Pen Portraits: what happened next

Pen portraits of post-graduation life, as submitted to the 69th Association newsletter over the period 1994 - 2011

Derek Gosling

After leaving Halton I joined thousands of others in a trek by rail to the hinterlands of Wales. Celebrating our re-birth at St Athan, several of us decided on an early morning swim (2am) at Llantwit Major. Carrying an excess of Ely Ales I lost my uniform and broke a toe!

Detachments to Lincolnshire (the RAF equivalent to the Sahara) Wickerby, Lindford, Faldingworth, Kirton-Lindsey, Manby - you name it, they sent me there. 5 years spent putting grease on bomb-lugs. Inches from a court martial - while guard commander, my fireman took duty crew for a pint - I'm positive I told him not to take the fire tender!

Married 1955 - hitched back to Aston Clinton. Son Keith (now an accountant) 1957, and daughter Theresa (now a teacher) 1959.

Cyprus 1960 - 32 Sqdn - real planes and Keo. Court appearance 1961 re fridge and my local landlord (he couldn't put it where I suggested!). Generally a good time apart from pongos and locals. Detachments to Aden, Kenya, Kuwait, etc.

UK 1962 Wittering. Good fun crashed dozens of V-bombers in simulator! Bomber Command Armament School - into teaching '0' level science to ex wartime Sgts. After a mere 11 years as a corporal, in 1964 I waved farewell to saluting anything that grew mould and calling would-be concrete lampposts 'Sir'. ('Go to college' thoughts made first appearance)

1964-67 Shop floor as engineering fitter in Aylesbury - ex Sqdn Ldr McGrath was the personnel officer remember him?! Found that RAF apprenticeship was worth 10 factory ones. Also about clocking on/off and not getting paid when sick.

1967-69 - Service engineer, Bucks, Beds, Herts - pass.

1969 - College as 'mature' student; four years hard work but boy! - you play hard as well as work hard!

1973 Graduated from Reading University with degree in English then to Elmhurst Middle School - still there. Rapid promotion - because I enjoyed my job - and I was being called 'Sir' by millions!! (psycho hang up somewhere?!) Watched, at school, over the years 30% West Indians dwindle, now replaced with 60% Asian; 2 year part-time Urdu course to find out who was swearing at me!

Divorced 1981 - re-married 1985 to Kath. Daughter Lara 1990, Esther 1992 (must see about that op!) During '80s renovated from scratch, 17th cent. cottage, extended for a playroom and 3rd bedroom in 1993. 5 grandchildren - the eldest is 8. Hobbies - woodworking, building, growing young, re-learning nursery rhymes and bringing up 2 lovely girls. Gave up rugby in 1992 - after watching recently, am considering a come-back!