The Thirty-Third Entry
Newsletter
Welcome to your Internet Newsletter
Thank You
Another big
thank you to the late Les Rockey for
the brilliant sketches he has produced of Aircraft Apprentice Ouldiemouldie for
this Supplement. They are quite magnificent.
St George’s Church RAF Halton – The Phoenix Project
In
a letter to the editor the late “Chaka”
“There is something very special about this
work. It extends far beyond being a
chronological record of a single Church to capture the very essence of our
military and civil community at Halton.
But perhaps the reader should pause to consider what this actually tells
us about
From “Brats to Marshals, this story of St.
George’s Church is a story about us all – and a small part of each and every
one of us is represented in the work.
For above all else, it is an account of the life and the times of every
man and woman who has shared in the privilege of passing through the Gateway to
the Royal Air Force and serving at Royal Air Force Halton. To them, this work
will have a special meaning.”
Copies of “The Phoenix
Project” are available at a cost of £5.
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The watercolour of
To obtain copies of The Phoenix Project booklet, prints,
cards, or bookmarks simply send an order in the following form, together with
your cheque made payable to “NonPas RAF Halton”, with your name,
address, and cheque card number on the reverse of the cheque to:-
The Chaplains’ Clerk, RAF Halton,
Or if you have any queries, please ring the
Chaplains’ Clerk on 01296-656521
Order Form
Name
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Address
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Postcode ……………………
Daytime Telephone Number ………………………………………………………………………………….…
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No required |
Cost |
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The
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print
- cream/navy mount @ £5 |
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print
- cream/dark green mount @ £5 |
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print – unmounted @ £2.50 |
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blank greeting cards and
envelopes – pack of 4 @ £1 per pack |
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postcards @ 20 p each |
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bookmarks
@ 20 p each |
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Total |
£………………… |
I enclose a cheque for £…………………………
Signature
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Further
Thoughts
It has occurred to your editor that many of us may well have
wondered what befell some of our friends and colleagues lost on air operations,
or on the ground through enemy action or illness, during WW2. It does seem, if
the response to Michael Keefe's enquiry is the norm (see Ron Everson’s story in
the Reminiscences’ page), a letter of enquiry to the RAF Historical Section
(New Scotland Yard) might well provide what we would like to know. If any
members have similar stories to tell please send them to
Roll of Honour World War Two
A further page, comprising of two parts, titled ‘Roll of
Honour World War Two’ has now been published in the mother site. Seventy-nine
of our colleagues lost their lives during WW2 and their memory is remembered
and honoured in this page. Just click on the title on the Home Page to access
this new page of the 33rd Entry Web Site.
Computers and the Internet
As all of us doubtless know that most, if not all, schools
and colleges throughout the
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We
have recently received an e-mail from Terry Harper of the 99th
Entry, together with this photograph,
telling of his recent visit to the National Memorial Arboretum and, in
particular, to the Halton Grove. that he was most impressed with our rendering of Reveille,
heard when opening the Home Page of the mother site. We wonder if we dare tell Terry that your
web master recorded this Reveille on tape from his TV, when played by the RM trumpeter
on Remembrance Sunday at the Cenotaph in November 1997. |
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I have recently been corresponding by email with a
Mrs Pam Cowell,
Ben Goodsell (ex drummer) recalls Dick Cowell. He says
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Dick Cowell with his Bass Drum (Photo courtesy of Mrs Pam Cowell) |
With
the tracing of Richard Cowell 65 members of the entry still remain untraced.
It is perhaps too much to hope that we shall trace any more.
The Halton Grove –
A 33rd Plaque
In
the write up of Solihull 2004 earlier in this newsletter mention was made of the
late Chaka Webster’s work in the placing of a 33rd commemorative plaque in the
Halton Grove at the National Memorial Arboretum. Members may recall that the
Club donated £50 towards the cost of building the Halton Grove at the
Arboretum, but that because of an administrative error the money went into the
Arboretum’s General Fund and was thus lost to this project. The 33rd was not
therefore included on the formal plaque, affixed to the commemorative stone,
which named the entries that had contributed.
