RAF Haydock

[Swo.man]

i remember the 53 sigs unit  didnt have much to do with your lot iwas at haydock 19 57 to 1965  im in touch with some of the ex bods and lasses   would like to hear from any body of that time  re gards to all ex haydock pers   frank migy

[VOLAU VENT QUEEN]

Have accidentally come across this site just browsing. Haydock was my 1st posting after trade training in 1961.

I worked in the Headquarters in the General Office and it holds many fond memories for me.

It was, as you say a Signals Unit, certainly no more secretive than any other.

There wasn't a lot of personnel there, certainly no more than 300.

At the bottom of Haydock Lane (as we called it) was the British Legion Club and many a pint of Double Diamond was drunk there.

One interesting anecdote was that the famous rugby league player Alex Murphy was stationed there, he also belonged to and played for St Helens.

Alex was a great guy and I often stood in for him as the duty Fire Picket when he had to play for his Club, mind you, I was always well paid for doing so !!!

He was demobbed either in 62 or 63, I specifically remenber this because he was pictured by the local press sitting at my desk with his discharge papers in hand.

I hope this helps "put more meat on the bones". I will keep a look out on the site and perhaps come up with some more info.

Regards

JAMIEKLUTE

Hi Jatcc I am not sure if I remember you but I do remember Val Hamer I married in June 1961 and then lived out I left the WRAF in October that year at the end of my time my husband was a civilian at Haydock he was a steward in the Officers mess he worked with Bruce John and Shirley Sdr Leader Nolan was th oic when I left my maiden name was McCormack when I left I was in the typing pool as switched simplex was in signals and national service was finished and we had too much staff I also worked in the workshop with Flt Sgt Kerr
good to talk to people who shared a part of my life I now live on an Island off the east coast of Queensland Australia

[VOLAU VENT QUEEN]

I HAVE JUST JOINED AND FASCINATED TO READ ALL THE REPORTS OF RAF HAYDOCK, I WAS THERE FROM MARCH 1955 TO OCT 1956 WHEN WITH MARY BERRY AND BETTY JOLLY WAS POSTED TO FAR EAST. I DO REMEMBER VAL HAMER AND WE LEFT HER BEHIND WHEN WE WENT OFF. BETTY ANN GLENN AND I WENT BACK TO COMPTON IN EARLY 1956 TO DO TELEG 11 COURSE AND BETTY LATER DID A TELEG 1. USED TO PLAY HOCKEY AND TENNIS AND CRICKET LIVED IN WRAF BLOCK . ANYONE REMEMBER WRAF SGT MUMMERY, DIANA LITTLECHILD,CORKY WHOL WAS IN ADMIN, OUR CO WAS SQN LDR RANCOMBE LIVED IN SOUTHPORT . I ALSO REMEMBER THE TWO LADS WHO PLAYED RUGBY FOR ST HELENS AND ONE WAS GIVEN A HUMBER SUPER SNIPE BY HIS FATHER FOR HIS BIRTHDAY AND THE CO WOULD NOT ALLOW HIM TO HAVE IT ON CAMP AS HE DID NOT HAVE A CAR.  

[Swo.man]

hi there vent qween  i remember sgt w mummery  iwas at haydock 1957 to 1965 and remember  so many but you where gone when i arrived  im in contact with a few who where there such as  our friend ken dodds and of course his wife kath its good to keep in touch  talk again  later  frank migy

[VOLAU VENT QUEEN]

Hello Swo Man, sorry I missed you at Haydock. Just today speaking to an ex Met Office friend who passed by Haydock recently and is has all be flattened and houses.    Used to go across the road after nights to the Greasy Cafe for breakfast much to the annoyance of the lorry drivers as we all filled the place. Remember playing netball on the parade square and taking part in a Queens birthday parade.   I also ran an entertainment evening in the NAFFI to raise funds for the Hungarian refugees during their uprising.

Did you know Val Hamer, I have a feeling she was God Mother to one of Betty Jolly's boys.      I meet up with some of the girls at the RAF Changi reunion once a year and we have great laughs and memories.    I only spent one night at Changi after arrival but Roy, my late husband had been there before Seletar.   Did you know Ann Glenn or Glenny, a Scot and used to play the accordian in a local working mens club but the stopped her as she could only play Scottish tunes. Picked up stray dogs and brought them back to the WRAF block a real card.


Cheers for now  Vol au vent queen

   

[cocker]

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.

[Swo.man]

hi john idid send you a reply  but in not sure if in fact it got to you?? glad to hear things have gone well for you?and of course i do remember you very well. iwill write to you again later and give you some gen thanks for making contact regards frank migy. let me know if you got the last email??

[vagabond]

Reply to Cocker.. Hallo Paddy; I also recall you from those days; I was the Cpl in Pay Accounts with the 3 local service girls.. remember the MOD constables on the SHQ Door?

I live near Frank Migy and see him often. Hope this finds you well.

Best wishes Ken D

[cocker]

Sorry Ken, I have no recollection of you or the girls in the accounts office. Moreover, there were no MOD guards during my time at Haydock. I was there from summer 1959 to January 1961 the MOD guards must have arrived later.
Nice to hear from you
Paddy