Tales from Halton

Stories and anecdotes from the 69th's time at RAF Halton, between 1951 and 1954. From the Haltonian Magazine, Summer 2010

A Winter's Tale, Derek "Goz" Gosling, 69th

It was winter 1955 and, having spent a nominal 9 months at St Athan, I was posted, a rookie corporal, to RAF Wickenby in the wilds of Lincolnshire. Based here, we worked during the day at RAF Ludford Magna, a wartime airfield turned into a bomb dump some 12 miles away. This was a highly skilled job, we removed the suspension lugs of the bombs mainly 1000 pounders — scraped out the protective grease, cleaned the lug and put new grease in.

One of the corporal's duties was Guard Commander at Ludford for a week. This involved taking over from the day crew who returned to Wickenby, and then guarding the bomb dump in case anyone wanted to help themselves to a few bombs (never could understand who would want to steal a big, heavy, rusty, bomb).

I had a duty crew of six National Servicemen, a fireman and a cook and my duty was to send out two airmen on patrol every two hours from 6pm till Sam and I would telephone RAF Newton at the same time. All went well for the first few days but then, on the Saturday, around 2215hrs, the fireman said that he needed to give the fire engine a run out and that he would take out the new guards at the same time and bring the others back. I rang in to Newton and settled back with my book.

Around 2230, two Standard Vanguards came down the lane from the main road with all lights glaring. I jumped up, beret on, and went to the barrier to find two Snoops and a tall Flight Lieutenant who returned my salute. "Assemble the guard, Corporal NOW!". "Yes, Sir!"

I went through the Guardhouse to the Airmens' Quarters — no one there, Now the panic started. I returned to the Guardroom, heart prepared for an attack, and was informed in no uncertain terms that 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.

I was up before the CO at 1000 next morning, shaking at what the SWO had said could happen to me, and was given a severe reprimand and extra guard duties. Where are you now, Flt Lt Martindale?