It was therefore decided to place a plaque and tree in the Grove
commemorating the 33rd entry. The cost
of a commemorative plaque is £150, and for a tree £25. Chaka, despite several
visits to the Arboretum and discussion with the then Director in person, and
later by letter, was unable to obtain an assurance that the £50 previously
donated by the 33rd Club towards the planting of the Halton Grove was still
available for this purpose – he was informed it was not and that it had been
absorbed into the Arboretum’s General Fund!!!. Sadly, as reported earlier in
this newsletter Chaka left us on final posting on
Fortunately
for us
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Halton Grove with planting as at June 2005 |
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Commemorative Stone (Plaque has been removed for cleaning) The red spot marks approximate position of the 33rd tree |
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Norman shows off the 33rd Plaque and Tree |
The 33rd’s Commemorative Plaque |
The National Memorial Arboretum is now administered by the Royal British Legion and is well worth a visit. Admission is free but it is hoped visitors will make a donation when they leave to assist in the funding for the continued maintenance of the Arboretum in the years to come. The Arboretum can be contacted at:
The National Memorial Arboretum
Croxall Road, Alrewas,
Stafforshire. DE 13 7AR
Tel: 01283 792034
Email: nmainfo@britishlegion.org.uk
Website: http://www.memorialtreesuk.org.uk/
Resolved at Last - The 33rd’s Gift to Sussexdown
Following Peter Stapleford’s briefing at the informal reunion at
Solihull in September, 2004, reported earlier in this newsletter, and
suggestions subsequently received on what form the 33 Club’s monetary gift to
the RAFA Home at Sussexdown should take, the unanimous choice was for the
purchase and installation of a fountain for the pleasure of patients and
visitors alike, the remaining money to be used for the renovation of the
adjacent patio. The orders were placed. The patio was re-laid and the fountain
installed in time for an informal hand over by Peter on the occasion of
Sussexdown’s annual Dutch Day on 7th June.
Peter, who with Doug Brown had originally presented our cheque to
Sussexdown in support of the EMI Unit (alas a project in limbo), had arranged
to attend, but sadly, after returning home from a day or so in hospital, Peter
was not fit enough to travel to Sussexdown and stay overnight as he had
planned. John Tilleard, a member of the sponsoring (Amsterdam) branch of the
RAFA, was there for the day with pleas from the editor to provide photos for
this article. John has reported that it
was a great day with a fly past by a Spitfire and a formation of Edambusters in
their various airplanes, the latter returning to parachute Dutch cheeses on to
the spacious Sussexdown lawns. As in previous years, the day was graced and
brightened by the presence of
John spent the greater part of the day with thirty-thirder Derek ‘Taff’ Roberts who is resident at Sussexdown. Derek was delighted to receive, from John, a printed and bound copy of the 33rd Entry website. Although wheel bound, 224 Roberts is otherwise well and in good spirits. John, mindful of the Editor’s demands for photos, has received some excellent pictures snapped by volunteer helpers at Sussexdown. A selection is reproduced here.
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Our Fountain |
John discusses the day with Derek |
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Derek studies his copy of the 33rd website |
Two happy lads |
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Dame Vera Lynn hears the story of the fountain from John |
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Arrangements have been made for an engraved plate to be affixed near the Fountain giving details of the donation. This has yet to be delivered, but when received it will be affixed to the wall adjacent to the Fountain. The Inscription will read:
This fountain is dedicated to the memory of the 33rd (Jan
’36 - Dec ’38)
Aircraft Apprentice Entry, RAF Halton,
and
Founding Members of the 33rd Club, Wilbur Wright and Peter Dunstan.
In conclusion, our thanks go to Peter Stapleford for the time and effort he has put into finally resolving the matter of the 33rd donation to Sussexdown following the collapse of the planned Snoozilum in an EMI Unit. Thank you Peter.
