View Full Version : RAF Manbys Officers mess burnt down yesterday
NutLoose
2nd Oct 2018, 11:46
In case you once frequented the place.
https://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/news/grimsby-news/raf-huge-blaze-manby-fire-2062262
Yes, frequented/resided continuously from 1965-1967! Very sad to see that.
It was a very nice Mess back then, full of life and with a massively varied population (CAW, Refresher Flying, Staff and Spec N courses and of course all the staff to make it all happen). All ages and ranks from plt offs to gp capts, all mingling happily. It was noted that the more senior ones (e.g. Gp Capt Norman Hoad) actually enjoyed just being students again. And with Air Cdre Cyclops Brown as Cmdt, happiness spread from the top downwards.
I had always thought that most/much of the former Station had become Council offices. Clearly a king-size Officers Mess ‘with later additions’ was simply too big to use. Probably the same applied to the huge College of Air Warfare building as well.
Danny42C
2nd Oct 2018, 12:37
Shame !
63 years ago, with my bride of a few weeks, and straight off the JATC Course at Shawbury, I attended the Autumn Ball there, and have the memory of a wonderful night.
Then Manby was the R.A.F. Flying College, the Commandant was "Gus" Walker. At the end of a long presentation line, and having only seen me briefly a week or so earlier, he clearly remembered my name, and that I was newly married.
My wife was vastly impressed - and also with the huge poached salmon on the buffet !
Three years of ATC "hard" followed at Strubby (seven miles away and Manby's satellite),
Happy days !
ImageGear
2nd Oct 2018, 13:39
When there's a fire, there's often a property developer with a rejected planning application. For the price of a few "rocks", anything can be overcome.
Cynical Moi?
IG
Your mention of Gus Walker reminds me of my excellent Manby Batman, Les ... who also had lost an arm. Les had numerous fittings for his prosthetic to facilitate his duties, and it was impressive to watch him working.
Buster11
2nd Oct 2018, 13:57
I recall a free-flight contest at Strubby, probably in the '70s, during which we were housed at Manby. The kippers at breakfast were probably the best I've ever had.
IG. What a scandalous implication, impugning the lily-white reputation of property developers. Probably 100% accurate, though. Funny how these fires just happen, innit...?
PapaDolmio
2nd Oct 2018, 16:05
Too young to remember that but do remember a 'nightclub' in the old Ground Defence HQ on the edge of the airfield by a crossroads (?)- The Bunker Club? I had a few memorable nights in there when stationed at Donna Nook in the mid eighties. In fact I vaguely remember a girlfriend at the time worked for Lincs CC there in the old SHQ or OM.
IIRC part of the MQ patch was still being used by Binbrook at the time. I remembered going to a 'gentlemens evening' in the Famillies Club one night but thats a different story.
beamer
2nd Oct 2018, 16:19
Image
Much truth in your suggestion. Used to happen all the time where I live
Yellow Sun
2nd Oct 2018, 16:23
Move along now, nothing to see here! (https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/12034050.inquiry-held-into-blaze-at-hotel-in-receivership-former-ibrox-player-has-nothing-left/)
YS:rolleyes:
langleybaston
2nd Oct 2018, 17:13
As for pubs burning down or suffering other fates such as absconding managers ...........
When looking at a voluntary house move on retirement the only way to be reasonably sure of a pub available in a village is to have two as a minimum. As it is, we have been nerve-wrackingly close to zero for prolonged periods.
And, yes, I too was a resident in the OM at Manby, c. 1966.
ARCHIE1
2nd Oct 2018, 17:14
Sorry to see that. Staff Nav '69 and GD Aerosystems '73. Lots of memories but it certainly seemed to be one of the most relaxed and well run Officers' Messes I ever encountered, probably because, as someone has already said, we were mostly all students and of mixed rank and ability. On my second course there we were in quarters, Provost Road, Mrs ARCHIE1, a 2 year old nipper and a large rough collie in tow but life still centred on that lovely Mess. I especially remember an Easter egg hunt for the kids in the surrounding gardens and woods. Later in the year, the Mess mail rack held a surprise for me, the totally unexpected blue letter advancing me in rank, along with several others. Fortunately, the bar was close at hand but it makes me shudder to see the dereliction within these days. I will forward a link to the Australians who were with us at Manby in '73 - and to the 2 year old.
chevvron
2nd Oct 2018, 17:39
Building was apparently Grade 2 listed; they've arrested an 18 year old 'man' for it.
Having seen the state of the mess at Syerston, that end would probably be a blessing.
CharlieJuliet
2nd Oct 2018, 17:54
Very sad news. Was at SORF from Sept 64 as co on the Varsity and then did AFS on the Meteor at Strubby. Moved to the Strubby Seco hutted Mess in Nov 64 and left Strubby in Apr 65. As stated above, Manby was a friendly Mess with a very wide rank structure. Seems such a waste - one wonders why someone would come down from Grimsby to torch the Mess at Manby!!
RetiredBA/BY
2nd Oct 2018, 18:21
What a hellova shame, Manby was a great station under G/ C Pat Bailey
As the senior standards QFI at SORF I flew with every rank from P.O. to AVM ( Stack, commandant designate of Cranwell) and had the best time of my 12 years in the RAF. Every refresher student, regardles of rank seemed to really enjoy his time there . Probably learned more than I taught, flying with such experienced pilots!
