SWIFT REPLY

THE NEWSLETTER OF No 72 SQUADRON ASSOCIATION

VOLUME 3 ISSUE 8

DECEMBER 2007

EDITORIAL

As I sit here writing this issues editorial it occurred to me that as one grows older the time seems to fly past more quickly. It only seems days ago that I was sitting down two edit the last newsletter telling everyone about our activities and badgering you all for your subs! Well, I am still going to badger you for your subs, but I am also happy to tell you that this issue contains details of our next reunion on May 10th 2008 at North Weald and preliminary plans for the annual get together at Linton-on-Ouse, hosted by the Squadron. Good news arrived since the last newsletter in the form of a letter from Jim Barton informing me (and ordering me to tell you) that he is out of hospital back on two feet (albeit one is bionic) and ready to use his new leg as a weapon, if necessary, to get you all to turn up at North Weald! Numbers at the reunion have been dwindling, in large measure due to ill health amongst our more senior members, so come on lads and lasses lets make an effort to make the 2008 bash one of our best and see as many of you there as possible. I direct this last comment particularly to those under the age of 60 who seem to prefer sitting in their sheds admiring ferrets, or glued to digital TV, than getting together with their old mates to talk over past adventures. Go on, give it a go!

SWIFT REPLIES

Help wanted: Bomber Brown writes from Kings Lynn: Thanks for the latest edition of Swift Reply. I am pleased to see the verses helped to fill the pages. I will look out or try to think up a couple more for the next issue if it helps. My main reason for this letter is in regard to any photos taken while I presented the verse to Matt Alcock at the reunion. I would like copies to put with my master copy file. Any help in this matter would be appreciated. I will reimburse any cost incurred in obtaining photos If you can help Bomber obtain copies of the print presentation please write to him at: M Brown 5 Generals Walk Kings Lynn PE30 4UE

Help wanted 2: Roger Merry writes from the Isle of Wight: Please could you include a request for sponsors for my trip on the 2008 Centenary Year London Marathon, raising money for the British Forces Foundation, which exists to promote the Armed Forces through charitable means by supporting the welfare and esprit de corps of all serving personnel through quality entertainment, funding top class performers to go around the world entertaining our troops, especially in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as supporting existing organisations involved in providing entertainment and recreational facilities to the forces. Please reply by e-mail at office@merryandco.co.uk or to the address listed below: Merry & Co 73 Union Street Ryde Isle of Wight PO33 2LN

ONE OUT, ONE IN!

No 72 Sqn recently had a change of management with the departure of Sqn Ldr Kennedy and his replacement by Sqn Ldr Mewes. Both outgoing and incoming COs have written letters to the association which are reproduced below along with the new Bosss CV. Sqn Ldr GG Kennedy:

I wanted to write to the 72 Sqn Association to thank them for all the support which the Association has given me during my relatively brief but extremely enjoyable time as Officer Commanding the RAFs premier Sqn. Unfortunately I have been posted to a ground job in London so will be hanging up my flying helmet for the time being. It has been a great honour for me to follow in the footsteps of my illustrious predecessors and I have thoroughly enjoyed meeting all the Association members at the reunion and other squadron functions. The ties which the current squadron members maintain with ex-members adds greatly to the ethos and team spirit of the Squadron and long may it continue. Once again, please let the Association members know that I have appreciated all their help and continued dedication to 72 Sqn. Sqn Ldr Andy Mewes:

Please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Andy Mewes, known as Mewesy, and I am the new Commanding Officer of 72(R) Sqn. I have enclosed a short biography to give you an idea of my background, so please feel free to pass this around other members of the Squadron Association. If there is anything that I or the Squadron can do in the near future for any member of the Association please do not hesitate to get in touch.

SQN LDR MEWES BIOGRAPHY:

Don Kingaby and a new Battle of Britain Book By Robert Hawkins

I enclose a photo, which was printed in last months Advertiser, of Sgt Don Kingaby, who landed in the Dorking area after running out of fuel in the Battle of Britain. Don Kingaby was 72 Squadron leader on Vampires when I joined the Squadron in 1948. I also enclose Dons war record.