Stop Press
1. We have recently received word from the Activities Organiser at Sussexdown that the fountain is flowing well and much enjoyed by residents and visitors. She sends her thanks to the 33rd on behalf of all at Sussexdown for funding it. And for those who would like to know more about the Edambusters, the pilots and
their aircraft go to the Edambusters excellent website at: http://www.edambusters.nl/data/gb/site.htm
2. We have recently been notified that the
engraved plate (see above) has been installed adjacent to the Fountain and we
are pleased to be able to display here photos of the plate and fountain,
together with a photo of WilburWright and
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A Day to Remember Thursday, the
6th April 2006 was indeed a day to remember. On this day sixteen members of
the 33rd Entry, together with a number of wives, widows, sons and daughters, gathered
at RAF Halton to attend a Service in It was a brilliant day, and that goes for the weather too. Though there was a chill breeze, the day was dry, and the sun shone from an almost cloudless sky. The programme for the day opened at 11am with JP Butcher laying at The Tribute a wreath of flowers, beautifully made up by his daughter in the form of the “Apprentice’s Wheel”. The flowers carried an attractive card commemorating the 70th anniversary of the 33rd’s arrival at Halton, which JP kindly read aloud to those who had arrived early enough to watch this ceremony. From the Tribute, members made their way to St George’s Church, where other thirty-thirders and guests had gathered, and where the Sacristan, Mrs Linda Kynaston, had kindly provided refreshments in the common room. It was at this point that members were able to meet and chat with their 33rd colleagues and their guests from RAF Halton and the RAF HAAA. The Dedication Service followed with the Reverend Adrian Gatrill, from the Armed Forces Chaplaincy Centre, officiating. John Tilleard read the lesson and Padre Gatrill gave an excellent sermon, in which he reminded the congregation of some of the notable highlights of the 33rd Entry, and of the losses sustained by the air and ground crew of the 33rd Entry in the common struggle of WW2. Towards the end of the Service, the congregation moved outside for the Blessing of the Bench, which stands on a base close to the entrance to the Church. During the Blessing, a trumpeter from Halton sounded the Last Post and Len Kendrick then read aloud, from the Order of Service, the names of those who lost their lives. The trumpeter sounded Reveille and the dignified and moving Service ended with a final blessing from the Padre. Before leaving
for the buffet lunch at Halton House, there was time for all present to
admire the memorial bench, beautifully made in Towards the end of the lunch Rod Brumpton, Chairman HAAA, said a few words welcoming the 33rd Entry and Jock Hunter replied on behalf of the Entry. In his reply Jock made mention of Ron Everson’s initiative in the provision of the Bench and thanked the Station Commander, RAF Halton, for giving his approval and blessing for the project, and for the assistance given by his staff in the siting of the bench outside St George’s. Jock then presented Ron with a pewter tankard on behalf of the Entry in appreciation of his work on the project, which had culminated in the Dedication Service and a fitting memorial in memory of the friends and colleagues we lost during World War Two. Ron thanked Jock for his kind words and the 33rd members for their enthusiastic and generous support for the memorial bench, and he expressed his gratitude and thanks to John Tilleard and Len Kendrick for their help and advice throughout the project. He concluded his remarks by thanking all those present for coming to Halton and making for such a successful and enjoyable day. After lunch a
visit to the Museum, followed by tea and biscuits in the revamped Henderson
Airman’s Mess, now a bright and colourful mess with small plastic tables and
chairs for six; a marked departure from the long wooden tables and benches
well remembered for the scrubbing they were given by apprentices of pre and
post war entries. The day ended shortly before 4pm and members and others
present either left for home or retired to the Crows Nest at Tring, where
they had arranged accommodation for one or more nights. Reports received
suggest that those staying at the Crows Nest enjoyed a very enjoyable evening
of reminiscing and nostalgia. Already
