"Main Point" (Archive 24).Main Point Newsletter Archived 27th October 2009.
Was Christopher the Only Ex-Brat to Serve in the Luftwaffe?
Tony passed on this email from Christopher. Thanks lads.
Dear Tony,
Yesterday, several hours were spent by me looking for one photograph, and this of a Luftwaffe helicopter taken at RAF Celle.
It was my pleasure to have been seconded to the Luftwaffe. It was more of a PR job than anything - had to service the machine though.
Some officer opined that it was within me to relate well to Krauts. He was dead right.
[Incidentally, I owe my life to Germans, and the quality of my post-graduate training].
Anyhow, Herr Majeur Schmidt, an ex WW2 pilot, took me for a trip over the Luneburg Heath and paid me DM20 / week cash for my efforts.
Naughty me, I tease people in Waihi, I was a member of the Luftwaffe. I was.
Yours sincerely,
Christopher Miles. (588564)
Halton Video Collection.
In case you haven't seen the video films on the 65th Entry Website; visit now.
www.xhaltonbrat65.com/11bratsintro.html
Why Didn't WE have Health and Safety?
[Photo: 74th Entry Aircraft Apprentice Kit bumpers his bed space to demonstrate the technique.]
Whatever happened to Bull Nights?
At a recent RAF recruitment presentation at Chester le Street market place I met a Sergeant who had been in the last year of Apprentice (Technician?) training at RAF Halton. He told me that whilst he was there the health and safety rules changed the whole concept of Bull Night and room jobs.
Polishing the floor was banned and bumpers became redundant. Is nothing sacred? How about rubber bayonets?
I didn't get much chance for further shocks as there was a keen group of youths queuing up to get to Afghanistan.
Any comments?
Can You Help?
I've received a request from Patricia Royle for information and I promised to help if I can. You may have come across David Royle in your RAF travels. Faint chance but worth a try. So please read her email message:
"My late husband David Antony Royle was stationed at Halton in 1953, know this because I have the actual Progress Report sent to his Father for the period September 1953 to September 1954. I also have a couple of photo's of him, one in a group and one on steps outside what looks like Block 8.
"I am really trying to find any other info ref his life there albeit he did not stay in the RAF very long. I am looking because our grandson joined the RAF in September last year age seventeen and three months and will become a Senior Aircraftsman next month. He has made us all so proud and his Graduation Day was one of the best days of my life albeit very emotional. Just wish my husband and his dad (my son died in 2001) could have been there.
"He went onto RAF Cosford and is now at RAF Cottesmore.
"I hope you do not mind my contacting you but I am hoping to put together an album for his 18th next year with photo's and documents of both his dad (he was in Army), my youngest son who was in Household Cavalry (Lifeguards) and also his grandad (RAF).
"I look forward to hearing from you.
"Patricia Royle
Any comments or information please.
Joe Bosher (74th).