SWOs
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,304
Likes: 1
From: @exRAF_Al
ttn,
Thats probably the sort of thing that you appreciate as the years go by! We used to have to dig in on the sqn (Akr) as informal punishment and live there if we wrecked the blocks. (WO) Brain Deeley used to say '.. if you want to live like animals, I'll treat you like one - go live in the bondu'.
I think that 34 Sqn's compound got the chop recently (the one by the Lightning), but I was lucky to get one last look around last year and reminisced when I saw the faint outline in the ground where the trenches used to be dug out, filled in, dug out, filled in... Brian banned me from every establishment on the island with the exception of Tip Top Toyshop on the Limassol bypass when I emptied a bottle of fullers earth onto the upper surface of a roof mounted room fan before his pre-AOC inspection/electrics check.
Good days.
Thats probably the sort of thing that you appreciate as the years go by! We used to have to dig in on the sqn (Akr) as informal punishment and live there if we wrecked the blocks. (WO) Brain Deeley used to say '.. if you want to live like animals, I'll treat you like one - go live in the bondu'.
I think that 34 Sqn's compound got the chop recently (the one by the Lightning), but I was lucky to get one last look around last year and reminisced when I saw the faint outline in the ground where the trenches used to be dug out, filled in, dug out, filled in... Brian banned me from every establishment on the island with the exception of Tip Top Toyshop on the Limassol bypass when I emptied a bottle of fullers earth onto the upper surface of a roof mounted room fan before his pre-AOC inspection/electrics check.
Good days.
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,789
Likes: 1,207
From: Baston
Mr Smith, SWO RAF Nicosia c. 1962 ............. changed his KDs mid-day and indeed more often when it was a big swagger day. The Staish was Mickey Martin, who, on this day, played a leading role in the 617 dams raid. A dreadful cadger of cigarettes when he visited Met., next to ATC.
Fortunately his daughter was a member of my wife's Guide Company, thus the camps "on camp" were provided with every necessity: a daily water bowser, extra tentage, some jankers men to dig latrines, a garry on demand to take a poorly girl to "Sick Quarters" as they were known.......
A great man. I seem to recall that his pride and joy car was dropped from a lighter in Piraeus on his way home ........ not by a disgruntled retired airman, as was rumoured.
Fortunately his daughter was a member of my wife's Guide Company, thus the camps "on camp" were provided with every necessity: a daily water bowser, extra tentage, some jankers men to dig latrines, a garry on demand to take a poorly girl to "Sick Quarters" as they were known.......
A great man. I seem to recall that his pride and joy car was dropped from a lighter in Piraeus on his way home ........ not by a disgruntled retired airman, as was rumoured.
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 116
Likes: 1
From: All over the place
Also remeber the SWO who was at HW in early nineties who had a little square bit of grey/sandy hair on the back of his head just above the collar, one day all the boys (with balls) came through gate, where he paraded evry morning, with a small square of masking tape on the back of their head.....
HH93
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 116
Likes: 1
From: All over the place
I'm sure I've seen a SWOess on my travels.
Told me to watch out for the Sgt(ess) instructors on the course as they were power mad B**ches !!!!
trying to corrupt the RAF way of life with a load of PC rubbish!!!She was prolly right too.
HH93
Joined: Feb 2006
Aviation Qualifications: LAME
Posts: 36,138
Likes: 5,738
From: Falling off the end of the thread
Jack HOLT that was it! Thanks guys. He broke his leg one night at Odiham in '72 when he fell down an open manhole cover....
Last edited by NutLoose; 16th May 2012 at 18:22.
Joined: Feb 2006
Aviation Qualifications: LAME
Posts: 1,129
Likes: 168
From: Station 42
RAF Colerne, early 70s - SAC stevef, theoretically the week's lower floor billet orderly, is lounging on his bed checking out the Sun's Page 3 girl after having enjoyed a late breakfast and rearranged the dust. Room door suddenly opens and in strides the ex-Air Gunner SWO (WO L**man).
