Noticeboard Archives
Announcements
If you would like announce a forthcoming ex-admin apprentice social event (entry reunions etc) or have a news item you consider would be useful to promote
through our noticeboard please contact me by e-mail.
Please ensure you notify forthcoming events well ahead of them actually taking place to make sure sufficient notice is given. Please include an e-mail address for
others to contact you should this be necessary.
Link to 42nd 43rd and 44th Entry Admin Apprentice Websites
Click Here to browse the above sites.
Re-Courses
Those of you browsing the site who may have been affected by re-courses as a result of the polio outbreak or for some other reason , may find it useful to look at the
entry scrapbooks of both their original entry as well as the entry to which they were re-coursed.
A Dark Secret!
It has come to my attention that a certain member of the 29th Entry holds a dark secret. Few members of the Association, and the 29th Entry in particular, will be
aware that Ron Anders served on secondment with the Imperial Camel Corps and this rather poor sepia photograph is the only evidence we have of this Service. I am
most grateful to Queen Victoria's archivist for permitting this documentary evidence to be reproduced. The likeness is uncanny and the camel doesn't look too bad
either. To view this amazing piece of history click here
Obituaries To The Late John Pack (5th Entry)
To read the obituaries to the late Air Cdre John Pack (5th Entry) please click here
Bircham Newton Redevelopment
2 Feb 2009
The National Construction College (NCC) has been given the green light to begin £26m worth of redevelopment work at its main site at Bircham Newton. Detailed
planning application was accepted by the Borough of King's Lynn and West Norfolk on 14 January.
The future of the NCC at Bircham, which employs 700 people, had been under threat following a rejection of previous proposals which included selling off part of the
site for a 250 new homes project to raise funds for redevelopment.
The essential redevelopment is expected to start in the summer/autumn in a two stage project to be completed by February 2011.
The flagship development will provide the College with greatly needed new learner facilities including accommodation blocks with en-suite bedrooms; a new
restaurant and training support services as well as a sports centre and additional amenities including a shop to be shared with the public. The project is supported by
the Learning and Skills Council which has agreed to fund 80% of the costs.
The Birches Hotel and Conference Centre Bircham Newton
2 Mar 2009
One of our members has provided the following information regarding the hotel and conference centre now located at Bircham Newton. This facility may well provide
ex-Bircham apprentices with a pleasant trip down memory lane. Originally an RAF Officers Mess, The Birches boasts 53 en-suite bedrooms with five conference
rooms and is fully licensed for civil ceremonies.
More information can be obtained from their website www.thebirches.org.uk or telephone 0800 2800 343.
320th Entry Instructors
17 Feb 2009
I have been asked by a former member of the 320th if anyone knows the whereabouts of the following instructors from 1972? They were:
1st Phase Mr Barns,
2nd Phase Mr Garman
3rd Phase Sgt Simpson
Answers please either to me administrator@rafadappassn.org or to Gwilym Floyd gwilymfloyd@hotmail.com
Members Travels
29 Nov 2008
It is always interesting for people to share the travels of others and I am sure that our members are no exception. I have therefore made some changes to allow you
to view pictures taken by our members to service related places such as museums, air shows, war memorials and such like. We already have three sets of
photographs for you to enjoy but if you have visited an interesting place or event or do so in the future please do let me have your photos together with a short
description of the place, date etc. To view the existing travel pics click here to go to Memory Lane and click the link to 'View Pictures of Members Travels’
RAF Heritage Room at Bircham Newton
5 Apr 2009
In Newsletter 71, there was a request from Dixie Dean to anyone who could help complete the collection of entry shields on display in the RAF Heritage Room at
Bircham Newton, particularly those of the 35th and 39th entries. The shield belonging the Chris Moss (39th) had been languishing in his loft for some considerable
time and he thought it would serve a better purpose if it could take its rightful place among all the other entry shields at Bircham. Dixie and Chris met up for the first
time since 1961 in Ipswich on 19th March and the shield was duly handed over. The shield is now on its way to Bircham Newton. Our thanks to Chris. A photo of the
handing over ceremony can be found on the 39th Entry Scrapbook page
Website Guest Book
8 Feb 2009
I have decided to try out the idea of a website guest book. It is experimental at the moment so please excuse any early bugs and report these to me. Do feel free to
use the guest book to make comments about the book itself, the site (good ones only I hope!) and make suggestions for improvement. To visit the guest book click
Our Guestbook on the navigation panel located on the Home Page.
More On The Bircham Newton Development Plans
12 Mar 2009
If you want to see what is proposed for the old camp then go to http://online.west-norfolk.gov.uk/publicaccess/tdc/tdc_home.aspx and click on 'application search' in
the left hand panel. This will bring up an 'application case reference' and if you look under 'application details' you will see a heading 'Parish' click on the down arrow
and then click on 'Bircham'. Details of the application are on the second page (number17) and all you have to do is click on the right hand arrow against the relevant
application to get the detail.
Donations To the Hendon Archives Project
15 July 2009
The following donations have been made towards the cost of mounting the Admin Apprentices archives exhibition at the RAF Museum at Hendon. Very many thanks
to all those who have contributed. If you would like to make a donation please contact the Association Treasurer Gary Hoyland on Air-Pers-A1-WO-Adj@dpa.mod.uk
Eunice Shorrocks £10.00
Alan Martin (27th) £20.00
David Kirby (4th) £20.00
Brian Morrison (44th) £10.00
Peter Ralph (46th) £20.00
Derek Gould (23rd) £10.00
Sam Mould (1st) £50.00
David Marshall (24th) £20.00
Bryan Hoare (307th) - Misc £2.00
The AGM 2009 passed resolution to set up the exhibition and a sum of up to £1500 from capital funds has been set aside for this purpose. A progress report on the
project will be made from time to time in both the Newsletter and on the website.
