Was on the Wing 98-02. Posted from Wittering and got all the horror stories. Best 4 years of my 22. Loved it, a sense of responsibility pride and teamwork not found in other jobs in our trade. Keep up the good work lads and lasses.
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The RAF SCdo and TSW Association Guest Book
171 entries.
Hi,My father was a Flight-Sergeant in 3209 Servicing Commandos, William 'Bill' Stuart, I have a photo of a football team, I'm led to believe is 3209 SCU at Singerbil (now Bangladesh) if anyone wants a copy, my father is in the photo in the team and the other person mentioned is a 'Wangel' Williamson, I also have a list of the 3209 SCU personnel from their association including their addresses written on RAF India headed paper. And also a leaflet dropped on the Japanese POW camps. My father died when I was 5 in 1970, I did have an RAF blue holster, a Commando dagger and D-Day booklet but unfortunately they went by the wayside over the years.Thanks
My neighbour Donald (Don) McKeon sadly passed away last Friday. He joined 3201 Servicing Commando's in 1941 and served with them till they were disbanded, he remained in the RAF in North Africa until his demob in 1946. He has recently written his memoirs regarding his time with 3201 and I will see if his family would like these published in any way for other people to read. I served for 22 years myself in the RAF and it was only after long chats with Don that I even knew about the RAF Servicing Commando's and what they did.Don joined the Army a few years after his demob and served with the Royal Signals for a further 22 years all over the world. Amazing man and will always be remembered. Arranging for a bugler to play the last post to give him the send off he would have wanted.Dave
My great grandfather served with 3202 SC. I was wondering if anyone had any information about 3202 SC or information on other SC units that served in North Africa, Sicily or Italy.
My great uncle jack was a proud member of unit 32o5 , jack Hargreaves was his name , he was a very quiet man but was loved by many Sadly passed away a few years back , but being a military man my self I made sure that the legion turned out to give this man a fitting send off , I have a few pictures that I would love to share so they can be archived and also still have his servicing commandos knife in fantastic condition , Kind regards Mr A Booth
As Chairman of the Association, I was saddened to learn of Pat Griffin’s decision to cancel his membership. Pat has been a stalwart supporter of the Association for many years and will be missed. The Association cannot be perfect for everybody, but if Pat felt able to share his reasons for leaving with me, perhaps we could improve in some way?David Orr
It is with regret after many years of supporting the association and tsw, i have now cancelled my subscription this is for many reasons ,which i shall keep under to mysel. I shall miss all the old colleagues and friends i have made while serving on the wing . I wish the association well for the future. regards pat griffin
I`ve just learned that an old Stafford buddy, Dave Heaver, has passed away. I wondered if anybody had any details?Many thanksDavid
HelloI am researching my Grandfather (whom I never met) Robert Lightfoot, I have found his RAF service record which dates back to 1924 and includes amongst other notable entries 151 Wing, Murmansk, 3210 Servicing Commando.It is a slow process deciphering there varied hand written entries, and I wonder if there is anywhere a glossary of RAF abbreviations, I can find a lot of the ones from the list supplied with the record but nothing that indicates what the Reason for move mean.Any help greatly appreciated.Kindest regardsCameron
Another excellent Reunion weekend renewing old friendships and listening to some wonderful stories. Honoured that both Alan's Macquillin (94) SC3210 and Robinson (95) SC3207 were able to make it. Thanks to all who did the hard work to make the reunion so enjoyable.
Hi, I joined TSW cadre as an LAC in Aug 1974. Only later did WO Jim Morton make me sit my SAC exam. What a man and part of the very fond memories I have of the wing. I notice Bob Mcbey achieved WO, well deserved. Lindsey and I trained you well (: I was lucky to had been lead (astray) by Cpl Lindsey Gordon and had many adventures around the world. Our many adventures included being the first of the wing to go to and subsequently build the harrier hides etc in Belize; still have the local newspapers. We also built the original Bessbrook Mill installation in NI which became the busiest helipad in Europe over night once word got out. We where also the first team to take WRAF's into the field; circa '76, so I am glad to see them in more recent pictures.A time of good friends like Len Hawkins and "Gimpy" I hope you are all well. In '77 I went to help with the move of TSF from Wildenrath to Guttersloh; Fred O'Rielly you still about? Back to Stafford and part time TSW in '79. After the wing taking me to Belize many times; '76 – '81, I survived a 1 year posting '82-'83 as ic POL where we even had to deploy a site to rescue a harrier that had landed inland due to a fuel shortage. To this day Belize is still my favourite country.I do regret not returning to cadre but other service opportunities; and a wife, won the vote. I still have many photos etc to pass on but as with memories time makes them fade so it was great to find the site.To one and all who had the experience of working for such an incredible organisation; especially in the early years of it existence, I am grateful to have been part of the "team" with you.Anyway I just wished to say hi to anyone who had adventures and experiences with both TSW and TSF.
