NEWS
for October 2001
Annual
Dinner Dance; European Trip;
Bastogne;
RAFA Luxembourg; Ypres;
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ANNUAL
DINNER & DANCE
The
Annual Dinner Dance was held in the Officer's Mess at Royal Air Force Linton-on-Ouse
on Friday 26th October. Air Commodore Gambol President of the York branch
entertained the Guests of Honour...... The Station Commander, Group
Captain Ken Cornfield, and the
Assistant Chief Constable of North Yorkshire, Mr Peter Bagshaw, and their wives.
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The evening started with a reception hosted by the club president Air
Commodore Gambol, and Chairman John Sloane in the main anti room. This
was followed by an excellent meal. After dinner everyone retired to the
bar where there was dancing for the energetic and drinking for the rest.
A good night was had by all.
Left - The reception with Air Commodore Gambol
on the far right |
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Members and guests assemble for dinner
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The
Top Table |
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The
RAFA girls were not slow in chatting up the young pilots that they found in
the bar. Whilst the old hands were not averse to a bit of line shooting!
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Who
said youngster can't ballroom dance?
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For
more photographs of the dinner dance click here
October 4th to 9th
Bastogne,
Luxembourg & Ypres
Originally
planned as a full branch visit eventually only one member, Les Quigley, and the
RAFALO, Dick Shuster were able to attend
with their wives. However, despite this, the full
planned programme was executed as a rehearsal for next year when it is hoped
that RAFA Luxembourg will invite the Branch once more.
| The visit started
late afternoon on the 4th October when the party left Linton-On-Ouse
to catch the MV Norland (of Falklands fame) for the over night
crossing from Hull to Zeebrugge. The crossing was perfect and set the
scene for a memorable trip for this was to be one of the last sailings
of
the Norland before she is taken out of service and replaced with a new
ship. We were well looked after by the crew with an excellent
informal dinner followed by a visit to the night club and Casino.
No one lost their trousers! (At least not in the Casino?)
Far Right -
Jill Quigley at the Blackjack table |
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Bastogne
The
first full day commenced with a pleasant drive through Belgium to the
Ardennes and BASTOGNE, the town besieged in December 1944 during Hitler's last
fling - in what became known as the Battle of the Bulge. Here we visited
the Bastogne Historical Centre, the American memorial and the town. The
Historical centre was extremely interesting. We saw an incredible collection
of uniforms and equipment from both sides, and were able to watch an audio
visual briefing of the battle followed a film with some unique wartime footage.
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Above
- Dick Shuster & Les Quigley posing outside the Bastogne Historical
Centre
Right
- the two posing in front of a friendlier tank
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After a visit to the
American War Memorial, which gave a truly spectacular view of the
battle fields of 1944, the party retired for lunch in a local
hostelry. This was followed by a walk around the town with its
many reminders of December 1944. The party then departed for
Luxembourg where they were to be met by Brian Dark and Anne Verrecchia
from the RAFA Luxembourg Branch.
Left - The memorial to the
Americans who fell in the Battle of the Bulge. To get a feel for the
size, in the centre you can
see 3 members of the RAFA York party - You can never say that the
Yanks do anything by half! |
Back
to Top
RAFA LUXEMBOURG
and
their annual wings appeal dedications & celebrations
| The
programme and all the organising in Luxembourg had been carried out
by Brian Dark, RAFA Luxembourg Branch Chairman, and Anne Verrecchia,
RAFA Luxembourg Secretary with help from other members especially
Leon Rasque, Assistant Secretary. At the outset we must
congratulate them on their superb and detailed organisation on what
was a memorable weekend. We cannot speak too highly of all the
hard work that they put in.
Right
-Brian Darke & Anne Verrecchia |
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The "Luxembourg" weekend got
off to a flying start with a "QRA Dinner" in very popular
town centre restaurant. It enabled everyone in the party to get to
know each other for there were representatives from all over the UK
and Europe plus one representative of the RCAF. The menu
included Garlic Gambas for the fish eaters and the biggest and most
succulent pepper steaks that you have tasted. All washed down
with large rations of wine. This was followed by a session in
the hotel bar to further foster international relations.
Left - The RAFA York crew at
the QRA party |
.
The
second day of the Luxembourg
weekend commenced on a solemn note with memorial services for some of
the RAF & RCAF Aircrew whose aircraft were shot down over Luxembourg or who
crashed in Luxembourg whilst returning to the UK after being hit
over Germany.
After
attacking Germany in WWII, many R.A.F. bombers returned to Britain by over
flying Luxembourg. During those years over 150 aircraft crashed on this tiny
country. Many crew members were rescued by Luxembourg citizens at
great personal risk, however, many aircrew never made it .....
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The
first service was held in Luxembourg's principal cemetary at Hollerich where
wreaths were laid on the graves of 9 allied airmen. Les Quigley laid a
wreath on behalf of the York Branch.
This
was followed by the Last Post played by Trumpeters of the Luxembourg Army,
and then after Reveille the wives laid 14 poppy crosses on behalf of the
families of the fallen.
