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This message is for JamieKlute

Hi Jamie!

So you recognized the picture of Pam Smith, eh?  Good.  Since you seem to know a few people in G.O, are you sure you don't remember Jan?  That's where she worked and at the same time as Roisin Mullen.  As for Sgt McCarthy, what a shame.  He was a nice man - and Jan can vouch for the fact that he was a softie when it came to the girls. <grin>

Wasn't the families office to the left as you walked in the front door of HQ, down towards the C.O's office?  I have a vague recollection of an SAC that worked down that way but Jan would probably remember more clearly.  Wasn't there a lady who worked in the Families Office too?

Do you remember Andy Richards from the Guard Room?  How about Spud Murphy?  The one thing Jan and I would really like to recall is the name of the WO i/c the Mess.  Lovely person!  Can you remember his name?

All for now.  Let Jan and I know if you recall any more names.

Alexisian1

This message is for JamieKlute

Hi Jamie!

Found a couple of pictures of Pam Smith and Jan O'Dell outside the Spider's Web. They were doing some work outside the Club at the time as they had girders up.  I think these were taken in Spring, '65.   

I have one more of Jan O'Dell when she marched with the band in a Remembrance Day parade. You may recognize some of the men behind her as they were all from Haydock.  Will post that later.

Alexisian1

This message is for JamieKlute

Hi Jamie!

Yes, Roisin Mullen, who worked in General Office was Irish and Ken Dodds did have blonde hair and wore glasses.  As for Pam Smith, I didn't keep in touch with her when she was posted from Haydock but Jan O'Dell did.  As far as I understand from Jan, Pam married an American and is/was living somewhere in California.  I must find that picture of Jan and Pam outside the Spider's Web and put it on this site for you. 

By the way, how long were you in Rheindahlen?  I was posted to Wildenrath after a stint at RAPO in November '65 and was married at St Thomas More church in Rheindahlen in Nov '66. 

Also, if you go look at the pictures Jimbo gave the lilnks to, you'll see one of the AOC's parade at Haydock.  Take a look at the fourth chap from the right on parade.  Both Jan and I recognise him, know he worked in CommCen and can't remember his name.  Perhaps you know him?

Alexisian1

This is for JamieKlute



Hi Jamie!

Yes, Flt Lt Symondson was tall and thin.  I don't remember the Stores WO but do remember the ex-WW2 pilot who worked there who died suddenly.  (He was given a terrific military burial).  You were saying your wife worked in General Office and was pally with Pam Smith.  Pam was my room-mate along with Jan O'Dell.  What was your wife's name.  Jan worked in General Office while Pam was at Haydock so your wife's name might be familiar to her. There was also an awfully nice black chap working in General Office at that time, too and neither one of us can remember his name.  Maybe your wife remembers?

You were asking if I remembered any more names.  As a matter of fact, I was just talking to Jan today and we were trying to remember some of the other people at Haydock when we were.  We remembered Cpl(W) Jill Witt (WRAF Admin), Brian Williams (Accounting) but we couldn't, for the life of us, remember the name of the WO i/c the Mess who was so good to Jan and I.  Can you remember his name?  Not overy tall, portly and made smashing grub!  Oh and for the person who said the Guard Room was just as you went into CommCen - no it wasn't.  The Guard Room was across the square from HQ.   

Jan has a picture of a parade for Remembrance Day from RAF Haydock she'd like to post but neither one of us seem to be able to find out how to post it.  If anyone can help, would appreciate it.  Behind Jan, in the picture are some of the officers from Haydock.  She also has pictures of her with Pam Smith (CommCen) outside the Spider's Web. 

I take it you weren't there the night the WRAFs raided the mens block then?  What a riot.  We didn't get caught .... but the men did making a return raid and they were all up on charge the next day.

Cheers!

Hi Greyhound!

Just found this site and since I was a WRAF at RAF Haydock from Feb 64- August 65 thought I might be able to answer some of your questions. 
Yes, there were local WRAFs at RAF Haydock.  In my time, I believe there were only 2 and both working in HQ in the Accounting Office with me.  One was from the Manchester area and the other from Liverpool.  At the time, there were additional MQ's in Fazakerley, on the outskirts of Liverpool and the Liverpool "local" WRAF  caught the RAF bus at Fazakerley MQ's with the married personnel. She later went on to Cranwell and became an officer.
RAF Haydock was (what we called) de-WRAFfed in summer 1965 in preparation, we believed for the ultimate closing of the camp. 
For anyone who was at RAF Haydock during the time I was there, do you remember:
Cpl Ken Dodds - Accounting
Flt Lt Symondson - Accounting
SACW Jacqui Hurley - Accounting
SACW Janet O'Dell - General Office
SACW Roisin Mullen - General Office
SACW Pam Smith - Telephonist
Cpl Andy (forget his last name) - Police
Sqn Ldr Pollock - our C.O.
and of course, last but not least Spud Murphy, our camp comedian.