(my bit for “KING AND COUNTRY “ a brief history
(If your not interested click on the pictures have a laugh then go elsewhere)
My life in the RAF began in August `66 at RAF Halton; 207 entry, a raw 16 year old, me and a hundred others. For 2 years we beaten into shape by senior gentlemen with very loud voices
In August `68 I passed out from training with the rank of junior technician and was postedto RAF Binbrook and onto 5 Squadron. A different life to training camp.
For the next 4 years I served Lightning jet fighters on the “first line” or as is known a LINEY. The plane pictured is Foxtrot which after crashing into the North Sea developed near cult status as a UFO mystery as the pilot unfortunately was never found Just this year after nearly 20 years it was publically pronounced what actually happened though when saw it leaving the pan that night nothing was amiss. During my time there I got
married,had my first son , went on a lot of detachments (and got drunk a few times) (understatement) and because I was too busy enjoying myself failed (couldn,t be bothered to sit the exam) to get promotion
In 1973 I was called for my yearly assessment to be told We think your getting too settled here, time for a posting
So uprooting my family off I went to RAF Odiham to service Puma helicopters. Not so front line more sedate ( and a lot less drinking, though occasionally we had a good bash) A nice 7 till 4 job (though sometimes with a war game thrown in). Here I settled into family life and the chaos that goes with it. I also bowed to the pressure from my NCO and wife, took the exam and became a corporal. (Apologies for no puma pictures but just browse if you want to see one)
In 78 with only 2 years service left I had to make a choice, being able to pick my last posting, I got a posting toRAF Finningley on the Yorkshire University Air Squadron. A small squadron of about 10 Bulldog and 2 Chipmunk aircraft -Both small, 2 seater and piston engine. I was the chief electrician which doesn,t say much as there was only one other anyway
The team consisted of 12 ground crew and that included 6 N.C.O,s! Because I was gearing up for demob I owned my own house consequently my social life was more geared up to “civvy street”, however I did 2 “refresher courses” on RAF social life during 2- 6 week detachments. The RAF and I parted company April 28th
Finally a couple of “expressions” used :-
On walking into the billet and giving the lads on early morning call :- “COME ON , COME ON - HANDS OFF C**KS
Whilst on parade ,the officer inspecting the men comes across
A face with a freshly grown mustache, he leans closely to the
Airman and whispers in his ear
:- “WHY CULTIVATE ON YOUR FACE WHAT GROWS WILD ON YOUR ARSE”
During training , on a cross country run a portly trainee fell flat on
His face ,raising his head with blood streaming from his nose, the
P.T.I gave him these words of encouragement :- “ COME ON LAD ,GET UP AND MOVING IT,S ONLY