Undue Deference to Senior Officers
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: South of Old Warden
Age: 87
Posts: 1,375
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Air Marshall 'Gus' Walker was a gentleman officer of the old school.
He was our Force Commander when 4 617 Vulcans were detached to Nellis AFB IN '59. to participate in the 'World Congress Of Flight'. The cousins were mightily impressed by the Vulcan and he had the local press eating out of his hand as he gave them a daily briefing on the Vulcans and their displays. Having lost an arm rescuing a crew member from a crashed Wellington he told the press he was the 'original one armed bandit'. They loved that! Going from cold and damp Scampton to Nellis was quite a climate change, especially for us techies, but he made a point of coming out on the line to chat to us and ensure we were being looked after.
He was our Force Commander when 4 617 Vulcans were detached to Nellis AFB IN '59. to participate in the 'World Congress Of Flight'. The cousins were mightily impressed by the Vulcan and he had the local press eating out of his hand as he gave them a daily briefing on the Vulcans and their displays. Having lost an arm rescuing a crew member from a crashed Wellington he told the press he was the 'original one armed bandit'. They loved that! Going from cold and damp Scampton to Nellis was quite a climate change, especially for us techies, but he made a point of coming out on the line to chat to us and ensure we were being looked after.
Last edited by goudie; 9th Jan 2016 at 12:19.
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
Goudie, with respect, he was Air Chief Marshal Sir ....
While working as Station Commander at RAF Syerston he rushed in a fire truck from the control tower to a taxiing Lancaster bomber when he saw it was on fire. He then tried to remove incendiary bombs from under the bomb bay in the hope that he could prevent a 4,000Ib bomb from exploding, but it detonated and he lost his right arm as a result.[3] Returning to active service with an artificial arm, he was referred to by personnel as the one-armed bandit.[4]
He was an old boy of my school. While I was in Nav Training the system matched that I was from his school when he, as AOCinC Flying Training Command, was to carry out the annual inspection old the school CCF. I was detailed as his ADC for the day. In fact I suspect that I was the reason he was asked to be the reviewing officer.
After the parade he invited me to join him at his hotel at Crummock Water and return in his helicopter the following day. Regretfully I declined as I had been ordered to RTB asap. In the event I would have got back quicker had I accepted.
I next met him about 1967 at Waddington when he flew in for some conference. My job that time was to get to his aircraft to collect his sword as his ADC that day had failed to pick them up.
But you are quite right, a Gent. ( He was at the 1 Gp Dining In Night with "We want Gus" ringing in his ears.
While working as Station Commander at RAF Syerston he rushed in a fire truck from the control tower to a taxiing Lancaster bomber when he saw it was on fire. He then tried to remove incendiary bombs from under the bomb bay in the hope that he could prevent a 4,000Ib bomb from exploding, but it detonated and he lost his right arm as a result.[3] Returning to active service with an artificial arm, he was referred to by personnel as the one-armed bandit.[4]
He was an old boy of my school. While I was in Nav Training the system matched that I was from his school when he, as AOCinC Flying Training Command, was to carry out the annual inspection old the school CCF. I was detailed as his ADC for the day. In fact I suspect that I was the reason he was asked to be the reviewing officer.
After the parade he invited me to join him at his hotel at Crummock Water and return in his helicopter the following day. Regretfully I declined as I had been ordered to RTB asap. In the event I would have got back quicker had I accepted.
I next met him about 1967 at Waddington when he flew in for some conference. My job that time was to get to his aircraft to collect his sword as his ADC that day had failed to pick them up.
But you are quite right, a Gent. ( He was at the 1 Gp Dining In Night with "We want Gus" ringing in his ears.
Last edited by Pontius Navigator; 9th Jan 2016 at 09:58. Reason: OD, apologies, I am well aware of the proper spelling and can only plead being influenced by the previous post. I noted the
Guest
Posts: n/a
Air Chief Marshal Sir Augustus Walker.
Pontius Navigator, (excerpt from my Post p.214 #4277 on the "Pilot's Brevet..." Thread) re "Gus" Walker:
...As to the rest, I agree every word. There was a heartwarming story, dating from before I got to Strubby, that a little lad of 9 or 10 had lost his right forearm in a tractor accident on some Lincolnshire farm. "Gus" made a point of visiting him in hospital as soon as he came round from surgery, ("Gus" wearing full kit and regalia), to have a chat and show the little chap that all was not lost - as he had suffered exactly the same injury...D.
Danny.
Air Chief Marshal Sir Augustus Walker
Danny:-
...and a superb VSO. As Inspector General of the Royal Air Force he would fly to many far flung stations to carry out his duties. The flight gave him time to do his homework, as he and his ADC perused a rogues gallery of those known to him at the destination. As he walked through the ranks of the Guard of Honour he would stop in front of one and say something along the lines of, "I hope your driving has improved since you used to put the fear of God into me driving me around in Holland, Sgt Smith", or some such. Smith's chest swelled with pride, muttering some reassurance or other, and Gus moved on to accost yet another. A good man that man...
A fine gentleman (died in 1986) who will be long remembered.
