Now I'm a young guy at 81 - far too young to contribute much, but our elders have largely passed on. Nor was I flight crew, though today in my 50th year as a Private Pilot I passed my bi-ennial Pilot's proficiency check in my kit built Rans S6-116 (80 h.p. 2 seats, VNE 120 mph)
I did 2 years National Service in the RAF & after suitable training at RAF Locking (Somerset) on "Ground Radar" I spent 1960 based in tented accommodation at the tip of Cyprus tending a static "mobile radar station" called No. 280 Signals Unit.
Songs were sung and the following is an attempt to recall the words of one in which - as it rhymed appropriately - we substituted the name of our unit 'Two Eighty' instead of the 'RFC'.
Now I need help to piece together the true wording and any other hints that it really did begin its Airforce Life in WW I.
So here goes. (No laughing in the ranks please !)
Old King Cole was a Merry Old Soul
and a merry old soul was he,
He called for his Flight in the middle of the night
and he called for his Bomb Aimers three.
Now all ye Bomb Aimers are very fine folk, and very fine folk are Ye.
Steady, steady, steady, steady, Left, said the Bomb Aimer,
I don't care two F**cks said the Pilot, Merry Merry men are we
For there's none so fair as can compare with the boys of the RFC.
How's your Father, Alright,
How's yer Mother, Half Tight,
How's your Sister, She might !
Oompha oompah stick it up your Jumper........