An Open Letter From Reg Drinkwater
15 July 2009
Those of you who have visited the Permanent Staff pages will find lots of information concerning this veritable ex-Hereford DI from the mid 50s. Reg now aged 79 has
managed get together a large group of ex-admin apprentices on his Skype network and is always seeking to add more to his list. He has sent me a copy of a letter he
has e-mailed to his group so if you would like to read it click the link above. Reg can be contacted on regdrinkwater@yahoo.co.uk
2 Feb 2009
Administrator Note:
Could I remind those of you who may be thinking of organising or are already organising Entry Reunions to kindly let me have details so that I can publish these on the
website. It will often help particularly if there is any difficulty finding individuals (particularly non-members) who may wish to attend. I know that there are a number of
50th Anniversary reunions being organised at the moment and I will be pleased to give you all the help I can. Could I also plead for photos of the events after they have
taken place, in order to put these on the appropriate Entry Reunion page. To contact me click here
The Association Newsletter
1 Oct 2009
Those of you who visit the site regularly will be aware that I normally publish extracts from the Association Newsletter including member's articles. I have reluctantly
decided that for a number of reasons this task has become too time consuming for me to continue. I will however, continue to extract any important information
such as forthcoming events, other association notices, obituaries etc and these will continue to be posted on the Noticeboard.
Members Travels
15 July 2009
In my report to the AGM this year I said that I was disappointed at the lack of contributions to the members travels pages.
Either the recession has played a part in preventing members travelling to interesting places or those of you that have done so have forgotten that there is a page
dedicated to such events on the website. If you have not already done do, I hope that this reminder will prompt you to have a look at the accounts already on the site.
More contributions are urgently needed so I look forward to hearing from you. Meanwhile I have published an account of my recent visit to the Somme battlefield
around Peronne. To view this and other accounts and photos click here
You can also now navigate direct to the members travel pages by clicking Your Visits from the main navigation bar on the home page.
Golfing News
20 July 2009
A new page dedicated to golf has been opened on which the Golf Secretary Steve Sanders' reports and fixture lists will be available to view. To view this page click
here
Truly A Unique Photograph
8 May 2010
I have been running this website for a number of years now and just now and again I come across something that really makes it all worthwhile. I was recently sent
the photograph shown below which must surely bring back a rather special memory for all of us. I am sure that you will (as indeed I did), remember the day you left
for whatever training unit to start your RAF training. Most of us would, like David Brandon in the photograph, have travelled by train and may well have had Mum and
Dad waving us off. Many thanks David for sharing this memory with us. I understand that David started his training as an Apprentice at Bircham Newton before
transferring to Hereford where he passed out with the 39th Entry BEs. A self confessed 'hoarder' David says he has loads of memories of Hereford and has agreed to
send these on to me for inclusion in the website.
Formation Of A Spain Group
4 Jun 2010
I am advised that ex-admin apprentices living in Spain may be forming their own group. Frank Carroll (38th) would seem to be the willing volunteer agreeing to
coordinate the group activities - well done Frank. Subject to agreement a meeting is to be held in Oliva on 7th July. So far Interest has been shown by the following
other Association members:
If you are an ex-admin apprentice living in Spain and would like to join the group contact Frank Carroll
notreve@shariah.org.uk
Sgt Joe Salter - Drill Instructor Hereford 1954-57
2 June 2010
You may have seen in the June Newsletter that there is an article about Sgt Joe Salter. If not then there is an interest in finding out what happened to him after he left
Hereford around 1957 I think. I believe I am right in saying he was replaced by Sgt 'Flash' Jackson who amongst other things took over grooming my entry ( 29th for
its passing out parade. I remember 'Uncle' Joe Salter very well, a kind of cross between a growling old bulldog and a benevolent granddad. His famous 'Bloody Hell'
or 'Wot's your name boy' were then and still are imitated by many an ex-admin apprentice. I could spend far too much time talking about him and remember him very
fondly. If anyone knows where he went to or came across him after Hereford please let me know administrator@rafadappassn.org
John Beilby 320th Entry
17 Sept 2010
I have been contacted by John Beilby (320th Clk Sec) who has recently discovered the website. He says he has many memories of the year he spent at Hereford,
including working for HBS (Hereford Broadcasting Service), a little radio station which broadcast to the camp via landline and Tannoy speakers in the barrack blocks.
It was based in the School of Catering block. This was his first experience in the broadcast industry, and he says he has been full time in radio and television since
1983! John would be happy to share he experiences with us so will ask him to contact the Newsletter Editor with a view to perhaps providing him with a piece for the
Newsletter. Meanwhile if anyone wishes to contact John you may do so at the following address radiopete@gmail.com.
John is particularly interested in a good photo of the complete entry so if you have one I would like a copy too!!
Big Band Mystery
17 Sept 2010
There is an interesting couple of articles on the 40th entry scrapbook page regarding apprentice bands and the fact that both the Drum and Trumpet Majors wore 4
stripes. If anybody can answer this would they please let me know.
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.'
Association Information Sheet
17 Aug 2010
An updated version of the Information Sheet for new members has been produced by the Chairman. Members or potential members can view this by clicking HERE
Sporting Achievement
17 July 2011
The RAF Museum is creating a display of RAF sporting personalities to be on show throughout the period of the 2012 Olympics. The Museum intends to show sporting
profiles and achievement of any member or former member of the RAF who represented their country at sport. Any Association member who succeeded in sport at
this level and would wish for their achievements to be included in the display is asked to contact Bryan Schofield (brian.schofield@kened.net)
Bircham Newton
5 Jan 2011
My thanks to the indefatigable Dixie Dean for providing me with a bit more information about Apprentice and Boy Entrant training Bircham Newton. There were a
couple of gaps in both the Hereford and Bircham Newton pages and these gaps have now been closed. For interest, Dixie's reply to my enquiry about when AATS
actually moved to Bircham is shown below:
'AATS moved from Hereford to Bircham in January 1959, the first entry to pass out being the 32nd at the end of March. Bircham closed on the 18th December 1962
with a Ceremony of Beating Retreat which coincided with the graduation parade of the 43rd Entry. Not 1963 you will note -although the station did remain open as a
storage facility for USAF for a few months and in 1965 was used briefly for trials of the Kestrel by the Tripartite Evaluation Unit based at West Raynham.
Entries numbered 44 to 46 move to Hereford and eventually graduated there - passed out in mixed flights of BEs and Apps together which I thought was odd.
The station was sold by public auction on 27 November 1964 at the Dukes Head Hotel in Kings Lynn.
Administrator Note: Dixie has provided a copy of the Auction Notice which has been posted on the Bircham pages
It is strange also that the BEs did exactly the same period of training as Apps albeit that they did not have the same depth of trade knowledge so there must have
been quite a slower pace of life for them. For years I thought the BEs only did 12 months; it was only when I spoke to an ex 40th BE last year that I discovered he
arrived and passed out on the same dates I did!!
