Author Topic: RAF in India  (Read 2531 times)

Offline Ruskie

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Re: RAF in India
« Reply #9 on: Thursday 29 August 13 00:55 BST (UK) »
Greensleeves,that sounds like the stories I used to be told.There were train stories,stories about being on a boat.My grampa had a pet monkey called Jacko.He also told us about lying in bed and watching a lizard in his jacket pocket.Talked about char wallahs,and driving big wigs,but never said what exactly he did sadly!

Angela

My father in law had a pet monkey called Jacko too (but he wasn't in the RAF) - possibly just a common monkey name. Some of the things you and GS mention must be common to all servicemen as my father in law mentioned very similar things.

Offline Spikey68

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Re: RAF in India
« Reply #10 on: Thursday 29 August 13 04:57 BST (UK) »

My father in law had a pet monkey called Jacko too (but he wasn't in the RAF) - possibly just a common monkey name.

Jacko was a character (yes, a moneky) in a comic strip called the Bruin Boys, that appeared in a series of magazines and comics pre-war. It's most probable that a very large number of personnel grew up reading these comics.

Offline Malcolm33

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Re: RAF in India
« Reply #11 on: Thursday 29 August 13 05:38 BST (UK) »
   Interesting.     I have a good idea of what life would have been like in India at an RAF station, though I never quite got that far.    I served in the RAF from August 1951 to August 1954 with two whole years in Aden, so our KD uniform was the same, but we had our own shirts and shorts made up by the Arab tailor.     The only time that sent a Warrant Officer into a fit of apoplexy was on a Pay Parade when one bod wore a yellow shirt.  None of us got paid that day.
   Aden at one time had been considered as part of the Bombay province and even had Indian currency.   In fact postage stamps were still shown as being of Rupees and Annas value though they were overprinted in East African Shillings which was the currency that had just replaced the old.
    As for ranks, one enters the RAF as an Aircraftsman Second Class - AC2, then when you pass your trade training you become an AC1 - unless a Drill Instructor or RAF Police when they get Acting Corporal.     My first promotion in Aden was to LAC, and some months later to SAC - Senior Aircraftsman, a rank which didn't exist during the War.     4077257 SAC Hutton
Hutton: Eccleshill,Queensbury
Grant: Babworth,Chinley
Draffan: Lesmahagow,Douglas,Coylton, Consett
Oliver: Tanfield, Sunderland, Consett
Proudlock: Northumberland
Turnbull:Northumberland, Durham
Robson:Sunderland, Northumberland
Dent: Dufton, Arkengarthdale, Hunstanworth
Currie: Coylton
Morris and Hurst: East Retford, Blyth, Worksop
Elliot: Castleton, Hunstanworth, Consett
Tassie, Greenshields