The Battle of Britain has been well documented but few realise that much of the battle took place over Surrey or that aircraft were shot down near their homes. The dramatic and pivotal events of the Second World War left their mark on every corner of the county but details of these many events have, until now, not been recorded. No other source exists detailing the air activity over the county. Now a fascinating book has been published that chronicles that momentous period in Surreys history with the aid or rare wartime photos, compelling eye-witness accounts and detailed local research. Apart from featuring airfields and other notable aviation locations, it also lists aircraft crash sites, several of them in Mole Valley, with comprehensive details and investigations into the most notable events.

Simon Parry is the author who is now one of Britains leading aviation historians but his roots are in Surrey where he began his research into the battles and aircraft crashes in the county 30 years ago, a time it was possible to interview many witnesses to the events. Simon says a chance remark in 1976 set him on a trail that dictated the course of his life from then on: We used to play in a hole where a German plane crashed in the war a friend told him, which was all it took. Completely absorbed by the idea of being able to find a tangible reminder of the war, I set off to discover the German bomber, then its history, then the other aircraft that crashed in Surrey and then all the Luftwaffe aircraft and airmen in Britain explained Simon. After writing and publishing many aviation books over the past 30 years he finally decided to return to his roots and do what he always said he would do one day; write a book about Surrey in the Battle of Britain. War Torn Skies of great Britain, Surrey in the Battle of Britain is published by Red Kite Books and costs 14.95.

BOOK REVIEWS

Supermarine Spitfire Owners Workshop Manual

Haynes well known for their instructive motor car Manuals has broken new ground, producing a comprehensive guide to owning, restoring, servicing and flying the Spitfire. The 160 page manual covers many aspects. Perhaps most interesting for one time Spitfire pilots are the pages describing the basics of flying a Mark V. Photographs with hands on shots of the pilot depict the 10 stages of the start and memorably when the pilot presses simultaneously the engine start and the booster coil buttons. A command we always knew as press tits Pre-take-off checks and landing procedures are dealt with in similar detail. A number of war-time pilots give their views on the Spitfire. Alex Henshaw, chief test pilot at West Bromwich who tested no fewer than 2360 Spitfires, describes the sequence of his test finishing with a dive at full power, 3000rpm and 460mph with the trim adjusted so she was able to fly hands and feet off. All this in a 20 30 minute flight. And to give the view from the other side we get Oberleutnant Hans Schmoller-Haldy who flew a captured Spitfire. He was in raptures over the purring noise of the engine in marked contrast to that of the Me109 which he says was very loud. He felt very much at ease with the Spitfire but would not have traded it for the Messerschmitt which he thought offered the pilot a better view from the cockpit. The two appendices at the end of the book list the airworthy or near airworthy Spitfires ranging from the Mk I to the Seafire 47.

At present they total 70, and of these 42 are fully airworthy. The authors of the book are Dr Alfred Price who served in the RAF as an aircrew officer for 15 years, and Paul Blackah an airframe fitter with 26 years service in the RAF. Although retiring in 2002 his specialist knowledge of vintage aircraft is such that he continues as a reservist working as Airframe Specialist in the BBMF. Reviewed November 2007 by Rodney Scrase Spitfire Pilot WW2 Haynes Publishing, Sparkford Yeovil BA22 7JJ RRP 17.99 ISBN 978 1 84425 462 0

A LITTLE BIT OF RECENT HISTORY

VETERANS-UK

NORTHERN IRELAND THEN AND NOW

BY SPOTTER
This article is produced using photographs provided by a photographer who is well known to almost every aircrew member of 72 Sqn who served in NI in the 1990s. His name is not attributed to the article as he still lives in NI and still requires a measure of personal security. The photos show some of the bases used by 72 Sqn on a daily basis throughout the 80s and 90s as they were then and as they are now.

Wessex over the spot at Bessbrook Mill on 11th August 1997.

Bessbrook Mill on 12th July 2007. Peace in out time. Helicopters gone and pads demolished.

Wessex XT681:U landing at Dungannon 19th August 1994.

