Where Are They Now?Please feel free to post contact information here if you are looking for long lost friends or trying to find out what has happened to colleagues. Obituaries and condolences can be posted here too.
For all ex Locking types: I have just read that Sparky, the station mascot from 1980 to 1999, died at his retirement home (field) on Jan 19. Another bit of history gone. Are there any station mascots still on active service and if so where?
That brings back memories, Sparky often made a mees on the parade ground during pass out parades
I was at Locking in '80 through 82 teaching trainee Sim Techs computer systems ones and noughts, some theory of flight and fault finding techniques on Nim and Gnat Simulators
And to think that was 29yrs ago..............................................
Graze in peace, Sergeant Sparky McDougall, old boy.
I recall that he outranked his handler Corporal.
When Princess Margaret visited circa 1995, she made a beeline for Sparky - who she referred to as the Donk!
What about the goats at Halton? I recall the Stn Rock Ape at Cosford published a goat curry recipe in the station magazine when it was annouced that No 1 S of TT would move to Cosford, including the goats.
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Ah, the joy of marching in the middle rank during a Weston-super-mare freedom parade. Well my shoes were clean when I started.
When I was at Locking there was a rumour that Sgt Sparks had previously been FS Sparks but had been demoted after an incident on a parade when he became somewhat aroused.
Oh and didn't the RAFP Cpl handler have to wear aguillettes due to him being the Adjunct of?
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Thanks for those photos, a sad end to what was, in my time there, a great camp.
Circa 83 and the 1T flight sergeant was looking for me take on a secondary duty. 'Ah,' he says when I could hide no more, 'you've the choice of two. Sparky or...' I took the other and I was never more pleased to take on a barrack block in all my life.
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Oh and that little raised manhole cover outside the remains of the Naafi shop, thats where Joe SWO would stand of a morning to make sure the trainees were marching correctly to their T-blocks.
Bit of a drag for us permanent staff, especially us stackers who had to walk right in front of him to get to Supply Sqn opposite. Very few of us managed to get away with non-regulation sideburns for very long.
The ex MQs have all been Anningtoned and some, particularly the officer patch, are quite good. The place was meant to be developed as an industrial site, still is on paper, but the credit crunch is putting severe pressure on that option. I have massively fond memories of the station having done my apprenticeship there (68-70) and then served from 92 till it's closure. I met my old DI (now in his eighties) on the local golf course recently - still playing off 14 and just as scary (if somewhat smaller than I remember).
Just read this, I remember Sparky when he got his tapes up, I went home to tell the missus that the station donkey was a higher rank than me. Rest in peace - you beast of burden. Speaking of outside of the Naffi at Locking... Walking (sorry Marching) past a pretty Airwoman in one of the 'new' Macs and a funny hat, I noticed she was eye balling me. Calling me back as 'Airman' suggested she wasn't an Airwoman and I may well be in the **** for not saluting. She even used a beckoning finger and said ' Don't I get something from you?' - At which point I started going red - this was descending into 'Carry on up the RAF' - Gave her the required wave and she smiled and went on her merry way. Bless you Mam, you filled my evenings with joy for a couple of months.
Locking was in the press the other week as the residents had to man barricades to stop an invasion of the travellign fraternity and stop them setting up a building site...
You are going back a bit now, it was CAA Hamish McCrackers in 61 - 64 when I was there. I remember him being kept in a barrack block for a few nights due to fear of him being kidnapped by Halton following an attempt by Locking AAs to kidnap their goat.
