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The Newsletter of the St. Michael’s Branch
The Wanderer
Views expressed in The Wanderer are those of the Editor and individual
contributors and do not necessarily represent Branch or RAFPA policy
In this issue
Branch Who’s Who & From the Chair page 2 C.T. Calling page 3 Provost Marshal page 4 RAFPA Chair page 5
June 2015
Profiles page 6 Profiles (continued) page 7 Accommodation page 7 Ex Far Eastern Griffin page 8 Coming of Age page 8
The Wanderer June 2015
Page 2
Branch Who’s Who 2015/16
Chairman & Forum John Armfield [email protected]
Vice-Chairman & Wanderer Editor - John Reid [email protected]
Secretary & Website Neil Rusling [email protected]
Forum http://st-mikes.proboards.com
Website http://st-mike.com
Branch Demographics
Australia (3 members)
Bulgaria (1 member)
Canada (4 members)
Canary Islands (1 member)
Cyprus (5 members)
France (2 members)
Germany (3 members)
Gibraltar (2 members)
Greece (1 member)
Guernsey C.I. (1 member)
Jersey C.I. (1 member)
Netherlands (3 members)
New Zealand (3 members)
Portugal (1 member)
Singapore (1 member)
South Africa (2 members)
Spain (3 members)
Switzerland (1 member)
U.A.E (1 member)
U.S.A (5 members)
(43 members in total)
From the Chair
A very warm welcome to all you founder members of St Michael’s Branch of the RAFPA. Whatever happens in the future we can always say "we were the first". "Thank you" doesn't seem an adequate phrase to say to Neil without whose hard work this Branch would never have happened. The idea for the branch was born out of a situation that I witnessed on the ‘rafpa.com’ forum where it was very ob-vious that a large proportion of the membership did not know what was happening within the Association. Through this ignorance members could not join in the discussions without making comments that were totally out of place. There was no system of communication from the Execu-tive to the members unless they attended a branch meet-ing and as overseas members we could never do that. No system was on the horizon and it appeared that the Ex-ecutive were drawing further away from the mem-bers. Not a happy situation. My vision for the Branch is to first of all to be suppor-tive. A place where all members can ask any question and discuss any subject and receive backup and information based on personal experience or knowledge from the rest of the Branch. Support our Newsletter "The Wanderer". Get the grey matter moving, write articles on your wanderings and way of life in the various countries we all live in. I want the Branch to be fun. All banter etc should be light hearted without the need to make anyone feel inade-quate or embarrassed. What am I talking about? A night shift would never pass without taking the micky out of someone. As all members need, first of all to be members of the RAFPA, we must abide by the Association and Branch rules and regulations but otherwise no further strictures should be necessary. Let's make “St.Mike’s” a success and 2015 a year to re-member.
John Armfield
The Wanderer June 2015
Page 3
Cape Town Calling Of the many things that I thought I might be doing in my retirement one of them wasn't being the first Secretary of the St.Michael’s Branch. In 1997/98 I was the Branch Secretary of the North West Area Branch which helps a little but of course St.Mike’s really does break the mould so it will be a case of winging it for a while. John Armfield has to be thanked not only for having the idea for but seeing it through to fruition. The functioning of the Branch will be as initially envisaged, it will be ‘virtual’ utilising the Webpage, Forum, E-mail, and our new Facebook Group to cater for those who prefer not to participate in ’social media’ ‘The Wanderer’ has been introduced. The frequency of its publication will very much depend on what articles are submitted and I would hope that it will be at least every 4 months. You will see our (very brief) profiles later in this edition, why not send in yours for publication. The Branch membership spreads to the four corners of the earth with members living in over 20 countries and probably most will never meet each other. In common with other members of RAFPA, we are members and either have served, or are serving, in the RAFP; what we do not have in com-mon with the rest of RAFPA is that we live outside of the U.K.. The formation of the Branch now means that we are no longer the forgotten members and will have a voice when decisions are being made at the top table. John and I have put the initial structure in place but it is now for you, the mem-bers, to decide in which direction the Branch will go. If you don't tell us we won’t know. I look for-ward to a full mailbox. I designed the webpage the way I thought it should look. I will not be offended if you suggest that it be redesigned in any way. The member profile pages contain only limited information, tell me if any-thing is incorrect or if you want anything added, also please let me have a recent ‘head & shoulders’ photograph for inclusion, the ‘blank heads’ can get very boring. Since the Branch election the two J’s have offered to help spread the load. John A has taken over as Moderator of the Branch Forum with ‘J.R’ becoming Editor of ‘The Wanderer’; both John’s have also assumed co-management of our Facebook Group. My thanks to both for easing my load. Regards & totsiens vir nou. (this time Afrikaans, another time iXhorsa, then only 9 other official lan-guages to go!).