Wessex 8 XV723:Q on a training sortie shut down at Dungannon on 24th May 1996. Behind is the Dungannon day tasking Wessex, Wessex4 XT607:P.

7th April 2007 and Killymeal barracks is gone. The 15 acre site reportedly sold to a developer at 1M per acre!

72 SQUADRON AT BIGGIN HILL FOR 90TH

70th Anniversary of Leconfield or otherwise known as Normandy Barracks! BY ERIK MANNINGS

72 Squadron was well represented both in the air and on the ground at the 70th Anniversary celebrations of a service presence at the site of the current Defence School of Transport, Normandy Barracks (formally RAF Leconfield) in North Yorkshire. The site was declared operational in 1937 after work had started in 1935 as part of the pre-war airfield expansion plan. No 166 Squadron started the ball rolling and the station was part of Bomber Command 3 Group then 4 Group and by late 1940 a change of roll brought it into 13 Group as part of Fighter Command. Concrete runways were installed in 1941 and the unit returned to Bomber Command and was also used as an Advanced Flying Unit for pilot training. At this time it also became linked with 6 Group and the Canadians who came to support Great Britain in the fight against Nazi Germany. Squadrons that operated from Leconfield included 196, 466 and 640. No 51 Sqn moved in during 1945 and flew its last wartime sortie on 20 April 1945. The station lost 143 aircraft during the war mostly Halifaxes and Wellingtons. Post war the Central Gunnery School took up residence until 1957 having now become known as the Fighter Weapons School. The runway was extended and the station became a front line fighter unit for the next for 6 years with Hunters, Javelins and Lightnings. It was in this time that 72 Sqn was in situ with its Javelins. In 1977 the station was handed over to the Army and renamed Normandy Barracks taking up the role of driver training, road management and Combat Service Support signals training. However, the RAF still has a presence with Sea Kings of E Flt of 202 Sqn on Search and Rescue standby. During the demolition of No 4 hangar at Leconfield some bullet holes were found in one of the A frames by the hangar door. After investigation it was deduced that they were the result of a raid in October 1940 by 2 He 111 aircraft which carried out a low level attack which damaged both 4 and 5 hangars and killed one airman. As a tribute to all who had served at Leconfield over the last 70 years it was decided to retain the A frame and turn it into a memorial. A local firm MGB Services laser cut from the skin of the original blast doors of the hangar the outlines of 6 aircraft as representative of the 20 types which had operated from the airfield. This was positioned on the airfield side of the hangar site

and small garden of remembrance was built around it. The memorial was unveiled by Air Marshal S G G Dalton who flew in from Elvington in a Tiger Moth owned by Peter Jackson who has brought his aircraft to the last 2 reunions at Linton.

The A Frame Leconfield memorial. (E Mannings). 72 Sqn veterans present were Laurie Frampton Spitfires 1942-45; Dinty Moore Wessex longer than he wants to remember; Ken McGowan ex Javelin ground crew at Leconfield 1961?; and the most recent veteran yours truly Erik Mannings Tucano 200207. In the air the Sqn provided a 4 ship flypast led by the OC Sqn Ldr Mewes and the guests were also treated to a display by a Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Spitfire in contrast to a pair of Hawks that I missed as I was in a tent filling my champagne glass! Well someone has to go to these events. All in all a very pleasant afternoon during which apart from the ex-72 bodies Christine and I enjoyed an interesting chat with the director of the Elvington Museum and a Ghurkha Captain of the Signals Regiment who was about to become a naturalised British Citizen in order to let his son follow a career in medicine here in the UK, something we both earnestly support for all Ghurkhas who have served this country as part of our armed forces.

B of B Spitfire flypast. (E Mannings) A dinner was held in the evening but not all of the guests were able to attend as many of the seats were taken up by the current 72 Sqn members who had provided the flypast and the Squadron Standard bearer. Perhaps Dinty can give more details of this part of the event if he can remember anything about it?

The memorial plaque. (E Mannings).

