Mess Silver Store?
When I helped reform 151(F) Sqn at Chivenor in the early '80s I asked for the Sqn silver to be returned. I was told it had all been sold. Tragic and those officers, incl COs, who had paid a small fortune to present the Sqn with that silver must be turning in their graves.
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Often in Jersey, but mainly in the past.
Age: 79
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At Watton in the early 70s, the PMC and I did a detailed check of the Silver Store, as the insurance was getting prohibitive for a small Mess. Amongst the ‘treasures’ were a couple of 17th c pewter plates! After consultation with Quedgley etc etc we were authorised to hold a Mess auction to dispose of a load of it, and return major items to the Depot. One classic was a silver tankard presented to mark the 100th EA shot down by 100 Gp, engraved with the crew’s details.
The haul also included a collection of 8 or so 1/2 pint silver tankards, presented as sharpend noted above, which we retained for the use of ladies! I wish I could remember the Sqn concerned, but 151 Sqn rings a tragic bell.
The haul also included a collection of 8 or so 1/2 pint silver tankards, presented as sharpend noted above, which we retained for the use of ladies! I wish I could remember the Sqn concerned, but 151 Sqn rings a tragic bell.
At Watton in the early 70s, the PMC and I did a detailed check of the Silver Store, as the insurance was getting prohibitive for a small Mess. Amongst the ‘treasures’ were a couple of 17th c pewter plates! After consultation with Quedgley etc etc we were authorised to hold a Mess auction to dispose of a load of it, and return major items to the Depot. One classic was a silver tankard presented to mark the 100th EA shot down by 100 Gp, engraved with the crew’s details.
The haul also included a collection of 8 or so 1/2 pint silver tankards, presented as sharpend noted above, which we retained for the use of ladies! I wish I could remember the Sqn concerned, but 151 Sqn rings a tragic bell.
The haul also included a collection of 8 or so 1/2 pint silver tankards, presented as sharpend noted above, which we retained for the use of ladies! I wish I could remember the Sqn concerned, but 151 Sqn rings a tragic bell.
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Often in Jersey, but mainly in the past.
Age: 79
Posts: 7,810
Received 136 Likes
on
64 Posts
I remember the silver Bloodhound ... a very nice piece of work! Left ERD in 79 after my 2nd tour there, so I can't help.
Reading the replies I cannot help think that a very similar ending happened to the works of art that used to adorn mess walls. Heard stories of art simply disappearing off the walls without any meaningful investigation..
Happy Ending to 504's Squadron Silver
Sharp eyed RAF policeman enters our ATC Wing HQ at RAF Newton. 'Excuse me sir', sayeth he to the wing Ad O A DFC beribboned ex Stirling/Lanc pilot of great veneration. 'Do you have a key to the trophy cabinet lurking in the corridor outside your office door?' 'S'not locked never has been', replies the good squadron leader.
Policeman turns pale. 'but its all solid silver, it must be worth a fortune. (it was)
How it came to be in an unlocked cabinet in a wooden hut in full view of every potential burglar on the prowl we never did fathom.
It didn't even belong to the ATC, We later found out it was only part of 504 City of Nottingham Squadron RAFVR's mess silver, some of it presented by the family of Captain Albert Ball VC.
It was rapidly removed to a place of safety.
Sharp eyed RAF policeman enters our ATC Wing HQ at RAF Newton. 'Excuse me sir', sayeth he to the wing Ad O A DFC beribboned ex Stirling/Lanc pilot of great veneration. 'Do you have a key to the trophy cabinet lurking in the corridor outside your office door?' 'S'not locked never has been', replies the good squadron leader.
Policeman turns pale. 'but its all solid silver, it must be worth a fortune. (it was)
How it came to be in an unlocked cabinet in a wooden hut in full view of every potential burglar on the prowl we never did fathom.
It didn't even belong to the ATC, We later found out it was only part of 504 City of Nottingham Squadron RAFVR's mess silver, some of it presented by the family of Captain Albert Ball VC.
It was rapidly removed to a place of safety.
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