P.S. I should have known better when I asked John A for a recent head & shoulders shot!
The Wanderer June 2015
Page 4
A message from the Provost Marshal
Group Captain Kevin Bailey
BA (Hons) RAF PM (RAF) /Cdr RAFP
THE BARREL
It was at RAF Coningsby in September 1958 that I found myself on dog patrol round the
technical area and BCHU buildings (Bomber Command Holding Unit). The Station was in the
throes of being up-graded to a fully operational unit, new installations and the SSA being built,
prior to 9 and 12 Sqn's arrival.
On this night I had been told to pay discreet attention to BCHU as the Officers where hav-
ing a late summer ball. On the grassed area around the buildings were a number of igloos built of
straw bales, being new (the dog section only started two week prior to this event) to this type of
patrol area it became somewhat interesting and educational as the night progressed.
At around 0230hrs I was approach by a dishevelled Officer who enquired if I would like a
drink. Expecting to get a pint jar I was given something much bigger. I took possession of a forty
gallon barrel and a tap. This was in the days of bicycles, no Landrovers no radios, so off we went
up the main camp road tap in pocket rolling a bloody great barrel which my dog thought was a
new game, he tried every which way to hinder the progress.
On reaching the Main Guard Room the barrel was received as though a gift from above,
tap fitted and installed under the counter on the cross members. In those days we were predomi-
nantly National Service with perhaps only the Substantive Corporal being a regular so it had to be
done properly and entered in the Found Property Book and because the contents may go off it was
decided that the barrel would have to be drained in a controlled manner.
During the course of the next few hours the MGR was visited by both the Orderly Officer
and the Duty Officer, both were given a pint mug of cold tea from under the counter without sugar
and milk. The morning shift came on and things progressed as normal as the cold tea would allow.
The Sgt having his morning and afternoon tea. Thankfully the WO was on leave for three days.(continued on page 5)
I am delighted to welcome the creation of the St Michael's Branch (Designate) and the introduction of The Wanderer the latest editions to our RAF Police family. There is a famous quote from Heywood C. Broun that “brotherhood is not just a Bible word. Out of comradeship can come and will come the happy life for all.” I believe this is true and that our veterans deserve comradeship and support in whatever country they should re-side. Consequently, I fully champion the introduction of a St Michael's Branch that will not only provide virtual comradeship, but also provides practical advice for those living outside the UK. I fully appreciate the innovative use of social media in maintain-ing contact of such a dispersed group. However, I also embrace The Wanderer as the newsletter for the Branch and acknowledge its importance in informing members re-garding matters of direct interest to themselves. I wish the best of luck to the St Michael's Branch and all members.
