Undue Deference to Senior Officers
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Assuming it wasn't a misunderstanding, the story reflects badly on the admiral...but even more badly on all the others who went along with it! I've never come across this in any yacht club, either service or outside, where min wage earners mix with multi-millionaires.
(Mis)Treatment of VSOs
Many moons ago there was a 46Gp based at Upavon. Came the day for the demise of 46Gp and there was to be a farewell dining in at Lyneham at which the AOC, AVM Norman Hoad, was to be the principal guest. After a very good dinner and the usual toasts NH stood up to make his speech which ran something like this: "Ladies and Gentlemen, tonight is not a night for frivolity. Tonight there are to be no mess games. Tonight there is to be no mess rugby......"
I don't know what his real intention was because I next met him about an hour later coming the opposite way through the Tunnel of Love. His mess kit was in a similar state to mine and his face very shortly after rubbing hard against the carpet as I battled to get over him using elbows and knees to maximum effect.
That night or even in the days immediately afterwards there were no interviews either with or without coffee as far as I am aware.
I don't know what his real intention was because I next met him about an hour later coming the opposite way through the Tunnel of Love. His mess kit was in a similar state to mine and his face very shortly after rubbing hard against the carpet as I battled to get over him using elbows and knees to maximum effect.
That night or even in the days immediately afterwards there were no interviews either with or without coffee as far as I am aware.
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AM Sam Elworthy
Obituary: Marshal of the RAF Lord Elworthy - People - News - The Independent
This chap was due a fair go as far as due deference was concerned, and I had personal experience of meeting him post his return to New Zealand.
I had just completed an OO Duty [Flt Lt at the time!] and was having breakfast when the Boss arrives and sits down with a coffee. "What have you got planned for the day?" he asks, and I get the immediate impression that whatever was planned was about to be undone. So, making myself available[sic] he asks if I could do a meet and greet at the airport for him: "an ex-RAF VIP" was all I got. So I go to the airport and join the crew of the RNZAF aircraft which had been laid on, and waited for my VIP.
It was raining heavily, so I'm standing under the wing, when a car arrives and out gets a Marshal of The RAF, a rank I had never seen and which of course doesn't exist in NZ. He moved to the boot, and I immediately suggested he board the the aircraft and I would get his brief-case."Son" he says, "if you're getting wet, then we'll both get wet". I was hugely impressed, Not overawed you understand, we generally don't go overboard on deference down here, but very impressed at his consideration.
He was a Kiwi , of course!
This chap was due a fair go as far as due deference was concerned, and I had personal experience of meeting him post his return to New Zealand.
I had just completed an OO Duty [Flt Lt at the time!] and was having breakfast when the Boss arrives and sits down with a coffee. "What have you got planned for the day?" he asks, and I get the immediate impression that whatever was planned was about to be undone. So, making myself available[sic] he asks if I could do a meet and greet at the airport for him: "an ex-RAF VIP" was all I got. So I go to the airport and join the crew of the RNZAF aircraft which had been laid on, and waited for my VIP.
It was raining heavily, so I'm standing under the wing, when a car arrives and out gets a Marshal of The RAF, a rank I had never seen and which of course doesn't exist in NZ. He moved to the boot, and I immediately suggested he board the the aircraft and I would get his brief-case."Son" he says, "if you're getting wet, then we'll both get wet". I was hugely impressed, Not overawed you understand, we generally don't go overboard on deference down here, but very impressed at his consideration.
He was a Kiwi , of course!
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Just having come across this rather aged but fun thread - clearly the RAFGSA's egalitarian nature caused more than a few inter-rank difficulties.
The story I heard concerned a weekend gathering of GSA members at a certain airfield too many years ago. All were in civvies and happily bunked in together in a vacant airman's dormitory.
On the Saturday night Chinese takeaways and alcoholic beverages had been procured and were happily being consumed, with packaging somewhat scattered around the dormitory when in came God's Annointed, the SWO, who did wax wrathful at the scene and demanded to know who was the senior rank present.
"I suppose that would be me" came an Irish-accented voice from the back.
"Right, you in my office in five minutes" said the SWO, who departed to prepare a royal b******ing.