Assistance Wanted
5 Jan 2011
I have received a request from Terry Martin who tells me he was a craft apprentice cook in the 316th Entry at Hereford from September 1969, until late August 1970.
Apart from knowing that in 1958 the School Of Catering moved to Hereford I have no knowledge of catering craft apprentices. Nevertheless feel it may be worth
publicising the request on the off chance that someone serving at Hereford at the time may be able to help Terry. He is trying to trace an old friend and I include the
text of the request. If you can help then please contact Terry direct on martin.terence1@gmail.com
''I am trying to trace an old friend called Tony Wyatt, he was a Cpl cook, I think he was on the permanent staff,
at RAF Hereford in 1969, I was a craft apprentice in the 316 entry. My friend Tony Wyatt also
worked on the base radio station, which I think was called HBS, Hereford Broadcasting
something. We met up on the Isle of Wight a few years ago, and I have lost touch with him, I have tried to reach
him on Forces Reunited, but no joy there. I could do with some help on this one, can you help me please?'
Calling All Pay Accountants
5 Jan 2011
I have had a request from Chris Price whose father Sgt or FS Price was an accts instructor at Hereford between 1954 and 1957. It is entirely possible that Sgt/FS
Price did not work with the AATS but if he did then one of ours serving at Hereford during the period mentioned will surely remember him. Chris is putting together a
profile of his father's career and any help anyone can give him would be very much appreciated. If you have any information please contact Chris Price
Update
18 Jan 2011
Chris Price has contacted me to say he has received a number of replies. It turns out that his father was an apprentice instructor at Hereford. Barrie Doughty (14th
Entry) was one apprentice who was trained by Chris's father from September 1951 until April 1953. Barrie has sent me a photo that includes FS Price and this has
been placed on both the 14th Entry scrapbook and permanent staff pages.
RAF School Of Administration
10 Feb 2011
I have been approached by Mr Steve Day who is a civilian instructor at the RAF School of Administration based at MOD Southwick Park (formally HMS Dryad) outside
of Portsmouth. The School has decided to create an electronic archive of photos of as many administration courses run during the lifetime of the School in all its
guises. The School commenced operations in 1918 as the Admin School at RAF Ruislip, then relocating to a number of different geographical areas until 1944 when it
was amalgamated into the RAF School of Administration and Accounting based at RAF Hereford. It remained there for a number of years and part of it as we know,
included our own Admin Apprentice Training School.
In 1980 the School combined to include officer admin training, becoming the Secretarial Training Squadron or SecTS. In 1994 SecTS moved to RAF Halton and finally
moved to its current location in 2005.
If any ex-admin apprentice out there has at any time served with the RAF School Of Administration in any of its guises and has any photographs, Steve would like to
hear from you. I have already told him that he may make use of any useful images shown on our website. If you can help please contact Steve on either 02392284252
or email: pab-team1-sects@southwickfus.afpaa.mod.uk
Group Meetings
10 Feb 2011
Just a reminder that there are now several well established ex-AA groups that meet regularly both at home and abroad, the latest having been established in Spain. If
you live in the area covered by any of the groups and wish to join in, then contact the appropriate group coordinator.
If you are the person who coordinates any of these group activities, please do let me have a short resume of your meetings and photos where applicable. I will ensure
a report is placed on the appropriate group page.
Please note that to navigate to group meeting pages go to Reunions on the navigation bar on the home page, then click the roundel link on Other Events Including
Group Meetings. From there each group will have its own link to its page.
National Memorial Arboretum
19 Nov 2010
For those of you that may wish to know what progress is being made with regard to a possible Admin Apprentice input to the NMA, Bryan Schofield has reminded us
that Brian Philpott (30th) provided us with a great deal of information at the AGM regarding the installation of a memorial at the NMA.
Since then at the FABEA meeting in July the Locking Apprentice Association showed Bryan details of the memorial it is proposing which is a cube 600 x 600 x 600 mm
with a front sloping edge 500 mm high, manufactured in light grey granite with black granite insert and an Apprentice wheel within including an inscription of about 72
characters: The cost of this is approximately £2,000. Bryan is in contact with the Curator of the NMA andyour committee proposes to arrange a meeting with the
NMA in the near future. I will post any progress reports as and when these are received.
Update
18 Jan 2011
Bryan Schofield has reported the following in relation to the above:
Contact has now been made with both the Curator of the National Memorial Arboretum and also their approved Stone Mason. The Curator has advised that the design
and location of a memorial must be approved by the Trustees of the NMA. He also advised that the Trustees will not give approval for the installation of a memorial of
less than 900mm in height. Furthermore when the application is submitted to the Trustees it must be accompanied by a £1,000 non-refundable administration fee
and a single donation of £36 per square metre of the ground occupied by the proposed memorial. Consequently there is a considerable increase in the estimated
costs advised to members at the last AGM for a memorial of 600mm in height. After consulting with the Stone Mason it is anticipated the overall cost of the memorial,
including the above fees, will be in the region of £4,500. In addition provision must be made for the future maintenance of the memorial and also the annual insurance
premium. A meeting with the Curator and the Stone Mason will be held at the Arboretum before the next AGM when the exact cost will be ascertained. The proposed
memorial will be an agenda item at the AGM in June when proposals will be invited from members regarding the funding of the project.
Please note that regular updates on the progress of this project will be placed on the main noticeboard page
Death of Members
29 July 2011
We have been informed of the deaths of the following two members. Cards of condolence have been sent to the next of kin.
Jack Leach, 14th Entry on the 26th July
Desmond Hitch, 42nd Entry on the 23rd July
Should I receive any obituaries I will publish these on the appropriate entry scrapbook page.
29th Entry Reunion Video
1 Mar 2011
Those of the 29th Entry that attended the reunion at RAF Hereford in May 1987 may remember that a video in VHS format was made and many will still have a copy.
However, it is well known that VHS tape does deteriorate over the years and to this end and I have recently managed to transfer my VHS tape to a disk via my
computer. I have produced two versions. One is the full length (original) version and the other a shorter version but this includes new titles, opening sequences, end
credits together with a new music soundtrack. Needless to say both versions include the parade sequence starring Reg Drinkwater!
If anyone would like a copy of one or both disks please contact me for further details. (administrator@rafadappassn.org).
