The Magazine of the Royal Air Force Police Association

The Griff

Views expressed in The Griff are those of the Editor and individual contributors and do not necessarily represent RAFPA policy.

No part of this publication may be reproduced by any person, at any time, by any method, without the express permission of the editor or originator in writing.

Regular FeaturesLetters to the Editor Welcome to New MembersLast Post Bygone Days & YearsWalk Down Memory Lane

This Issue!

p.6p.15p.18p.20p.22

Special ArticlesWelcome New Provost MarshalN.E. Branch Standard DedicationTracing an old AirmanSilk Stocking & Spitfires A Perfect Partnership pt.4

p.4p.11p.14p.16p.17

SSEEPPTTEEMMBBEERR 22000099

L to R: Archie Heath, Peter Barr, Tony Harbour (see page 6 for write up).

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Hon. President Hon. Vice President Air Cdre. Steven Abbott C.B.E Gp. Capt. G. D. Horscroft M.Phil., BA, RAF, ACoS FP, AO RAF Police MA, MSc, BSc, Provost Marshal (RAF )

Life Vice Presidents; Steve Cattell, E Mail webmaster@rafpa.comNeil Rusling, E Mail moderator@rafpa.comDavid Wardell, E Mail secretary@rafpa.com

Elected Officers

Treasurer; Tony Lake Secretary; David Wardell24 Trendlewood Park, Stapleton, 40, South Western CrescentBristol BS16 1TE Poole, Dorset, BH14 8RRTel; 0117 965 2302 Tel/Fax 01202 747176E Mail lake_a@sky.com E Mail secretary@rafpa.com

Voluntary Posts RAFPA Archivist; John Curtis Editor The Griff; Mitch O'Neill28 Tennyson Avenue, Gedling, 11, Florentine Way, Waterlooville,Nottingham, NG4 3HJ Hampshire, PO7 8JYTel.No. 01159 612662 Tel. No. 02392 796703 Fax 02392 352756E Mail 276curtis@tiscali.co.uk E Mail michael.oneill67@ntlworld.com

RAFPA E-groups Moderator; Neil Rusling RAFPA Web Master; Steve Cattell

Association Trustees; Steve Cattell E Mail; Steve.cattell@btinternet.comSteve Davies steveguida@hotmail.comAlan P Shaw apshaw5@btinternet.comBernard Lamb firemead@ntlworld.com

RAFPA Independent Accountants; Mabe Allen - Derby

RAFPA Web-site address; www.rafpa.com

Who’s Who in theRAF Police Association - 2009

Chairman; Brian G. Flinn11, Beverley WayCepen Park South, ChippenhamWilts., SN14 0XSTel. No. 01249 460318E.Mail brianandjoyflinn@tiscali.co.uk

Hon. Vice PresidentGp. Capt. John W. Whitmell, MA Ed, BA, PM (RAF).

Vice Chairman: Alan Millership (J.P)37 Hatfield Road, Milton,Weston-Super-MareNorth Somerset BS23 2UTTel. No. 01934 425215E.Mail: alan@annandalan.fsnet.co.uk

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Provost Marshal (Royal Air Force)

Group Captain John Whitmelljoined the Royal Air Force in 1979 ;after professional training as a Provost Officer hewas employed in a variety of Security, Police andTraining duties as a junior officer. As a SquadronLeader he was the Senior Training Officer at theRAF Police School, Security SquadronCommander at RAF Waddington as well as carrying out staff tours in Cyprus and with theProvost and Security Services Organisation. Onpromotion to Wing Commander he was the firstCommanding Officer of the Tactical Wing reasonsible for world wide deployments of theRAF Police. In 2002 he was appointed as theNATO Provost Marshal for Headquarters Air Northwith responsibilities for all security and policingwithin the NATO Command structure. He graduated from the Civil Police College StrategicCommand Course in 2006 and subsequentlyfilled a staff appointment at Headquarters Strike

Command before moving to MOD as Deputy Director of Defence Security (Information) onpromotion to Group Captain in May 2006. He was appointed as Provost Marshal (RAF) on1st May 2009.

Away from work he is married to Marilyn and they have two adult children. Outside of thefamily his primary interests are focussed on sport, principally rugby, where he is still anactive referee with Oxfordshire and the Combined Services and as Deputy Chairman of theRAF Rugby Union. A keen skier both cross country and downhill, he also runs for fitness.He has a Bachelors Degree in Political Science and a Masters Degree in Education bothof which were obtained with the Open University.

DONATIONS – AN UPDATE FROM THE TREASURER

Members may recall that at the Annual General Meeting in 2009 it was agreed that a donation of one thousand pounds would be made to the “Help for Heroes” appeal for fiveconsecutive years. Our Chairman sent the first cheque off in June and the letter of thanksis now displayed on our website.A donation of five hundred pounds, also approved at this years AGM, was sent to the RAFBomber Command Memorial Appeal as a one off gift.