"I suppose I'd better put on my uniform then" said the Irish guy.
I understand that the SWO had to significantly change his proposed speech (and possibly his underwear as well) when he found an Air Commodore standing meekly in front of his desk!
- Paddy Kearon yet again.
The story I heard concerned a weekend gathering of GSA members at a certain airfield too many years ago. All were in civvies and happily bunked in together in a vacant airman's dormitory.
On the Saturday night Chinese takeaways and alcoholic beverages had been procured and were happily being consumed, with packaging somewhat scattered around the dormitory when in came God's Annointed, the SWO, who did wax wrathful at the scene and demanded to know who was the senior rank present.
"I suppose that would be me" came an Irish-accented voice from the back.
"Right, you in my office in five minutes" said the SWO, who departed to prepare a royal b******ing.
"I suppose I'd better put on my uniform then" said the Irish guy.
I understand that the SWO had to significantly change his proposed speech (and possibly his underwear as well) when he found an Air Commodore standing meekly in front of his desk!
- Paddy Kearon yet again.
QUOTE: At least one profligate senior officer did get his comeuppance though: Ousting of RAF chief was fair, say officers - News - The Independent
He was certainly hard on those he perceived incompetent, but in my experience* was one of the good guys.
* He was a customer as a flt lt Hunter man at Guetersloh c. 1968, also a near neighbour; then latterly I was his Met HoB at JHQ when he was AOCinC.
He was certainly hard on those he perceived incompetent, but in my experience* was one of the good guys.
* He was a customer as a flt lt Hunter man at Guetersloh c. 1968, also a near neighbour; then latterly I was his Met HoB at JHQ when he was AOCinC.
Thought police antagonist
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Hobart Barracks, Detmold...mid 70's and the RAFG gliding world is holding its annual competition allied to various forms of "social excesses " .
The Army had graciously allocated a block for showers etc, but only at specific times of the day....thus two of our community were happily ambling across from tent city one day when, approaching the block, they were socially introduced to a pristine individual proudly wearing.....two shiny pips.
Being the Army, and Detmold being home to various units at the time, one being a cavalry regiment, our hero duly commenced his introduction with the demand the pair stand to attention... and who were they.... whilst commenting as to their somewhat dishevelled appearance.... all in a very cut glarse haccent.
Now, you might have thunk, that, being one of Sandhurst's elite, he would have noticed one was a young SAC and the other, a middle aged gentleman. Sadly, not.
The SAC was duly ranted at, and then he turned his attention to the middle aged gentleman.....at which point, said gentleman, who had remained silent thus far, duly produced his ID card ...with the rank of Lt.Col displayed.
Our hero, it seems, turned a whited shade of pale at this point....and thereafter, during the ensuing conversation, limited in his case to "Yes / No Sah" was reduced to a quivering wreck. The words "effin wee gob****e", were, I understand clearly audible as the pair entered the block once the one way conversation had ceased.
We arrived shortly after this meeting of minds had taken place and were suitably amused as to the outcome.
Said Lt.Col, of Scottish origin, had joined as a boy signaller, spent several years with the Ghurka's, been a member of the "White Helmets", done some "interesting " stuff in N.I,...and had a BEM for Gallantry awarded in Malaya....and, as he put it, managed to avoid the (rude word ) of staff college whilst rising to Lt.Col.
His appearance, described by many with genuine respect for his natural leadership, was "a scruffy little Jock ".... alas, appearances can be deceptive.
The Army had graciously allocated a block for showers etc, but only at specific times of the day....thus two of our community were happily ambling across from tent city one day when, approaching the block, they were socially introduced to a pristine individual proudly wearing.....two shiny pips.
Being the Army, and Detmold being home to various units at the time, one being a cavalry regiment, our hero duly commenced his introduction with the demand the pair stand to attention... and who were they.... whilst commenting as to their somewhat dishevelled appearance.... all in a very cut glarse haccent.
Now, you might have thunk, that, being one of Sandhurst's elite, he would have noticed one was a young SAC and the other, a middle aged gentleman. Sadly, not.