i am going to see my grandfather later this month. he is now 96 and served in the 3210 servicing commandos. he was on the SS Dunera when the war ended on the way to land at morib beach in malaya( i think). He is still very sharp and loves telling my wife and myself about his memories. We got him this book spectacles,testicles, fags and matches. he can recall several incidents from the book. he was discharged from the raf on medical grounds upon landing at morib beach due to nearly losing his leg after gashing it open when wading ashore because of the monsoons. oh there is so much he has told us, fascinating to hear. Love to hear from someone who can relate to the above. many thanks Brett
I am researching family history for my wife. her father was in the RAF Servicing Commando's, but I am unable to trace which Unit he was attached to. I think it may have been 3210 as he landed on Overlord on D-Day plus 1..He was Cpl. William Charles Risley 1453444.His Service and release book shows overseas service, France Jun44 to May 45 and Iraq Dec 45.I would like to confirm the unit to continue my research.
Dear AllI have just completed the images from the daytime reunion 2016 at Stafford.Please look at www.jamesmaher.smugmug.com and the album will be there.All images are my copyright please.
It is my sad duty to report the death of Wendy Farr . Wendy Farr was married to tom, who was the ops corporal on t s w back in the early days, in the 70,s for many years . Wendy had been unwell for some time ,and sadly passed away in the early hours of Monday morning. Tom and Wendy have always been strong supporters of the association , attending many of the reunions. her funeral is on April the 14th in London, anyone wanting to attend can contact me on my e mail for the relevant information
this may be a long shot but I am the grandson of james d connon 1104303 I am trying to research his ww2 service. does his name ring any bells to any of your members. thank you in advancejames connon
Only just seen the post from last January about Di Ratcliffe (Sykes). Such a shock and so very sorry for Paul & family. Please let Paul know Mary & Ged had been trying to get back in touch for some time as we have moved and had lost their contact details. Please pass our email address to Paul should he want to contact us.
A very big thank you to the hard working editorial team (you know who you are! ) for the excellent Newsletter. A fine read.
My father was RAF Combined Ops in Burma during WWII, invalided out after an artillery bombardment and plane crash left him deaf and with spinal injuries.He didn't talk much about it, occasionally coming out with stories and reminiscences, but since his death just over a year ago I have been trying to find out more about the RAF Commandos.
From D1943454 SAC R Davis. TSW was a squadron I remember well, Apart from the full time members, we volunteered to join them from time to time, I was working at PSCO, I joined them quite often from 1972 to 1974, when I left the Air Force, I have just had my 70th birthday, I have very fond memoraries of excersises on Thetford Chase in 8 inches of snow, Salisbury plains, taking part with the army, also the Meet the Airforce exhibition which was held in the middle of Birmingham at Billsy Common. It was early days at that time. We had Harrier jump jets and Helicopters right on that common refuelling all as required, strapping down the pillow tanks, my son followed in my footsteps he is a Sargent at Brize Norton. Working in PSCO was so boring so great to get away..
A couple of years ago an old friend of mine passed away and that was ex fsgt Fred AL Lyon. So i thought i would dedicate this message to his memory.We were first together on TSF at Wildenrath In Germany with the Harrier field force.Then i met up with him when i was on TSW none cadre at Stafford.I am 62 years old now and i wrote to Al a few times by email so when i found out that he had passed away it was a shock.Also i just noticed Jim Colemans name saying the same thing about Al,so everybody who knew him should try and keep him in our memories every year .Time seems to pass so quickly 16mu has closed ,The harrier field force has gone,but that was all due to the collapse of the Soviet Union. So now as i live next door to the Russian Federation Mr Vladimir Putin seems to want to go back to his KGB days.So Lets just hope we are not going to have another cold war.So to everybody who is on Wing today at Stafford,be safe and always remember the ones who have passed away and gone before you.Pete Jones
Thinking of organising an (80's) TSW reunion in Glasgow 2015. I am aware of the reunion in Stafford , I have been talking to Dave Orr and Gaz Barlow and was going this year,but took unwell so I called off at the last min. I am also aware of the stackers reunion in Blackpool.I just thought there are a lot of ex wing guys living in Scotland so why don't we have a get together but I would like to extended the invite to anyone from our era that wants to come. It looks like…….Take in a Glasgow Warriors Rugby Game sample a famous Glasgow curry and a tour of the City of Glasgow and it's legendary pubs. Followed by a. party in my rugby club .Thoughts ??
