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RAF Manbys Officers mess burnt down yesterday
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Yes, frequented/resided continuously from 1965-1967! Very sad to see that. It was a very nice Mess back then, full of life and with a massively varied population (CAW, Refresher Flying, Staff and Spec N courses and of course all the staff to make it all happen). All ages and ranks from plt offs to gp capts, all mingling happily. It was noted that the more senior ones (e.g. Gp Capt Norman Hoad) actually enjoyed just being students again. And with Air Cdre Cyclops Brown as Cmdt, happiness spread from the top downwards. I had always thought that most/much of the former Station had become Council offices. Clearly a king-size Officers Mess ‘with later additions’ was simply too big to use. Probably the same applied to the huge College of Air Warfare building as well. |
Shame !
63 years ago, with my bride of a few weeks, and straight off the JATC Course at Shawbury, I attended the Autumn Ball there, and have the memory of a wonderful night. Then Manby was the R.A.F. Flying College, the Commandant was "Gus" Walker. At the end of a long presentation line, and having only seen me briefly a week or so earlier, he clearly remembered my name, and that I was newly married. My wife was vastly impressed - and also with the huge poached salmon on the buffet ! Three years of ATC "hard" followed at Strubby (seven miles away and Manby's satellite), Happy days ! |
When there's a fire, there's often a property developer with a rejected planning application. For the price of a few "rocks", anything can be overcome.
Cynical Moi? IG |
Your mention of Gus Walker reminds me of my excellent Manby Batman, Les ... who also had lost an arm. Les had numerous fittings for his prosthetic to facilitate his duties, and it was impressive to watch him working. |
I recall a free-flight contest at Strubby, probably in the '70s, during which we were housed at Manby. The kippers at breakfast were probably the best I've ever had.
IG. What a scandalous implication, impugning the lily-white reputation of property developers. Probably 100% accurate, though. Funny how these fires just happen, innit...? |
Too young to remember that but do remember a 'nightclub' in the old Ground Defence HQ on the edge of the airfield by a crossroads (?)- The Bunker Club? I had a few memorable nights in there when stationed at Donna Nook in the mid eighties. In fact I vaguely remember a girlfriend at the time worked for Lincs CC there in the old SHQ or OM.
IIRC part of the MQ patch was still being used by Binbrook at the time. I remembered going to a 'gentlemens evening' in the Famillies Club one night but thats a different story. |
Image Much truth in your suggestion. Used to happen all the time where I live |
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As for pubs burning down or suffering other fates such as absconding managers ...........
When looking at a voluntary house move on retirement the only way to be reasonably sure of a pub available in a village is to have two as a minimum. As it is, we have been nerve-wrackingly close to zero for prolonged periods. And, yes, I too was a resident in the OM at Manby, c. 1966. |
Sorry to see that. Staff Nav '69 and GD Aerosystems '73. Lots of memories but it certainly seemed to be one of the most relaxed and well run Officers' Messes I ever encountered, probably because, as someone has already said, we were mostly all students and of mixed rank and ability. On my second course there we were in quarters, Provost Road, Mrs ARCHIE1, a 2 year old nipper and a large rough collie in tow but life still centred on that lovely Mess. I especially remember an Easter egg hunt for the kids in the surrounding gardens and woods. Later in the year, the Mess mail rack held a surprise for me, the totally unexpected blue letter advancing me in rank, along with several others. Fortunately, the bar was close at hand but it makes me shudder to see the dereliction within these days. I will forward a link to the Australians who were with us at Manby in '73 - and to the 2 year old.
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Building was apparently Grade 2 listed; they've arrested an 18 year old 'man' for it.
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Having seen the state of the mess at Syerston, that end would probably be a blessing.
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Very sad news. Was at SORF from Sept 64 as co on the Varsity and then did AFS on the Meteor at Strubby. Moved to the Strubby Seco hutted Mess in Nov 64 and left Strubby in Apr 65. As stated above, Manby was a friendly Mess with a very wide rank structure. Seems such a waste - one wonders why someone would come down from Grimsby to torch the Mess at Manby!!
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What a hellova shame, Manby was a great station under G/ C Pat Bailey As the senior standards QFI at SORF I flew with every rank from P.O. to AVM ( Stack, commandant designate of Cranwell) and had the best time of my 12 years in the RAF. Every refresher student, regardles of rank seemed to really enjoy his time there . Probably learned more than I taught, flying with such experienced pilots! My wife and I still remember Pat Bailey telling me my Australian wife had invited so many pretty Australian friends from London that we had a bigger summer ball table than him! That was not supposed to happen but he was delighted to see them all there ! Typical of Pat. The JP 4 was not the most exciting of aircraft, but what wonderful times ! So sad to see the mess destroyed. |
Some may therefore recall old Joe, the Barman? When I brought in a new girlfriend one Saturday I sat her at one of those low coffee tables under the overhang and went to the Bar to order our drinks. “I’ll bring them over, Sir.” And so he did, on a silver tray ... and a discreet Hamlet for me, with a whispered “Good luck, Sir.” And there was Reggie J, the Stn Cdr who everyone “loved” ... a batchelor living in the Stn Cdr’s residence in splendid isolation. It was he who banned brewers’ beer towels/beer mats on the Bar, and advertsing ashtrays. In some respects he was on the right track, but of course we had to pay through Mess funds for anonymous alternatives, and live with a wet bar top! |
More frequently it has been a den for kids smashing windows and starting fires. |
Didn't realise fragging was back, then?
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the Commandant was "Gus" Walker. A real shame about the Mess. |
Gus Walker - what a guy. In late 60s was walking through Brancaster as a newly minted (invalided) civvie as Gus was walking the other way. I had just described to the first Mrs W who it was approaching when he stopped addressed me by name, I introduced Mrs W and we had a pleasant 5 minute conversation. The thing was I had met him only once before, at the 25th Anniversary of Flying Training Command at Shinfield Park, when I had commanded a demonstration cadet drill flight from the Towers, about6 years previously
Anyone from Manby remember the GP at Grimolby in the 80s, old school friend of mine. . |
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