RAF 624 (Special Duties ) Squadron

 

624 Sqn MEMORIAL,  along with 4624 Sqn CEREMONIAL SUPPORT   for   EXERCISE LOW MERLIN   held at GRIMSBY on

 

Well YES:  Another superb event, another wonderful weekend, and finally, in the UK, a place of recognition for the UNSUNG HEROES of 624 (SD) Squadron RAF. But, hey, as usual, it was very hectic.

Many of us arrived at the hotel in Grimsby on the Friday evening, meeting with old friends again was just great, Colin & Ella, Derek & Wyn along with Jean, George & his son, and of course, the regular motley old team from 4624 squadron at Brize, Gary Vickers, John & Ann & Martin. Most of all, it was really great to meet Sally-Anne Barrett & husband John. Sally-Anne is the daughter of Wing Commander Stanbury, and although searching for a number of years, she has finally found the men who held her father in such high esteem.

A leisurely chat, sorting out the rooms, and a nice dinner was followed by many for a spot of liquid refreshment in the bar, plenty of chat & Sally-Anne was able to chat with a few of the boy's who had flown with her father. She did confirm some facts that she had been looking for, and I believe also, learned quite a bit more. Eventually, everyone (well I think everyone) found their room and gained a little bit of shut-eye in preparation for the Saturday events.

Saturday morning arrived, and with all well rested & fed with a hearty breakfast, we were joined by Stanley & his son, Jim & family, and the Gundry family, in time to board the coach for a short drive to the Waltham Windmill. There is based the Museum of Rural Life, of which a growing amount of space is being given to the RAF Bomber Command. The link of the windmill is that many of the WAFF's based at nearby Bomber Command bases were billeted in a number of nissen huts at the windmill, and the museum is based in the last remaining hut which used to be their canteen & recreation hut. Now, within this museum, a small part of the history of 624 Squadron can be found, along with many other items of our past. At the museum, we met up with Len & family.

After a glass or two of wine, (or orange for some), a good look around the museum, buying of sweets from Mac Millers Traditional Sweet Shop, we moved by coach to the former RAF Waltham airfield about 10minutes away.

Here, 4624 Sqaudron R.Aux.AF Honour Guard were stood in order to salute the next attraction, after a short wait on the old overgrown runway, we looked to the left & listened, soon we heard the sweet sound of Merlin engines, and there it appeared, the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Lancaster, the pilot banked away from us, and then baked to the right, he came down the runway, as though he was going to land, he passed over us at a very low height, (it is hoped that video clip of this will appear here soon), and then we were treated to about another 5 or 6 low flyover's before he disappeared onto a display somewhere.

Following this, we again boarded the coaches and moved out onto the main A16 and along to the small memorial & garden dedicated to 100Sqn on the perimeter of the airfield where a short service of remembrance was held and wreath's laid as 4624 Squadron R.Aux.AF Honour Guard again performed to perfection their ceremonial duties.

Then, back on the coaches again, for a short drive to sunny Cleethorpes and a wonderful reception & meal, a number of very moving speech's, where again, a lot was learned by many.

At about 4.30pm we departed Cleethorpes arriving back at the hotel about 5, in order to have a rest ( or for some, a drink or two), and freshen up to be transported back to Cleethorpes at 7.30 for an evenings relaxation, chat & liquid refreshment at the Cleethorpes RAFA club. This continued until 11.30 pm, where we then returned to the hotel, some to their beds, some to the bar & then their beds (no names here, but they know who).

Sunday morning, was a little disjointed, those who travelled home south from Grimsby set off in their own vehicles, those travelling home north travelled by coach, and all met again at RAF Coningsby Battle of Britain Memorial Flight. Here, we had a day which was closed to the public, able to see the Lancaster, Dakota, Spitfire & Hurricanes at very close range, some people managed to chat with crew & ground staff members, a nice leisurely look around the museum, and then watching the individual aircraft take off to go and complete dutiful displays.

 

On their return, we were treated to some wonderful displays before they came in to land. And would you believe it, no more than 20 minutes after all the aircraft had landed, what had been a nice sunny day, turned into black clouds, torrential rain, thunder & lightening, however, who was worried, it was time to go home everyone then made their own way home (if travelling south) those travelling North, or by train, returned to Cleethorpes & Grimsby by coach, to bring an end to a wonderful weekend.

Great thanks must be given to Jon R Moore and volunteer's of the museum, & Cleethorpes RAFA Club, for all their effort in organising the weekend and allowing 624 Squadron to be honoured in this way.

It is hoped that soon there will be photo's of the weekend on the site, and it is well advised, for anyone who happens to be in the Grimsby area, please do take time out to go to the Waltham Windmill Museum.

 

 

 

Grimsby

23-25 September 2005

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