Group Captain J.W. Whitmell MA Ed. BA RAF

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ALAN RUSLING MEMORIAL AWARD 2009

Nominations are invited for the annual "Alan Rusling Memorial Award"; they should be forwarded to me c/o David Wardell 40 South Western Cresent Poole Dorset BH14 8RR. ore-mail to myself, the closing date of 30th October 2009. All nominations will be acknowledged.The nominations, with full supporting reasons, should be made by individuals in confidence. E-mail nominations should be addressed to neil@neilrusling.com, they mustnot be made via the Yahoo Group address and any received in this manner will be automatically disqualified. Likewise, nominations should not be discussed in open meetings as this breaches confidentiality and can cause embarrassment to unsuccessfulnominees.The criteria for the award is that the Recipient shall, in the view of the adjudicators, haverendered outstanding service to the Royal Air Force Police Association as a whole, aBranch of the Association, or both. My fellow Life Vice-Presidents, Steve Cattell & DavidWardell, who are also past recipients of the Award, have agreed to act as Independent Adjudicators.The identity of this year's Recipient will be announced during the last quarter of 2009. A listof the previous recipients and a 'pen picture' of my Father can be found by going tohttp://www.neil.rusling.com/ARinfo.htm

Neil Rusling (neil@neilrusling.com)

RAF Police Poppy Fund

The RAF Police Poppy badge is now on sale.

The original idea of RAFPA member Stewart McArdle, who thenhanded the project over to Steve Lamacraft for him to obtainfunding and manufacture of the badges as well as collatingsales. A loan was secured from the RAFPA, which will be re-paid from the proceeds.The badges measure 22mm x 17mmand has a high gloss finish. The badges have been availablesince the beginning of June and already some 750 have beenordered or sold. They are priced at £2 each + postage and packing. All proceeds from the sale of the badges will go to the RAF Police Welfare Fundand this year to the Royal British Legion.

It is envisaged that there will be a new issue made each year, this makes the badgesattractive to collectors. Orders can be placed by contacting Steve at:Steve.Lamacraft@tiscali.co.uk or: The RAF Police Poppy Fund, 51 Wakering AvenueShoeburyness Essex SS3 9BE

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LLeetttteerrss ttoo tthheeEEddiittoorr

Jim Jilbert writes: We do not know each other however we were obviously both snow-drops at one time or another. I write ref the latest edition of the Griff and the Last Post col-umn. I knew Ray Voysey up until recently, but I think I also knew John Clayton, or certainlysomeone of that same name. Have you any other details of him. The one I knew wouldhave now been about 50 and served for a while at the ASU Wittering in about 1991.Probably completely different person. With this in mind could space not be found in thefuture for a small precis personal history of each person, (a) to acknowledge the servicethey gave to the Police. (b) so that others reading it like on this occasion can differentiatebetween people who may have the same names. You are producing the edition so whatdifference would a couple of extra pages make in it's cost and production. Just a suggestion!

Stewart McArdle writes that onWednesday 10th June 2009 he, SteveLamacraft, along with members of theNorfolk Branch attended St.Peters &St.Mary’s C of E church and later at thecrematorium at Bury St. Edmunds andpaid their last respects to Sqd.Ldr. RogerDeen. Flt.Lt. Chris Cross was in attendancerepresenting the Provost Marshal. In spiteof the atrocious weather Steve and Stewartreverently removed and folded the UnionFlag and handed to Flt.Lt. Cross whopassed it to Mrs. Deen.

South Downs Branch (Front page picture)On the 25th June 2009, members of theSouth Downs Branch volunteered to assistwith a collection day for St. Dunstans , theirBranch charity. The site chosen wasBrighton Railway Station and dressed forthe occasion, including white berets, generated a lot of interest and enquiries asto what Service they represented. Whenadvised it was the RAF Police Associationpeople seemed to put more money in thecollection tins! On the day the total raisedby all volunteers was £2,282.

Arthur Fowler writes that while watching the Remembrance Day Parade on TV, hebecame aware of the ‘White Berets’ and the RAFPA. He joined the Association, received hiscopies of The Griff and Members Directory and doing his research found a name that wasfamiliar to him. Arthur reunited with an old pal Ken (Lofty) Wood last seen at RAFNetheravon, January 1956. Many phone calls and letters followed and arrangements madeto meet on June 23rd at the NMA. The initial meeting was at the Lichfield Trent ValleyRailway Station, it closed the circle after 53 years, 4 months and 23 days. A local taxi driverwas willing to take photos of the joyous occasion. Only 4 hours made up the meeting, ques-tions asked and answered, mixing with other members of the Association, a really wonder-ful day to remember, I can’t wait until the next time, it surely won’t be 53 years.