PN:-
She certainly saluted like one, but there the resemblance ends as they say.
Oh Dear O-D, was Susanah York a squipper?
Ladies & Gentlemen,
Please can we agree that there is only one 'L' in Marshal, when used in the RAF rank context. Yes, I know about the 'll' but as a former squipper, I'm also de facto pedantic.
Unfortunately, I have no idea if Ms York was a squipper but on my squippers training course, was a fair and fragrant female who would run Ms York a close second. When last met, she was leaning over the balcony rail of the former ATC tower at Castle Coombe racing circuit, protected by a very possessive RN flying instructor. She left the RAF shortly afterwards so that she and Captain Hornblower could breed military policemen!
O-D
Please can we agree that there is only one 'L' in Marshal, when used in the RAF rank context. Yes, I know about the 'll' but as a former squipper, I'm also de facto pedantic.
Unfortunately, I have no idea if Ms York was a squipper but on my squippers training course, was a fair and fragrant female who would run Ms York a close second. When last met, she was leaning over the balcony rail of the former ATC tower at Castle Coombe racing circuit, protected by a very possessive RN flying instructor. She left the RAF shortly afterwards so that she and Captain Hornblower could breed military policemen!
O-D
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: South of Old Warden
Age: 87
Posts: 1,375
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Goudie, with respect, he was Air Chief Marshal Sir ....
I do recall him arriving at Scampton in his Meteor, which he flew with a ball and socket attachment. He was also the only officer I ever saw, wearing a cloak!
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: M4 Corridor
Posts: 561
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
One more on "Gus" Walker.
He was the reviewing officer on my graduation parade and I believe that we were the first to have brevets with Velcro patches rather than pins. Gus pressed the first brevet on and smoothed it with his remaining hand then when he saw it stuck he just plonked the rest on as he moved down the line.
A great bloke
He was the reviewing officer on my graduation parade and I believe that we were the first to have brevets with Velcro patches rather than pins. Gus pressed the first brevet on and smoothed it with his remaining hand then when he saw it stuck he just plonked the rest on as he moved down the line.
A great bloke
Gus Walker
Gus Walker was great mates with my dad; both being huge rugby fans and Gus being a pre-war English rugby international. Anyway, me and my dad used to get invited once a year (this would be in the early 1970s) to Twickenham for the home international. These were far from sober affairs-I now realise I was there soley for driving duties and were often attended by some legendary characters such as Sir Geoffrey Tuttle-who was utterly charming to a callow, long-haired 18yr old, Douglas Bader-rather less so and Sir George Edwards of British Aerospace who organised the whole thing.
Anyway one year England were playing France and for my father, who was Welsh, it was crucial that France won as it mean, from memory that Wales would win the 5 nations. The French got the ball and raced for the line and my dad, unable to restrain himself leapt to his feet and shouted "Allez les Galles". This didn't go down at all well with Gus, who was sitting next to him, and we never got invited again! Later they both had a good laugh about it though. I remember Gus as a charming bundle of energy who was always interested in and had time for other people. A top man.
Anyway one year England were playing France and for my father, who was Welsh, it was crucial that France won as it mean, from memory that Wales would win the 5 nations. The French got the ball and raced for the line and my dad, unable to restrain himself leapt to his feet and shouted "Allez les Galles". This didn't go down at all well with Gus, who was sitting next to him, and we never got invited again! Later they both had a good laugh about it though. I remember Gus as a charming bundle of energy who was always interested in and had time for other people. A top man.
I remember the inter Sqn chariot race at Waddington in the late 60s.
Our steed was an old fire appliance with huge metal wheels to which we attached a few swords for self defence!
The starter was the staish Des Hall - a tremendous man whose mode d'operation was to hold an open forum in the bar every weekday 6 to 7pm.
Unfortunately after our false start he was unable to get out of the way in time and was run over by our monster wheel!
He was rushed to Nocton with a badly bruised leg and the race continued.
To my knowledge he never complained.
Our steed was an old fire appliance with huge metal wheels to which we attached a few swords for self defence!
The starter was the staish Des Hall - a tremendous man whose mode d'operation was to hold an open forum in the bar every weekday 6 to 7pm.
Unfortunately after our false start he was unable to get out of the way in time and was run over by our monster wheel!
He was rushed to Nocton with a badly bruised leg and the race continued.
To my knowledge he never complained.
Please can we agree that there is only one 'L' in Marshal, when used in the RAF rank context. Yes, I know about the 'll' but as a former squipper, I'm also de facto pedantic.
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: UK
Age: 78
Posts: 389
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Chucked out
The usual long story but basically in summer 69 SL Brian Jones. OC standards decided I was not suitable to be part of the most excellent order of QFI's. We had previous. He may have been right we shall never know now
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
Tinribs, ah, been there. I had a welcome bollocking and last chance arrival interview at Nav School; I outlasted that OC. ***t
On the drift of bo?><&ings justified or not, I recall an incident in mid-1970s Uxbridge O/Mess - the weekday home of many an MOD type.
