H
Halton
Guest
"Cough"
When I joined the Mob, Brat Patch was known as MQ's(Married Quarters) ~~ Brats were Lord Trenchards little boys at Halton.
I know this, because, at the tender age of 16 , I became one. I passed an examination, and was accepted as an Apprentice in January 1938. (37th Entry).
Posted to 2 Wing Halton, I marched up & down the Hill twice a day for 12 months. Then, on the opening of RAF Cosford in January39, we became the first Entry at that illustrious seat of learning.
Our Entry "Passed out" in March1940,& I was posted to 82 Sqd as A/c plonk Fitt/Arm. We were at Watton & Bodney Heath in Norfolk, and copped a lot in those early days of the War. The Sqdn was wiped out a couple of times, & only saved from the scrapheap by our C.O Lord Bandon.
In October of 40, after attaining the dizzy heights of A/c1, was posted to Middle East Command, sailing on HMT "Georgic", bound for adventures as yet to unfold. The trip out was hectic, with a number of our convoy getting clobbered. But we arrived safely, in November & was posted to 53 RSU at Abu Suir
New years eve saw us in Crete, on our way to Greece, the only RSU to operate in that theatre. We were billeted in a comfortable hotel, but our work place was little more than a field. It is now the major airport in Greece. Glouster Gladiators, Hurricanes,Lysanders & Blenheims all came under our tender care, and I managed to secure my "Props" ~~~~ but we were very lucky to escape the swiftly advancing Jerries.
Back at Abu Suir we reformed and were divided into 2 units ~~ 53 & 2 RSU. Up and down the "Blue" a couple of times, and my "Tapes" came to light. Then over to Italy. In November 1944 I became "Time Expired" and shipped back to UK.
Posted to 12 OTU, my "Third" practically beat me to the unit. Didnt stay there long, before being posted to BD Wing Doncaster. From there to 6202 BD Flt Grangemouth. RAF BD was disbanded in 1947, so had a couple of postings before ending up in 202 MU.
Air Ministry decided to revive "Purchase of Discharge" in 1948,so,as I was now "Q" Explosives, and could see the writing on the wall. I decided to take advantage of it , & was discharged on2nd September 1948 (50 pounds well spent).
In 1950, I decided to migrate to Australia & sailed from Liverpool on ~~ you guessed it ~~ MV Georgic.
Have had a great life here in Australia, and , at 88 Years of age, am contemplating a visit to the Old Dart. Hope to be staying with a neice who live only a stones throw from Halton.
Probably go for a shufti ~~ see if there are any old goats, or ghosts.
When I joined the Mob, Brat Patch was known as MQ's(Married Quarters) ~~ Brats were Lord Trenchards little boys at Halton.
I know this, because, at the tender age of 16 , I became one. I passed an examination, and was accepted as an Apprentice in January 1938. (37th Entry).
Posted to 2 Wing Halton, I marched up & down the Hill twice a day for 12 months. Then, on the opening of RAF Cosford in January39, we became the first Entry at that illustrious seat of learning.
Our Entry "Passed out" in March1940,& I was posted to 82 Sqd as A/c plonk Fitt/Arm. We were at Watton & Bodney Heath in Norfolk, and copped a lot in those early days of the War. The Sqdn was wiped out a couple of times, & only saved from the scrapheap by our C.O Lord Bandon.
In October of 40, after attaining the dizzy heights of A/c1, was posted to Middle East Command, sailing on HMT "Georgic", bound for adventures as yet to unfold. The trip out was hectic, with a number of our convoy getting clobbered. But we arrived safely, in November & was posted to 53 RSU at Abu Suir
New years eve saw us in Crete, on our way to Greece, the only RSU to operate in that theatre. We were billeted in a comfortable hotel, but our work place was little more than a field. It is now the major airport in Greece. Glouster Gladiators, Hurricanes,Lysanders & Blenheims all came under our tender care, and I managed to secure my "Props" ~~~~ but we were very lucky to escape the swiftly advancing Jerries.
Back at Abu Suir we reformed and were divided into 2 units ~~ 53 & 2 RSU. Up and down the "Blue" a couple of times, and my "Tapes" came to light. Then over to Italy. In November 1944 I became "Time Expired" and shipped back to UK.
Posted to 12 OTU, my "Third" practically beat me to the unit. Didnt stay there long, before being posted to BD Wing Doncaster. From there to 6202 BD Flt Grangemouth. RAF BD was disbanded in 1947, so had a couple of postings before ending up in 202 MU.
Air Ministry decided to revive "Purchase of Discharge" in 1948,so,as I was now "Q" Explosives, and could see the writing on the wall. I decided to take advantage of it , & was discharged on2nd September 1948 (50 pounds well spent).
In 1950, I decided to migrate to Australia & sailed from Liverpool on ~~ you guessed it ~~ MV Georgic.
Have had a great life here in Australia, and , at 88 Years of age, am contemplating a visit to the Old Dart. Hope to be staying with a neice who live only a stones throw from Halton.
Probably go for a shufti ~~ see if there are any old goats, or ghosts.
DT_Xtremez_19
