The 81st Entry
RAF Halton Aircraft Apprentices
Sept 1955 - July 1958

ISSUE No.16 - AUGUST 2008
81st ENTRY NEWSLETTER
Editor: Mike Stanley

The 81st Entry Reunion, Royal Agricultural College, Cirencester, 30th July 2008
An account by Willie Keays
Continuing adventures...

When you look at the photos of our graduation parade, and consider the thoughts going through the minds of those graduating, do you come to the conclusion that they were primarily concerned with keeping in line, and in step and forgetting about the 9lbs of 0.303 and bayonet weighing heavily on a shoulder? Probably 'Yes'. Do you think that there was just a moment when thoughts dwelt on the end of the comradeship of three years at Halton and the irretrievable loss of firm friends to the four corners of the earth for ever? The reply to this second question has to be 'No!' We just knew that the glue that held us together as brats in the 81st would stand the test of time. This was proven on the 50th anniversary of the graduation when so many us gathered together once again to demonstrate that comradeship.

Listening to the conversations that went on during the evening and late into the night, one could not help but feel that we were the representatives of an order, since passed and maybe no longer appreciated, that had participated in the aftermath of the Second World War and proved its resolve during the long years of the Cold War. There doesn't appear to be an 'Official History of the RAF during the Cold War', yet, but whoever might write it could have found a wealth of grass-roots information on how it was won, being mulled over, being laughed at, being debated, yesterday evening. Of course grand strategy or even tactics were not part of the discussion, but the many vignettes of life, and sadly of death, together made a tapestry that illuminated what service in the RAF at a personal level entailed. Success, failure, frustration, elation were all threads woven in a light-hearted manner against a background free of rancour and of acceptance that, despite everything, we had survived to come together again after 50 years.

It was interesting to watch old comrades meet again, some for the first time for those 50 years. In some cases names were put to faces without hesitation, in others a surreptitious glance had to be made at the Return-to-Sender label each was wearing before light dawned. In one case a 'I didn't know you were also in the 81st!' was heard. Naturally those who had been of the same trade were quickest to recognise old classmates. However what was never heard was 'You still look so young!'

A question often heard during the evening was 'And what happened to so-and-so?' Even though 77of us were there, we have to recognise that that only about one third of those in the graduation photo were with us. We are aware of the loss of some, too many, of our number that loss being movingly commemorated by a Highland lament played by Keith Youlden. Many of those absent were there in spirit, even though oceans and continents away. Generously some of them made a significant contribution to the kitty and each philanthropist will be pleased to hear that their generosity really helped to enhance a lively evening. Cheers, chaps!….. ..pist is the right last syllable!

One of the interesting conversations overheard was about abbreviations. For example, LROFE, QRA, ORP, BURMA, TACEVAL, LOX, MALM, BOLTOP, AVTAG, MAMS, SNAFU, ESG, FUBAR, NORWICH etc etc.

It is the sterling work of Brian Spurway that provided the foundation for this and previous reunions. His immense contribution was recognised by the presentation to him of a superb limited edition print of 'Heroes' by the renowned aviation artist Michael Turner. This shows a Spitfire banking over the Officers' Mess at Halton and bears signatures of famous fighter pilots.

The setting of our reunion was the Royal Agricultural College at Cirencester. The service was excellent and the writer, who is a slave in a B&B in Wales, could not fault the accommodation although when was standing in the overpowering Quadrangle, he thought of Colditz. He jests! Many thanks are due to Mary Catling and the excellent staff who could not have been more helpful.

A flypast of a Hercules that took place as we assembled is rumoured to have been arranged by Brian. He's too shy to admit it.

Inevitably the question arose of where the next reunion would be held. The consensus was that the 50th anniversary was so important that 60th, 70th and so on would be an anticlimax. Better would be the maintenance of friendships though personal contacts, the Triennial and maybe the use of email for those who have conquered their suspicion of written electronic communication.

A 75th reunion could be interesting. That would be in 2133. Those still surviving, and even if they had met that terrible woman Alice Heimer, could wheel their wheelchairs to the top of the descent to Main Point and see who arrived at the bottom in one piece. What a way to go!

Many thanks to:

Pipe Major Keith Youlden 63rd
Piper Allan Mukellar 80th
Piper Sam Wright 97th
Piper Tony Mortimer Hon 97th
Drummer Stan Full 49th
Drummer Eddie Brag 56th