72 SQN 90TH PHOTO GALLERY & REPORT By Matt Alcock & Erik Mannings

The old boys of 72 started to gather for the annual association weekend on Fri 20 Jul 07. The crew room was the meeting point as the guests arrived throughout the afternoon. Dinty More arrived with a splendid model of a Spitfire Mk IIa that now sits proudly in the crew room. The visiting aircraft stared arriving from 2.30pm and by 3.30pm there was a mini fly-in parked outside the squadron building. The Old Aeroplane Company at Breighton had kindly sent a Miles Magister piloted by Geoff Cline. There was a Mk.4 Jet Provost from Sandtoft piloted by Shaun Eagle. Mike Roe brought a Harvard from Sandtoft and Simon Johnson dragged his Fury replica out of the hangar. Peter Jackson brought his Tiger Moth in and this sat next to the 72 Sqn Anniversary paint scheme aircraft. Sadly the Rolls-Royce Spitfire display had to be cancelled due to poor weather further south.

Tucano ZF448

Tucano ZF448 The flight line was busy as Bobby Moore displayed the Tucano and as a parting gesture Simon Johnson gave a small display in the Fury before he left. A few beers and a little wine was consumed before all headed back to the mess to ready themselves for dinner.

Tucano ZF448

Tucano ZF448 The throng assembled in the ante-room at 7.30pm ready for a much anticipated dinner and the mess did not let them down. Accompanied in to music from an ensemble of musicians from the RAF Central Band, old and new were mixed up on the tables to allow all to swap stories. Plt Off Ogston gave a memorable grace before all were seated for a fantastic meal. Much wine flowed and many stories were relayed as the youngsters learned a few lessons from the old and bold. All too soon the meal was finished and Air Commodore Peacock-Edwards presented Erik Mannings with his GAPAN lifetime achievement award. The audience was then thrilled by Tom Hughes and his story of vipers in the cockpit. All assembled ended the evening in the mess bar where the drinking continued until the early hours. The simulator sessions started at 9.00am on the Saturday, but Dinty was the first to emerge at 10.00am and so had an extended sim trip flying low level around the lakes. As more and more old boys dragged themselves out of their pits, the sim slots filled up with all getting a chance to fly. The stories of the night before were recounted with rumours of a Hughes/Frampton lock in at the mess bar which only ended in the early morning! Weary heads were welcome of a fine carvery lunch in the mess, with wine for those who could face it! The bus arrived at the Jet Provost gate guard to take a now refreshed bunch to the National Railway Museum in York. The guided tour given was very good as carriages were opened to be explored and all the inner workings of the steam railway days were explained. A brief stop for a cup of tea followed by more railway exhibits, then back on the bus.

Tucano ZF448 and Spitfire RF:D

Tucano ZF448 and Spitfire RF:D There were a few hours for resting before assembling for yet more food. Well fed, the group was entertained with a fine talk by Dick Manning telling tales of his long and varied aviation career, then back to the bar to see the evening off. The Sunday was a quiet breakfast with most making their way home well before lunch. All agreed they had had a great time and bookings were being made for next year!

Dinty More and Tom Hughes scan the skies.

Jet Provost starting up.

Magister and Harvard trainers.

JetProvost flypast.

OBITUARIES
Compiled by Tom Docherty, Jim Barton and Rodney Scrase

David Keats David passed away on 13th August 2007 following a heart attack. He served on the Squadron during 1952-3 on Vampires and Meteors. He was one of the early supporters of the Association and a regular attendee at reunions. Mrs Joy Oxspring widow of Bobby Oxspring OC 72 Sqn in North Africa We learn of the death of Joy Oxspring. Aged 83. She had been suffering from cancer and after a stay in Hospital was to spend some time in a nursing home in Grantham. A picture of Joy, Bobbys second wife, appears in a group picture dated 1964 with her husband and Adolf Galland. (see Spitfire Command page 80 ). After Bobbys retirement from the RAF, the couple bought a converted house in a village near Grantham. There they lived quietly with Bobby obviously missing his service life. He died in 1989. Joy was a great fan of dogs, Jack Russells in particular. Her other interest was racehorses. She spent many a day correctly predicting race results. But although a competent tipster she did not put any money on the horses she fancied so bets were off Connie Robertson Connie she always preferred Con died 6th July 2007 at the age of 83. She was the widow of Robbie Robertson DFC who served with 72 from December 1941 until December 1943. Her name appeared on the side of Robbies plane RNH. Con and Robbie were both keen swimmers and had first met at the local swimming baths when she was 12! They were engaged just before the Squadron left for N.Africa. It was in an air battle in Tunisia that he suffered the loss of an eye and was invalided home. The couple were to marry in June 1943. Following WW2 the Robertsons were active members of the local Branch of the RAFA. Con was a Committee member. Every year on the anniversary of the BofB she would be out in all weathers and in all states of health collecting at the local shopping centre. She never let them down. Connie is a sad loss to the local RAFA and in our Squadron memories. Pat Cox

