RAF Haydock

[Sunshine Girl]

Hi Ken!

Sorry about the size of the pictures but those wanting to really look at them can download them to their own PC's and enlarge them.  Do you have the menu for the Christmas Dinner of 1964?  I remember that Christmas very well and going to the Mess for dinner.  Wasn't the dinner right after we had the Christmas party in HQ?

Also, a question - where did the PTI's hang out for work? Quite honestly, though I remember Alan's face, I don't remember anything more than that about him. The only PTI I remember was the Flt Sgt (W) who delighted in taking Jan and I to all the trials and try-outs.

[Bongaree]

Bongaree

Hi I was stationed at RAF Haydock from 1958 to 1961 and indeed we delivered tapes on roller skates
we had 32 on each watch a W.O. corporal an d the team most of St Helens rugby players served their national service including alec Murphy, Jimmy Charlton  Austin Rhodesand a few others. i had my wedding reception in the corporals club in 1961W.O. Craig was my watch chief and W.O. Gibbons was the wraf admin.S/ldr Nolan was the C.O. when I left.

Hope this is of some use
Bongaree

[geordielad]

Bongeree; yes I recall the long corridor from outside accounts office down past the tape room to PBX. The toilets were halfway down on the right; I remember because 2 certain chaps used to hide there when they had spent the evening with the girls on PBX. A code call from the guardroom warned us the OO was on his way; we then had to sprint down the corridor and hide in the toilets whilst the AM Constable kept the OO talking!!

I have fond memories of Xmas 62 when the girls in PBX had a tin bath full of liquor made into a great punch!

Perhaps Bongeree may recall Spud Murphy and John McShane from the tape room? Spud passed away many years ago and John McShane (married Ann Case from PBX) passed away last year.

I bumped into David Craig many years later; he became a labour councillor for Haydock and ventually became Mayor of St Helens in the mid 9o's..sadly he also passed away a couple of years after that.

[Bongaree]

HI Ken
knew you would answer, just to let you know we are not near all the floods as we live
on a sand Island
Do you by any chance remember Marion Johnston she was one of my bridesmaids I believe she married and lived in Haydock sorry to hear about W.O. Craig I should pay more attention when I am
home for a visit
Regards to you and Kathy
Pat H

[geordielad]

Yes I just happen to know the story. Will E Mail u direct.

[geordielad]

Another story to test the memory of 2 certain local service WRAF members of the Accounts Section; Bongeree mentions Alex Murphy! Do you 2 remember?

I had just arrived in '62 - new to Haydock as the new addition to the staff - (1 xFS AND 3 WRAF). There was I stuck between them!!  One day heard a commotion at the counter; it turned out to be Alex Murphy - with his arm in a sling - just returned from the Aussie tour. He was creating because he had no pay or credits to come and was giving the girls a hard time. I kicked his proverbial but and chased him away.

Much later in life when I had retired for the umpteenth time I took a part time job working for SAINTS in the accounts department. There I met up with Alex again; he held no grudges and recalled the incident quite well!!

Also who remembers going to Burtonwood bowling - AND which member of the team did not come back with us? !!!

[Bongaree]

don't know about bowling at Burtonwood I went flying there on Wednesdays and played Badminton
you will have to revise my memory
PatH

[Sunshine Girl]

Hi Ken!

I remember Spud Murphy very well, as did Janet.  He used to have the pair of us in stitches with some of the things he said.  He was quite a comedian when he wanted to be  - and tender hearted too, though he would never have admitted it. 

I also remember the trips to Burtonwood for bowling. Picked up my first 7-10 split there, annoying the heck out of Flt Lt Symondson, who was on the team we were bowling against.  I don't remember anyone staying behind though.  Didn't we all go by RAF bus?

[geordielad]

I'm not sure the incident concerning the lost team member was before your time Sunshine Girl; the other 2 girls in the office may remember. The missing person did not surface for 48 hours..and we had to go and knock on the individuals door!!

Yes happy memories of Spud Murphy - he was so happy go lucky!! Remember how we all danced to the Bosonova around the juke box? Sorry Bongereee this was after your time!

I had a nice day last Friday with Frank; think I bored the pants off him!! I am trying to arrange a lunch date with Frank/Alan Gardner?Yours truly - plus wives - in the next couple of weeks.