Picture; Elderly, but extremely fit and active wg cdr, ex-POW, snappy dresser, very much a 'lady's man, clipped 'tash et al.
Said officer finds his sleep disturbed by noisey juniors further down the corridor and after several nights of this decides enough is enough. Without further ado he encounters alleged culprit in the corridor and grabs him by the scruff of his collar, threatening GBH and worse. Young chap taken completely by surprise has just about enough breath to utter - 'wrong room - Sir'!
Abject apologies and copious compensation via the hop and grape ensue!
O-D
Picture; Elderly, but extremely fit and active wg cdr, ex-POW, snappy dresser, very much a 'lady's man, clipped 'tash et al.
Said officer finds his sleep disturbed by noisey juniors further down the corridor and after several nights of this decides enough is enough. Without further ado he encounters alleged culprit in the corridor and grabs him by the scruff of his collar, threatening GBH and worse. Young chap taken completely by surprise has just about enough breath to utter - 'wrong room - Sir'!
Abject apologies and copious compensation via the hop and grape ensue!
O-D
Pleased that Astir 8 had breathed new life into this very interesting and amusing thread, I decided to reread it from the start, only to come across the following comments about the VSO whose alleged “acceptance” of undue deference resulted in Warmtoast’s original post, extracted from others of the same nature at Onetrack’s Post # 26:
What would happen when this so called "man of leadership" was thrust into battle, and commenced to lose dramatically and be pummelled mercilessly by a ruthless enemy?
This officer sounds like he would have crumpled like a cardboard box under the pressure of a real conflict, and when nothing was going right for him.
Quite simply, for the edification of Onetrack, who to be fair may not have appreciated that it was not strictly Admiral Biggs who was at fault, and perhaps even Warmtoast, “what happened” when he met the “ruthless enemy”…..“under the pressure of a real conflict” was that, as Captain of the destroyer HMS HERO from March 1940 to March 1942, principally in numerous actions in the Mediterranean, he was awarded not one, but two DSOs, and subsequently an MID after commanding another destroyer, HMS ROTHERHAM, in 1944-45.
Perhaps not a very good dinghy sailor and, unlike Warmtoast, clearly quite content to remain a Wednesday racer without undue “promotion” to Saturdays, but certainly no “cardboard box”……
Jack
What would happen when this so called "man of leadership" was thrust into battle, and commenced to lose dramatically and be pummelled mercilessly by a ruthless enemy?
This officer sounds like he would have crumpled like a cardboard box under the pressure of a real conflict, and when nothing was going right for him.
Quite simply, for the edification of Onetrack, who to be fair may not have appreciated that it was not strictly Admiral Biggs who was at fault, and perhaps even Warmtoast, “what happened” when he met the “ruthless enemy”…..“under the pressure of a real conflict” was that, as Captain of the destroyer HMS HERO from March 1940 to March 1942, principally in numerous actions in the Mediterranean, he was awarded not one, but two DSOs, and subsequently an MID after commanding another destroyer, HMS ROTHERHAM, in 1944-45.
Perhaps not a very good dinghy sailor and, unlike Warmtoast, clearly quite content to remain a Wednesday racer without undue “promotion” to Saturdays, but certainly no “cardboard box”……
Jack
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
Interesting how this thread is full of good guys and I wouldn't wish it otherwise, though I recall one NVSO on a course with a bunch of flt lt, when asked his what we should call him said Sir, and insisted, as a student, logging flight time as captain.
Back to the good guys, Air Cdr base commander was a stickler for mess rules. He was also vertically challenged. One night, at a beer call, come the witching hour of 7pm, came behind a very young Fg Off PN, took me by both elbows and lifted me up. "You and I Sir are incorrectly dressed, I suggest we rectify the matter."
Top bloke.
Back to the good guys, Air Cdr base commander was a stickler for mess rules. He was also vertically challenged. One night, at a beer call, come the witching hour of 7pm, came behind a very young Fg Off PN, took me by both elbows and lifted me up. "You and I Sir are incorrectly dressed, I suggest we rectify the matter."
Top bloke.
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: UK
Age: 78
Posts: 389
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Chucked Out
Pontious
You outlasted the chucker, I did not but I was told that on his last day in the RAF he did something naughty enough to get his dining out cancelled, true or not I cannot say
You outlasted the chucker, I did not but I was told that on his last day in the RAF he did something naughty enough to get his dining out cancelled, true or not I cannot say
Undue Deference expected.....
I am told that when Flt Lt Eddie Cadogan was appointed as ADC to a VSO, the VSO's wife took him aside and said that he could address her as Lady 'vso'. Whereupon Eddie agreed but reminded her that would be happy to be introduced as Flight Lieutenant The Honourable Edward Cadogan*.
Cue slightly rouged cheeks from Mrs vso.
Batco
Apologies if the Chinese whisper phenomenon has corrupted that too much.
* Now Viscount Chelsea (ie "My Lord" when addressed)
Cue slightly rouged cheeks from Mrs vso.
Batco
Apologies if the Chinese whisper phenomenon has corrupted that too much.
* Now Viscount Chelsea (ie "My Lord" when addressed)