Kevin Bailey
The Wanderer June 2015
Page 5
A message from the RAFPA Chairman
Roy Laver OBE
When, a few short months back, I first heard of the plans to form an overseas Branch of the RAFPA little did I expect to be welcoming that Branch into the Association so soon. I am particularly pleased and grateful for the vision of and work done by John and Neil to bring this to fruition. Your Branch and the Association owes them a debt of gratitude for this achieve-ment. I am fully aware of the importance of the facility now offered to you the overseas members, members who are probably some of the association’s strongest supporters. You have maintained your membership with little chance of enjoying many of the functions and activities taken for granted by members in the UK. In other words you have not been able to get the best out of your membership. Quite a few of you go to great personal effort and expense to attend some of our functions whether they be social or Ceremo-nial, here I take the Parade at the Cenotaph as an example. Not only have many of you missed out on UK facilities but have regularly shown the flag on foreign soil as witnessed by the photos we regularly see. (please keep those coming to the new rafpassociation.com website in addition to ‘st-mike’s’) Now with the creation of St Michael’s Branch I do trust that you will be able to feel better informed, more involved and at the same time, better rep-resented and your needs fully recognised at the management level of the Association. WELCOME to the RAFPA St Mikes! - - - - and let us dispense with the designate at the earliest opportunity. Warm regards to all,
Roy
THE BARREL (continued from page 4) The WO came back and the barrel was still in situ but by now empty, an entry put in the
Property Register TTEF that the contents had been flushed down the drain having been filtered to
ensure that the drain was not blocked, the entry countersigned by the WO.
The brewery lorry called and the barrel was placed in their care. Where would we be with-
out a little light entertainment.
Anonymous of Verfeil, France.
The Wanderer June 2015
Page 6
Profiles
John Reid – Vice Chairman John served in the RAFP from 1974 to 2000, he attained the rank of Flight Sergeant and held QP CI, CSy 1&2 and SSS annotations. After leaving the RAF he entered the Private Security Sector and retired in 2004 as the Scottish Area Security Manager for a Na-tional Security Company. John then relocated to Spain, where he was a Founder Member of the RAFA Costa Blanca Branch, setting up a small Swimming Pool Maintenance & Supplies business. In
2008 he moved to France where he makes crystal jewellery as a hobby/part time in-come and has just started running a cottage rental business. John lives with his wife Gladys in St. Font la Riviere, in the Dordogne region.
John Armfield - Chairman John served in the RAFP from 1957 to 1979 having been initially
conscripted as a National Serviceman. After completing his four
week basic Police course at Netheravon (known as 4 week won-
ders) he continued to train as a Dog Handler. On completion of
his ‘Dog’ training the whole course was included in the Dog Dem-
onstration Team for the Royal Tournament of 1958 (he also ap-
peared at the Royal Tournament in 1965) after which he was introduced to the delights
of Bomber Command at Coningsby. During his service John served at Butzweilerhof,
Cottesmore, Steamerpoint, Cranwell, Tengah, 92 MU Foldingworth, ASUPU Wittering
(two tours), Akrotiri and Staxton Wold. Having attained a QPCI annotation and being
promoted to Sergeant his final posting was to P&SS(NR), RAF Newton, where he was
employed on T&S and SOP duties. After leaving the RAF John spent a year with Asda
learning the ropes of retailing before moving to Boots Co Ltd as a Technical Assistant
in Central Security Services. For the ten years leading up to retirement he served with
the Magistrates Court Service where he was also a National Executive Officer of the
Association of Magisterial Officers, the trade union of the Courts Service now known
as PCS. In John’s words “Hazel and I now live in a very quiet part of France at Verfeil
Sur Seye where the days go by unnoticed to the rest of the world. The village does not
have a blacksmith any more but we still have the donkeys which are the local taxi ser-
vice, no buses, no trains. Where the old live on forever!”
NEXT EDITION
Deadline for next edition is 15th September 2015.