Entry Lists - An Appeal
29 Jan 2011
Updating the Entry Lists for inclusion in the albums to be placed at the RAF Museum, and also on our website, is proving to be a very slow exercise because of staffing
difficulties within the RAF Disclosure Department. As well as verifying names against service numbers, the intention is to include in the lists the date of release and
rank of former apprentices upon discharge/retirement. Some 8,200 young men were trained as Apprentice Clerks or Administrative Apprentices and this information
is already held for all the Apprentice Clerks and approximately 27% of the Administrative Apprentices.
Therefore can you help? Apart from 3, the names of all the 59* series numbers are known: Does any member know who were 595053, 595217 (305th Entry)
and 595627 (308th Entry)? Does any member have any details of his own Entry and in particular how their Service career was concluded? Can any member from the
311th to 330th Entries help with lists of their Entry; hopefully with names against Service numbers? If you can help to provide any of the information necessary to
complete the lists will you please contact Bryan Schofield at
bryan.schofield@kened.net
A Message For Philip Sudron - Regarding Dennis Sudron Ex- Ruislip Apprentice Clerk
14 Sept 2011
Philip Sudron contacted us in July regarding information about his father Dennis. We have had a response to our appeal shown on the
Ruislip Page
Help Wanted
21 Sept 2011
I have received a note from Mr Aad Booth who has read the obituary to Ronnie Irvine (303rd). Mr Aad has noted that Ronnie was a member of the RAF Pipes and
Drums in Akrotiri , Ballykelly, Halton and Hereford and that he was Pipe Major on more than one occasion. Mr Aad is compiling a list of Pipe Majors of Military Pipes
and Drums worldwide and Ronnie Irvine is not yet on his list. If anyone has any further details of Ronnie Irvine's involvement with RAF Pipe Bands Mr Aad would be
pleased to hear from them. He can be contacted at aad@blueyonder.co.uk
The End of an Era – The Last Administrative Apprentice Leaves the Service
30 Oct 2011
Russ Bond of the 330th Entry is the last former administrative apprentice to leave full time service in the Royal Air Force. Russ joined the RAF as a Clerk Sec on the
4th September 1972 aged just 15 ½ and is the last of some 8,200 former apprentices to retire. To mark the occasion a luncheon was held at the Halton attended by
other members of the 330th Entry and also Bryan Schofield (RAFAA Association Chairman). Following retirement Russ is hoping to become a Beefeater in the Tower
of London. Russ is pictured centre in the photograph below taken at Halton House with Kevin Wise and Garry Hoyland all members of the 330th Entry Administrative
Apprentices.
To view all the pictures taken at this event click here
Home Wanted For Books
19 Oct 2011
I have been contacted by Bob Sayer (2nd Entry) who has a number of books he would be prepared to donate to any member(s) wishing to have them. The list is as
follows:
Luck & a Lancaster by Harry Yates DFC
Flying through Fire by Geoffrey Williams, the story of FIDO
The Tunnel by Eric Williams
The Bomber's Eye by Dudley Sayward
The Big Show by Pierre Closterman
The Dam Busters by Paul Brickhill
Beyond the Dams to the Tirpitz by Alan Cooper
Boldness be my Friend by Richard Pape
The Latter Days at Colditz by PR Reid MBE MC
Enemy Coast Ahead by Guy Gibson VC
The Last Enemy by Richard Hillary
First Light by Geoffrey Wellum
No Moon Tonight by Don Charlwood
Bob tells me that some of these books are up to 60 years old and many are in pristine condition. If you would like to have one or more of these books please contact
Bob direct on bobsayer@blueyonder.co.uk
Obituaries
19 Oct 2011
Obituaries to the following members can be read on the appropriate entry scrapbook pages:
Desmond Giles Hitch (42nd) by Mike Hamill (40th)
Jack Leach (15th) by Trevor Moore (15th)
Death Of A Member
18 Nov 2011
The Association Almoner has notified the death of the following member:
Milton A. Anderson (Andy) - 2nd Entry on the 12th November 2011
Minutes Of Annual General Meetings
26 Jun 2011
You can now read the minutes of Annual General Meetings (commencing 2010). There is a link to the appropriate minutes on the
Reunions Page
Pensions E-Petition
18 Nov 2011
The recent Forces Pension Society newsletter tells of an RPI/CPI e-petition which has been established hoping to reverse the Government's decision to link pension
increases to CPI instead of RPI. The Government will debate e-petitions that achieve 100,000 signatures, so as we are probably all affected, you may wish to sign it
and pass on this information to others. The link is:
http://submissions.epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/1535/signature/new
Calling 25th Entry
12 Dec 2011
I have just revamped the 25th Entry scrapbook page and would be very grateful if any of the entry could e-mail or otherwise send me a decent picture of your shield to
replace the rather poor one currently shown on the page.
Volunteers Wanted - The RAF Heritage Room Needs You!
21 Nov 2010
David Jacklin, the Chairman of the Trustees, RAF Heritage Room at Bircham Newton, has requested the assistance of our Association in advertising its need for
volunteers to assist with its public opening days in 2011.
The RAF Heritage Room at Bircham Newton is keen to recruit volunteers to assist with its 2011 season of scheduled public open days. For each open day, four people
are on duty, two on each shift. The trustees have enquired whether any Norfolk based ex apprentices, or others who live nearby in Lincolnshire or Cambridgeshire,
would like to help?
Details of the 2011 open day dates can be obtained from its website www.rafbnmp.org.uk If you are interesting in volunteering please do so through the website's
'contact us' page.
Queens Diamond Jubilee Medal - Petition
19 Oct 2011
Next year the above medal will be presented to service personnel and prison officers with more than 5 years service. There are no plans to present this medal to
veterans many of whom will have given more than 5 years service to Her Majesty during her 60 years on the throne. This petition asks that the medal also be
presented to veterans. To sign this petition click on the link below:
A New Look
25 Apr 2011
It has been several years since we introduced our website. The site has now become really quite large with some complicated footwork needed to navigate to some
of the pages. When the site was first created, a lot of material and indeed pages were added that could now either be almalgamated or removed completely with the
aim of then presenting the site in a more modern style. I have been working on some of the existing pages reducing some of the colours and as well as the images
and font sizes. It will take time so bear with me and I will keep you posted on progress.
Minutes Of Annual General Meetings
26 Jun 2011
You can now read the minutes of Annual General Meetings (commencing 2010). There is a link to the appropriate minutes on the
Reunions Page
If you would like announce a forthcoming ex-admin apprentice social event (entry reunions etc) or have a news item you consider would be useful to promote
through our noticeboard please contact me by e-mail.
