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

ISSUE No.21 - NOVEMBER 2009
81st ENTRY NEWSLETTER
Editor: Mike Stanley

MORE MEMORIES by Ned Kelly.

I do enjoy reading the Entry lads progress of their after Halton years. Their time spent in The Service, their achievement in their career. The lads have done us proud. Perhaps it might possibly be that I may be envious because I never reached those heights. Yes I was NOT a good service person but Halton tried it's best.

But surely these lads who did all those brilliant works in their career as tradesmen had some extra excitement in their lives? Not many tell stories of their life at Halton.

Halton taught me to survive.

I remember most of my time there. But I repeat, I was NOT the perfect lad.

Now I can relate a time after Halton. I was on a Bloodhound course at RAF Newton. Struggling along never looked like making the grade. A few of us more than often used the local pubs and trips to Nottingham. It was a very nice easy number. Then my easy life style came back to earth in the form of the A.O.C.'s inspection.

Most of us thought we would be excused this ritual, being students of the guided missile phase. My kit as usual was not up to standard. How could I parade in soft shoes, and half a T63? I managed to miss a couple of parade rehearsals but the net was drawing closer and closer.

One of my classmates had an idea to get us clear. The station band was small. We approached the Bandmaster and told him we would be more than willing to enlist but not up to standard on playing instruments. However we would be pleased to clean up the band hut ready for the big day. This we explained would let the other band members more time to practice. He was a quiet sort of SNCO and was pleased to enlist us both. So there we were, excused parade rehearsals. To be fair we both did a good job on the band hut. It was ready for the big day. Alas the Black Clouds were gathering on the big day.

I don't mean weather clouds.

Our Bandmaster told us that because a couple of musicians had fallen sick the band group was very small. He informed us both that we would have to join the band and it would look better while standing on the parade ground. He told us not to worry and would supply us both with some type of band uniform that would cover our scruffy uniforms. He issued us with large brass musical instruments that would hide us from the main parade. He then told us both that in his entire band master parades the A.O.C. never came across to inspect the band, only on occasions to talk to the Bandmaster.

With this information we were ready to pretend to be band musicians and march. It was great fun marching onto the parade ground. The instrument I had was very large. I puffed and blew silent musical notes into it. I was very happy.

The band itself played well and the parade of the other flights was good. The A.O.C. looked pleased. The parade inspection took place. Our band played while the great man went through the lines. He finished the last flight and our band fell silent. All at once my happiness left when he made his way towards our band. The order was given that the band was to be prepared for inspection! It appeared that the great man was pleased with the band's effort and would thank them whilst inspecting them. The End of the World had arrived for me. My whole life passed through my head. Sweet memories of my childhood, parents, friends and other scenes , Halton and the 81st among them.

It seemed to be as if the Firing Squad were ready. I tried in panic to faint, then to climb inside the large musical instrument I was issued with. I knew that my classmates would be grinning and awaiting my fate. The great man was there in front of me. He smiled and asked me how long I had been in the band. I was unable to reply. Then from Heaven I heard our Band master say, " He is a new member and is keen to be part of the parade". The great man smiled and told me he was impressed. He moved on. Behind him was the usual team including the S.W.O. They all smiled at me except him. He now reminded me of Captain Darling in the "Black Adder final series". The look he left on me was one of mistrust.

But happily all went well. We discharged ourselves from the Band, thanking our Bandmaster. A few days later we were leaving RAF Newton. That part of the course finished. I didn't do too well on the exam results but a couple of years on, at my Missile Base at RAF Woolfox Lodge I enjoyed some more happy times.