| Fortieth Entry |
Have You Any Photographs Or Other Memories Of the 40th Entry RAF Administrative Apprentices? If So You Can E-Mail Them To: |
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| Above and Right: Apprentice Band (Mixed Entries) 1961 Photos Courtesy Of Mike Boyle |
| Left Ten Tors 61A – L.A.A. Pringle (40th Entry), in the lead, and the remaining team members (all 42nd Entry) were A.A.s Clarke, Green, Taylor, Whelan, and Williams (but I don’t know which from t’other in the photo.) All were Clerks Secretarial. |
| Taken In Dunoon,this photo shows “Midge” Curran (40th Entry) on the left and John Nash (38th Entry) right. |
| Passing Out 1961 |
RAF Bircham Newton 1st XI and 2nd XI (lighter shirts on the left) football teams comprising apprentices and permanent staff. It was taken probably at the start of the 1961/62 football season as the 40th passed out in the December of that year. It has taken a long time to identify all the names, mainly due to the hard work of Rick Short (43rd). |
| Picture Courtesy Of Alan Pickering |
| Picture Courtesy Of Alan Pickering |
| Picture Courtesy Of Alan Pickering |
| Picture Courtesy Of Alan Pickering |
| Picture Courtesy Of Alan Pickering |
| Picture Courtesy Of Alan Pickering |
| Picture Courtesy Of Alan Pickering |
| Picture Courtesy Of Alan Pickering |
| Picture Courtesy Of Alan Pickering |
| The photo (above centre) courtesy of non member Don Gosling (40th EntryClerk Sec) in his 'band attire'. Don was Trumpet Sergeant in the Admin Apps Band at Bircham Newton. The band of course also had a Drum Sgt as well as a Band Major. I have spoken with a couple of ex App Bandsmen and none of them can explain why the Trumpet Sgt wore 4 inverted stripes?? One would imagine it should have been 3 (??). As an aside, you may wonder why Don is a non-member. He was a 'high-flier' RAF Clerk Sec serving with HQ FEAF; when nearing his 12 year exit point he suddenly discovered he could not sign on!! He was, at the time, working for an Army 2 star who arranged for him to transfer to the Army (RAOC) and it was even agreed he could stay on at Changi and merely swap uniforms. However, for whatever reason, PMC insisted he returned to the UK for discharge - which he did, despite protestations from the the Army, and subsequently joined the Army later. He did a pensionable engagement with the RAOC eventually retiring as a WO. Therefore, Don feels his loyalty rests with the Army. He is well aware of our web site and has agreed the photo can be included in the 40th entry scrap book page - assuming you agree to this of course. Administrator Note: Thanks to Don and to Dixie Dean who sent both the photo and the above explanation of Don's reasons for not becoming a member. It would be interesting to know the answer to the why the Trumpet Sergeant had four stripes. Anybody know? |
| Presented To The 39th, 40th and 41st Entries On The Occasion Of Their Combined Reunion In September 2010 |
| The AATS band had a Drum Major at the time which was Mike Boyle, Don was the Trumpet Major, I was the Corporal Drummer (leading drummer), there was no Sergeant Drummer. Technically the Drum Major was the person leading the ‘band’, whilst called Drum Major he had no influence on the drums, that was my responsibility.The Drum Major had four stripes, as did the Trumpet Major, the reason for four stripes was not questioned at any time, it was as it was! Our Bandmaster was a Sergeant and a ‘delightful old chap’. Administrator Note: Now then this still does not answer the question as to why these particular bandsmen sported 4 stripes so we are none the wiser!! Certainly when I was a 29th entry drummer with the band at Hereford in 1956 I cannot recall George Masson our Drum Major wearing 4 stripes. As published on the noticeboard on 3rd October, here is another answer to the question of why the Drum and Trumpet Majors sported 4 stripes. Thanks to Trevor Moore (14th/15th) Administrator Note: I have had a couple of responses to this one. Here is the one from Trevor Moore (14/15th Entries). Thanks Trevor - this is as good as it is going to get UNLESS OF COURSE ANY OF YOU KNOW BETTER.... I will add this account to the 40th entry page for posterity! 