29th March 2001

On Thursday 29th March, in recognition of the achievements of the York Branch of the Royal Air Forces Association and of No 110 (City of York) Squadron of the Air Training Corps, Mr Ted Griffiths MBE, chairman of the Royal British Legion York Branch, made two very special presentations on behalf of his Branch.

The first was a British Legion plaque given to RAFA York to thank members for their outstanding contribution on the annual "Poppy Day" collection.

The second was a special certificate awarded to 110 Squadron for the efforts of the Officers and Cadets in raising nearly £2,000 for the annual British Legion poppy appeal. The certificate was accepted by the squadron commander Flt. Lt. Dick Gray RAFVR(T) and Senior Cadet Laura Marsh. Laura was selected to represent the cadets because she, through her determined efforts, had single handedly collected nearly £400.

The citation on the certificate read.... "This certificate is awarded by the President and Branch committee to 110 (City of York) Squadron Air Training Corps as a mark of sincere appreciation of valuable service rendered on behalf of the Poppy Appeal"

John Sloan (Branch Chairman RAFA York) receiving the Royal British Legion plaque from Ted Griffiths MBE (Branch Chairman of RBL York)

Above (Left to right) - RBL Branch Chairman Ted Griffiths, Senior Cadet Laura Marsh and Flt. Lt. Dick Gray RAFVR(T), OC 110 (City of York) Squadron ATC

The Yorkshire Eastern Region meeting was held in the Officer's Mess at RAF Linton-on-Ouse on Friday 23rd March 2001. The visitors were met by their RAFALO, Flt. Lt. Dick Shuster, AFC, RAFVR, who had organised the venue and the afternoon tour which was to follow. Dick was ably assisted by his deputy Flt Lt Nick Goodwyn and several students.

Left-A good RAF starting point - a welcome in the bar by Dick Shuster

Left to right -

Bob Hargreaves, Jack Kilvington, Dick Shuster, R.Holmes, C.Shreeve, J.Weldon-Thomas, Stuart Thompson, Mauric Voase, Mrs Voase, Dave Taylor, John Sloan, Ken Holmes.

Right -Before the meeting commenced, the RAFA members were welcomed by the Station Commander, Group Captain Ken Cornfield

In front of him are (left to right) Regional President Maurice Voase, Jack Kilvington and Regional Chairman Dave Dando

Left - Members get down to a serious working lunch

After the reports by the president, the treasurer and the branches, the president presented the Regional darts trophy to Ken Holmes of the Castleford Branch. It turned out that Castleford had had to borrow Bob Hargreaves, so York had a large part in Castleford's success.

Right - Dave Dando, Ken Holmes & Bob Hargreaves

Dick Shuster announced that he had managed to secure 8 redundant RAF computers to be shared between the various Branches throughout the Area. One spare one would go to the York Club where Les Quigley had volunteered to give lessons to any members throughout the area who wished to familiarise themselves with computers in general, and the Internet in particular.

Left - Jack Kilvington viewing some of the eight computers donated by RAF Linton to the branches


	After the meeting the members headed for the Memorial Museum where they were able to learn of the history of Linton, and see many of the artifacts and photographs dating back to before WWII
Flg.Off. Steve Whalley showing some of the members WWII artifacts		Dick Shuster and Steve Simpson learning about WWII first hand from a veteran of 408 Squadron
Below - Dave Dando & Jack Kilvington viewing some original "bumf" - the leafets dropped on NAZI Germany by aircrews from Linton in WWII. It took the youngest RAFA member present to explain why some "wag" had put the "Bile Bean" advertisement in front of the leaflets...... The word "bumf" originated at RAF Linton on Ouse and Dishforth in 1939-40. It was aircrew slang.... The aircrews considered that the leaflets were a waste of time, and lives, and were just being used by the Germans as toilet paper. As a result of this, the aircrews christened the leaflets "bum fodder", which they then shortened to "bumf" . This has now passed into the English language to mean any paperwork which is considered a waste of time - i.e. most of it!!!

The Simulator

The highlight for many was a flight in the simulator......

Right - Dave Dando (ex Meteor & Canberra pilot) being briefed by Mike Ashley Chief Simulator Instructor

Below - Dave prepares for takeoff

Below Right - After a fairly hairy takeoff, Dave was soon remembering his skills of over 30 years ago and managed an excellent approach and landing. He was able to review it on completion. Something that he couldn't do 30 years ago.

After visiting the simulator, members went to see the real thing. Unfortunately the weather had closed in with cloud down to 500 feet and visibility down to 1000 yards, so the aerobatic display that had been organised had to be cancelled. However members did get to clamber over a Tucarno in the Hanger
	A chance to compare modern instruments with a Lancaster's - all those instruments and only one engine says the WWII Flight Engineer!!!

A superb afternoon's visit was completed in true RAF style, back in the Bar were the veterans of yesterday "shot a few lines" with the aircrews of tomorrow.

In conclusion the RAFA members of Yorkshire Eastern Region wish to thank Group Captain Ken Cornfield, his staff and his students, especially Flt Lt Dick Shuster and his team, for hosting us and organising such an interesting, entertaining and didactic event.

The annual general meetings for both the club and the branch were held in the York Club HQ

Right - Ken Whitfield (left) winner of the Harry Cowan Wings Appeal Trophy being presented with the certificate by John Allison (Vice-Chairman & Wings Appeal Officer) (Right).

The citation on the certificate reads - "The Royal Air Forces Association express deep appreciation and sincere thanks for the outstanding individual effort made by K.D.Whitfield in furthering the aims of the Association over a long period. Such selfless voluntary service is in the highest traditions of the Association and merits the most praiseworthy recognition."

Last modified: November 14, 2001