So, How did you spend your Battle of Britain day?
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My wife and I spent ours at Bawdsey Manor (nee Raf Bawdsey) the home of the birthplace of RADAR. We had a wonderful 3 course lunch in the Manor in the company of the members of the Bawdsey Reunion Assosiation and visited the on site RADAR museum, housed in the old transmitter block in which the original Chain Home Low RADAR was developed.
The current owners of the Manor gave us a guided tour of the magnificent building, now an International school, and it's equally impressive gardens.
The lunch is an annual event that I would recommend to anyone who has a link with this historic site.
The current owners of the Manor gave us a guided tour of the magnificent building, now an International school, and it's equally impressive gardens.
The lunch is an annual event that I would recommend to anyone who has a link with this historic site.
Attended the annual BofB CTP at Thorney Island Sailing Club (formerly associated with RAFSA but now ASA) where hosts and guests assembled in front of the clubhouse to be treated to one of the most impressive displays I've ever seen performed by a lone Spitfire. At least half a dozen passes up and down the creek with rolls, climbs and turns, finishing off with the traditional 'surprise' low level beat-up from behind us.
Many thanks to all concerned, especially the magnificent man in his flying machine.
Many thanks to all concerned, especially the magnificent man in his flying machine.
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Spent the whole day pruning some of my trees and was nicely reminded by a lone Spit going North from Norwich
And today I was doing much the same when (at 18:27) it was the Dak...
A big thank you to BBMF for putting me on their flight path's.
Rigga
And today I was doing much the same when (at 18:27) it was the Dak...
A big thank you to BBMF for putting me on their flight path's.
Rigga
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So how did you spend Battle of Britian Day
Having spent most BofB Days over the last 37 years on parade, I thought I might get a day off this year but ended up working as a Verger at a Church Service, so watched the RAF contingent take part from "the other side".
For all those on Ops - stay safe and come home soon.
For all those on Ops - stay safe and come home soon.
I was in Ypres, in St Martins Cathedral they was a memorial to a number of pilots with their photos on the Altar with wreaths laid.
First photo was a Spitfire over White cliffs and then
Pilot Officer Maurice Buchin
Pilot Officer Jacques Philippart
Pilot Officer Georges Doutrepont
Sergeant Roger de Cannart D'Hamale
Pilot Officer James Kirkpatrick
Pilot Officer Alexis Jottard
Pilot Officer Albert Van Den Hove D'Ertsenryck
Yesterday was at a Lijssenthoek Cemetry when had a flyover by 2 Belgian F16s and after visiting another couple of CWG sites including Essex farm we ended at Langemark, just as a tribute to Werner Voss had finished with lots of uniforms and medals on displays from a number of AFs.
There had been another commemoration earlier in the day to I believe a French ace whose body was never found............ I don't remember the name.
While we were at Eurotunnel on Saturday morning there was a Spitfire flypast with 2 Helicopters flying around it heading towards London.
Menin Gate was of course visited last night and Tyne Cot today along with Hill 62 and a number of other sites.
First photo was a Spitfire over White cliffs and then
Pilot Officer Maurice Buchin
Pilot Officer Jacques Philippart
Pilot Officer Georges Doutrepont
Sergeant Roger de Cannart D'Hamale
Pilot Officer James Kirkpatrick
Pilot Officer Alexis Jottard
Pilot Officer Albert Van Den Hove D'Ertsenryck
Yesterday was at a Lijssenthoek Cemetry when had a flyover by 2 Belgian F16s and after visiting another couple of CWG sites including Essex farm we ended at Langemark, just as a tribute to Werner Voss had finished with lots of uniforms and medals on displays from a number of AFs.
There had been another commemoration earlier in the day to I believe a French ace whose body was never found............ I don't remember the name.
While we were at Eurotunnel on Saturday morning there was a Spitfire flypast with 2 Helicopters flying around it heading towards London.
Menin Gate was of course visited last night and Tyne Cot today along with Hill 62 and a number of other sites.
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I spent mine and I still do not believe I am saying this, preparing for my mothers funeral this Tuesday 
Suspicion breeds confidence
NutLoose,
I'm very sorry to hear about your Mother's last flight. My mother is 86 and iI cherish every day. My thoughts are with you on Tuesday.