The SAC was duly ranted at, and then he turned his attention to the middle aged gentleman.....at which point, said gentleman, who had remained silent thus far, duly produced his ID card ...with the rank of Lt.Col displayed.
Our hero, it seems, turned a whited shade of pale at this point....and thereafter, during the ensuing conversation, limited in his case to "Yes / No Sah" was reduced to a quivering wreck. The words "effin wee gob****e", were, I understand clearly audible as the pair entered the block once the one way conversation had ceased.
We arrived shortly after this meeting of minds had taken place and were suitably amused as to the outcome.
Said Lt.Col, of Scottish origin, had joined as a boy signaller, spent several years with the Ghurka's, been a member of the "White Helmets", done some "interesting " stuff in N.I,...and had a BEM for Gallantry awarded in Malaya....and, as he put it, managed to avoid the (rude word ) of staff college whilst rising to Lt.Col.
His appearance, described by many with genuine respect for his natural leadership, was "a scruffy little Jock ".... alas, appearances can be deceptive.
SORF courses at RAF Leeming often included enthusiastic wheels returning to flying after a spell of chair-polishing. Normal courtesies were of course observed, but the QFI:student relationship remained as normal.
Usually.
Normally one offered a pre-debrief cuppa to one's QFI after a trip; however, one QFI decided that it would be more fitting if he offered his rather senior student a cup of tea one Monday morning.
Scrabbling around in the bowels of the fridge, he discovered that the milk was off, so turned to his 'student' and asked "Would you like coffee mate?".
The trip hadn't gone that well and the 'student' wasn't in the best of moods, so he responded "Now look, young man, there's such a thing as taking informality too far...."
"Sorry, SIR. I should have said that the milk is off, SIR, so would you like Coffee-mate in your tea, SIR?"
History does not record what the 'student' said next....
Usually.
Normally one offered a pre-debrief cuppa to one's QFI after a trip; however, one QFI decided that it would be more fitting if he offered his rather senior student a cup of tea one Monday morning.
Scrabbling around in the bowels of the fridge, he discovered that the milk was off, so turned to his 'student' and asked "Would you like coffee mate?".
The trip hadn't gone that well and the 'student' wasn't in the best of moods, so he responded "Now look, young man, there's such a thing as taking informality too far...."
"Sorry, SIR. I should have said that the milk is off, SIR, so would you like Coffee-mate in your tea, SIR?"
History does not record what the 'student' said next....
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Back in the dim and distant,one of my best mates was Sqn QFI on a Hunter outfit in Bahrain.The Boss had been replaced by a very Ex Hunter Pilot,who had little previous Hunter time,and his promotion from a Staff Course.Upon arrival at the Sqn,he had to undergo his refamil with my Mate.This included of course, an oral on Emergencies.Apparently he could just about keep up in the Flying,but lacked any real knowledge of the Aircraft limitations let alone systems!Net result he was failed and asked to read the books again, before he produced himself for another go!!!Meantime he approached the Staish,who got him signed off by another of higher rank.This caused certain friction,so when a 4 ship was scheduled to fly to Eastleigh,the Flight Commander (My Mate Ray)leading,was informed by the new "Boss" that he would like to be in the Team!?Ray then gave the lead to an hotshot one ringer, one Duckie D,which was not appreciated elsewhere.I believe it was a first to have a young Flying Officer lead such a trip,and you know who ended up as No4 and burst a tyre on landing,as I recall!!Several more acrimonious situations occurred,but said New Boss never got further than Air Commode!!!Then,,I have a feeling he became an Airline Safety Officer!!'Nuff said!!
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Probably an urban myth, but the story goes:
One F. S. Trueman is doing his National Service as an LAC in the Sports Store at RAF Hemswell.
During the summer, his prime task is to open the bowling for the Combined Services. If they didn't have a fixture, he was available for the RAF team.
If they didn't have a fixture, he played for the Bomber Command team, and so on.
If all else failed he spent his Wednesday afternoon playing for the RAF Hemswell station team.
On one such occasion, they were playing an away match where the opposing Staish fancied himself as an opening batsman. The umpire was the SWO!
