MAY 2001

MAY 2001

Club Presentations;

National Annual Conference; Visit to RAF Scampton

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(These pages contain lots of pictures so will be slow to download)

CLUB PRESENTATIONS

24th May

The Dickie Collins Trophy for Branch & Club Eficiency

Left to Right - On behalf of the club and branch, York RAFA Member Irving Matchell receives a replica of "The Dickie Collins Trophy" from Air Commodore Gambol. The original was presented to the York Branch of RAFA in 2000 for our efforts in 1999. It is presented to the most efficient Branch and Club within RAFA.

Naturally we had to return the original to give someone else a chance!

Cannon Jack Armstrong is presented with an inscribed limited edition print of York Minster

by Air Commodore Gambol as a gesture of thanks from club members to mark

his 6 years as Branch President (1995 to 2001). Mrs Armstrong (right) received a bouquet.

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VISIT TO RAF SCAMPTON - 16th May

A large party from York visited RAF Scampton, the Red Arrows and the "Dam Buster" pub on 16th May. The visit was organised by Fred Ullathorne on the anniversary of the Dam Busters raid and was a tremendous success ....

Some of the party

The base itself looked very sad, run down and dilapidated. It did not give the impression of an efficient RAF station, let alone the home of one of Britain's top international ambassadors! (See Webmaster's comments below)

The visit to the Red Arrows' hanger was interesting and was followed by a visit to Nigger's grave - surely the most impressive dog's grave in the world? Whilst viewing the grave, the visitors were also given the treat of a well timed "air test" when a solo Red Arrow demonstrated the capability of the Hawk with a very entertaining aerobatic display within the confines of the airfield.

The inscription on Nigger's head stone


A Folland Gnat - one of the original Red Arrows - being refurbished as a gate guardian	Marianne gets to sit in a Red Arrows Hawk

After the visit to the Red Arrows the visitors went to the small Scampton museum to view some interesting artifacts from Scamptons history ....

Left - Robin Boulton and Dave Taylor examining some of the artifacts in the Scampton museum

Below - A model of a Lancaster at Scampton

Members of the York Branch try to live up to the reputation of the wartime "Brylcream boys" - they chat up any woman who'll stay around long enough to listen ....

Right - Fred Ullathorne and John Sutherland chatting up a WAAF - she stayed!

Below - Mel Smith getting to know a pretty sergeant - she stayed!

Right -

Les Quigley achieving a life long ambition - a WAAF on each arm!! - they stayed!

Lunch was taken in the "Dambusters" pub which was itself a museum with many very interesting artifacts relating to the Dambusters, 617 Squadron and RAF Scampton.

The highlight of lunch turned out to be having George Chalmers, DFC, DFM, sign our bottles of "Dambuster" house wine. George is the last surviving "Dambuster". As a Flight Sergeant he was the wireless operator of AJO the last aircraft to return.

He was also the last of the "Dambusters" to leave RAF employment. George lives in Harrogate, and started his war in 1939 as an AC1 Wireless Operator Air Gunner flying Whitley Bombers out of Dishforth. He was one of the original "bumfleteers" dropping leaflets on Germany. (If you don't know where "bumf" originated click here!)

George re-called doing his LAC exams in early 1940 before going on leave, and on returning to Dishforth from leave was very apprehensive about the results. He says he was called in by his Flight Sergeant and was amazed to be told to report to stores to collect, not his LAC propellor, but, Sergeant's stripes..... During his leave the Air Ministry had decided that all aircrews should be senior NCO's.

(Webmaster's Note - Surprisingly it was the Germans who had persuaded the Air Ministry - the Germans treated senior NCO and officer prisoners much better than they did other ranks - so because of the increasing numbers of aircrew being taken prisoner Air Ministry decided aircrews should be at least senior NCO's - How thoughtful!!)

Above - Robin Boulton pointing to one of the original "Dambuster" bomb sites (made of wood!)

Below -George Chalmers and Les Quigley have a chance meeting after over 10 years - George had his retirement party in Les's "Bunker" Restaurant in 1989

The members enjoyed good traditional beer and an excellent lunch that was efficiently served in very interesting surroundings by pleasant staff.

We highly recommend the "Dambusters" pub in Scampton village and were amazed to find that it has only been open for 2 years!

(Webmaster's comment - Housing the Red Arrows at RAF Scampton seemed a bit like housing the Minister of Defence on a run down council estate - He could wear his best suit, drive his "jag" and look OK in public, but he wouldn't want to invite anyone home!

I ask the questions.... Why not utilise some of the base as a weekend/vacation camp for the ATC and other youth organisations? I'm sure some of the enthusiastic youngsters would be more than happy to help smarten the place up by restoring and maintaining buildings.... Why not use the Officer's Mess as a RAFA retirement and short stay rest home before it becomes completely derelict and is sold to a property developer for peanuts? The retired RAF types could then help, advise and supervise the youngsters!

A bit of government money, some RAFA money, a little sponsorship and good leadership could create a joint RAF, Red Arrows, ATC, RAFA base which could become a true ambassadorial home for Britain and the RAF!!!

PS, CCCC and anyone of else who may have an interest, what do you think? Replies please to lwq@rafayork.co.uk )

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National Annual Conference

Bournmouth - 11th - 13th May

The branch was well represented at the annual national conference in Bournmouth and all had an enjoyable weekend meeting old friends and comrades in other branches.

Above - Four York members in action scrounging drinks from Lance Saddington of Tadcaster Branch

Right - The long and the short and the tall? - Three very smart Standard Bearers from North Yorkshire - Tadcaster, York & Selby

Above - The RAF Central Band lead the Standard Bearers in the march past (Right)

Last modified: November 14, 2001