RAF Haydock

[alexisian1]

This is for Jimbo!

Hey Jimbo, I was at RAF Haydock the same time  you were and have checked out the pictures you have on your website.  On the parade ground one, who was the Corporal fourth from the right, can you remeber his name?  I recognise that face. Also can you put names to any of the other faces?  Some of them look somewhat familiar ... but that Corporal definitely.

Also, I don't remember the WRAF's causing any trouble at all at Haydock and neither does another WRAF who was there with me. Any chance you got Haydock mixed up with another of your camps?

[JAMIEKLUTE]

This for alexisian1.

I was in the General Office/Families office until I was posted to Rheidahlen in Nov 63. My wife also worked in the office and was quite paly with Pam Smith, I also remember the Mullen girl, but I left shortly after she arrived. I do recall Flt Lt Symondson (tall fellow) and also the CO. Do you recall a guy called Gerry Scotlan, he came from Bolton and was a telegraphist ?.

Anyway, nice to talk, let me know if any other names spring to mind. There was WO Nash in charge of the stores across the square and Flt Lt Fleet ?, the families Officer.

Please keep in touch.

Rgds

Jamieklute

[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!

[JAMIEKLUTE]

For Alexisian,

Thanks for rapid reply. Unfortunately, my wife and I are no longer an item but her maiden name was Gwen Nicholas. She left Haydock and was posted to Freckelton. She also worked in the General Office with myself. Time has certainly dimmed my memory 'cos I can't recall many people from the camp at all. If that photo is posted it may help me to recognise somebody. It wouls also be good if the photo of Pam Smith were also posted. I would forward it to my ex wife whom I'm sure will appreciate it.

I do recall a WRAF Fg Off in the HQ. She was scottish I think.

I also remember a WRAF called Liptrot who was a local girl and went home every night.

Do you recall the girl in the Spiders Web club called Sylvia ?. She came from North Wales ?.

I can't recall the raid on the mens accommodation, but there was many a good time had in the female block as well !.

Anyway, it's good to talk with you, please keep in touch.

Cheers

Jamieklute

[alexisian1]

This message is for JamieKlute

Hi Jamie!

Jan says the first name of the Liptrot girl was Maureen though I don't believe that was the surname of either girl who worked with me in Accounting.

When was your (ex) wife posted to Freckleton? Her name sounds familiar for some reason. 

The only WRAF Flying Officer I remember was Margaret Eagles but she definitely wasn't Scottish. She was the only WRAF officer for a time, then they brought in another female officer for companionship for her but that person worked off base somewhere.  Can't remember her name but she was short, dark and a little on the plump side.

I'm afraid I don't remember the names of anyone who worked in the Spider's Web but that may be because we were nearly always in the front room (with the fireplace, remember?) dancing to the juke box.

If you remember good times INSIDE the WRAF Block then you were definitely there before I was as, at no time while I was there, was a male permitted any further than the front entrance.  The men didn't even make it inside the WRAF block when they did their return raid.  They were caught when the first one was straddling the window sill in the Duty WRAF office.  <grin>

I will look for the CD with the picture of Jan and Pam on it and post it ASAP - or should I say WEF EPD?

Nice talking to you, too.

[JAMIEKLUTE]

Alexesian,

Many thanks for reply. Was any of the girls you mentioned working in the General Office Irish ?, I think I can recall an Irish girl there. Was Ken Dodds fair haired guy with glasses ?, maybe even a wee bit pompous ?. Yes , I do recall that Maureen Liptrot was a local girl, she came from Ashton under Lyne I think. I don't think she worked in the HQ, I think it was in the Comcen.

I do recall that there was 2 WRAF officers in the HQ, maybe the ones I remember had gone before you got there.

My ex wife left for Freckleton shortly before I was posted to Rheindahlen in Nov 63. We weren't married then, but did get married in 1964. Are you in contact with Pam Smith?, 'cos I'm sure she'd remember her. She came from Preston.

Anyway, thanks for the info, please keep in touch, Haydock was one of my favourite camps and I saw a few in the 15 years I was in the RAF.

Cheers

Jamieklute   

[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

[alexisian1]

This message is for JamieKlute!

Hi Jamie!

Sorry, got fouled up.  The reply to your email is on Page 1. 

Alexisian1

[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