Freddie's 1st ball takes a very thick edge, and is caught at 2nd slip, the SWO says Not Out.
Freddie gets steamed up and his 2nd ball get the Staish firmly on the pads, dead inline and appeals for LBW. The SWO says again, Not Out.
Freddie's 3rd ball, bowls the Staish all ends up, the stumps spread all over the pitch, the bails nearly at the boundary, he turns round to the SWO/Umpire and says, "I nearly got 'im that time, didn't I?"
One F. S. Trueman is doing his National Service as an LAC in the Sports Store at RAF Hemswell.
During the summer, his prime task is to open the bowling for the Combined Services. If they didn't have a fixture, he was available for the RAF team.
If they didn't have a fixture, he played for the Bomber Command team, and so on.
If all else failed he spent his Wednesday afternoon playing for the RAF Hemswell station team.
On one such occasion, they were playing an away match where the opposing Staish fancied himself as an opening batsman. The umpire was the SWO!
Freddie's 1st ball takes a very thick edge, and is caught at 2nd slip, the SWO says Not Out.
Freddie gets steamed up and his 2nd ball get the Staish firmly on the pads, dead inline and appeals for LBW. The SWO says again, Not Out.
Freddie's 3rd ball, bowls the Staish all ends up, the stumps spread all over the pitch, the bails nearly at the boundary, he turns round to the SWO/Umpire and says, "I nearly got 'im that time, didn't I?"
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Seeing as cricket has been mentioned.........
Early '80's, the Prince Andrew 'attends' RNEFTS at Topcliffe, training on the Bulldog, prior to do stirring stuff 'dahn sarf'.
Oi/c Cricket at RAF Leeming (TP's parent unit) decides it would be good for his promotion prospects (Oi/c Cricket, not HRH's) if an Officers vs Leeming First XI match could be organised.
The 'wheels' agreed to this. Indeed the then Staish and most of the 'heads of sheds' would play.
The first XI however, were not impressed.
Surprisingly, there were a considerable amount of Yorkshiremen amongst them. It meant having to clean up the pavilion, having to cough up some cash to pay for 'drinkies' for the 'wheels', (the Staish being almost Yorkshire, short armed, deep pocketed) and worst of all, having their whites white for once. Even worse, the SWO was rumoured to be an umpire, so haircuts had to be endured. As it happened, the SWO was otherwise engaged so the monies spent on haircuts further drove the first XI to inimpressedness.
Spies had been sent to the Officers Mess "What does HRH drink?", "Ginger Ale" came the reply. "Bugger" said Freddie the Frog, the cricket teams SAC barman "We don't sell that". "I'll sell you a case" says OM manager. "Bugger" says Freddie the Frog,the cricket teams SAC barman having to pay for the case himself.
Come the day.
The pavilion gleams, the smell of liniment has dispersed, the visiting teams 'facility' has been domestos-ed and scrubbed.
The Ginger Ale is on prominent display at the bar.
Play commences. First XI win the toss and elect to bat.
Staish invites HRH to open the bowling, mumblings of "creep" come from the remaining first XI (IX?) left at the pavilion bar. What fool decided to open the bar, God only knows.
At the first ball bowled, a raucous voice yelled out "Bowlers name, bowlers name" for it was the Scorer, one Sniffing Bob the BCU Cpl and official scorer. He too had access to the pavilion bar.
In actual fact, HRH turned out to be a useful bowler. The Staish, at the other end, didn't. He was hit all over the ground. Wg Cdr's and Sqn Ldr's were running after ball after ball. Bear in mind this was in Support Command so most of the wheels suffered from the 3 F's, Fat, Forty and Fags.
Oi/c Cricket is beginning to realise this isn't going well and starts to edge back to very, very deep square leg. In fact, any deeper he would have been standing in an AMQ back garden.
Come the end of the 30 overs or whatever. The teams retired to the pavillion for refreshment and a sandwich lunch. NAAFI Corned Beef sandwiches. Freddie the Frog, the cricket teams SAC barman cum caterer really excelled himself.