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I received an e-mail from an old buddy who I hadn't seen or heard of since leaving the RAFin 1951. Unfortunately after printing it off I stupidly and inadvertently completely deleted it(senility?) and so am unable to reply. I have checked the membership lists of The NationalService (RAF) Association, Forces Reunited, and, of course our own, but without success.

Ray White, RAFP, stationed Trimley Heath/Felixstowe 1949/51Married LACW Sally Davies 1951, Bedfordshire Police 1951/67

If anyone knows, or has any idea, as to how I might re-connect with Ray I would be mostgrateful. I can be contacted on 01202 245216 or jocalew@ntlworld.comSubmitted by: John Lewis

It would be greatly appreciated if members remember to notify the Secretary if and whenthey change their address , either their domicile address or their electronic address.Recently, several envelopes were returned to the Secretary as ‘Not known ‘. The process oforganising a ‘mail shot’ is time consuming and expensive. PLEASE help by being thoughful.

Updating Association Records

Looking forRAY WHITE

You will find the latest list (dated 30 June) displayed on the RAFPA Web site www.rafpa.comThe Hotel has now been re-branded and is now known as Hallmark Hotel, Bournemouth(formerly the Durley Hall Hotel & Spa). All other details remain the same.We would like to emphasize - if you did not serve at Bruggen you are more than welcome

to join this get-together, you are bound to know someone, once you start chatting over thatbeer - who knows? For those that have advised they are 'dropping in' - thank you. If you arethinking of doing the same - do let us have your names. Remember the KEY is RAFP. We have been requested to emphasize the Dress Code - smart casual - not black tie. Still looking for: Mick Watkins, Pete (Eggy) Eggleston, Eamon Doyle, John (Shep) Shepherdand Mark Searle. Is your name missing? Book now before all the rooms are taken! Apologies to those who have already advised that they have other commitments for thisweekend - but it is safer to send to all, rather than miss anyone out. Dave, Keith & Steve

Did you serve less than 22 years? Did you leave the Service before April 1975? Do youreceive a pension for your Service? If not, would you like a pro-rata pension for the yearsserved? The AFPG is a group fighting for justice for veterans who left the Forces beforeApril 1975 without a military pension. The Group claims that veterans who left before 1975,should be treated equally to those who left after that date. If you would like to join and fightfor your equality, if you would like to know more, why not contact AFPG, PO Box 8151,Mansfield NG21 0ZA or visit their website www.afpg.info

Bruggen Re-union Update...

Armed Forces Pension Group

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More LLeetttteerrss ttoo tthheeEEddiittoorr

Ceremony at N.M.A.

June 23rd 2009 RAFPA Chairman Brian Flynn confers with Air Commodore Steven Abbott andProvost Marshal John Whitmell.

Two RAF Policemen were honoured ata ceremony award in Norwich recentlywhen Sqd. Ldr. Mike Dixon and W.O.Paul Edwards received the ChiefConstables commendation for theiractions after the fatal accident of aGR4 Tornado bomber on a test flightnear Fakenham. A civilian BritishAerospace navigator literally fell to hisdeath when the aircraft went inverted.Their diligence in locating the navigators remains and organisationalskills in arranging a temporary morgueand briefing rooms, allowing the Boardof Enquiry to reach a conclusion werethe reasons for the award. Both menare members of the Norfolk Branch ofthe RAFPA.

Submitted by: Sam Sillet

Any serving, or ex member of the RAFP,can have access to all the contents of the Archives. Contact the RAFPA webmaster, giving your details and he willgive you the knowledge to gain access.On the Archives web pages are the following contents for you to examineA list of ALL personnel, on any photograph, in all issues (except thecopies I have just received) A list of all articles published with details of content and author. (Except the oldStation Round Up)You can not getaccess to the photographs on the webpage. They are just an Excel list of thecontents of the archives.Hope this isunderstood. If there is any doubt eitheremail me direct or give me a ring..

John Curtis - Tel: 01159 612662

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MMoorreeLLeetttteerrss!!

I would like to thank both Brian Flinn and Tony Lake for their kind support in proposing mefor the post of Vice-Chairman of this great International Association especially on this, the25th Anniversary of its inauguration. I was extremely pleased and humbled to accept thenomination and even more so when the membership agreed, in some numbers, to ratify theproposal. For those that felt that they could not support me at this moment in time, I will beworking too for you and your support in the coming months. I have supported the RAFPAfrom the outset in 1984-indeed I was part of the original committee at RAF Newton in thatyear and I became a Life Member some 10/11 years ago. Brian is going to be a very hardact to follow and I wish him all the best in his new role as Chairman. I know he will dischargehis duties in an exemplary manner. For my part I will do my very best to support him, themembers and to faithfully promote the association throughout my coming term of office. Inthe long history of the association, only a few members have been granted the role of representing both serving and none serving RAF Policemen and women, I do not shrinkfrom this responsibility - I welcome it. I do not believe that any of us would exchange placeswith any other trade, branch or any other generation. The energy, the faith, the devotionwhich we all bring to the committee will light our association and all who serve it -- and theglow from that light will encourage others to join and enhance the association over the next25 years.