Please ensure you notify forthcoming events well ahead of them actually taking place to make sure sufficient notice is given. Please include an e-mail address for
others to contact you should this be necessary.
Link to 42nd 43rd and 44th Entry Admin Apprentice Websites
Click Here to browse the above sites.
Re-Courses
Those of you browsing the site who may have been affected by re-courses as a result of the polio outbreak or for some other reason , may find it useful to look at the
entry scrapbooks of both their original entry as well as the entry to which they were re-coursed.
A Dark Secret!
It has come to my attention that a certain member of the 29th Entry holds a dark secret. Few members of the Association, and the 29th Entry in particular, will be
aware that Ron Anders served on secondment with the Imperial Camel Corps and this rather poor sepia photograph is the only evidence we have of this Service. I am
most grateful to Queen Victoria's archivist for permitting this documentary evidence to be reproduced. The likeness is uncanny and the camel doesn't look too bad
either. To view this amazing piece of history click here
Obituaries To The Late John Pack (5th Entry)
To read the obituaries to the late Air Cdre John Pack (5th Entry) please click here
Bircham Newton Redevelopment
2 Feb 2009
The National Construction College (NCC) has been given the green light to begin £26m worth of redevelopment work at its main site at Bircham Newton. Detailed
planning application was accepted by the Borough of King's Lynn and West Norfolk on 14 January.
The future of the NCC at Bircham, which employs 700 people, had been under threat following a rejection of previous proposals which included selling off part of the
site for a 250 new homes project to raise funds for redevelopment.
The essential redevelopment is expected to start in the summer/autumn in a two stage project to be completed by February 2011.
The flagship development will provide the College with greatly needed new learner facilities including accommodation blocks with en-suite bedrooms; a new
restaurant and training support services as well as a sports centre and additional amenities including a shop to be shared with the public. The project is supported by
the Learning and Skills Council which has agreed to fund 80% of the costs.
The Birches Hotel and Conference Centre Bircham Newton
2 Mar 2009
One of our members has provided the following information regarding the hotel and conference centre now located at Bircham Newton. This facility may well provide
ex-Bircham apprentices with a pleasant trip down memory lane. Originally an RAF Officers Mess, The Birches boasts 53 en-suite bedrooms with five conference
rooms and is fully licensed for civil ceremonies.
More information can be obtained from their website www.thebirches.org.uk or telephone 0800 2800 343.
320th Entry Instructors
17 Feb 2009
I have been asked by a former member of the 320th if anyone knows the whereabouts of the following instructors from 1972? They were:
1st Phase Mr Barns,
2nd Phase Mr Garman
3rd Phase Sgt Simpson
Answers please either to me administrator@rafadappassn.org or to Gwilym Floyd gwilymfloyd@hotmail.com
Members Travels
29 Nov 2008
It is always interesting for people to share the travels of others and I am sure that our members are no exception. I have therefore made some changes to allow you
to view pictures taken by our members to service related places such as museums, air shows, war memorials and such like. We already have three sets of
photographs for you to enjoy but if you have visited an interesting place or event or do so in the future please do let me have your photos together with a short
description of the place, date etc. To view the existing travel pics click here to go to Memory Lane and click the link to 'View Pictures of Members Travels’
RAF Heritage Room at Bircham Newton
5 Apr 2009
In Newsletter 71, there was a request from Dixie Dean to anyone who could help complete the collection of entry shields on display in the RAF Heritage Room at
Bircham Newton, particularly those of the 35th and 39th entries. The shield belonging the Chris Moss (39th) had been languishing in his loft for some considerable
time and he thought it would serve a better purpose if it could take its rightful place among all the other entry shields at Bircham. Dixie and Chris met up for the first
time since 1961 in Ipswich on 19th March and the shield was duly handed over. The shield is now on its way to Bircham Newton. Our thanks to Chris. A photo of the
handing over ceremony can be found on the 39th Entry Scrapbook page
Website Guest Book
8 Feb 2009
I have decided to try out the idea of a website guest book. It is experimental at the moment so please excuse any early bugs and report these to me. Do feel free to
use the guest book to make comments about the book itself, the site (good ones only I hope!) and make suggestions for improvement. To visit the guest book click
Our Guestbook on the navigation panel located on the Home Page.
More On The Bircham Newton Development Plans
12 Mar 2009
If you want to see what is proposed for the old camp then go to http://online.west-norfolk.gov.uk/publicaccess/tdc/tdc_home.aspx and click on 'application search' in
the left hand panel. This will bring up an 'application case reference' and if you look under 'application details' you will see a heading 'Parish' click on the down arrow
and then click on 'Bircham'. Details of the application are on the second page (number17) and all you have to do is click on the right hand arrow against the relevant
application to get the detail.
Donations To the Hendon Archives Project
15 July 2009
The following donations have been made towards the cost of mounting the Admin Apprentices archives exhibition at the RAF Museum at Hendon. Very many thanks
to all those who have contributed. If you would like to make a donation please contact the Association Treasurer Gary Hoyland on Air-Pers-A1-WO-Adj@dpa.mod.uk
Eunice Shorrocks £10.00
Alan Martin (27th) £20.00
David Kirby (4th) £20.00
Brian Morrison (44th) £10.00
Peter Ralph (46th) £20.00
Derek Gould (23rd) £10.00
Sam Mould (1st) £50.00
David Marshall (24th) £20.00
Bryan Hoare (307th) - Misc £2.00
The AGM 2009 passed resolution to set up the exhibition and a sum of up to £1500 from capital funds has been set aside for this purpose. A progress report on the
project will be made from time to time in both the Newsletter and on the website.
An Open Letter From Reg Drinkwater
15 July 2009
Those of you who have visited the Permanent Staff pages will find lots of information concerning this veritable ex-Hereford DI from the mid 50s. Reg now aged 79 has
managed get together a large group of ex-admin apprentices on his Skype network and is always seeking to add more to his list. He has sent me a copy of a letter he
has e-mailed to his group so if you would like to read it click the link above. Reg can be contacted on regdrinkwater@yahoo.co.uk
2 Feb 2009
Administrator Note:
Could I remind those of you who may be thinking of organising or are already organising Entry Reunions to kindly let me have details so that I can publish these on the
website. It will often help particularly if there is any difficulty finding individuals (particularly non-members) who may wish to attend. I know that there are a number of
50th Anniversary reunions being organised at the moment and I will be pleased to give you all the help I can. Could I also plead for photos of the events after they have
taken place, in order to put these on the appropriate Entry Reunion page. To contact me click here
The Association Newsletter
1 Oct 2009
Those of you who visit the site regularly will be aware that I normally publish extracts from the Association Newsletter including member's articles. I have reluctantly
decided that for a number of reasons this task has become too time consuming for me to continue. I will however, continue to extract any important information
such as forthcoming events, other association notices, obituaries etc and these will continue to be posted on the Noticeboard.