plans are afoot for another Note: Names of those gathered round the bench: Norman Foster, Craig Foster (son), Toni
Foster, Ann Davidson (daughter of the late Arthur Davidson), John Tilleard,
Beryl Waring, Fred Waters, Fred Pawsey, Joyce Webster, John Marr, Mike Marr
(son), Patricia Waters, Fred Giles, Bill Pash, Elaine Legg, Reverend Adrian
Gatrill, John Bullock, Nora Goody, Don Neilsen, Ron Everson, Doug Brown, Len
Kendrick, Ean Robertson, Peter Stapleford, Stephen Bacon, Betty Everson, Sigi
Taylor, Jock Hunter. |
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Solihull 2006 – Mini Get-together In response to Duncan
Townsend's proposal for another informal get-together on August 2006, some four
stalwarts – Duncan Townsend, Fred Giles, Bill Pash and Len Kendrick - met up
at the Ramada hotel, Solihull, on 24th and 25th August for a meander down memory lane. All
agreed they had a most enjoyable two days. |
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L to R Duncan Townsend, Bill Pash,
Amanda Giles, Fred Giles, Len Kendrik and Kath |
Fred and Duncan enjoy a tale of
yesteryear |
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The Great Escape – Commemorative Window Most everyone is familiar with the epic escape in March 1944
of 76 prisoners of war from Stalag Luft 3, either from their reading of the
several books devoted to the subject or from the film of that name, and the
subsequent murder by shooting of 50 of the recaptured escapers. Among those
shot by the Gestapo were three ex-apprentices – William Grisman of the 23rd,
Edgar Humphreys of the 25th, and Thomas Leigh of the 32nd Entry. Readers will
be pleased to know that with funds provided by the 33rd Entry their memory is
now commemorated by the installation in July, 2006, of a stained glass window
in the “Windows Wall” of |
This magnificent photo of the window is contained within the 75th Entry website and we thank the 75th for permission to publish it this newsletter. |
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Triennial –
It has been reported to the editor that seven members made it to the 2007
Triennial. The report goes on to say that it was a very well supported Reunion,
and that, thankfully, with Min Larkin’s prayers answered, it was a dry, warm,
and sunny day. Following the get together at No 1 hangar, the
33rd contingent, together with one or two members of other pre war entries,
were provided with lunch at a reserved table, kindly arranged by Min Larkin.
During lunch The reunion church service followed the lunch and, as is usual, The weather continued to be kind for the march up to Henderson Groves
parade ground for the Sunset Ceremony.
Four of the 33rd contingent were not excused marching, so,
together with a 32nd, a 34th, and two from the 36th, they formed the first
row of eight from Workshops to H & G. It was, however, clear
that the age of many Old Haltonians is beginning to show; the standard of the
marching was such that the SWO’s of yesteryear would have succumbed to a
massive coronary at the sight! Altogether, it was a heart warming and colourful day, perhaps made
more so by the 67th Entry whose members turned out an Honour Guard, dressed
as soldiers of the Royal Hampshire Regiment, aka The 67th Regiment of Foot.
The wives of some of their members made all the uniforms. The Golden Oldies
Pipe Band fielded no less than 24 pipers, so it was a truly splendid
occasion. And, as always, though perhaps because of the strong sunlight,
there were quite a few watery eyes for the playing of "Flowers of the Those members staying overnight at the Crows Nest rounded off their
day with supper, followed by reminiscing of yesteryear and recollections of
friends and colleagues no longer with us. Departure on the Sunday morning was
accompanied by suggestions for another get together in 2008!!!!!. A few photos of the Day. Click on the titles for an enlarged photo.
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An award for Nora Goody
We
have recently learned that
Thank You
The
33rders Club in the South West continues to flourish, but in the light of age
related problems the Club was opened up some years ago to ex brats of any
Entry. The regular monthly lunches, which have always been a feature of
the Club, will continue to be held in 2009 in the
Any
ex brat in the area who wishes to know more about the SW Club, and the monthly
lunches, do give Elaine a ring on 01392 213 739.
Click here to go to Now and Then or here to return to Home Page
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