It's A Family Affair
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It's A Family Affair
As a Forces Brat who married a (then) Pilot Officer, I seem to have lived my entire life in and with the RAF. Reviewing my family history, so has most of my family.
My great uncle Jim started his career in the RAF in 1932, flew in Catalinas, spent part of his career enforcing drill on unwilling National Service men at RAF Hednesford, spent much time on Cyprus and finished his career doing something dull in Scotland.
Great Uncle Tom rests at peace somewhere in the Lancaster that he was navigating somewhere in Europe.
Father provided logistical support for the Cold War throughout Germany and East Anglia.
My great uncle Jim started his career in the RAF in 1932, flew in Catalinas, spent part of his career enforcing drill on unwilling National Service men at RAF Hednesford, spent much time on Cyprus and finished his career doing something dull in Scotland.
Great Uncle Tom rests at peace somewhere in the Lancaster that he was navigating somewhere in Europe.
Father provided logistical support for the Cold War throughout Germany and East Anglia.
Mr. Babyfactory made "zooming" motions with his hands in various bars and at various parties inbetween scaring me senseless with tales of his day job.
Master Babyfactory is currently being schooled in the arts of Officership while Ms. Babyfactory is threatening to join up as well in some yet-to-be-determined role in the RAF.
So after 75 years my family is still serving in the RAF. Knowing how son and daughter tends to follow father (and indeed uncle) into the RAF I am sure that there is someone out there with a similar tale to tell.
Last edited by Babyfactory; 27th Jul 2007 at 21:08. Reason: Punctuation
Champagne anyone...?
Not as many of us but a similar tale for my lot... Grandfather joined in 1928 as a rigger, on Blenheims in WW2 then retiring sometime in the sixties as an Air Cdre nav. Dad joined up just before grandfather retired (followed by both his brothers later). I then signed up in 89 - dad retired early in 92. Great uncle on father's side was a pilot on Sunderlands during WW2 also.
Continuous service for nearly 80 years. Interestingly enough my grandfather's first sqn, 24, was also my first sqn. Additionally he and I were both members of 30 sqn when we first found ourselves in Iraq.
Continuous service for nearly 80 years. Interestingly enough my grandfather's first sqn, 24, was also my first sqn. Additionally he and I were both members of 30 sqn when we first found ourselves in Iraq.
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My father went to Dartmouth aged 13 in 1947 and left the RN 40 years later. I went to Dartmouth in 78 and spent eight years on Betty's payroll.
AA junior #2 (of three) has recently applied for an RN sixth form scholarship. She's actually spending a week at Dartmouth next week sponsored by DNR, but if she makes it through FATs and AIB would not join until 2009 at the earliest.
AA junior #2 (of three) has recently applied for an RN sixth form scholarship. She's actually spending a week at Dartmouth next week sponsored by DNR, but if she makes it through FATs and AIB would not join until 2009 at the earliest.
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Grandfather was a Supply Officer 1898-1922, great-grand daughter and son-in-law both Supply Officers 2000-
And no blanket cracks.
Grandfather had daughter - Staff Sgt, son Austrailan Engineer, daughter (my mum) nurse, son - 29 Sqn RAF MIA, son - sqns various
Father was merchant navy as was his brother who became mess manager at Leeming.
My number 1 daughter even became an Aux Rock.
Sort of grows on you doesn;t it.
And no blanket cracks.
Grandfather had daughter - Staff Sgt, son Austrailan Engineer, daughter (my mum) nurse, son - 29 Sqn RAF MIA, son - sqns various
Father was merchant navy as was his brother who became mess manager at Leeming.
My number 1 daughter even became an Aux Rock.
Sort of grows on you doesn;t it.
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Indeed, and proud of it too. Some people fly the things, some keep them flying and some keep the bits that make them fly ... and as Uncle Jim would then chip in, "and some daft bugger has to chuck the anchor out the back or it all goes 
-up". All part of the family.
-up". All part of the family.
BF - Bravo! 
Either that or insanity runs in the family!
As has already been suggested, find a publisher, I'm sure there's a book in there somewhere.
As for me, I'm the black sheep of the family - the rest were Army! That said, nobody has yet managed to get the full story of just how my grandfather managed to join the infantry in 1926 and leave in 1951 with nothing more than a pranged wrist having been an infanteer, glider pilot, para & then back to infanteer at the end of the last major argument we had with the Jerries.
Either that or insanity runs in the family! As has already been suggested, find a publisher, I'm sure there's a book in there somewhere.As for me, I'm the black sheep of the family - the rest were Army! That said, nobody has yet managed to get the full story of just how my grandfather managed to join the infantry in 1926 and leave in 1951 with nothing more than a pranged wrist having been an infanteer, glider pilot, para & then back to infanteer at the end of the last major argument we had with the Jerries.
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My Great Grand father was arrested in Solihull in 1899 for lewd behaviour on a peace march protesting against the Boer war.
His son was a conchi during the second war.
My Uncle went AWOL from the French Foreign Legion and now runs a pedicure business in L'Ametla Mar.
My son is undergoing pilot training in the RAF. We keep quiet about him.
His son was a conchi during the second war.
My Uncle went AWOL from the French Foreign Legion and now runs a pedicure business in L'Ametla Mar.
My son is undergoing pilot training in the RAF. We keep quiet about him.
Blimey, you couldn't make that family history up! C'mon mate, write it up soon.