Members Travels
15 July 2009
In my report to the AGM this year I said that I was disappointed at the lack of contributions to the members travels pages.
Either the recession has played a part in preventing members travelling to interesting places or those of you that have done so have forgotten that there is a page
dedicated to such events on the website. If you have not already done do, I hope that this reminder will prompt you to have a look at the accounts already on the site.
More contributions are urgently needed so I look forward to hearing from you. Meanwhile I have published an account of my recent visit to the Somme battlefield
around Peronne. To view this and other accounts and photos click here
You can also now navigate direct to the members travel pages by clicking Your Visits from the main navigation bar on the home page.
Golfing News
20 July 2009
A new page dedicated to golf has been opened on which the Golf Secretary Steve Sanders' reports and fixture lists will be available to view. To view this page click
here
Truly A Unique Photograph
8 May 2010
I have been running this website for a number of years now and just now and again I come across something that really makes it all worthwhile. I was recently sent
the photograph shown below which must surely bring back a rather special memory for all of us. I am sure that you will (as indeed I did), remember the day you left
for whatever training unit to start your RAF training. Most of us would, like David Brandon in the photograph, have travelled by train and may well have had Mum and
Dad waving us off. Many thanks David for sharing this memory with us. I understand that David started his training as an Apprentice at Bircham Newton before
transferring to Hereford where he passed out with the 39th Entry BEs. A self confessed 'hoarder' David says he has loads of memories of Hereford and has agreed to
send these on to me for inclusion in the website.
Formation Of A Spain Group
4 Jun 2010
I am advised that ex-admin apprentices living in Spain may be forming their own group. Frank Carroll (38th) would seem to be the willing volunteer agreeing to
coordinate the group activities - well done Frank. Subject to agreement a meeting is to be held in Oliva on 7th July. So far Interest has been shown by the following
other Association members:
If you are an ex-admin apprentice living in Spain and would like to join the group contact Frank Carroll
notreve@shariah.org.uk
Sgt Joe Salter - Drill Instructor Hereford 1954-57
2 June 2010
You may have seen in the June Newsletter that there is an article about Sgt Joe Salter. If not then there is an interest in finding out what happened to him after he left
Hereford around 1957 I think. I believe I am right in saying he was replaced by Sgt 'Flash' Jackson who amongst other things took over grooming my entry ( 29th for
its passing out parade. I remember 'Uncle' Joe Salter very well, a kind of cross between a growling old bulldog and a benevolent granddad. His famous 'Bloody Hell'
or 'Wot's your name boy' were then and still are imitated by many an ex-admin apprentice. I could spend far too much time talking about him and remember him very
fondly. If anyone knows where he went to or came across him after Hereford please let me know administrator@rafadappassn.org
John Beilby 320th Entry
17 Sept 2010
I have been contacted by John Beilby (320th Clk Sec) who has recently discovered the website. He says he has many memories of the year he spent at Hereford,
including working for HBS (Hereford Broadcasting Service), a little radio station which broadcast to the camp via landline and Tannoy speakers in the barrack blocks.
It was based in the School of Catering block. This was his first experience in the broadcast industry, and he says he has been full time in radio and television since
1983! John would be happy to share he experiences with us so will ask him to contact the Newsletter Editor with a view to perhaps providing him with a piece for the
Newsletter. Meanwhile if anyone wishes to contact John you may do so at the following address radiopete@gmail.com.
John is particularly interested in a good photo of the complete entry so if you have one I would like a copy too!!
Big Band Mystery
17 Sept 2010
There is an interesting couple of articles on the 40th entry scrapbook page regarding apprentice bands and the fact that both the Drum and Trumpet Majors wore 4
stripes. If anybody can answer this would they please let me know.
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.'
Association Information Sheet
17 Aug 2010
An updated version of the Information Sheet for new members has been produced by the Chairman. Members or potential members can view this by clicking HERE
Sporting Achievement
17 July 2011
The RAF Museum is creating a display of RAF sporting personalities to be on show throughout the period of the 2012 Olympics. The Museum intends to show sporting
profiles and achievement of any member or former member of the RAF who represented their country at sport. Any Association member who succeeded in sport at
this level and would wish for their achievements to be included in the display is asked to contact Bryan Schofield (brian.schofield@kened.net)
Bircham Newton
5 Jan 2011
My thanks to the indefatigable Dixie Dean for providing me with a bit more information about Apprentice and Boy Entrant training Bircham Newton. There were a
couple of gaps in both the Hereford and Bircham Newton pages and these gaps have now been closed. For interest, Dixie's reply to my enquiry about when AATS
actually moved to Bircham is shown below:
'AATS moved from Hereford to Bircham in January 1959, the first entry to pass out being the 32nd at the end of March. Bircham closed on the 18th December 1962
with a Ceremony of Beating Retreat which coincided with the graduation parade of the 43rd Entry. Not 1963 you will note -although the station did remain open as a
storage facility for USAF for a few months and in 1965 was used briefly for trials of the Kestrel by the Tripartite Evaluation Unit based at West Raynham.
Entries numbered 44 to 46 move to Hereford and eventually graduated there - passed out in mixed flights of BEs and Apps together which I thought was odd.
The station was sold by public auction on 27 November 1964 at the Dukes Head Hotel in Kings Lynn.
Administrator Note: Dixie has provided a copy of the Auction Notice which has been posted on the Bircham pages
It is strange also that the BEs did exactly the same period of training as Apps albeit that they did not have the same depth of trade knowledge so there must have
been quite a slower pace of life for them. For years I thought the BEs only did 12 months; it was only when I spoke to an ex 40th BE last year that I discovered he
arrived and passed out on the same dates I did!!
Assistance Wanted
5 Jan 2011
I have received a request from Terry Martin who tells me he was a craft apprentice cook in the 316th Entry at Hereford from September 1969, until late August 1970.
