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NOTICE BOARD.
The National Service (Royal Air Force) Association.
(For any National serviceman and Regulars who served within the period 1939 to 1965).
This is the period which is covered by the 2 National Service Acts of Parliament.
The 1947 Act was a revised continuation of the Act covering WW2.
Membership dues £10 per annum. (Overseas £12).
For further info about the Association and membership contact:
Mr Honey. 87 Park Lane. Knypersley. Staffordshire Moorlands. ST8 7BG. Tel: 01782 516887. (please enclose a SAE)
e mail: pgh87@talktalk.com web site: www.nsrafa.org
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Calling all ex RAF "erks" - ALL ex National Servicemen and Regulars especially ex WAAF and ex WRAF who served from 1939 to the 60s.
The 2010 NS(RAF)A re union and Parade will take place at the RAF Museum Cosford on Sunday July 4th.
Organised by the National Service (RAF) Association, with the support of the RAF Museum, DCAE Cosford and Shropshire / Staffs ATC.
The Reviewing Officer will be: Yet to be finalised: but accompanied by the new Commandant of DCAE: Air Commodore C H Green.
A full parade (Taken by ex Drill Instructors), Service of remembrance and march past, with an RAF Band will take place at 11.00hrs, including input by aircraft from the BBMF (all aircraft subject to weather and availability).
30 plus stands and meeting points from all ex Service Agencies and many RAF Associations and Units plus the Museum shop..
Full Catering / Medical facilities etc on site in Hangar 1.
This is a free day of pure RAF nostalgia - not to be missed.
Anyone intending to come along should try to be on site by 09.30 hrs.
For photographs of the 2006 Parade etc see: www.nsrafa.org/gallery/Cosford 2009
Information regarding the event and local accommodation list can be acquired from :- Pat Honey: Tel: 01782 516887. or e mail: pgh87@talktalk.net
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Hero's repatriation:
The leviathan of the sky does land
In Englands green and pleasant land.
It's cargo more precious than gold
The body of a Hero, bold.
Once the Giants engines stopped
The cargo ramp is is gently dropped
Carried by six on shoulders true
The Hero is saluted by the crew.
The coffin draped in Union Jack
Is slowly carried out the back.
Out of the dark and into light
Slowly down the ramp and to the right.
The six approach the hearse all black
And place the Hero gently in the back.
The six then turn and march away
Their duty has been done this day.
Politicians have much to say
No sign of them near here this day !
They hide away and out of danger,
Much easier if the Hero is a stranger.
The hearse with its precious load
Moves slowly out on to the road.
The floral tributes line the route
While comrades snap a smart salute.
At the edge of a Wiltshire town
The cortege slows its pace right down.
The streets are packed, many deep
Some throw flowers, most just weep.
The crowd have come to say farewell,
The church bell rings a low death knell.
Regimental standards are lowered down
As the Hero passes through the town.
The cortege stops and silence reigns
The townsfolk feel the families pain.
The Nations flag lowered to half mast
Our brave Hero is home at last.
Staff Sgt Andy McFarlane wrote this on the flight home reflecting on his Comrades who had paid the ultimate sacrifice and were being flown back for burial. 2009.
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RAF Bomber Command Appeal
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.
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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"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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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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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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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 Carnations (for the RAF) costs £21.
Both prices include delivery to any UK address within 48 hours from ordering.
Orders can be placed with: Mrs Kennaird. Royal British Legion Village. Hall Road. Aylsford. Kent ME 20 7NX. Tel 01622 717172.
e mail: pkennaird@britishlegion.co.uk
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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.
ACB / 5001 / 5003 / 5004 Sqdn = £16 ea inc delivery.
Also have RAF Badges (Queens Crown) in stock.
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Recommended reading for any ex National servicemen.
Mr C J Whitehouse, the co-author and Publisher of a booklet entitled Kitbag Hill 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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other publications exist which are of interest and can be bought:
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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White Knees Brown Knees., The ISBN is 0-905389-01-8 hard covers.
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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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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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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DVD: 5004 Sqadron Detachment ST KILDA 1957/8 and RAF Honington.
Anyone who went to St Kilda (outer Hebrides) under the command of Wing Commander Cookson may be pleased to know that there is a DVD of the operation from the time of leaving Wellesbourne Mountford, to the arrival at Stranrar and the onward journey in the landing craft etc plus coverage of the activities on the Island.
This was taken by Peter De Salis Johnston an MT driver, who had an 8mm camera, the tape also includes some footage of another detachment at RAF Honington, where a drainage unit was being put into the area where Valiant bombers were washed down.
If interested we can acquire copies and can be contacted on: 01782 516887.
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NIGEL EDWARDS: would like to hear from any of his old mates from 5003 Sqdn MT Section RAF Lichfield especially "Smithy" from Nuneaton - we spent many hours together with our Matadors and trailers up and down to Scotland with heavy plant from RAF Lichfield to Stranraer and Cairnryan 1954-57 in preperation for Operation Hardrock (St Kilda).
nigel-edwards@hotmail.com
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