HRH approached the bar. "Could I have a Coke?" he asked Freddie. "A Coke, A Coke" yelps Freddie "We've a case of Ginger Ale for you!". "I'd rather like a Coke" replies HRH. Begrudgingly, Freddie hand over a Coke "That'll be 50p" he announces. HRH turns to his police protection officer and is slipped a £20 note which he proffers to Freddie. "£20, £20 I can't change that, what do you think this place is?"
At this point, Oi/c Cricket (who can see his career going down the pan rapidly) coughs up 50p.
To avoid further cough, cough awkwardness, the Staish escorts HRH to the scorers bench to view the score book.
The scorer, one Sniffing Bob the BCU Cpl, overawed by the arrival of Royalty, oh and Prince Andrew, opens the score book for perusal. There, recorded for all prosperity, was the ball by ball account of the first innings. Alas, Sniffing Bob the BCU Cpl and scorer, had recorded in said tome that the opening bowler was one ANDREW WINDSOR.
HRH wasn't having that, nor was the Staish. Oi/c Cricket was sent for, words were spoken, one career went further down the pan. Sniffing Bob the BCU Cpl and scorer was ordered to alter the opening bowlers name to HRH THE PRINCE ANDREW. After all. the score sheet could go down as part of RAF Leeming history.
Come the turn of the 'HRH (and Staish) XI' to bat. Funny old thing but HRH and Staish opened the batting. Oi/c Crickets career went further down the pan when, on hearing the fielding side (the Leeming First XI), clapping the two openers onto the field, a Yorkshire accented voice announced from Short Leg "Gi'ower. Tha claps the buggers goin' out, not comin' in".
Alas, the Staish and the rest of the heads of sheds were more or less seen off in short order. Although HRH did some useful work with the bat and was still there at the end.
After the match, none of the Officers stayed for post match drinkies. Including Oi/c Cricket. Fg Off Roy o'H***. The First XI often wondered if he made Flt Lt.
Further, Sniffing Bob the BCU Cpl and scorer, decided that his original scoring record was correct. So he scored a line through HRH THE PRINCE ANDREW and inserted STET.
Oh, just to add. How do I know all this..........
I was one of the umpires.
Happy (and safe) New Year to all.
Early '80's, the Prince Andrew 'attends' RNEFTS at Topcliffe, training on the Bulldog, prior to do stirring stuff 'dahn sarf'.
Oi/c Cricket at RAF Leeming (TP's parent unit) decides it would be good for his promotion prospects (Oi/c Cricket, not HRH's) if an Officers vs Leeming First XI match could be organised.
The 'wheels' agreed to this. Indeed the then Staish and most of the 'heads of sheds' would play.
The first XI however, were not impressed.
Surprisingly, there were a considerable amount of Yorkshiremen amongst them. It meant having to clean up the pavilion, having to cough up some cash to pay for 'drinkies' for the 'wheels', (the Staish being almost Yorkshire, short armed, deep pocketed) and worst of all, having their whites white for once. Even worse, the SWO was rumoured to be an umpire, so haircuts had to be endured. As it happened, the SWO was otherwise engaged so the monies spent on haircuts further drove the first XI to inimpressedness.
Spies had been sent to the Officers Mess "What does HRH drink?", "Ginger Ale" came the reply. "Bugger" said Freddie the Frog, the cricket teams SAC barman "We don't sell that". "I'll sell you a case" says OM manager. "Bugger" says Freddie the Frog,the cricket teams SAC barman having to pay for the case himself.
Come the day.
The pavilion gleams, the smell of liniment has dispersed, the visiting teams 'facility' has been domestos-ed and scrubbed.
The Ginger Ale is on prominent display at the bar.
Play commences. First XI win the toss and elect to bat.
Staish invites HRH to open the bowling, mumblings of "creep" come from the remaining first XI (IX?) left at the pavilion bar. What fool decided to open the bar, God only knows.
At the first ball bowled, a raucous voice yelled out "Bowlers name, bowlers name" for it was the Scorer, one Sniffing Bob the BCU Cpl and official scorer. He too had access to the pavilion bar.