Apart from knowing that in 1958 the School Of Catering moved to Hereford I have no knowledge of catering craft apprentices. Nevertheless feel it may be worth
publicising the request on the off chance that someone serving at Hereford at the time may be able to help Terry. He is trying to trace an old friend and I include the
text of the request. If you can help then please contact Terry direct on martin.terence1@gmail.com
''I am trying to trace an old friend called Tony Wyatt, he was a Cpl cook, I think he was on the permanent staff,
at RAF Hereford in 1969, I was a craft apprentice in the 316 entry. My friend Tony Wyatt also
worked on the base radio station, which I think was called HBS, Hereford Broadcasting
something. We met up on the Isle of Wight a few years ago, and I have lost touch with him, I have tried to reach
him on Forces Reunited, but no joy there. I could do with some help on this one, can you help me please?'
Calling All Pay Accountants
5 Jan 2011
I have had a request from Chris Price whose father Sgt or FS Price was an accts instructor at Hereford between 1954 and 1957. It is entirely possible that Sgt/FS
Price did not work with the AATS but if he did then one of ours serving at Hereford during the period mentioned will surely remember him. Chris is putting together a
profile of his father's career and any help anyone can give him would be very much appreciated. If you have any information please contact Chris Price
Update
18 Jan 2011
Chris Price has contacted me to say he has received a number of replies. It turns out that his father was an apprentice instructor at Hereford. Barrie Doughty (14th
Entry) was one apprentice who was trained by Chris's father from September 1951 until April 1953. Barrie has sent me a photo that includes FS Price and this has
been placed on both the 14th Entry scrapbook and permanent staff pages.
RAF School Of Administration
10 Feb 2011
I have been approached by Mr Steve Day who is a civilian instructor at the RAF School of Administration based at MOD Southwick Park (formally HMS Dryad) outside
of Portsmouth. The School has decided to create an electronic archive of photos of as many administration courses run during the lifetime of the School in all its
guises. The School commenced operations in 1918 as the Admin School at RAF Ruislip, then relocating to a number of different geographical areas until 1944 when it
was amalgamated into the RAF School of Administration and Accounting based at RAF Hereford. It remained there for a number of years and part of it as we know,
included our own Admin Apprentice Training School.
In 1980 the School combined to include officer admin training, becoming the Secretarial Training Squadron or SecTS. In 1994 SecTS moved to RAF Halton and finally
moved to its current location in 2005.
If any ex-admin apprentice out there has at any time served with the RAF School Of Administration in any of its guises and has any photographs, Steve would like to
hear from you. I have already told him that he may make use of any useful images shown on our website. If you can help please contact Steve on either 02392284252
or email: pab-team1-sects@southwickfus.afpaa.mod.uk
Group Meetings
10 Feb 2011
Just a reminder that there are now several well established ex-AA groups that meet regularly both at home and abroad, the latest having been established in Spain. If
you live in the area covered by any of the groups and wish to join in, then contact the appropriate group coordinator.
If you are the person who coordinates any of these group activities, please do let me have a short resume of your meetings and photos where applicable. I will ensure
a report is placed on the appropriate group page.
Please note that to navigate to group meeting pages go to Reunions on the navigation bar on the home page, then click the roundel link on Other Events Including
Group Meetings. From there each group will have its own link to its page.
National Memorial Arboretum
19 Nov 2010
For those of you that may wish to know what progress is being made with regard to a possible Admin Apprentice input to the NMA, Bryan Schofield has reminded us
that Brian Philpott (30th) provided us with a great deal of information at the AGM regarding the installation of a memorial at the NMA.
Since then at the FABEA meeting in July the Locking Apprentice Association showed Bryan details of the memorial it is proposing which is a cube 600 x 600 x 600 mm
with a front sloping edge 500 mm high, manufactured in light grey granite with black granite insert and an Apprentice wheel within including an inscription of about 72
characters: The cost of this is approximately £2,000. Bryan is in contact with the Curator of the NMA andyour committee proposes to arrange a meeting with the
NMA in the near future. I will post any progress reports as and when these are received.
Update
18 Jan 2011
Bryan Schofield has reported the following in relation to the above:
Contact has now been made with both the Curator of the National Memorial Arboretum and also their approved Stone Mason. The Curator has advised that the design
and location of a memorial must be approved by the Trustees of the NMA. He also advised that the Trustees will not give approval for the installation of a memorial of
less than 900mm in height. Furthermore when the application is submitted to the Trustees it must be accompanied by a £1,000 non-refundable administration fee
and a single donation of £36 per square metre of the ground occupied by the proposed memorial. Consequently there is a considerable increase in the estimated
costs advised to members at the last AGM for a memorial of 600mm in height. After consulting with the Stone Mason it is anticipated the overall cost of the memorial,
including the above fees, will be in the region of £4,500. In addition provision must be made for the future maintenance of the memorial and also the annual insurance
premium. A meeting with the Curator and the Stone Mason will be held at the Arboretum before the next AGM when the exact cost will be ascertained. The proposed
memorial will be an agenda item at the AGM in June when proposals will be invited from members regarding the funding of the project.
Please note that regular updates on the progress of this project will be placed on the main noticeboard page
Death of Members
29 July 2011
We have been informed of the deaths of the following two members. Cards of condolence have been sent to the next of kin.
Jack Leach, 14th Entry on the 26th July
Desmond Hitch, 42nd Entry on the 23rd July
Should I receive any obituaries I will publish these on the appropriate entry scrapbook page.
29th Entry Reunion Video
1 Mar 2011
Those of the 29th Entry that attended the reunion at RAF Hereford in May 1987 may remember that a video in VHS format was made and many will still have a copy.
However, it is well known that VHS tape does deteriorate over the years and to this end and I have recently managed to transfer my VHS tape to a disk via my
computer. I have produced two versions. One is the full length (original) version and the other a shorter version but this includes new titles, opening sequences, end
credits together with a new music soundtrack. Needless to say both versions include the parade sequence starring Reg Drinkwater!
If anyone would like a copy of one or both disks please contact me for further details. (administrator@rafadappassn.org).
Entry Lists - An Appeal
29 Jan 2011
Updating the Entry Lists for inclusion in the albums to be placed at the RAF Museum, and also on our website, is proving to be a very slow exercise because of staffing
difficulties within the RAF Disclosure Department. As well as verifying names against service numbers, the intention is to include in the lists the date of release and
rank of former apprentices upon discharge/retirement. Some 8,200 young men were trained as Apprentice Clerks or Administrative Apprentices and this information
is already held for all the Apprentice Clerks and approximately 27% of the Administrative Apprentices.