Pat died 25th May 2007. Aged 87 she had been living in a residential home at Folkingham in Lincolnshire, near the home in Pickworth of her son also named David and his wife. David nicknamed Cholmondeley was Flight Commander A Flight in the Tunisian Campaign. The name Pat was painted on the side of his plane. In the 90s and in retirement David would attend Reunions of the Souk-elArba Pilots held at the RAF Club. By then his wife was in need of constant care and to be absent from home for part of a day took some arranging. So it was a surprise that David was the first to pass away. His funeral in February 2004 at Swallowfield near Reading was an occasion attended by family and friends. David and Pat are now again together, buried in the churchyard of St Andrews Church, Pickworth.

72 SQN OPEN WEEKEND AT LINTON ON OUSE 25-27 JULY 2008

The Open Weekend will take place over the weekend of 25-27th July 2008. The format of the weekend will be similar to previous years with a Dining In Night, Air Displays, Guest Speakers and a visit to a local attraction. As usual accommodation will be available on the station but will be limited so book early! Cost will be similar to last year at around 50. Those interested in attending should contact the Squadron directly for full detail of the event. Please contact: Flt Lt Matt Alcock No 72 (R) Squadron RAF Linton On Ouse York YO30 2AJ MORE DETAILS WILL APPEAR IN THE SUMMER ISSUE OF SWIFT REPLY

