Thanks Al - great story about him getting everyone to de-bus by rank - priceless :ok:

Jack HOLT that was it! Thanks guys. He broke his leg one night at Odiham in '72 when he fell down an open manhole cover....

ttn,

Thats probably the sort of thing that you appreciate as the years go by! We used to have to dig in on the sqn (Akr) as informal punishment and live there if we wrecked the blocks. (WO) Brain Deeley used to say '.. if you want to live like animals, I'll treat you like one - go live in the bondu'.

I think that 34 Sqn's compound got the chop recently (the one by the Lightning), but I was lucky to get one last look around last year and reminisced when I saw the faint outline in the ground where the trenches used to be dug out, filled in, dug out, filled in... Brian banned me from every establishment on the island with the exception of Tip Top Toyshop on the Limassol bypass when I emptied a bottle of fullers earth onto the upper surface of a roof mounted room fan before his pre-AOC inspection/electrics check.

Good days.

Mr Smith, SWO RAF Nicosia c. 1962 ............. changed his KDs mid-day and indeed more often when it was a big swagger day. The Staish was Mickey Martin, who, on this day, played a leading role in the 617 dams raid. A dreadful cadger of cigarettes when he visited Met., next to ATC.

Fortunately his daughter was a member of my wife's Guide Company, thus the camps "on camp" were provided with every necessity: a daily water bowser, extra tentage, some jankers men to dig latrines, a garry on demand to take a poorly girl to "Sick Quarters" as they were known.......

A great man. I seem to recall that his pride and joy car was dropped from a lighter in Piraeus on his way home ........ not by a disgruntled retired airman, as was rumoured.

I reckon that could only be one man! Ex-Tremblers Admin Sgt & RAF Tennis Coach in the 80's. we did that too one day, I don't think he caught on.

HH93

There was a very nice SWOess at Hereford when JT Howie turned up go on GST 1 in the 90's.

Told me to watch out for the Sgt(ess) instructors on the course as they were power mad B**ches !!!!:ok:trying to corrupt the RAF way of life with a load of PC rubbish!!!

She was prolly right too.

HH93

SWO seems to be a great job, be interesting to hear from any SWO's if it's a really enjoyable job

Remember his oppo Cpl Brooks, used to come on the tannoy with a real broad Yorkshire accent... "staaaannnd Biy fur brooowwdcassssst gaaaardruuum tanoih". The minute he came on we used to rush to phone the Guardroom because in all the years he was there, he never cottoned on that everytime he was on the tannoy the phone next to the mike would ring and it flustered him.

RAF Colerne, early 70s - SAC stevef, theoretically the week's lower floor billet orderly, is lounging on his bed checking out the Sun's Page 3 girl after having enjoyed a late breakfast and rearranged the dust. Room door suddenly opens and in strides the ex-Air Gunner SWO (WO L**man).
SAC stevef leaps from his bed in anticipation of a supercharged rollicking for shirking... SWO gathers Vesuvian momentum, but luckily stevef has several Aeroplane Monthly centrefold photographs taped to his locker. SWO stalls, points at a Lancaster, looks nostalgic and recollects when he crewed them in WW2. Departs a minute or so later after amiably suggesting that SAC stevef carries on with his duties.
Saved by Avro. :ok:

SWO's
 

Having retired from the RAF recently, my last post was as SWO at a front line fighter station. It was one of the best jobs I have had during my 37+ yrs as a techie. Yes there were times when I asked myself "why did I volunteer for this" but mainly it was a great role with all ranks showing the respect that I would expect for the post.

I'm sure being the SWO is a great job. However nobody wants it these days. Manning have been after SWO volunteers for 5 different stations for at least the last 6 months.

From a previous post.

There's your answer.

There was a female SWO at Leuchars in the early nineties. A bit of a beer monster by all accounts. Not sure if my memory serves me correctly but I think she presided over an AOC's parade where the AOC demanded it was done again? I stand to be corrected on all points. Especially whether she was actually female!

The RAF website article on the jubilee parade has an excellent photo of a drill sargent in action!
Best Foot Forward
mmitch.

SWO
 

Peter Hai

I knew you as a techie and laterly as SWO - you were a gent in both posts. Respect is much about the person as it is the rank or position.:ok:

Female SWO at Lossie
 

Midlifec, you are referring to the indomitable Eileen Beasley (Miss Beasley to you and I). Built like the size of a small country, she was quite possibly one of scariest brutes I have ever seen and was more than a match for her oppo over at Kinloss, WO Dennis 'Puncher' Hyman.