Therefore can you help? Apart from 3, the names of all the 59* series numbers are known: Does any member know who were 595053, 595217 (305th Entry)
and 595627 (308th Entry)? Does any member have any details of his own Entry and in particular how their Service career was concluded? Can any member from the
311th to 330th Entries help with lists of their Entry; hopefully with names against Service numbers? If you can help to provide any of the information necessary to
complete the lists will you please contact Bryan Schofield at
bryan.schofield@kened.net
A Message For Philip Sudron - Regarding Dennis Sudron Ex- Ruislip Apprentice Clerk
14 Sept 2011
Philip Sudron contacted us in July regarding information about his father Dennis. We have had a response to our appeal shown on the
Ruislip Page
Help Wanted
21 Sept 2011
I have received a note from Mr Aad Booth who has read the obituary to Ronnie Irvine (303rd). Mr Aad has noted that Ronnie was a member of the RAF Pipes and
Drums in Akrotiri , Ballykelly, Halton and Hereford and that he was Pipe Major on more than one occasion. Mr Aad is compiling a list of Pipe Majors of Military Pipes
and Drums worldwide and Ronnie Irvine is not yet on his list. If anyone has any further details of Ronnie Irvine's involvement with RAF Pipe Bands Mr Aad would be
pleased to hear from them. He can be contacted at aad@blueyonder.co.uk
The End of an Era – The Last Administrative Apprentice Leaves the Service
30 Oct 2011
Russ Bond of the 330th Entry is the last former administrative apprentice to leave full time service in the Royal Air Force. Russ joined the RAF as a Clerk Sec on the
4th September 1972 aged just 15 ½ and is the last of some 8,200 former apprentices to retire. To mark the occasion a luncheon was held at the Halton attended by
other members of the 330th Entry and also Bryan Schofield (RAFAA Association Chairman). Following retirement Russ is hoping to become a Beefeater in the Tower
of London. Russ is pictured centre in the photograph below taken at Halton House with Kevin Wise and Garry Hoyland all members of the 330th Entry Administrative
Apprentices.
To view all the pictures taken at this event click here
Home Wanted For Books
19 Oct 2011
I have been contacted by Bob Sayer (2nd Entry) who has a number of books he would be prepared to donate to any member(s) wishing to have them. The list is as
follows:
Luck & a Lancaster by Harry Yates DFC
Flying through Fire by Geoffrey Williams, the story of FIDO
The Tunnel by Eric Williams
The Bomber's Eye by Dudley Sayward
The Big Show by Pierre Closterman
The Dam Busters by Paul Brickhill
Beyond the Dams to the Tirpitz by Alan Cooper
Boldness be my Friend by Richard Pape
The Latter Days at Colditz by PR Reid MBE MC
Enemy Coast Ahead by Guy Gibson VC
The Last Enemy by Richard Hillary
First Light by Geoffrey Wellum
No Moon Tonight by Don Charlwood
Bob tells me that some of these books are up to 60 years old and many are in pristine condition. If you would like to have one or more of these books please contact
Bob direct on bobsayer@blueyonder.co.uk
Obituaries
19 Oct 2011
Obituaries to the following members can be read on the appropriate entry scrapbook pages:
Desmond Giles Hitch (42nd) by Mike Hamill (40th)
Jack Leach (15th) by Trevor Moore (15th)
Death Of A Member
18 Nov 2011
The Association Almoner has notified the death of the following member:
Milton A. Anderson (Andy) - 2nd Entry on the 12th November 2011
Minutes Of Annual General Meetings
26 Jun 2011
You can now read the minutes of Annual General Meetings (commencing 2010). There is a link to the appropriate minutes on the
Reunions Page
Pensions E-Petition
18 Nov 2011
The recent Forces Pension Society newsletter tells of an RPI/CPI e-petition which has been established hoping to reverse the Government's decision to link pension
increases to CPI instead of RPI. The Government will debate e-petitions that achieve 100,000 signatures, so as we are probably all affected, you may wish to sign it
and pass on this information to others. The link is:
http://submissions.epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/1535/signature/new
Calling 25th Entry
12 Dec 2011
I have just revamped the 25th Entry scrapbook page and would be very grateful if any of the entry could e-mail or otherwise send me a decent picture of your shield to
replace the rather poor one currently shown on the page.
Volunteers Wanted - The RAF Heritage Room Needs You!
21 Nov 2010
David Jacklin, the Chairman of the Trustees, RAF Heritage Room at Bircham Newton, has requested the assistance of our Association in advertising its need for
volunteers to assist with its public opening days in 2011.
The RAF Heritage Room at Bircham Newton is keen to recruit volunteers to assist with its 2011 season of scheduled public open days. For each open day, four people
are on duty, two on each shift. The trustees have enquired whether any Norfolk based ex apprentices, or others who live nearby in Lincolnshire or Cambridgeshire,
would like to help?
Details of the 2011 open day dates can be obtained from its website www.rafbnmp.org.uk If you are interesting in volunteering please do so through the website's
'contact us' page.
Queens Diamond Jubilee Medal - Petition
19 Oct 2011
Next year the above medal will be presented to service personnel and prison officers with more than 5 years service. There are no plans to present this medal to
veterans many of whom will have given more than 5 years service to Her Majesty during her 60 years on the throne. This petition asks that the medal also be
presented to veterans. To sign this petition click on the link below:
A New Look
25 Apr 2011
It has been several years since we introduced our website. The site has now become really quite large with some complicated footwork needed to navigate to some
of the pages. When the site was first created, a lot of material and indeed pages were added that could now either be almalgamated or removed completely with the
aim of then presenting the site in a more modern style. I have been working on some of the existing pages reducing some of the colours and as well as the images
and font sizes. It will take time so bear with me and I will keep you posted on progress.
Minutes Of Annual General Meetings
26 Jun 2011
You can now read the minutes of Annual General Meetings (commencing 2010). There is a link to the appropriate minutes on the
Reunions Page
 |  |
| Royal Air Force Administrative Apprentice Association |
RAFAAA
| Multam A Parvo |
| The Notices Shown Below Have Been Transferred From The Main Noticeboard Page Where They Will Remain Displayed For As Long As It Is Considered Appropriate |