SAC stevef leaps from his bed in anticipation of a supercharged rollicking for shirking... SWO gathers Vesuvian momentum, but luckily stevef has several Aeroplane Monthly centrefold photographs taped to his locker. SWO stalls, points at a Lancaster, looks nostalgic and recollects when he crewed them in WW2. Departs a minute or so later after amiably suggesting that SAC stevef carries on with his duties.
Saved by Avro.
SAC stevef leaps from his bed in anticipation of a supercharged rollicking for shirking... SWO gathers Vesuvian momentum, but luckily stevef has several Aeroplane Monthly centrefold photographs taped to his locker. SWO stalls, points at a Lancaster, looks nostalgic and recollects when he crewed them in WW2. Departs a minute or so later after amiably suggesting that SAC stevef carries on with his duties.
Saved by Avro.
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Lincolnshire
SWO's
Having retired from the RAF recently, my last post was as SWO at a front line fighter station. It was one of the best jobs I have had during my 37+ yrs as a techie. Yes there were times when I asked myself "why did I volunteer for this" but mainly it was a great role with all ranks showing the respect that I would expect for the post.
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 556
Likes: 1
From: 4 Civvy Street. Nowhere-near-a-base. The Shires.
I'm sure being the SWO is a great job. However nobody wants it these days. Manning have been after SWO volunteers for 5 different stations for at least the last 6 months.
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 5,174
Likes: 7
From: UK
Manning have been after SWO volunteers
"Well my mates and I, who are all SWOs want to know are you still getting flying pay while your doing the SWO job?"
"Not only am I getting Flying Pay, I'm also getting SWOs pay, £13.50 a day"
"Not only am I getting Flying Pay, I'm also getting SWOs pay, £13.50 a day"
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,566
Likes: 59
From: Newcastle Upon Tyne
There was a female SWO at Leuchars in the early nineties. A bit of a beer monster by all accounts. Not sure if my memory serves me correctly but I think she presided over an AOC's parade where the AOC demanded it was done again? I stand to be corrected on all points. Especially whether she was actually female!
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 393
Likes: 27
From: North Kent, UK.
The RAF website article on the jubilee parade has an excellent photo of a drill sargent in action!
Best Foot Forward
mmitch.
Best Foot Forward
mmitch.
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 45
Likes: 1
From: Sleaford
Female SWO at Lossie
Midlifec, you are referring to the indomitable Eileen Beasley (Miss Beasley to you and I). Built like the size of a small country, she was quite possibly one of scariest brutes I have ever seen and was more than a match for her oppo over at Kinloss, WO Dennis 'Puncher' Hyman.
My (female) boss had the pleasure of accompanying Miss Beasley down from the Moray Firth when they both attended the old 2-week NBC Cell Controllers Course at Winterbourne Gunner. Deciding to try and fill the Saturday after the first week with a visit to Salisbury, they went to the big market there and agreed to meet after an hour.
Anne was first at the agreed RV and was pleased with her purchase of curtain material. However, she could not suppress her mirth when she spotted Eileen coming back to meet up with her, lugging a Black and Decker Workmate through the crowds of people. 'Bargain ma'am!' she hooted on her return.
I believe she became SWO at Cosford as well later on in her life.
My (female) boss had the pleasure of accompanying Miss Beasley down from the Moray Firth when they both attended the old 2-week NBC Cell Controllers Course at Winterbourne Gunner. Deciding to try and fill the Saturday after the first week with a visit to Salisbury, they went to the big market there and agreed to meet after an hour.
Anne was first at the agreed RV and was pleased with her purchase of curtain material. However, she could not suppress her mirth when she spotted Eileen coming back to meet up with her, lugging a Black and Decker Workmate through the crowds of people. 'Bargain ma'am!' she hooted on her return.
I believe she became SWO at Cosford as well later on in her life.
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 729
Likes: 0
From: South Wales
Joe Overall, SWO at Lossie 1980. Mad as a box of frogs but superb vocabulary of SWO type rollickings
He would even bollack us kids for playing footie on “his” grass areas between the quarters.
Last edited by SRENNAPS; 19th May 2012 at 08:02.