Alan F Millership, JP Vice Chairman,RAFPA.

Congratulations,I have been askedto advise you that North East Branchmember Mr Eric Green, 9 Kingsway,FENHAM, NE4 5PU has been awardedthe MBE in the Queen's BirthdayHonours List just announced, for 'serv-ices to the Air Training Corps'.

Submitted by: Roy Knox

Old football programmes bought- including military ones.Please contact:Ron Hodgson (Ex RAFP)9 Ashwood Close Market DraytonSalop TF9 3HF Tel: 01630 654556E-mail: Livey09@hotmail.co.uk Beryl Coton on a recent visit to RAF Cottesmore

with the RAFA, Midlands Branch.

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This will be held at the Potters Leisure Resort, Hopton on Sea, Norfolk. There are a numberof different prices starting at £139 pp full board. For further details please contact the Hotelon 01502 730345 and quote RAFPA Reunion , or visit their website: www.pottersholidays.comFor those members who only want to attend the AGM and dinner the price is £29.95As a guide to find Potters LeisureResort, if you are on the M25 you canuse the A12 exiting junction 28 . TheA12 goes to Lowestoft and almostpast the door of Potters. Driversusing the M1/A1 route can exit atjunction 19 and pick up on the A12.If you are travelling by train fromBirmingham to Norwich viaPeterborough, then local line to GreatYarmouth or Lowestoft then onwardsby taxi or local bus service. It is pos-sible to arrange collection from therailway stations( Liase with SamSillet 01842 765741).If you chose to fly ,Norwich orStansted are the nearest airports,then rail or car hire.The planned programme of eventsare still in the embryonic stages butrest assured there will be somethingfor everyone ,starting with a sherryreception.This is our first attempt at organisinga National Event and are looking forward to greeting everybody, opening up those’ hangerdoors’ and ‘swinging the lamp’. To all those members who cannot, for whatever reasonattend, the Norfolk Branch wish you all ‘Good Health and Good fortune’.

I wish to express my thanks to all those members who have donated articles, anecdotesand photographs for this edition of The Griff. Without your active interest, the magazinewould have very little to inform, amuse or entertain, so again a very big thank you. Oh yes,don’t forget there will be another edition in January 2010, so I still need your co-operation,please keep it coming, thank you, Ed.

Royal Air Force Police AssociationAGM/Reunion weekend 2010

Editors Acknowledgement

The Griff

Page 11 2009

The Provost Officer is Sqd. Ldr. Potter from RAFHenlow, who was representing the ProvostMarshal. The standard bearer is Roger Bishop,Roland Coultas on the right as escort and RoyKnox is to the left.

Continued on Page 12

NN..EE.. BBrraanncchh SSttaannddaarrdd DDeeddiiccaattiioonn CCeerreemmoonnyy 2009

Selection of Standards on Parade

76 Trombones led the big parade...

NN..EE.. BBrraanncchh SSttaannddaarrdd DDeeddiiccaattiioonn CCeerreemmoonnyy 2009

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Escort Group at the Drumhead take Standard for Parade.

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Page 13

Squadron Leader Myles Potter RAFP HQ Henlow with Escorts Roland Coultas,

Roy Knox and Standard Bearer Roger Bishop.

Squadron Leader Potter takes Standard from the Chaplin the Reverend Judith

Grieve of St.Bartholomew’s Church.

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Flt/Lt. 53221 John Sidney LUDFORD D.F.C.57 Squadron.It started as a casual remark. I was at an Air Museum with

an 80 odd year old WWII Wireless Operator who survived

some 20 odd operations over Germany including two of the

‘big’ ones. Whilst looking at a Lancaster on display he said

that he would dearly like to know what happened to his Pilot

of those trips in such a plane, a John Stanley Ludford from

Ealing and whom he understood had emigrated to South

Africa after the war. His son had made an enquiry some

years previously through South African Police to no avail. He

accepted my offer to try and trace him. Having traced some

51 RAF Police that I had served with 40 years ago I set to.

Past experience showed me that the old phone book and

help from the media in publishing appeals for information

from relatives etc pays dividends. The Phone Book for

Ealing did not list any Ludfords. Contact with the Editor of

the Ealing Times brought a promise to publish my appeal

and they would also contact a neighbouring Watford paper.

