Govt Property
 

I would recommend someone pays a visit to the home in Spain of ACM RAF Wilson (Rtd) where they can view some fine examples of furniture that were somehow 'acquired' from Air House at JHQ Rhinedalen when the house was finally vacated by the RAF.

Proletarian

We have a handsome glass vase with the old RAF crest just below the top rim, also an oval glass bowl used for trifle making since my childhood. Both items were taken by mistake and put into storage on leaving RAF Binbrook for Khormaksar in 1951, retrieved on return to RAF Leuchars, and still in occasional use today. They don't make 'em like they used to :rolleyes:

A Mappin & Webb plated cruet set dating back to the de-scaling of OMQs at Rheindahlen in 1982, though the card table and drinks trolley have long gone. Also a very fine coffee table constructed by one of the station chippies (German civvy) from the legs of a scrap bed and the back of a scrap wardrobe in return for 200 cigs and a bottle of brandy.

In about 1979, the station padre came to my office in workshops at Henlow clutching a hallmarked silver chalice, slightly bent. It transpired that it had been thrown out in Malta (1975 presumably) and he somehow acquired it. I managed to straighten it with my bare hands!

I still have the card table but somehow the trolley has disappeared; I finally sold my No 1 and No 5 uniforms only last week. Still got the OP shoes but I'm sure they don't fit.

I was informed that one of his Gp Capts failed in his attempt to take his office desk with him: shopped by his Wg Cdr.

After I left JHQ the handsome office barograph was coveted by several VSOs, but it was unexpectedly declared beyond repair [needed more ink!] and thus went to a good and deserving home, where it is cherished and in continuous service.

My parents, in married quarters, Laarbruch 1970's, had a large quantity of Teutonic crockery.
Complete with Swastika on the back of each piece.

We have two rather nice mahogany bedside tables, nicely inlaid ribboned edges and lions head drawer pulls. Picked them up for a song (£10 for the pair) about 20 years ago from RAF Quedgerley. Also picked up a set of six heavy silver plated crested napkin rings in a junk shop in Shrewsbury for...£6. I've made sure I've kept the receipts for all items pending an RAF Police knock on the door.

Of stuff that was packed by mistake we still have the small cork-covered bathroom stall and the kitchen steps. Both doing sterling service after 24 years of married life.

I told my wife about this thread. She said "tell them about the wine glasses with the RAF badge engraved!"

I forgot them ........ they are in "t'trophy cabinet" as a visitor called it, the contents of which are removed, dusted/polished and replaced annually or thereabouts. Or when HM the Queen is due for tea.

There is also a more useful large collection of steins from Oktoberfests all over, and the end of Wildenrath MDA, and various other excuses. Very expensive to fill properly.

When the RAF were getting set to leave Malta in 1978, my wife and I were lving in a MOD furnished hiring. We accepted the offer of being able to purchase most of the furniture and equipment. Transport to the UK was in a shared container on a RFA bound for Pompey. This included the contents of Lounge, Dining Room and 3 Bedrooms including carpets and curtains, as well as crockery and kitchen equipment. We nearly got away with the 8 settings of siver plate cutlery but OC supply said that wasn't for sale. I wonder if that made it back to the UK? As I recall, the purchase, packing and delivery to our rented home near RAF Kinloss cost a little over £1500! There was minor damage en route but this was covered by insurance. As we had never owned or furnished a house we thought this an absolute bargain! An oak chest of drawers, the drinks trolley and card table are still in the house after 40 years and several moves, and bedroom dressing tables do stalwart service in the garage and Mrs Olddog's crafting room. I think the oldest artifact in daily use is a MOD marked saucepan dated 1965!:)

Having (unintentionally) helped close a few stations, I bought five wardrobes and two kitchen tables as Gutersloh closed. I have two wardrobes and the tables, even now, in my Garage and the rest has become flooring in the Loft and Garage roof....oh! - and a complete workshop tool kit!

It's funny how these thing stay in families, we have my wife's grandfather's military issue fife/flute from WW1, sadly cracked and unplayable. Her father was in signals in WW2 and we have a range of tools that are still used today, and some I have no idea of the purpose of.

To take an opposing view, we celebrated the day when we declared our MQ ‘unfurnished’, having acquired all our own stuff. Somehow the prospect of looking at MoD stuff forever didn’t appeal, and nor did having a house that looked like everyone else's!

I do however have a reel of para-cord, and a 5l tin of PX24/WD40.

An SLR cleaning kit plastic oil bottle, I can't remember how how or why. It's been used to keep my engineering thread taps in for over 40 years.

Has the tin gone rusty?

:) :) :) :ok: