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

ISSUE No. 8 - AUGUST 2006

Welcome to the eigth issue of The Journal of The 81st Entry.

This issue of the Journal marks two years of publication!

All here up at Publishing HeadQuarters are grateful to those who have contributed. I am certain that there are many more of The Entry who are able to add their stories to what is probably unique in Apprentice history, i.e. a Quarterly, on- line and printed, Journal, detailing the life and times of an Apprentice Entry, during and after their Service in the RAF.

Probably the First and Last Entry to do so!

New Articles

If you have any comments on articles in the Journals, or just want to say 'Hi!' to old friends please CONTACT US

It will be published in due course on our FEEDBACK PAGE

WORLD CUP 1966 -

World Cup Memories of 1966 In the last issue John Gornall related how and where he heard the result of the 1966 World Cup Final. I had hoped that his recollection would lead to a whole host of others but, like England's play and progress in the World Cup, I have been greatly disappointed. No one else has sent in recollections so I have written mine. I have already submitted one article and I don't want to be thought of hogging the Journal, but as this issue is a bit light on articles and as I know the editor rather well I hope I may be excused any accusations of indulgence.

Mike Stanley

We were in flight between Nairobi and Mombassa, in an East African Airways Fokker Friendship, when the captain announced the score at the end of the 90 minutes and said that Extra Time was to be played. For the next 45 minutes we flew on in a growing, but ignorant, concern of the state of play. Not even the sight of Mt. Kenya from the air assuaged the feelings of apprehension or worry; fingernails were nibbled to the quick, fervent prayers for victory to Bobby Moore and his men were offered up (this was of course only from the English on board, other sorts of prayers were offered up by the non English passengers) Eventually, on landing at Mombassa, the captain relayed the final score; 4 -2 to England. Much jubilation expressed by the English. Studied indifference by the rest.

It was many years later that I eventually saw a recording of the game and That Goal.

Being a one eyed Englishman ; well of course it crossed the line!
Being a believer in fair play; well maybe it didn't cross the line!
Being a student of History; England won the 1966 World Cup Final.

End of argument!!

81st ENTRY BADGE
A message from Tony Birchenough

I've found a company who will make a run of Entry badges at a reasonable price, my one off being only £20. Although not wire the modern thread looks just as good. As it was modelled on an original embroidered version, in similar condition to that below, together with my original, much faded,wire version, it's not identical to those produced 50 years ago, but close enough in my opinion. Final price will be in the region of £8.50 to £12.50,depending on response. Payment by cheque with order please, SAE would save my old fingers from the need to write out all the envelopes. Please get you orders to me by the end of May as I will be placing the final order in mid June.

Tony can be contacted at :

tisaeb# supanet.com
(Substitute @ for #)