Through a contact from Motoring Forum in SA appeals were put in the Capetown Argos, Johannesburg

Star and Durban News. Details of my appeal for information was circulated to the Memorable Order of

Tin Hats ( a SA ex military association), South African RAF Association and RAF Association (South

Africa). A letter to the South African Embassy as to what records I could tap into brought me details

from a passenger list in 1948 that a J.S. Ludford had sailed from Southampton to Port Elizabeth, South

Africa, along with three other Ludfords that could be his father, mother and younger sister. Further, that

in the South African Phone Book, the uncommon name Ludford had only two entries with their address.

Here comes an early result I thought. I sent an E Mail to my contact in South Africa asking if he would

phone them to see if they had information. Two weeks later, having had no reply, I wrote to them. Shortly

after I received an inconclusive reply from my contact and my letters remain unanswered. Likewise

three requests to the South African Civil Aviation Authority regarding any Pilot Licence issued. I was

now at a dead end fearing a long wait for the only response to the appeals was information that 57

Sqdn with which they flew was having a reunion of which I was already was aware.One Sunday I was

having my usual read of the RAF Police Association Web site and noted, following an enquiry,

reference to a Web site of ex RAF Officers, which I checked. Ludford was not listed. I contacted the

Webmaster of the site in Holland with what details I had. Within a couple of hours he came back

confirming that he did have an unpublished record, gave me his service numbers, the fact that his

name was John Sidney LUDFORD and born at Portsmouth, not Ealing as I understood. Monday found

me in my local Reference Library with the Pompey phone book in front of me. Four Ludfords were

listed. That evening I started to contact them. continued on page 15

Tracing an old Airman

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Welcome To New Members

YONMr. Philip Senior – N.YorksNEBMr. Thomas Padgett –NorthumberlandLHCMr. T. Mackay – HatfieldNWBMr. Peter Waterfall – PowysSWABMr. Derek Topham – DevonEMBMr. Thomas Stansbury – Notts.

Membership as at 1st Sept 2009 1425

SNIMr. James Bethune - FifeWRBMr. William (Alf) Rowe – Glos.H.D & IOWMr. Adrian Blackwood -PortsmouthESSMr. David Riches – EssexMABMr. Graham Ackley - WarwickWANGMr. Steven Nuttall – Beds.

May/August 2009

2009 RAF POLICE LONDON REUNION 1800hrs 30th October. Victory ServicesClub, 63-79 Seymour Street, Marble Arch, London W2 2HF. (Underground - Marble Arch 5mins.) All serving and ex-members of the ‘RAF Police Family’, their partners and guests arewelcome. Bar. Optional 3 course dinner with choice of dishes at 1930hrs. Wines available.For further information/cost etc please contact Brenda Peake, 7 Rectory Way, Ickenham,UB10 8BP. Tel: 01895 673309. If you are attending the Reunion accommodation is available at the VSC. Please contactthe VSC direct for further info/bookings. Tel: 0207 723 4474 email: info@vsc.co.uk

continued on page 14

The third call brought information that one of the family interested in family history had noted a person

on Genes United seeking similar information of a J. Ludford and she would put details of my interest

on that entry. Four hours later I had a phone call from Liverpool from a female stating Ludford was her

uncle and he was the man I was after. RESULT. Next morning I received a phone call from Australia

from what turned out to be the daughter of Ludford. DOUBLE RESULT.

The elation of my success was quickly dampened when I learned that on 18th August 1953 Ludford

was crop spraying in a Piper Super Cub at Schaap Paas Farm, Hopefield, South Africa and whilst cir-

cling a field to be sprayed he made a short, sharp turn at low altitude. His aircraft side slipped into the

ground and caught fire. He was killed instantaneously. He is buried in a cemetery in Capetown.Ironic

that his daughter at the time was only 11 weeks old and that despite the odds stacked against him he

survived all those operations over Germany without a scratch yet to be killed in peacetime over friend-

ly territory. One things seem to be for sure, he died doing something that he loved to do - flying. The

curiosity of the WOP is now satisfied. The daughter is highly delighted as she has now contact with

someone who knew and served alongside her father whom she never knew.

Submitted by: Gerry Sanderson

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Silk stocking and Spitfires Part 1

By GLENYS ROBERTS. Rich, beautiful and oh-so daring... the girls who flew dangerous wartime missions seemed to lead charmed lives. But a fascinating new bookreveals a darker reality.

