RAF Oakington closed many years ago – in 1999 to be precise. A year later the domestic areas were turned into a high security immigration reception centre.
The good news is that technical buildings such as boiler-rooms and hangars aren’t on the IRC site. The even better news is that there’s a car boot sale on this part of the site every weekend, making access really easy.
But now for some bad news. The whole site is to go to make way for a new Cambridge commuter town…
Hangars
There are four hangars on site – two J-types with curved rooves, and two T2 metal hangars.
I managed to get inside one of them. Despite being really empty, I was awestruck by it’s size. Things banging on the roof made it ever-so-slightly scary in there (pigeons? expanding metal in the heat?).
Water Tower / Boilers
There was a delightful brick water tower attatched to a boiler house. As with most places, the ladder had been cut off 
Inside the boiler house were, er, boilers…
A metal water tower was also there.
An office
A lot of the buildings were sealed up, but I managed to get into a few. The first seemed to be some sort of office/records building.
A stores building
The other seemed to be a stores building. It had ramps & bays for (un)loading vans
Other buildings etc
All locked up.
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I was stationed at Oakington, 72-74, as cpl. Aircraft Electrician, 1st Varsities them on the Jetstream, I was one of the last RAF guys to leave, shared the normal duties ie orderly cpl. with the Army who where taking over, many fond memories of the place.
HI RAMON YES THE CAMP WENT FROM RICHES TO RAGS. I ENJOYED MY TIME THERE . WHEN DID YOU SERVE YOUR TWO YEARS THERE?
I was posted to RAF Oakingtion in 1969 after completing basic mech training at RAF Cosford. Spent about two years on 1 line (Pigs) with CT Screech IC.
Flt Naylor was our engineering officer
Wonderful place, great people and memories
Hi Ray
I was there 1956/58 . Can you remember Master Pilot Jack Westwell, Master Pilot Tony Cobon, Wing Commander Lord? After I left the RAF I joined the Fire Service later becoming a senior officer.
Ramon
HIYA RAMON ,I DO REMEMBER MASTER PILOY J WESTWEL .BUT NOT THE OTHER TWO.THE FLYING INSTRUCTORS THAT I KNEW, WERE CHIEF INSTRUCTOR WING CDR TRENT ,VC.A NEW ZEALANDER,FLIGHT LT STIVAR .A CHEC SQDN LDR TUNSTALL. FLT LT WANDZILAC,A POLE.HAD MANY GOOD NIGHTS IN THE HOOPS AND BLACK HORSE IN LONG STANTON ,THE MITRE,THE RED COW AND THE COW AND CALF IN CAMBRIDGE,CHEERS FOR NOW RAY
was at oakington from 1973 to 1974,worked on 3 line,anyone remember a picture called the red barrels that hung in the line hut/bridge club.i loved my time at oakington,fab posting.Sorry to here about the passing of my old co,group captain mccorkingdale
Great site, thanks. I enjoyed my posting 71 – 72, as an SAC propulsion mechanic; drove tractors to move aircraft and equipment; CT ‘Charkie’ White (Mother) was great to work for, sorry I can still see faces but forget names; loved working on the line but did not enjoy the rapore with the F/Sgt in hanger servicing as much; service team were good lads though; I served on the site radio with Mike; purchased my discharge to get married. I’m on Forces Reunited website on which I have posted a few photos that might be of interest to your readers. Would love to hear from any body who remembers me.
i have just remembered the name of the artist of the red barrels,it was chief tech rory jenning.
Hi i,m Terry Campbell was at Oakington 1952 _54
served as a medic in S.S.Q so many memories
via net got in touch with Ken Harriman (Harry) had not seen each other for 54 yrs i qualified for national champs indoor bowls and met Harry in Northampton
we recognised each other straght away other buddies were Rip Kirby Danny Tom Prescott Brian Legresley Ollie Rheil and Fred Favell
Great site, my dad was stationed at OAKINGTONIG inww2 mymmother and i lodge in Cotnham,farther would take me on the crossbar of his bike throu fruit orchards to OAKINGTON He was Cpl air craft movmenys in a black /white caravan on the end of the run way, I joined the RAF MARINE CRAFT IN 59/71 . Ralph Woodward.
Nice to see the old place again. I was with the AAC Squadron in 1982 to 1984 as Squadron Chief Clerk.
