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reply to swo.man
I did serve in the SWO'S office working for you in1959-1960.I was AC John Keenan(paddy). I remember you well and I believe at that time you were
living in Newton-le-wilows. The SWO was ex aircrew with a slight drink problem
if my memory serves me well. There was also a cpl Barnes who worked in the fire section and was married to a girl from Cyprus. There was another airman working in your office who came from Leeds and was doing his national service.
I was only nineteen at the time and you were much older.

Nice to know you are still with us.

hi jimbo,

Sorry I have no recollection of the sergeant mp. However, I do recall that in the time I was at haydock they started recruiting WAF'S from the local population
who were allowed to live at home and as far as I know would not be posted anywhere else.
Were you aware of this ? and do you know if the practice continued.
There was a corporal in the stores who's first name was Danny and he was Scottish, you might remember him.

After haydock I spent two and a half years at akrotiri. On return I was posted to 16 M.U Stafford for six months before demob in 1964.

I retired from the civil service in 2006 and frequently holiday in Cyprus.

If you know anything about the live at home WAF'S do let me know.

regards cocker

I was stationed at RAF Haydock from 1959-1961. The head count at that time was approximately 200. More than half were women. During my time  at Haydock there were two St helens rugby players doing national service. The first was Alex Murphy, who later became a commentator for the BBC. The second was Austin Rhodes and as far as I know both lived in St Helens. When they were playing on saturdays but were expected to do duties, such as fire picket, I would stand in for them for the grand sum of ten shillings that is fifty pence in new money.

The living quarters for all single men and women were in two blocks opposite the entrance to the business part of the camp. The station commander had the rank of Squadron Leader and lived in a house further down Haydock lane.

There was a British Legion club down the bottom of Haydock Lane where the local bookies runner plied his trade, betting shops were illegal at this time.
I my minds eye I can still see the layout of the station. However, I dont have any photo's.

Hope you find this of interest

Cocker