She climbed out of the cockpit of her FaireyBarracuda and became instantly famous.Wearing a summer uniform of white shirt, darktie and sleeves rolled above the elbows, sheslung a parachute over her shoulder andshook out her long blonde hair. Back-lit by theafternoon sun, pilot Maureen Dunlop lookedunbelievably glamorous. And when the picture appeared in 1944 on the cover of the magazine Picture Post, the world was convinced the Air Transport Auxiliary - or ATA -was an-all woman outfit. The ATA, or the"legion of the air" as it was known, performedan essential role during World War Two, delivering British warplanes from the factorieswhere they were made to RAF airfields all overBritain. It was dangerous work which gave riseto incredible feats of heroism. Flying in theATA whether you were a man or a woman wasone of the most high-risk activities in thewhole war - its death rate was higher than inRAF Fighter Command. Of 1,124 pilots who flew for the outfit, nearlyone in six was killed. Constantly depleted, theelite troupe needed replenishing - yet even when their country clearly needed them,women had to fight hard to be allowed to take part at all. The hoops they had to jump through to be accepted in a hitherto male preserve seem quiteextraordinary, as does their amazing single-mindedness. The famous female flyer Amy Johnson, the first woman to fly solo to Australia before thewar, had a hysterectomy when she was only 26 because she blamed her womanhood forholding her back. One fellow pilot, Jackie Surour, was so unhappy in 1939 when her malefriends went off to join the RAF she recalled: "I despised my body, my breasts, all the thingsthat pronounced me woman and left me behind as solitary and desolate, as a discardedmistress. "I looked malignantly at my breasts, symbols of bleakness rooted to my chestand remembered the cut-throat razor in the bathroom." Other women were so keen on flying that they forewent the chance of marriage so nothing would detract from their passion. Inevitably, there were whispers about lesbianism. Yet more tried to keep marriage,family and flying alive.

The dark reality of the girls who flew dangerous wartime missions

First Officer Maureen Dunlop, one of theferry pilots of the Air Transport Auxiliary,pictured in September 1944

Part 2 next Issue

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In the wee small hours I headed for the annex to enjoy a hot drink, food and a warm. I attachedthe check chain to Yoss’s collar and he disappeared inside the kennel for a nap.About 10 minutes into my break I heard a clattering from outside, on opening the door I saw thelast 3 to 4 feet of the unattached check chain disappearing round the back of the kennel. “OhBugger” Then I heard a distant yelling from the front of the house. Racing after the chain I foundthe carefully tended rose beds now had a line of destruction straight through the centre, uprooted plants and footprints led off into the darkness. I could hear Yoss snarling and barking,the yelling intensified. Following the noise and destruction I arrived at the garages, the check chain was knotted rounda rhododendron bush, at the other end I found Yoss on his hind legs straining to get at the terri-fied creature about 3 – 4 feet in front of him! It was the C.S.M clothes torn and his arms coveredin scratches. He’d tried to catch out the army dog handler but had been ambushed by the RAF! He never tried to sneak in again. In March 1974 I found myself back at Bruggen, One particularweakness in Yoss’s ability was the ‘long stay out of sight’ He just couldn’t stay still and shuffledhimself out of the box before the five minutes was up. I took to practising this drill when on theSSA sterile area. He was getting better and better, one late shift I decided to do some more ‘longstays’ it was a dark and quiet night and I could hear the sounds of the RAFP shift change goingon outside the control room, a big shift change could see 40 or 50 guys milling around checkingweapons and getting their transport. Hiding behind a tree about 3 minutes into the long stayYoss was doing well, still in the down position and inside the marks! Ducking back behind thetree I gave it another 30 seconds! Sneaking a peek I found the dog was gone! Jumping intothe sterile zone I could see Yoss streaking down the sterile area towards the control room, keeping pace with a rabbit just inside the fence, it was just like being at the races! Bellowing“Yoss heel, come back” I ran after dog and rabbit. The guys on shift change heard my cries, fastgetting louder! Pandemonium broke out, Yoss was coming and his reputation was before him.Coppers shinned up poles and the watch tower normally staffed by one now contained half adozen, 10 burly Bobbies clambered up a canvas top Landover before the roof collapsed.Needless to say no one got hurt and as soon as the rabbit fled into the darkness Yoss stoppedhis run just short of the control room!! My name was mud! Yoss and I had some excellentresults which saw the two of us into the finals with 5 other handlers.

The final day was held on the playing fields at RAF Rheindalein. It was a sobering sight for me,looking out of the canvas tent at one end of the arena I could see the stands were crowded withwhat looked like several thousand people. The 5 other competitors were top class, they included Keith Ryan and George Pace, very experienced blokes with top class dogs. Here was Ibarely 20 years old with a bite happy unpredictable dog with Labrador ears, I felt totally outclassed. Mick Chidgey Took me to one side and gave me some words of advice. “You deserveto be here, just go out and enjoy the day, It’ll stay with you for life”I was 12 points in front with only the final exercise to go, 20 points and it was the long stay out ofsight. If he moved out of the square before the end, I lost the lot!