MEMBERSHIP UPDATE
Guess what? Yes, it is time to renew your subscription for another year. Details of your subscription state are listed below. If it notes S/O you are paying by standing order. If it states (12) you are paying the right amount. If not please update your standing order. If you see anything other than NOV 08 SO (12) or November 2008 (12) against your name YOU ARE DUE TO PAY YOUR SUBS.
F001 F002 F003 F004 F005 F006 F007 F009 F010 F011 F012 1 3 5 7 10 11 18 19 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 32 33 34 44 46 49 50 51 53 54 56 65 70 72 75 77 78 80 81 84 89 91 95 November 2007 (10) November 2008 (12) November 2007 (12) NOV 08 S/O (12) HONMEM KING November 2006 November 2008 (12) NOV 08 S/O (12) November 07 (12) November 07 (12) NOV 08 S/O (12) NOV 08 S/O (12) NOV 08 S/O (12) NOV 08 S/O (12) NOV 08 S/O (12) NOV 08 S/O (12) NOV 08 S/O (12) HONMEM HONMEM HONMEM HONMEM HONMEM HONMEM S/O HONMEM HONMEM HONMEM NOV 08 S/O (12) NOV 08 S/O (12) NOV 08 S/O (12) NOV 08 S/O (12) NOV 08 S/O (12) NOV 08 S/O (12) NOV 08 S/O (12) NOV 08 S/O (12) NOV 08 S/O (12) HONMEM HONMEM HONMEM NOV 08 S/O (12) November 07 (12) NOV 08 S/O (12) November 2007 (12) NOV 08 S/O (12) November 2007 (12) NOV 08 S/O (12) NOV 08 S/O (12) NOV 08 S/O (12) NOV 08 S/O (12) November 2008 (12) NOV 08 S/O (12) T C PF D A D AP G EA ACR KJ TG JAI PF GP CA B L LADY R N M RH G M RA RJ JW DE MED AWD RD D TAK S A J AE FM B WJ J DE S BR VJ JD LS J SHERWOOD HALL METCALF PERRY LL MANSFIELD LANE POOL BARTON GREEN MANSFIELD PARKES DOCHERTY BOLTON O'BRIEN ANDREWS CARTER LONGARETTI TWEEDIE SAUNDERS McNULTY LYNCH BRODIE MBE LILLEY BURNEY NICOLSON BICKERS BARLOW PRICE LLOYD MOON PEACEY SCRASE McDOUGALL WOOD HUTTON HUTTON POCOCK SWEETMAN TURNER SHARP CORBIN LANCASTER SCOTT HYAMS MERRY SMITH MAYES BALL BIRD 98 100 105 106 109 111 114 118 120 121 122 124 127 128 129 130 135 142 145 151 159 161 163 167 168 171 174 182 193 195 200 211 213 215 218 219 223 224 236 245 258 260 271 273 274 276 277 WISE 278 279 280 November 2008 (12) LJ BARTON NOV 08 S/O (12) TB HUGHES NOV 08 S/O (12) MJ BELL NOV 10 S/O (10) KC WELLER NOV 08 S/O (12) TG GAILEY HONMEM MRS J BROWNE JR November 2007 (12) AFCOOK NOV 08 S/O (12) FR JAMES NOV 08 S/O (12) ML McCAUL November 2007 (12) JA HOWARTH November 2007 (12) P WARE November 2008 (12) JA LUCIA NOV 08 S/O (12) RW NEEDHAM NOV 08 S/O (12) VJ RAINBOW HONMEM MRS KR HALL HONMEM ME SMITH NOV 08 S/O (12) DM PRICE November 2007 (12) LA FRAMPTON HONMEM JM STALLY NOV 08 S/O (12) MR COE November 2008 (12) MR GAMBLE NOV 08 S/O (12) H THOMAS NOV 08 S/O (12) MP DOUGLASS November 2008 (12) JR ADAMS NOV 08 S/O (12) MW ADAMS HONMEM J SMITH NOV 08 S/O (12) AG HOPPER NOV 08 S/O (12) RE TURNER NOV 09 S/O (12) A SMITH November 2008 (12) DEV GRAVENEY HONMEM J ORRELL NOV 08 S/O (12) PA BURLINGHAM NOV 08 S/O (12) GM MONAHAN November2006 (12) LR VINCE November 2008 AL WILLINGS Nov 2006 (12) B EGGLETON NOV 08 S/O (12) D WHATLING NOV 08 S/O (12) R FOSTER NOV 08 S/O (12) SS STIRRAT November 2007 (12) PR DAVIES NOV 08 S/O (12) MK JOHNSON NOV 08 S/O (12) GW PAUL NOV 08 S/O (12) JRA WHITNEY November 2007 (12) RN BROOKS Nov 2007 (12) RH GREGORY NOV 08 S/O (12) DJ GORHAM NOV 08 S/O (12) JD KENNETTNovember 2007 (12) MP NOV 08 S/O (12) JP November 2007(12) IA MEECH SYDES WRIGHT

285 294 299 300 303 308 310 311 312 313 323 324 325 331 335 339 341 343 344 347 348 349 353 354 356 358 359 360 366 367 371 373 376 377 379 380 381 382 383 384 386 388 389 390 391 392 393 395 406

NOV 2009 (12) NOV 2007 (12) NOV 08 S/O (12) NOV 08 S/O (12) NOV 08 S/O (12) NOV 08 S/O (12) NOV 08 S/O (12) NOV 08 S/O (12) NOV 08 S/O (12) November 2008 (12) November 2007 (12) NOV 08 S/O (12) NOV 08 S/O (12) NOV 08 S/O (12) November 2007 (12) NOV 08 S/O (12) November 2006 HONMEM NOV 08 S/O (12) NOV 08 S/O (12) NOV 08 S/O (12) November 2006 November 2008 (12) NOV 08 S/O (12) NOV 08 S/O (12) NOV 08 S/O (12) November 2008 (12) November 2007 (12) November 2008 November 2007 NOV 08 S/O (12) NOV 08 S/O (12) NOV 08 S/O (12) NOV 08 S/O (12) NOV 08 S/O (12) NOV 08 S/O (12) NOV 08 S/O (12) NOV 08 S/O (12) NOV 08 S/O (12) NOV 08 S/O (12) NOV 08 S/O (12) NOV 08 S/O (12) NOV 08 S/O (12) NOV 08 S/O (12) NOV 08 S/O (12) NOV 08 S/O (12) HONMEM NOV 08 S/O (12) NOV 08 S/O (12)

