Tales from Halton

Stories and anecdotes from the 69th's time at RAF Halton between 1951 and 1954, and from outside in the wider world.

The armourers of 3 Wing, 69th Entry, at Halton, 1951

My whole Duty Crew, including the fireman and the cook, were returning from the pub in the fire engines. It seems that they had parked the fire engine on the pub forecourt facing the main road.

The Equitation Skive

This scheme can be seen as the perfect solution and one which I often blessed on cold wintry afternoon when others were getting wet and miserable

Lads of the 69th at Halton, 1952(?). Note: this photo was extracted from an incidental photograph of a photo album - taken from a couple of metres away - which appeared at the 69th's final reunion at Stratford in 2019. The album itself has disappeared.

From Burma to Halton

Across the airfield stood the BOAC aircraft waiting to start her flight. Minute by minute the crowd grew thicker until there were no empty places and we were very busy saying goodbye to everyone

Goonskins

My hands were so frozen that I could not get the buttons undone to answer an urgent call to the bog

Trevor (with cigarette), and the lads from the 69th enjoy a pint, 1954(?)

Ancient skills

The 61st were the last entry to be taught fabric repairs, hulls and floats and carpentry. "We" [the 69th] all know that was incorrect having been taught all three

"Boom" Dawn

He got his name very quickly because of a rich, deep, booming bass voice when some of the younger one's voices still had to break. I am fairly sure Boom was the oldest person to come in with our entry

Gardening in the rain

One day when it was pouring with rain, Hippo stated "All out on gardening". An intelligent apprentice then said, "But it is raining Flt!" Response, "Well you've got groundsheets!"

Trevor and colleague, surrounded by ammunition boxes, do some armoury training, Halton 1952(?)

Questions from Richard Hladik

Who remembers the first 'go' at bending throttles when we ran those 'clipped wing' Magisters out on the playing fields behind Workshops?

Caught skiving off

One weekend in my third year I snuck back home. I was back at Halton on the Saturday afternoon as I was to play for the school. At the same time the Station team had a match against Slough

I flew with Douglas Bader

My one claim to fame, or rather reflected glory, is that I can truthfully say that I flew with Douglas Bader

The Fitter's Dilemma

Oft-times when going round a 'drome one might have seen some fitter small; looking as though wi' fine toothed comb, to find his toolbox (tools and all)

Rat of the Week

"Who wants a pork pie?" I enquired. A nervous digit or two poked the atrocity before heads were shaken. "I think its gone critical"

The Scouts' Secret Food Stash

The message went out to the Senior Scouts - do not turn down any food. Meet us and hand over all the surplus you will find out why when you come up to the Rovers!

The Halton noticeboard keeps apprentices up to date on Halton activities around the world, circa 1945. Source: IWM © CH 16402

A look back at the RAF Trades

These were work units of limited intelligence and were used to steer the aircraft of that time, before computers took over entirely

Those born in the 30s, 40s, 50s and 60s

We would leave home in the morning and play all day, as long. as we were back when the streetlights came on. No one was able to reach us all day. And we were OK

An Eider Ducking

The helicopter hit the water with a thump. Water surged through the door and windows. Slowly it sunk and rolled over. It grew darker and the water rose up to my face

Ice Cold in Beirut

Few realised then that Lebanon was about to embark on its incredibly savage civil war in which thousands were to die and the centre of the city would be left looking like Berlin in 1945

8 Squadron at RAF Khormaksar, Aden

Good morning 8 Squadron! Waiting for the first cup of tea after the dawn patrol gets airborne - the time would have been roughly 06:45, which meant another 13 hours until knock-off time.

All about the Beverley

John Trevor recalls his first sight of a Beverly, some time in 1957 when the aircraft first appeared. Also: why was there a Beverley in the sand in Bahrain; flying on three engines to Entebbe; the Beverley crash at Sutton Wick

Incident at Swanton Morley

The East Dereham fire brigade arrived and I told them the fire was out. However they insisted on getting on the roof and putting water down the chimney 'just to make sure' as they could see a wisp of smoke issuing from the chimney.

The Aeronautical Inspection Unit

Over 100 boy apprentices of the 69th ended up at RAF St. Athan in Wales as their first posting. This was one of several Maintenance Unit stations, where it was common to see NCOs of the Aeronautical Inspection Unit.