'If you refer to the scrapbook photos of the 15th Entry you will find a pic of the Graduation Parade in 1953 of the 15th Entry and showing the Inspecting Officer talking to AA Bill Bailey (he is a member of the Association). As you will see, Bill has 4 inverted stripes with a drum above (metal badge) and this was the insignia for the Drum Major - he was always at the front of the band and carried (and swung to great effect) the Mace. This "rank" had no authority (unlike a Sgt, Cpl, or Leading Apprentice hence the stripes being inverted. It was purely a band insignia and the "drum" had no connection with drum playing. It was officially accepted. Drum Majors exist in many bands and are the lead (and mace) position for ceremonial purposes. To the best of my recollection Bill Bailey was the first Drum Major when the band was formed. One of my old pics shows members of the 14th, 15th 16th and maybe 17th in band formation. I think the band was formed at the time of the 13th/14th Entry at RAF St Athan in 1952/53. I was also in that band (lead trumpeter) and most of us had ATC or Boys Brigade band backgrounds hence selection for the AATS band. Interesting to note that Bill had the 4 stripes but was also eligible to wear his 2 GCB stripes but there was simply no room on his sleeve.! The other metal badge on his left sleeve, below his wheel, is the RAF voluntary band badge which we were entitled to wear with our uniform.' |
| 40th Entry Reunions Because The 39th, 40th and 41st Entries have held combined reunions a combined reunions page for these entries has been created. Reports on and photos featuring these entries will in future be contained on this page Click Here To View |
| Telegraph Announcement 39th.40th and 41st Reunion Dinner 13th September 2010 |
| Left: Buccaneer SZB going vertical in the Med with Cyprus in the background, 20 NM west of RAF Akrotiri. Pilot of this aircraft: Flight Lieutenant Richard (Dick) Harden (ex 40th). Date: May 1978 |
Raw Recruits - 40th Entry 2nd Day After Arrival. The two standing in uniform facing the flight are Mike H (L) and Phil Manning. Dave 'Harry' Harrison is the other one in uniform standing in the front row. |
| Above and Left: 3 Photos Showing 40th Entry Passout Parade |
| Mike Hamel Sporting His J/T Stripes |
| Left: Pete Charnel, Dixie Dean (both in uniform Mike Hamel and Ken 'Taff' Edwards. Front row semi crouched Dave 'Harry' Harrison and Peter 'Nobby' Clack |
| Mike Hamel 40th is in the rear of the lead canoe. In the front is Dave (Ginge) Newton (44th). In the canoe behind is Dave (Lofty) Squire and John Wells (both 44th) Dave Wells has informed me that they were learning the ropes on the River Wensum just outside Fakenham. Later he says, they spent many happy weekends canoeing from Coltishall to Gt Yarmouth and over Easter 1962 we canoed from Fort William to Inverness up the Great Glen. Canoe Instructors were Sgt Bob Wise (4th) and Brian Henerley (16th ?). My thanks to Dave Wells for this information |
| Mike Hamel |
| Picture Left: The prizegivings after the graduation ceremony. FSAA Chris Pratt - First in Order of Merit, Highest marks in trade of Pay Accounts, Highest marks in Education, General Service Efficiency Prize. AA Roy Cleife - Shorthand Prize. LAA Vic Roberts - Highest Marks in trade of SAA Tom Price-Rees Supplier 1 CAA Rick Parkes - Best Sportsman of the Entry. |
| Photo 1. 40th Graduation Parade 19 December 1961. The Reviewing Officer AVM P D Holder DSO Photo 2. Spring 1961 - Final of the Inter Training School Knock Football Out Competetion held at RAF Cosford. AATS Bircham Newton v No 1 S of TT RAF Halton. AATS narrowly lost 1-0. Mick Bezzant (39th) makes a save watched by John Corrin (38th), to his left is full back Dave 'Ginge' Jones (41st). Photo 3. RAF Bircham Newton Football First IX Circa 1961 Front Row L to R: John 'Eddie' Venn (41), Rick Parkes (40), Mike Hopkins (42), Sgt Bob Walker (Manager), Dennis Gibson (Perm Staff and 11th Entry), Dave 'Ginge' Jones (41), Ron Cave (40). Front Row: n/k?, n/k?, Jock Gavin (41), Mike Peacock (44), Les Reed (41). Photo 4. RAF Bircham Newton Football 1st XI 1960. Front Row L to R: Michael 'Jack' Walmsley (39th), Ron Cave (40), John 'Eddie' Venn (41), Dennis Gibson (P/staff and 11th entry), Bob Nex (38), Dave 'Ginge' Jones (41). Front Row: n/k?, n/k?, Rick Parkes (40). John Corrin (38), n/k (38th?), n/k (38th?) Admin Note: If You Can Name The Missing AAs do let me know (administrator@rafadappassn.org) Photos Courtesy Of Rick Parkes |
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| Royal Air Force Administrative Apprentice Association |
RAFAAA
| Multum A Parvo |
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