J RW T JR N A RK DWR KRJ JA RH GM MG RJ DA K ARD K CC IR JE CW JW SJ AWJ MG KA K RB J JC GS NCW SJ TGW GT RSH G RP GJ AJ DL PJR WJ CR MW A LD JG

CLEGG HURST FOSTER DAY BREWERTON CHATER WORRALL CRAIG DEARY BELL MITCHELL RUSSELL LLOYD HINDS METCALF HOWELL WELHAM SUMMERS MACLACHLAN JONES HUREL NUGENT MEDDOWS HEIGHWAY McAULEY DUDGEON BOYD WOODGER WEBBER BROWN DADE BURNETT EASTHOPE MEAKINS HAMILTON MORGAN IRWIN LLOYD HARRIS BRYANT DAWSON BREESE WARMERDAM ROSSER WEST DRUITT MORETON SUMNER BEATTIE

412 NOV 08 S/O (12) 413 NOV 08 S/O (12) 414 NOV 08 S/O (12) 416 NOV 08 S/O (12) 417 NOV 08 S/O (12) 419 NOV 08 S/O (12) 420 NOV 08 S/O (12) 421 NOV 08 S/O (12) 422 NOV 08 S/O (12) 424 NOV 08 S/O (12) 425 NOV 08 S/O (12) 426 NOV 08 S/O (12) 427 November 2007 (12) 429 NOV 08 S/O (12) 430 NOV 08 S/O (12) 434 November 2006 (12) 435 NOV 08 S/O (12) 436 NOV 08 S/O (12) 437 HONMEM WILLIAMS 440 NOV 08 S/O (12) 441 NOV 08 S/O (12) 442 NOV 08 S/O (12) 443 NOV 08 S/O (12) 444 NOV 08 S/O (12) 446 NOV 08 S/O (12) 447 NOV 08 S/O (12) 448 NOV 08 S/O (12) 449 NOV 08 S/O (12) 450 November 08 (12) 451 NOV 08 S/O (12) 452 NOV 08 S/O (12) 453 NOV 08 S/O (12) 454 NOV 08 S/O (12) 455 NOV 08 S/O (12) 456 NOV 08 S/O (12) 457 NOV 08 S/O (12) 458 NOV 08 S/O (12) 459 NOV 08 S/O (12) 460 HONMEM 461 November 2008(12) 462 NOV 08 S/O (12) 463 NOV 08 S/O (12) 464 NOV 08 S/O (12) 465 NOV 08 S/O (12) 466 November 07 (12) 467 NOV 08 (12) 468 NOV 08 S/O (12)

CJ MG JS IC DP P C R WA D S MN MG RG M D NJ KCW D PR BJ SA A JM D JGP J R B JA BW MJ PJ S DJ KN ID JFW A RS TJ DC LJ JE NB ML EJ

TOMLINSON FISHER CARRINGTON DUGUID KIVLEHAN DAVISON RHODES WILSON FOWELL BRYSON McCANN WARING BROWN ALLAN PARK KENYON GROSE MARCH. FOSTERWILSON WATKINS VERNON MORE AFC MAGUIRE BRIGGS YOUNG TELFER MYLES DOUGHTY GROOM JOHNSON CLAGUE WRIGHT HUTCHINSON McCANN MUNDAY JENKINS DOLDER CROUCHMAN HAWKINS SAMWELL WILSON HUMPHRIES HUREL McLOUGHLIN ALCOCK MANNINGS

Jimmy Corbin signs his book at Shoreham Aircraft Museum

THE INN OF THE FEW The White Hart (1885) at Brasted By Peter Wrench

The White Hart at Brasted. Haunt of many a 72 Sqn pilot during the Battle of Britain. (P Wrench).