In actual fact, HRH turned out to be a useful bowler. The Staish, at the other end, didn't. He was hit all over the ground. Wg Cdr's and Sqn Ldr's were running after ball after ball. Bear in mind this was in Support Command so most of the wheels suffered from the 3 F's, Fat, Forty and Fags.
Oi/c Cricket is beginning to realise this isn't going well and starts to edge back to very, very deep square leg. In fact, any deeper he would have been standing in an AMQ back garden.
Come the end of the 30 overs or whatever. The teams retired to the pavillion for refreshment and a sandwich lunch. NAAFI Corned Beef sandwiches. Freddie the Frog, the cricket teams SAC barman cum caterer really excelled himself.
HRH approached the bar. "Could I have a Coke?" he asked Freddie. "A Coke, A Coke" yelps Freddie "We've a case of Ginger Ale for you!". "I'd rather like a Coke" replies HRH. Begrudgingly, Freddie hand over a Coke "That'll be 50p" he announces. HRH turns to his police protection officer and is slipped a £20 note which he proffers to Freddie. "£20, £20 I can't change that, what do you think this place is?"
At this point, Oi/c Cricket (who can see his career going down the pan rapidly) coughs up 50p.
To avoid further cough, cough awkwardness, the Staish escorts HRH to the scorers bench to view the score book.
The scorer, one Sniffing Bob the BCU Cpl, overawed by the arrival of Royalty, oh and Prince Andrew, opens the score book for perusal. There, recorded for all prosperity, was the ball by ball account of the first innings. Alas, Sniffing Bob the BCU Cpl and scorer, had recorded in said tome that the opening bowler was one ANDREW WINDSOR.
HRH wasn't having that, nor was the Staish. Oi/c Cricket was sent for, words were spoken, one career went further down the pan. Sniffing Bob the BCU Cpl and scorer was ordered to alter the opening bowlers name to HRH THE PRINCE ANDREW. After all. the score sheet could go down as part of RAF Leeming history.
Come the turn of the 'HRH (and Staish) XI' to bat. Funny old thing but HRH and Staish opened the batting. Oi/c Crickets career went further down the pan when, on hearing the fielding side (the Leeming First XI), clapping the two openers onto the field, a Yorkshire accented voice announced from Short Leg "Gi'ower. Tha claps the buggers goin' out, not comin' in".
Alas, the Staish and the rest of the heads of sheds were more or less seen off in short order. Although HRH did some useful work with the bat and was still there at the end.
After the match, none of the Officers stayed for post match drinkies. Including Oi/c Cricket. Fg Off Roy o'H***. The First XI often wondered if he made Flt Lt.
Further, Sniffing Bob the BCU Cpl and scorer, decided that his original scoring record was correct. So he scored a line through HRH THE PRINCE ANDREW and inserted STET.
Oh, just to add. How do I know all this..........
I was one of the umpires.
Happy (and safe) New Year to all.
Last edited by taxydual; 31st Dec 2015 at 18:14. Reason: Speeling and scorer's finale
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One of my best laughs on PPRuNe for a while ... thank you, Sir! 
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Methinks that the man may have been an above average Dingy sailor but his rank and maybe cultural background has left a slight chip. The headline wasn't addressed well and could be covered in his last few paragraphs...
With the real RAF I never felt uncomfortable about rank.
Once I was told to let go of Dennis Healy (sadly recently passed away) I'd virutally frog-marched him to the Guard room after meeting him knee deep in snow, taking photos of our Transmitters.... How was I to know he was the Minister of Defence? He visited my den at work the next morning accompanied by several senior officers. He patted my shoulder " Hi there F...! how's it going here?... (He'd picked up my name from the Corporal). He asked my 'boss' "What 's the story so far? 'F*** will explain' came the answer from behind... We spent 20 minutes dicussing what was then an 'interesting' situation. I was later quizzed by our Station C/o who'd heard the story...he'd been told I was a 'family friend'.... to which I nodded disapproval, I didn't vote for him I said. Strangely it made little difference to our relationship....he still had more stripes.
With the real RAF I never felt uncomfortable about rank.