Right
- Dick Shuster and Les Quigley with the York Wreath |
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Les Quigley laying a
wreath on behalf of the RAFA York Branch
The
dedication read - "May they never be forgotten....
The
young aircrew of all nations who gave their tomorrows for our
today" |
Wreaths were laid
on all 9 graves - left to right by Flt Lt Morris, Flt Lt
Robinson, ACM Sir Michael Stear, a representative of The Grand Dutchy of
Luxembourg, Gp Capt Bullen, Her Majesty's Brittannic Ambassador, AVM
Markey, Lt Col Attwood RCAF, ACM Sir Anthony Skingsley, Gp Capt Burrell & L
W Quigley for RAFA York |
|
Two
of the graves related to RAF air crew shot down in May 1940 when Fairy
Battle aircraft of the AASF took off from Reims in defence of the Grand
Duchy of Luxembourg. The majority of the aircraft were shot down and the
crews did not survive. The graves of these brave airmen are in various
Communes of Luxembourg, with two being buried in Hollerich. These are:-
Flt
Lt E R Parker of 150 Squadron & Flt
Lt B R Kerridge of 226 Squadron
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Fairy
Battle of No 150 Squadron
The
other seven graves are for the crew of a 7 Squadron Stirling bomber that
took off from RAF Oakington on 11th April 1943 as part of the pathfinder
force to bomb Germany. Whilst
returning it was hit by flak over Sarrbrucken. The damage and resulting fire
caused the aircraft to lose altitude and when over Luxembourg, the pilot
tried to crash land in fields near Koerich. Tragically he did not see the
rising ground and a quarry at the end of the village. The aircraft exploded
on impact. The crew are all buried at Hollerich and there is a
memorial at the crash site erected by the Commune of Koerich using a
propellor blade recovered by local historians. The crew were:-
Plt
Off E A Allen, Flt Sgt F A Barley, Flg Off P G Freberg RCAF,
Plt Off R H
Genesis, W/O H E Nesbit RCAF,
Plt Off T J Ryder,
Plt Off F.A. Terry
Short
Sterling of No. 7 Squadron
A
second memorial service was held at the crash site of the 7 Squadron
Sterling in the woods near the village of Koerich. This was another deeply
moving ceremony. The monument had been erected on the initiative
of surviving local Luxembourg Deportees of World War II. Known as "Enroles
de Force", these were young men forced into service with the Wehrmacht
and who fought on the Eastern Front. Many deserted and had death sentences
passed on them by the Germans. Few survived.
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"A
corner of a foreign field that is forever England"
A
perfect setting for the 7 Squadron monument
in
the woods near Koerich |
Commemorating
the Crew
The
plaque on the monument |
Air
Chief Marshall Sir Michael Stear KCB CBE DL MA FRAeS,
President
of the Royal Air Force Association, kneels to lay a wreath in honour
of
the young aircrew who gave their lives in order that we may live in
freedom |
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Flanked by a Guard of
Honour and Trumpeters of the Luxembourg Army on one side and the RAF
on the other Air Chief Marshall Sir Anthony Skingsley GBE KCB MA,
President of the Luxembourg Branch, salutes after laying his
wreath |
The
wreath laying party from left to right -
Gp
Capt Bullen, Gp Capt Burrell, ACM Sir Anthony Skingsley, Lt Col Attwood, Flt Lt
Robinson, HMBA, ACM Sir Michael Stear, Col Lenz, AVM Markey |
After the memorial service
the visitors returned to the town hall at Koerich for a Vin d'Honneur
provided by the Commune. There was a slight delay when sadly Anne
Verrecchia fell down the marble steps inside the town hall and had to be
evacuated to hospital in an ambulance. Thankfully, although badly shaken and
bruised, Anne was OK and was released for the Ball in the evening.
During the reception the
Mayor of Koerich presented the visiting representatives with commemorative
prints of the memorial. In return the commune was presented with Squadron
Crests and a painting of a 7 Squadron Chinook. After the formalities
of the morning the visitors had a free afternoon before the Wings Ball in
the evening.
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Left
- Gathering in front of the Town Hall for the Vin d'Honneur Above -
Jill Quigley & Shireen Shuster sightseeing
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The
RAFA Luxembourg Wings Ball began with a champagne reception and was
followed by a superb dinner that must rate as one of the best mass
produced meals we have ever had. The meal was followed by the big money raiser
for RAFA charities, the
tombola, and then of course dancing until the early hours.
Despite
heavy investment by the York contingent only Dick Shuster managed to
win a prize in the Tombola, and he won two - both the same - a pack of 3 scarves -
needless to say he donated a scarf to each lady on York table keeping
only one for himself. This he threatened to wear Biggles like
with his flying kit. RAF Linton-on-Ouse will never be the same
again!!