Many thanks to all who made last weekend at Stafford such a great success; the Association Committee, the Wing personnel and the Sgts Mess staff. Finally, let us not forget those who were not there, including the late great Joe Ronan. We gave him a good farewell parade on Monday
I am very sad to hear of the passing of WO Joe Ronan. I will always be thankful for his friendship . He was a real gentleman and a great comrade .My thoughts are with his wife Kitty and his family .He will be inspecting the troops with Hutch by his side .If I know Joe .He is part of the history of the Wing and his story is in the book Support to Strike .Rest in Peace old friend .
very sad to hear about the passing of W.O. "Joe" Ronan this evening a true gentleman of the "old school" and a highly influential figure to me( and many others) as a teenager on the winghis mulligatawny soup was a fearsome dish RIP Joe
I'd like to thank Nicola Bridge for advising us of her father Bill's passing. Our Vice President Servicing Commandos, Group Captain Duncan Grant, has written with condolences from the Association and I would add my sympathy here. Time is taking an inevitable toll on our Servicing Commandos, but it gives us renewed cause to reflect on their courage and incredible stories; and to celebrate their lives. Our thoughts are with you, Nicola, as we remember Bill Bridge.with sympathy David OrrWing Commander (Retd)ChairmanRAF SC & TSW Association
In my previous message I incorrectly stated Bill Bridge's Servicing Unit as 3205. It is in fact 3210.
I am sorry to inform you that my father, Henry William Bridge of Servicing Commando 3205 recently passed away in Vancouver B.C. at the age of 93. He would have been very interested in the Association had he known about it. If anyone has any memory of him or photographs of him during the time he served, I would be very interested in hearing from them.Nicola Bridge (Bill's daughter)
Merry xmas and a happy new year to all past and present members have a great time and stay safe .
I would like to say thank you to Dave (Doc) White for his kind remarks about The Book . I would also point out that it was only with the hugh help of Sgt Chris Baker that The Book is available .I would also take this chance to ask all members of the Wing to write down your stories and send them to me .Because each and ever one of you has a special and particular story to tell . Adam Byers gave me his story three days before he passed away .It would have been lost.His family was thankful it was not .So write it and sent to me . It is all part of the history of the Wing . Oh yes and photo if you have any with names and places if possible . Thank you to all .
I am so very sad to hear of the passing of Alan Lyons .He was one of the first Sgt"s I worked with .He was always a very easy going person and enjoyed a good joke . I find it hard to think of him as gone . He will be sadly missed by all the personnel who knew him .My thoughts and condolences go to his family at this time .
Very sorry to hear about the death of FS Alan Lyons. He was a great bloke,and very easy to get on with.RIP Alan
Just read through the History of TSW, an excellent read, quite in depth and fascinating to see the Wing's history in print – much appreciated and certainly a job well done.All the bestDave
Any information re: 3205 Servicing Commando's. My father in law served with 3205. His name was Reginald Andrews (Rex). Any information / pictures or help in researching, would be greatfully received.
Hi there i have recently added a few pictures from my wifes grandfathers (douglas Grewcock) Raf servicing commando unit 3205 WW2, the album contains great picture with names places etc, if this site is interested i would scan and donate them. heres a link to view some of the pictures https://www.facebook.com/media/set/edit/a.10201162550843048.1073741828.1148315598/#!/mick.riley.10/media_set?set=a.10201162550843048.1073741828.1148315598&type=1All the best Mick
Thanks to all involved in this year's reunion at Stafford, it was a fantastic week end spent in great company, it is a privilege to belong to the Association.
Very many thanks to all who supported the weekend's Reunion events – a great time was had. Thanks too to all at the Wing for a fantastic Families' Day. Looking forward to next year! Put in your diaries – date TBN.
Sorry i can't be with you for the Association dinner this year. (prior engagement). Will try to make next year. Regards to all and hope a great time is had by all.
Ref Ron Jones post at #131 : Hello Ron and thanks for visiting our site and for your kind offer to share the photo which sounds great!One of the Committee will be in touch soon.Best WishesDavid OrrChairman
Ref Duncan`s post at #130, The numbers are a secret code which mean you now owe me a beer and yes, there is a passing resemblance to the Scotland strip. Hopefully, no similarity on the pitch….AyeDavidChairman