Respectfully yours,
Navaleye
I'm very sorry to hear about your Mother's last flight. My mother is 86 and iI cherish every day. My thoughts are with you on Tuesday.
Respectfully yours,
Navaleye
Last edited by Navaleye; 16th Sep 2012 at 23:10.
Cool Mod
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I have now reached the high side of my years but cannot forget, nor will I ever forget, that a 'FEW' of those of 501 Squadron above fought over my home not one mile from Croydon while I was not yet 9 years old.
I remember, especially at this time of the year, that I am here because of them and others like them. BoB day for me is a time for relection and to give thanks to these guys.
I believe the numbers left are now in the middle double figures. John Cunningham is there but not so long ago left us. AVM Foxley-Norris there too and many others you can see and might even know. ALL OF THEM ARE HEROES!
The picture below has the signatures of those of 501 who signed that night on 1/12/2000 on the back of the picture. There were 15 BoB pilots amongst us that night and it was very humbling and at the same time an immense pleasure to be in their midst. For me that was the best of all the PPRuNe Bashes I did. Few of us went to bed so long as some of them could stay the pace - and they did.
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My sincere condolences Nutloose; no matter how much one thinks one is prepared for this, one simply is not.
You will never forget her, but it will become less painful to remember her as time goes by. Remember the good times.
HB
You will never forget her, but it will become less painful to remember her as time goes by. Remember the good times.
HB
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Originally Posted by CoffmanStarter
Sam ...
How spooky ... seeing Sam Hall on a photo of a Spitfire. I knew a BoB Spit pilot PO R.M.D. Hall DFC who was affectionately know as Sam Hall. Sadly he died some years back.
Thought you might be interested ...
PO Sam Hall
Best regards ...
Coff.
How spooky ... seeing Sam Hall on a photo of a Spitfire. I knew a BoB Spit pilot PO R.M.D. Hall DFC who was affectionately know as Sam Hall. Sadly he died some years back.
Thought you might be interested ...
PO Sam Hall
Best regards ...
Coff.
Originally Posted by Chugalug2
Spookier still:
Sam Hall
Sam Hall
Johnny Cash performed the song on Sings the Ballads of the True West (1965) and American IV: The Man Comes Around(2002). The 2002 version was often used by the band Flogging Molly as an intro for their concerts.
Of course, Johnny attributed it as an Old West song, not an even older British song.
I personally prefer the 1965 version, he sang it with more emotion & character back then (when he was a drug-addicted 33-year-old, not a dying from diabetes 70-year-old).
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...nd%2C_Fife.JPG
Last edited by GreenKnight121; 17th Sep 2012 at 11:18.
John Cunningham.
The only autograph I ever got as a boy, at an airshow at Hatfield. Twenty years later I had the pleasure of flying my night fighter out of that airfield, having chosen to become a fighter pilot rather than grow up.
I spent the day building my house, mainly insulating and putting up stud walls in the basement, grateful for the peace the BofB helped to ensure. With some stirring stuff on the iTunes player.
The only autograph I ever got as a boy, at an airshow at Hatfield. Twenty years later I had the pleasure of flying my night fighter out of that airfield, having chosen to become a fighter pilot rather than grow up.
I spent the day building my house, mainly insulating and putting up stud walls in the basement, grateful for the peace the BofB helped to ensure. With some stirring stuff on the iTunes player.
Cunning Artificer
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I had a read of "First Light" and wondered why there was nobody rattling tins and selling wings these days.
Most likely because hardly any of The Many remember The Few any more.
Most likely because hardly any of The Many remember The Few any more.
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September 15, B of B day
Spent the day in bed recovering from minor op, but did join up on this day at Halton 1958, 14.00 hours No 2 Wing tank ! PH.
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Battle of Britain Day
My husband and I were at Leuchars and it was his birthday that was broadcast, thanks to the superb organisation at the Veterans Marquee when I attempted to have it done. Just to put the light to the blue touch paper (he's an ex-armourer) CAS came over and had a long chat with us. Made Alan's day!
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Thanks guys for your kind thoughts..