Submitted by: Paul Thompson, who gives an insight to the joys of dog handling...........

More to follow in the next Issue.

A Perfect Part 4PARTNERSHIP

2009Page 18

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Last Post..A chance to pause for a minutein quiet contemplation for ourfriends and colleagues whohave ‘passed away’.

Eulogy Alfred Bernstone

Mr. J. (Chris) Gibbs – LHCMr. W.(Bill) Ahearn – EMBMr. M. Pearce – EMBMr. A.J. (Bert) Ballard – WRBMr. P. O’Donovan – NWB

Mr. R. (Norman) Richards – EMBMr. K. Box – SWABMr. D. Sutherland – YONMr. D. Griffith – HD & IOWWg.Cdr. J. Kyle - WRB

He was a truly great character with a wicked sense of humour. His career in the RAF Policeallowed him to be one of the first successful graduatesfrom the Home Office Detective course. When Alf retiredfrom the Service he became an active member of theRAFPA being a founder member and Chairman of the NorthYorks Branch and a prime mover in the creation of the NorthEast Branch. His enthusiasm never faltered and it was hisambition to help obtain a Standard for the Branch and it isfitting that the first parading of the Standard was at hisfuneral.This is an edited version of Alfs eulogy. If anybody would like

a full transcript please contact Dennis Shipton on tel.no.

01673 863152 or e. mail DenMazShipton@aol.com

This is a short note to thank all those who sent my familyand I, letters and cards of condolences on the passing ofour dear father Alfred Bernstone. My dad would have beenso proud of the funeral we arranged for him, I’m sure hewas looking down on everyone and for those people whoreally knew him would appreciate that he would have beenquite emotional, especially seeing the Standards and theBearers. May I on behalf of my family wish you all well andcontinued happiness and success with the Association,

Deborah Hubbard, Eldest daughter of Alf Bernstone.

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In April 2007 MoD altered the arrival airfield for the repatriation of servicemen and womenkilled in Afghanistan from RAF Brize Norton to RAF Lyneham. Approximately five milesfrom the camp is the very peaceful rural town of Wootton Bassett with just the High Streetas any thoroughfare of note. In the High Street is a small War Memorial dedicated to thefallen in the two Great Wars. The first cortege through the town co-incided with the monthly meeting of the local Royal British Legion Branch. The legionmembers stopped what they were doing to pay their respects and from then on it hassnowballed, with at time as many as five thousand people lining the High Street. Theyinclude numerous retired service personnel displaying a wide variety of berets andbadges, civilians, local dignitaries, police, firemen and of course members of thedeceased Military Units.When the corteges enter the High Street the town falls silent except for the solitary tenorbell of the local church ringing the death knell; ensigns are dipped, salutes of respect aremade and a minute’s silence observed. The corteges then make their way via the M4 tothe John Radcliff Hospital in Oxford.Sometime in 2008 our Associationstarted having representatives in thetown on these sad occasions toshow our steadfast support for ourserving service personnel. To dateabout twenty four members haveattended with no less than two ontwenty four occasions. We also haverepresentatives at the entrance to theHospital where similar respects arepaid.As long as Lyneham is usedand our service personnel are killedon active service overseas we willcontinue to attend these repatriationceremonies.Submitted by: Tony Lake

Members may recall that at the Annual General Meeting in 2009 it was agreed that a

donation of one thousand pounds would be made to the “Help for Heroes” appeal for five

consecutive years. Our Chairman sent the first cheque off in June and the letter of thanks

is now displayed on our website. A donation of five hundred pounds, also approved at this

years AGM, was sent to the RAF Bomber Command Memorial Appeal as a one off gift.

DONATIONS – AN UPDATE FROM THE TREASURER

A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE ASSOCIATION ATTENDANCE AT WOOTTON BASSETT.

From right to left is Brian Crossin Reg Lamb Bryan Simmonds and Mick Lester and Bob Strachan.

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bygone days & years10 years ago… RAFP Volunteer DogDemo Team, under the command of Flt.Lt. P.Fyfe, appear at the last ever Royal Tournament atEarls Court.

20 years ago..The world is sickenedwhen the IRA shoot and kill an off duty RAFCorporal and his 6 month old daughter inGermany.

30 years ago..RAFP NCO’s fromSupport Squadron join with CommonwealthForces in Rhodesia to monitor pre-electioncease-fire and surrender of weapons from differ-ing political factions

40 years ago.. RAFP in Cyprus assistlocal authorities to clear up, after severe weatherconditions cause chaos in Limassol.

50 years ago..As travel by air replacestroopship movements, RAFP become fullyinvolved with Travel Control Security (TCS)measures.