Once I was told to let go of Dennis Healy (sadly recently passed away) I'd virutally frog-marched him to the Guard room after meeting him knee deep in snow, taking photos of our Transmitters.... How was I to know he was the Minister of Defence? He visited my den at work the next morning accompanied by several senior officers. He patted my shoulder " Hi there F...! how's it going here?... (He'd picked up my name from the Corporal). He asked my 'boss' "What 's the story so far? 'F*** will explain' came the answer from behind... We spent 20 minutes dicussing what was then an 'interesting' situation. I was later quizzed by our Station C/o who'd heard the story...he'd been told I was a 'family friend'.... to which I nodded disapproval, I didn't vote for him I said. Strangely it made little difference to our relationship....he still had more stripes.
Thread Starter
Another anecdote from the mid 1950's when I was at Biggin Hill. This time the SWO goes over the top - read on.
Queen Mother - Biggin Hill April 1955
As their Honorary Air Commodore, Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, visited Nos. 600 and 2600 (City of London) Squadrons at Biggin Hill on Saturday 23rd April 1955. She flew from Smith’s Lawn, Windsor Great Park, to Biggin Hill in a Westland WS-55 "Whirlwind" helicopter of the Fleet Air Arm, making her first helicopter flight. HM was received by AVM H. L. Patch, A.O.C. No. 11 Group. Later she reviewed a parade of both squadrons and watched a formation fly-past of No. 600 Sqn aircraft and a demonstration of Bofors gun-drill by No. 2600 Sqn.
HM arriving
Taken as the Fleet Air Arm Westland WS-55 with the Queen Mother aboard departed from the helicopter pad on the station parade ground on her return to Windsor Great Park.
Her visit was not a particularly nice for one airman in the guard of honour when she pointed out to the SWO (Station Warrant Officer) that the airman's shoes were not as shiny as the others with the result that he was confined to camp of 14-days - this "offence" was the talk of the Station and was not received very kindly and left a somewhat bitter taste.
It was also the occasion I believe when the then Under Secretary of State for Air, George Ward, who was present, was seen to be wearing socks of two different colours, one blue and one brown. When this discrepancy was pointed out, he famously commented: "I have another pair with the same colours in my wardrobe at home”!
Queen Mother - Biggin Hill April 1955
As their Honorary Air Commodore, Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, visited Nos. 600 and 2600 (City of London) Squadrons at Biggin Hill on Saturday 23rd April 1955. She flew from Smith’s Lawn, Windsor Great Park, to Biggin Hill in a Westland WS-55 "Whirlwind" helicopter of the Fleet Air Arm, making her first helicopter flight. HM was received by AVM H. L. Patch, A.O.C. No. 11 Group. Later she reviewed a parade of both squadrons and watched a formation fly-past of No. 600 Sqn aircraft and a demonstration of Bofors gun-drill by No. 2600 Sqn.
HM arriving
Taken as the Fleet Air Arm Westland WS-55 with the Queen Mother aboard departed from the helicopter pad on the station parade ground on her return to Windsor Great Park.
Her visit was not a particularly nice for one airman in the guard of honour when she pointed out to the SWO (Station Warrant Officer) that the airman's shoes were not as shiny as the others with the result that he was confined to camp of 14-days - this "offence" was the talk of the Station and was not received very kindly and left a somewhat bitter taste.
It was also the occasion I believe when the then Under Secretary of State for Air, George Ward, who was present, was seen to be wearing socks of two different colours, one blue and one brown. When this discrepancy was pointed out, he famously commented: "I have another pair with the same colours in my wardrobe at home”!
Join Date: Mar 2010
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Why was Her Majesty carrying a small dog?
Is that a ****zu? I thought they preferred Corgis?
Is that a ****zu? I thought they preferred Corgis?
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Often in Jersey, but mainly in the past.
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*ahem* I would never have guessed!
(Pesky British humour)
My mother had one too, head attached
(Pesky British humour)
My mother had one too, head attached
MPN11,
And mine! Happy New Year to all.
Bill.
And mine! Happy New Year to all.
Bill.
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I've actually got a pair of them from my mum's estate - jaws spring-clipped so they can hang on to each other's tails.
I only wear them on special occasions, though.
I only wear them on special occasions, though.