The 72 Sqn COs can be seen in this picture; Jamie Rankin, Bobby Oxspring andBrian Kingcome. (via Wrench).

5th Oct 07. ACM Sir Clive Loader, Peter Wrench and Flt Lt Katherine Jennings.

72 SQUADRON ASSOCIATION REUNION NORTH WEALD 10TH MAY 2008

The annual Association reunion will take place at North Weald on the weekend of Saturday 10th May 2008. There have been some changes to accommodation and timetable for this reunion so pay close attention to the details below! TIMETABLE: FRI 9TH MAY PM MEMBERS AND GUESTS BEGIN ARRIVING AT THE GREEN MAN HOTEL, OLD HARLOW INFORMAL GET TOGETHER FOR DINNER AND DRINKS IN HOTEL

1900 ONWARDS SAT 10TH MAY

0950 COACH LEAVES HOTEL FOR NORTH WEALD 1000-1200 VISITS TO VINTAGE AIRCRAFT HANGARS 1200 COACH LEAVES FOR NORTH WEALD MUSEUM 1215 WREATH LAYING CEREMONY 1300 COACH LEAVES FOR THE SQUADRON 1310-1400 LUNCH 1400 PRE-AGM COMMITTEE MEETING 1430 COACH RETURNS LADIES TO HOTEL 1500 AGM 1630ISH COACH RETURN MEMBERS TO HOTEL 1845 COACH LEAVES HOTEL FOR THE SQUADRON 1900 REUNION EVENING BEGINS 1915 WELCOME SPEECH BY CHAIRMAN 2000 BUFFET DINNER SERVED 2100 PRIZE DRAW 2359 COACH DEPARTS FOR HOTEL

SUN 11TH MAY AM MEMBERS AND GUEST DEPART REUNION COST: Cost of the reunion is 20 per person. Cheques should be made payable to No 72 Squadron Association and sent to the Membership Secretary (TG Docherty, 17 Mannachie Grove, Forres, Moray, UK, IV36 2WE). DO NOT SEND CHEQUES TO ANY OTHER COMMITTEE MEMBER, YOU WILL ONLY DELAY YOUR BOOKING! ACCOMMODATION: This year we are accommodated in the GREEN MAN HOTEL in OLD HARLOW. (See the map below for directions). The cost of rooms including breakfast are as follows: DOUBLE/TWIN PER NIGHT - 60 SINGLE PER NIGHT - 58 This is a special rate for 72 Sqn Assoc members and can only be booked using the following method: CALL 01279 442251 AND ASK FOR TRACY (RECEPTION MANAGER). TELL HER YOU ARE WITH 72 SQN ASSOC OTHERWISE YOU WILL NOT BE GIVEN THE DISCOUNTED RATE! If you have mobility problems please ensure you ask for a ground floor room. PRIZE DRAW: As always there will be a prize draw. Donation of prizes will be most welcome. BOOKING: If you wish to attend please complete the form below and return it WITH YOUR CHEQUE to the Membership Secretary (Tom Docherty) at the address given above. Numbers have been reducing over the last few reunions so please LET THIS REUNION BE OUR BIGGEST AND BEST YET! (Failure to attend will result in Jankers!).

72 SQN ASSOC REUNION BOOKING FORM NAME: GUEST NAMES:

10 MAY 2008

TOTAL PAYMENT (20 PER PERSON): TICK THE BOXES BELOW AS APPLICABLE: I WILL ATTEND THE AGM: I WILL ATTEND THE HANGAR VISITS/WREATH LAYING: I WILL ATTEND THE EVENING FUNCTION: I WILL BE STAYING AT THE GREEN MAN HOTEL: I WILL ARRIVE ON FRI 9TH: I WILL ARRIVE ON SAT 10TH: RETURN THIS FORM TO: TG DOCHERTY 17 MANNACHIE GROVE FORRES MORAY IV36 2WE UK (TICK IN THIS COLUMN)