RAF 624 (Special Duties ) Squadron

 

 

Re- united after 57 years. Stanley & Joe.

 

Stanley David's follow up letter                   

 

 

 Marianne & myself again arrived at Brize Norton in the early evening of Friday, 22nd June.  After a couple of drinks in the officers mess & meeting the boys, & their ladies, we departed to freshen up. This year we stayed in the village & met up with Ken Pierce & wife Joan, Colin & Ella Ogilvy, Willie Rae & John Russell to go for a meal at The Chequers. After the meal we returned to the Officers Mess for a few drinks until we stopped talking and the night ended and we retired. Sadly Les Povey was unable to attend this year.

 The following morning we started a hectic schedule by being at the Officers Mess about 9.30 in order to get transport to the "SWAMP" and to our seats on the Parade Ground for the Annual Formal Inspection of 4624 Squadron RAAF by Air Vice Marshal K D Filbey, Air Officer Commanding No 2 Group. This started with Music by the Central Band of the Royal Air Force & a fly past by a Dakota. (see later). Following the Presentations of Commendations, Awards & Medals and the March Past we were then transported back to the Officers Mess for Lunch.   

      

 

 

During lunch the surprise came to all in that everyone was asked if they would like to go for a flight in the Dakota during the afternoon, I might add that there was great eagerness for this, & Stanley & Joe even asked if they could do a parachute drop. (Photo's to appear soon.) Well, when we got to the plane, they were racing to be first on board. Due to the numbers two flights had to be arranged, Marianne & myself went on the second of these along with Jeff Denness, Colin Ogilve, John Russell. The flight lasted about 30 minutes during which time we were allowed to go into the cockpit, sit at the navigators desk. What a great thrill this was & a real flashback for the boys of 624, everyone of them enjoying every minute of it.

 

 

 

 

The evening consisted of a bar-b-cue in the SWAMP and many of the members of 4624 started to realise what history went before them. Yet another great night of which everyone enjoyed & all thanks to the members of 4624 Squadron R.Aux.A.F.

2001

Saturday 23rd June 2001

Reunions