My wife and I still remember Pat Bailey telling me my Australian wife had invited so many pretty Australian friends from London that we had a bigger summer ball table than him! That was not supposed to happen but he was delighted to see them all there ! Typical of Pat.
The JP 4 was not the most exciting of aircraft, but what wonderful times !
So sad to see the mess destroyed.
Some may therefore recall old Joe, the Barman?
When I brought in a new girlfriend one Saturday I sat her at one of those low coffee tables under the overhang and went to the Bar to order our drinks. “I’ll bring them over, Sir.” And so he did, on a silver tray ... and a discreet Hamlet for me, with a whispered “Good luck, Sir.”
And there was Reggie J, the Stn Cdr who everyone “loved” ... a batchelor living in the Stn Cdr’s residence in splendid isolation. It was he who banned brewers’ beer towels/beer mats on the Bar, and advertsing ashtrays. In some respects he was on the right track, but of course we had to pay through Mess funds for anonymous alternatives, and live with a wet bar top!
Phantom Driver
2nd Oct 2018, 19:18
More frequently it has been a den for kids smashing windows and starting fires.
words fail me.......
Thomas coupling
2nd Oct 2018, 22:36
Didn't realise fragging was back, then?
Dan Winterland
3rd Oct 2018, 06:33
the Commandant was "Gus" Walker.
I was lucky enough to meet him once - what a character! He only had one arm and I just found out why. In 1942, he was pulling incendiary bombs out of a burning Lancaster trying to prevent the 4,000lb cookie from going off. Unfortunately, it did removing his arm in the process. Fortunately, it didn't take his life. But when this happened, he was the Station Commander at Syerston. They don't make them like Gus these days.
A real shame about the Mess.
Wander00
3rd Oct 2018, 09:41
Gus Walker - what a guy. In late 60s was walking through Brancaster as a newly minted (invalided) civvie as Gus was walking the other way. I had just described to the first Mrs W who it was approaching when he stopped addressed me by name, I introduced Mrs W and we had a pleasant 5 minute conversation. The thing was I had met him only once before, at the 25th Anniversary of Flying Training Command at Shinfield Park, when I had commanded a demonstration cadet drill flight from the Towers, about6 years previously
Anyone from Manby remember the GP at Grimolby in the 80s, old school friend of mine. .
NutLoose
3rd Oct 2018, 11:05
It had fallen on hard times, photos from earlier in the year
https://www.28dayslater.co.uk/threads/raf-manby-officers-mess-jan-2018.112078/
https://www.lincolnshirelive.co.uk/news/local-news/demand-made-flatten-former-raf-2065645
It had fallen on hard times, photos from earlier in the year
https://www.28dayslater.co.uk/threads/raf-manby-officers-mess-jan-2018.112078/
https://www.lincolnshirelive.co.uk/news/local-news/demand-made-flatten-former-raf-2065645A sad sight indeed. I have to laugh at the stunning ignorance of some of these "explorers" who have absolutely no idea what they're looking at or exploring!
At least the Commandant's Residence (https://www.manbyhousebedandbreakfast.co.uk) has a new lease of life, though! :)
Doctor Cruces
5th Oct 2018, 11:28
Watch out for the housing estate building to be started!!
Same thing happened with Eastern Radar's site, IIRC it had some kind of preservation status on it but the totally empty and unpowered building mysteriously burned down one night and shortly after a housing estate sprung up.
I think I may be accused of cynicism too!
Doc C
ImageGear
5th Oct 2018, 16:25
I had the opportunity to watch my local pub burn down at the third attempt.
Conversing with an attending Fire Officer he mentioned that he had attended three similar fires in the last few months and that "sooner or later", complete satisfaction would be achieved for the developing client.
Our listed Pub became a development of low quality houses at extortionate prices. Kinda makes it alright then...:ugh:
IG
Freda Checks
6th Oct 2018, 09:32
Seems to be a pattern here! Officers' Mess at RAF Kenley (https://www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/surrey-news/gallery/kenley-aerodrome-listed-building-fire-10859926) destroyed by fire a couple of years ago. These listed buildings seem to have no protection!
Seems to be a pattern here! Officers' Mess at RAF Kenley (https://www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/surrey-news/gallery/kenley-aerodrome-listed-building-fire-10859926) destroyed by fire a couple of years ago. These listed buildings seem to have no protection!Listing is easy. Installing security and sprinkler systems isn't. ;)
ImageGear
6th Oct 2018, 12:05
I think we are talking protection from unscrupulous developers in the above comment.
IG
Finningley Boy
7th Oct 2018, 07:42
Yes, frequented/resided continuously from 1965-1967! Very sad to see that.
It was a very nice Mess back then, full of life and with a massively varied population (CAW, Refresher Flying, Staff and Spec N courses and of course all the staff to make it all happen). All ages and ranks from plt offs to gp capts, all mingling happily. It was noted that the more senior ones (e.g. Gp Capt Norman Hoad) actually enjoyed just being students again. And with Air Cdre Cyclops Brown as Cmdt, happiness spread from the top downwards.
I had always thought that most/much of the former Station had become Council offices. Clearly a king-size Officers Mess ‘with later additions’ was simply too big to use. Probably the same applied to the huge College of Air Warfare building as well.
Cyclops Brown? Was he Station Commander at Waddington before hand?
FB
Cyclops Brown? Was he Station Commander at Waddington before hand?
Indeed he was ... https://www.rafweb.org/Biographies/Brown_CB.htm