undercarriage – ok. By this time we had been joined by the Squadron CO – Wg Cdr Lock plus various aircrew. We thought this must be serious. As the aircraft landed, finally, we saw that the bottom of the radar ‘dustbin’ was jagged; we looked into the radar area to find that all was missing.
It appears that the aircraft had hit the sea and the new signaller in the tail of the aircraft thought that it was normal for the rear of the aircraft to fill with water!!
Coastal Command ‘lost’ its squadron groundcrew in 1967 in the name of efficiency – but the banter continues ………
(With thanks to David Sheringham’s cartoon history of 224 Squadron –the sentiment was universal!)
And here is the one we could not photograph at Warton – but the current Maritime Air community ’will be glad when they finally get the MRA4’ ……