Articles to John Reid at
The Wanderer June 2015
Page 7
Neil Rusling - Secretary Neil served in the RAFP from 1970 to 1979, his final unit being P&SS (NR), RAF Newton, where he was employed on CI Inv. He then joined the Greater Manchester Police, his final posting being as a supervisory officer in the City Centre. His GMP career was cut short by injury in 1992 and after a short break he entered the Civil Service qualifying as a Risk Manager/Practitioner. Neil joined RAFPA in 1989 and is a Life Member. He served as Association
Treasurer from 1991 to 2001, as an Association Trustee from 1991 to 2004 and a mem-ber of the Association Executive Council from its inception in 1996 until 2004. In 2001 he was invited to become a Life Vice-President of the Association. Neil first visited South Africa in 2000 as a guest of fellow member Nick Burton and over the next few years became a regular visitor to the country. After taking early retirement in 2007 he relocated to South Africa in 2008; he now lives in Cape Town with his wife Fiona. Neil is also a committee member of the Cape Town Branch of RAFA, the Webmaster for the RAFA South African Area and an ex-officio member of the Area Council.
Profiles continued
Holiday Accommodation Available from Members
Brylin Motel
Rotorua, New Zealand.
http://www.brylinmotel.co.nz/rotorua.htm
(Phill & Bev Rendell)
Poppies Country Cottage
Dordogne, France.
http://papillon24300.wix.com/poppiesdordogne
(John & Gladys Reid)
Ellingham Cottages
St. Martin, Guernsey (CI)
http://www.ellinghamguernsey.co.uk/
(Simon Elliott—son of Paul)
The Wanderer June 2015
Page 8
by Flight Sergeant ‘Gaz’ Edwards
1 TPS
On the 29th June 1946, an RAF Dakota, KJ918 of 48 Sqn RAF, left Singapore on route to Calcutta, India. After brief stops at Kuala Lumpur and Butterworth (Malaya), the aircraft left for Rangoon, Burma. Whilst on this leg the pilot reported that the aircraft had entered severe weather conditions and he was returning to Butterworth. Unfortunately this was the last message received from the air-craft. When it failed to return a full scale search was initiated. After weeks of searching no trace of the aircraft was found, and all on board were believed to have perished. In addition to the 4 man crew there was 14 passengers, 10 of whom were RAF Policemen from No. 20 RAFP District Detachment. who were being posted to Burma:
Sgt Ivor John May Cross RAFP Cpl Henry Herbert Barrington RAFP
Cpl Peter William Bradley RAFP Cpl James William Hare RAFP
Cpl Louis Soloman Levenston RAFP Cpl Arthur Needham RAFP Cpl William Stronach RAFP
Cpl William Robert Sutton RAFP Cpl Lawrence Stratton Wright RAFP Cpl Dennis Edward Morgan RAFP
In September 2015 serving members of the RAF Police, will be taking part in Exercise Far Eastern Griffin, a Force Development (Battlefield Tour), visiting Malaya and Singapore. It is our intention to pay our respects to our comrades, who are commemorated at Singapore Memorial.
N.B. “Our man in Singapore”, Deryk Stronach (no relation to Cpl William Stronach) has volun-
teered to represent the Association at the ceremony.
Coming of Age 2015 marks the 21st Anniversary of the founding of the North West Area Branch by Alan Rusling, the first RAFPA Branch to be formed and setting the trend. Following Alan’s death in 1997 the “Alan Rusling Memorial Award” was introduced and was awarded on 12 occasions, between 1998 and 2009 to individuals who had rendered outstanding service to the Association. It has been suggested by those surviving recipients that the Award be re-introduced this year to mark the anniversary; it has also been suggested that it would be fitting if the newest RAFPA Branch, St.Mike’s, were the patrons on this occasion. Further information and background to the award can be found at:
http://www.neilrusling.com/ARinfo.htm If anyone feels that it is inappropriate for the Branch to be the patron on this occasion please contact John Armfield as soon as possible at: [email protected]
The Wanderer June 2015
Page 9
WANTED
Willing Victims
To
“Go Under The Cosh”
It wont be painful
All you have to do is
Write a brief article telling us
Who you are
Your background
Why you are living where you are.
Cover Photograph
No prizes but at least one of you should know which city is depicted in the cover photograph.
If you don't know then have a guess.
