See the world for nothing!

09/11/2009

Where else can you get to see the world for nothing? I joined at Padgate in 1954 for 12 weeks squarebashing and I remember those early morning starts prior to brekkie - 5 miles at 6 in the morning.... hmmmm, well it did get us fit! Next, it was down to Compton Bassett for a WOP course, another 12 weeks with Mad Mary the Irish F/Sgt i/c cook.

 

After this it was a 3 week lounge at Innsworth prior to an overseas posting. The welcome of RAF Changi beckoned, and what a station it was - I thoroughly enjoyed 2 and a half years there except for a small stint to RAF Carnicobar out in the Indian Ocean.

 

Back to RAF Uxbridge in 1958, they had no use for WOPs,so sent me back to Compton to do a conversion to Tel2, and then back to Hillingdon  JATCC up on the hill. Although the site closed for messing and  accommodation etc we still worked over the other side but had to sleep on the RAF Regt side in those 1930s blocks. Oh the sounds of those out on the Parade ground really got to us!

 

Not long after I was posted to 2 TAF via the Hook to RAF Jever (actually worked at Brockzetel NATO underground bunker). I hated it and asked for an exchange to Butzweilerhof near Cologne (great place) then returned to JATCC  Watnall (which didnt exist) so I worked for the Bureau of Met at the Weather Centre, strange huh? They have a lovely little pub called the  "Royal Oak" right opposite.

 

Then the worst spell of my time in the RAF. I was posted to Aden (Khormaksar) the hell hole. I spent 17 months there and returned to RAF Dishforth another old but great station.

 

Finally to Linton-on-Ouse for demob. After 12 years I managed to join the Australian Civil Aviation and stayed with them for 24 years.

 

Now 78 I enjoy trolling the Net - building, swapping/buying and selling  Computers, which has slowed down recently 

 

Peter Holme ex Tel2 RAF