My (female) boss had the pleasure of accompanying Miss Beasley down from the Moray Firth when they both attended the old 2-week NBC Cell Controllers Course at Winterbourne Gunner. Deciding to try and fill the Saturday after the first week with a visit to Salisbury, they went to the big market there and agreed to meet after an hour.

Anne was first at the agreed RV and was pleased with her purchase of curtain material. However, she could not suppress her mirth when she spotted Eileen coming back to meet up with her, lugging a Black and Decker Workmate through the crowds of people. 'Bargain ma'am!' she hooted on her return.

I believe she became SWO at Cosford as well later on in her life.

This thread entry 24 was also Eileen circa 82 at Valley as SWO.

I wonder if that was the same Overall that was at RAF St Athan in the mid seventies where I lived on West Camp as a scaley brat.

He would even bollack us kids for playing footie on “his” grass areas between the quarters. :=

SRENNAPS,

Yes, same bloke, I often speak to his son, who is the most helpfull person in CAA Engineer Licensing,

BR om15

No longer in licensing, never realised it was his son.

Anyone remember SWO Mcarthy (sp?) Binbrook early / mid 60s ? Ex WW2 AG. Put the fear of God into everyone, especially 64 Sqdn, officers included .

om15,

Many thanks for the confirmation. Please pass on my regards to his son as I am sure his dad would remeber my dad:ok:

I might be wrong but does anybody recall a SWO by the name of Irene Kennedy at Laarbruch around 1998. She might have actually been promoted to SWO when she got posted to Scotland?? Well she used to have a young puppy Golden Retriever called Champ. When she was posted to Scotland she gave Champ to her brother (Roy) who in turn gave him to us at age 18 months.

Well Champ is now 14 and still doing well. A bit dodgy on his legs but still the cheeky little blighter he always was. If anybody knows Irene, please let her know:)

There was a female SWO at Cosford when I was there as an instructor 88-92. She was married to one of my oppos who was a Chf Tech flight systems guy.

Of course the classic retort to a SWO was if the shout 'AIRMAN' was launched at you from a fairly safe and unrecognisable distance was to shout back 'SWO' and run like buggery.

Brian Grindrod, SWO at Scampton around 1993. A true gentleman and perfect example of a SWO.

Del Shannon, F/S disp at Sek Kong late 80's who thought he was a SWO. A complete T**t with a Cpl disp who was never far from his backside.

Scariest WO ever, The Irish Garrison Sergeant Major, Borneo Lines. Projectile bollockings you could hear from the guardroom to the control tower and that's a mighty long road.

Prior to being at Scampton Brian Grindrod was SWO at RAF Gatow. As stated the absolute personification of a SWO. His son, a chip off the old block was following in fathers footsteps until an unfortunate rugby accident cut short a very promising career whilst he was serving at RAF(H) Wegberg.

I assume that would be Jan M*****? I remember her as a Flt Sgt from when I was going through training around 85-86. A formidable woman, but well respected.

S-D

That would be the one. Come to think of it, I wonder if she was the SWO or a F/S dsicip at the time when I was there? 20 odd years ago, memory might be playing tricks. Her hubby was the mildest mannered guy you could wish to meet oddly enough!

Hmm She was a FS late in 1987, I remember her well as she boarded the busload of new recruits - fresh from Swinderby - "REET now gentlemen, you'll get off the bus in an orderly manner - and that does nae mean you'll talk!" GULP - she was invited to our graduation 3 years later, but I cannot remember if she was a WO at that time.

3 years later? If you were an appo there's a good chance I taught you! Spent 88-90 on the Avionics Project Team writing the new avionics syllabus and then 90-92 teaching in the newly refurbed Fulton Block, in which I actually lived (room 51 I think it was) as a very shiny new airman on trade training in '74. I believe Fulton block was the largest single accomodation block in the RAF. It kicked started my interest in teaching, which is what I went into when I left the Air Force. Cosford was my best tour in the mob, loved it there. Great location, great facilities and of course a gliding club!

ah Eileen Beasley was swo at rhien d in 88 -90, built like a brick !!!! house, though I nearly throw up on her , doing drill in the Naafi (queensway) after a heavy night. And she was no happy when we took her stick apart at the xmas dinner either, funny doo you had too be a gp ctn or above to serve us , even the dep cnc did his bit, Beasley no happy when he filled our glasses, there was an extra one, so its was yamb sinng sir he he ahh good times...........

Jan M****** joined Apprentice Squadron as the Flt Sgt Discip, must have been around 85. She was there as the Flt Sgt when I passed out in late 86. Her husband, that would have been Kieran M*****, and you're right thing.

S-D

Ah, not Kieran but Ciaran as he used to point out to me...:)