60 years ago..RAFP at RAF Filton con-trol crowds and hugh media interest duringmaiden flight of the hugh Brabazon pax aircraft

To mark the 50th anniversaryof the ending of the CyprusEmergency, The BritishMemorial is to be erected inCyprus in the old British ceme-tery at Kyrenia, to be unveiledon Remembrance Day 2009.On it will be inscribed thenames of the 371 British servicemen — 28 members of the Royal Navy and RoyalMarines, 274 British Army, and 69 Royal Air Force — who died there on active service1955-1959. LEST WE FORGET. We are pleased to announce that the British CyprusMemorial Book is now online and ready for you to read and contribute to. You will find itat www.cyprusmemorialbook.com; it is also linked in to the main website atwww.britishcyprusmemorial.org.

Cyprus Memorial

RAF Police Association members forming a Guard of Honour at the funeral of HenryAllingham - born June 6 1896 and died 18 July 2009. He served in the Royal Naval AirService in the first world war followed by service in the RAF when the RNAS and the RoyalFlying Corps amalgamated on 1st April 1918. RAFPA guard members taking part wereTony Harbour - Ted Hellewell - Peter Barr - Terry Bryant - Archie Heath - Frank Wright (all ofthe South Downs Branch) and John Paice of the Hants and Dorset Branch. Both branchstandards were on display. Some twenty members, including wives, attended this mostmemorable occasion. St. Dunstans is the chosen charity of the Southdowns Branch.

Text for Back Page Photographs.

Deadlines for January 2010 Edition of “The Griff” will be 30th December 2009, toallow inclusion of Christmas activities. ED.

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RAFPA SALESSubscriptions 2009

Members Renewal £ 10.00

New Members Joining 2009

1st January to 30th June

Joining fee £ 8.50

Subscription £ 10.00

1st July to 31st December

2009

Joining fee £ 8.50

Subscription £ 5.00

Life Membership (incl: Joining Fee)

.Aged 55 years and over £108.50

Serving Members Scheme .

Membership for entire service

One off payment £ 20.00

(Does not include Provost Parade or

Members Directory)

NOTE: Joint membership may

apply to eligible spouses of existing

members and to those joining as

Serving Members.

One normal joining fee plus £ 1.00

Life Conversion £100.00

B1 White Beret £10.00Please send cap size with order

B4 RAFPA Lapel Badge £ 2.25

B5 Beret Badge (RAFPA Crest) £ 5.00

B6 RAFPA Blazer Badge £ 7.00

T3 RAF Police TieNavy blue with repeatedGold Griffins £ 7.50

T5 RAFPA regular tieNavy blue with single RAFPAcrest motif below knot £ 7.50

Please Note Clip on Ties are no longer available

RAFPA Wall Shields, screen printed, light coloured wood base, 150 x 175 mm (5" X 7") £30.00

All items inc. postage and packing and are available from the Treasurer.

Mr. AK Lake, (Tony) 24 Trendlewood ParkStapleton Bristol BS16 1TE

Please make cheques payable to: RAFPA(to accompany your order) and write your name & address on the reverse of your order

Depending on stock availability orders will be dispatched with 5 working days of receipt of order.

For those wishing to purchase items fromProvost Parade shop a list of merchandise can be found on the main RAFPA Site at,http://www.rafpa.com/ppms.htm

Shop Manager tel. No. 02392 284863

A note for those purchasing berets, it is best not to shrinkthem, because they are not made with the same amountof material as the Service Blue issue beret. It is best tolightly spray with water, fit and shape to head and then letdry on an upturned basin, or similar.

NEW - RAF Police Association Bow Ties.

Available in early 2009 RAF PA Bow Ties inblack and red diagonal stripes approximately½ inch in width. They are the conventional sizepre knottedvariety with neck band. The cost isexpected to be in the region of £6.00 eachincluding package & postage. Currently theonly berets left in stock are two size 62s. Every effort is being made to source another supplier as our previous one went into liquidation.

Due to increased costs from the supplier it isnecessary to increase the prices on someitems.

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WWaallkk DDoowwnn mmeemmoorryy llaanneerree

mmeemm

bbeerr

remember

Left - right: Cpls. Terriss, Robinson, Caldwell, Judd, Tyler and ??? Sgt. Jim Niven

Frank Terriss demonstrating traffic control prior to AOC’s inspection

Pictures sent in by: Mike Nelson Judd

1968 23 PD Ayios Nikoloas, Famagusta

Does this bringback memories

for anyone?

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Alan Millership, Vice Chairman RAFPA, attended the ceremony as Chairman of the AdenVeterans Somerset Branch. He said, ‘ It was an inspiring and encouraging occasion andvery well organised’.

See Article on Page 20

Wootton Bassett Stalwarts!

Armed Forces Day – Somerset

The Griff

Henry Allingham 1896 - 2009

See Page 20 for text.