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Top - The
champagne reception - Left to right - Les & Jill Quigley,
Pascal Ducarn & Danielle Quigley
Above Left - The
Dinner
Above right - The
Tombola - A tombola ticket sales team in action
Left - The Dance
- Two generations of Quigley's gyrating |
The
official Luxembourg visit finished at Lunchtime on Sunday 7th October with
a reception hosted by the British Ambassador at his Embassy
in the centre of Luxembourg. This was a fitting finish to a
magnificent weekend. The sad part was the saying farewell to the many
new friends that we had made from the UK, several European countries,
Canada and the USA. Especially to those responsible for organising
and running such a terrific and well run event - Brian Darke, Anne
Verrecchia and their team. To them we record our sincerest thanks
and congratulations for an event run in the highest
traditions of the Royal Air Force and Royal Air Force Association. Well
done!
Back
to Top
YPRES IN FLANDERS FIELDS
– the Menin Gate and the WW1 battlefields of Ypres &
Passchendale
The
party arrived in Ypres late afternoon. The hotel had been
selected my virtue of the fact that it had been a field hospital and
delousing centre during WWI - it seemed appropriate considering the hung over
state that most were in. The owner of the hotel welcomed us with her
own specially brewed beer and delighted in showing us aerial photographs from
1917. Dick Shuster, an ex-PR Pilot (Canberras, Phantoms & Jaguars -
despite rumours to the contrary amongst students at RAF Linton-on-Ouse, even he is not old enough to have flown SE5's!), was able to do some
photographic interpretation and highlight gun pits, ammo dumps, etc. which
the owner assured us would help in her compilation of the history of the
house.
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Camalou - WW1 field
hospital & delousing centre |
What a
nice way to be deloused! |
Once
settled in, a visit to the town square in Ypres and the Menin Gate was
undertaken. This was followed by a walk along the old ramparts to a
Military Cemetary on the ramparts.
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Ypres
town square today
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The
Menin Gate bears the names of 54,896 British and Commonwealth soldiers who
died between 1914 and 15th Aug 1917 and who have no known grave.
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The
Menin Gate
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Left
- Ypres town square in 1918
The
British troops on their way through Ypres town square to the Menin Road and Passchendaele -
1918
The
town was completely rebuilt in the 1920's using the old plans and so
retains its historic pre WW1 appearance
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RAFA
in Ypres!
We
wondered back through the town towards the Menin Gate as darkness was
falling. We had an hour to kill so decided to pop into a local 'auberge' for a quick one! On the wall we noticed a painting of an
RAF Mitchell bomber and a RAFA plaque. We enquired as to their
origin and were amazed when the owner said that they were her fathers
who had been a Navigator with the RAF and later the Belgian Air Force.
When we explained that we were ex-RAF she fetched her father Commandant
Roger Walraedt. He filled us in on his experiences. He had escaped
from Belgium in
1940 to the Congo, then to South Africa where he trained, before moving
to Harwell in the UK (1943) and then to Europe with 2nd TAF
(1944).
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Dick
Shuster, Roger Walraedt & Les Quigley |
The highlight of the evening was witnessing the playing of the last post
under the Menin Gate followed by the reading of the dedication by a young school
boy on a visit from England
This
month will see the 25,000th playing of the Last Post
by
the Belgian people since the end of WW1 |
The
following day, the last of the visit saw us visiting a number of the World War
One battle sites and several war cemetaries including the largest at Tyne Cot
and one of the smallest Somer Farm Cemetary.
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Tyne Cot is the largest British
military cemetary in the world, it has a total of 11,908 graves
contained inside it. During the war the cemetary was part of the German
trench system. Three German bunkers still remain in the cemetary
today. These bunkers are said to resemble cottages found in Tyneside,
hence the name. |
| Somer Farm Cemetary contains less
than 100 graves, but amongst them was the Uncle of one of the party Jill
Quigley. By pure coincidence he was killed on 9th October 1918
exactly 83 years to the day that we were visiting Ypres. Jill laid a
commemorative wreath on her Uncle's grave.
A sad and poignant end to a wonderful trip. |
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Back
to Top
During October (Friday 19th, in fact), courtesy of Grp/Cpt Ken Cornfield, CO
of RAF Linton-on-Ouse, eight branch members were invited to attend only the
second Wings presentation ceremony to be held at the station (previous to this,
wings were not awarded until completion of the conversion course at RAF
Valley).
Unfortunately, due to low-level cloudy obscurity in the name of fog, most of
the airborne display was unsighted (it is customary for representative aircraft
from each squadron to which the graduates have been assigned, to make a flypast),
although it is said they could be heard passing overhead! Well, it just needed a
little imagination, didn't it. A pity though, for Eurofighter was one of the
aircraft scheduled to appear - wonder which lucky graduate drew that straw?
But the day was not a total loss. With No.1 Wing students being grounded for
the day, it was they who were allocated the task of guiding our group on a grand
tour of the station and its aircraft. Then came the presentation ceremony in the
Officers' Mess, followed by a total surprise. In a second presentation ceremony
our Branch Chairman was handed a cheque for £670, a generous contribution which
was the result of F/O Mike G Jackson taking up a sponsored entry in the London
Marathon. His efforts are much appreciated.
As a thank you for entertaining us on the day, we issued an invitation to
these No.1 Squadron lads to join us at our Club, an offer that was
accepted. (See November)