When I first got there the Greenjacks were in the Sgt’s Mess.Even managed to get to the Falklands May 1982 to Nov 1982
Hi, I’m Geordie Snowden “what a great site,” I was at Oakington 54/56 did my N/S.in the Equip. sect.R/D bay never thought I would see that ramp again. I was on the stn Guard of Honour for a year.I remember a lot of airmen NCOs&Officers too many to add, many good mates sadly you lose contact after demob,met two of the Geordies in later life.It was Grp/Cpt. Hawkins that signed my demob papers. I went back in 82 ,couldn’t find the “Hoops” pub many a good night in there with Jock Mcgeogh on the piano.
This is a great site devoted to an airfield at which I spent time as a National Service ,erk during 1958. The unit I was in formed an early attempt at “work study” and we were officially called “science 3b”
I recall so well laying the soggy towels or blanketing over the Vampire tailplanes if ignition was tardy!
The work study occupation was perfect for a National Serviceman as it meant two years watching other people getting on with it!
Great memories though
Ray R..
My father, Flt.Sergeant Anthony leahy of 1801148,7 Sqdn.was shot down and killed 22/23 March 1944. I visited Oakington a few years ago and was very rudely rebuffed by the local farmer when I was attempting to see some of the actual airfield. His plane’s serial number was ND 523.(MG-X).
Hello john harley
I was at oakington in 1954 and reading your message that you had a car ,I remember s omebody giving me and my mate a lift into cambridge and ran out of petrol on the way ,I did not know you but it might have you,I was in G block room 7 Ihave also been trying to locate Bunny palmer who was my mate at the time he played rugby for the camp team can anybody remember him cheers,
Phil Russell
HI GEORDIE, JOCK MC GEOGH WAS A MATE OF MINE AND A GREAT PIANO PLAYER /YES MANY A GOOD NIGHT WAS SPENT ON THE HOOPS THEN THE STAGER BACK THROUIGH THA BACK WAY TO CAMP.WHEN GROUP CAPT HAWKINS LEFT GROUP CAPT KIRK TOOK OVER .JOCK AND I BOXED IN THE STATION TEAM ANY MORE OF THE LADS DO YOU REMEMBER.? CHEERS RAY
RAY AGAIN GEORDIE LANDLORD OF THE HOOPS WAS /HARRY AND HIS BARMAID WAS ANN’
Hi Ray, Thought you would know Jock, having been on the boxing team,he was a good pal of mine too,so we probably met at sometime Ray. Finding the hole in the hedge wasn’t always easy after a night at the Hoops, nobody ever signed out for the Hoops,didn’t know the staff Ray, just the pints,other pals were Del.Troughton & Cpl Harry Mcintosh.+ a few more from the Equip/sect,a great section,officers and airmen,southeners normaly went home on a week-end pass and missed out on a lot of great nights in Cambridge.A few of the ones I remember,Stn. W/O Pa Kettle, Flt/Sgt. Dougal, F/OHolman, put me on a charge for getting a haircut, long story,Sgt Jock Morrison,(Guardroom) I could always get my pass early I think someone must have put a good word in for me. Airmens mess cooks Sgt Paddy Kempston+Cpl Dennis Foster, a Geordie from my locality,saw him a few times after demob.I knew most civilian workers and drivers and M/T bods as I did a daily trip to Longstanton Stn.There was a Geordie Court that worked in the hangers somewhere that I knew,A/C Vince Scobel stn courier,Ex sgt Fred Hovels barrack store warden what! what! quite a character, plus many more. Good to talk of old times Ray it was a good camp,classed as a home posting for Scotsmen, no joking, when you look back now N/S. wasn’t that bad. Geordie
HI GEORDIE. HERE ARE A FEW NAMES ,,GEORDIE HARKNESS,, GEORDIE HOLLIDAY SAFETY EQUIP SECTION. WING COMMANDER TRENT V,C, I WAS DEMOBBED IN OCTOBER 1956. I ALSO PLAYED RUGBY FOR THE STATION TEAM AND FOR 96 GROUP.I HAVE CONTACTED A OAKINGTON PAL THAT I LOST TOUCH WITH IN 1955.HE GOT HIS TAPES AND WAS POSTED TO SWANTON MORLEY. WE HAVE MET 4 TIMES AND NOW KEEP IN TOUCH IF YOU LOOK ATEARLIER POSTS I HAVE MENTIONED A LOT OF THR STAFF. ANOTHR MATE OF MINE WAS DAVE BRINKLEY CPL RAF POLICE . WHEN DID YOU LEAVE OAKINGTON .?
CAMBRIDGE NOSTALGA, PUBS,, THE MITRE.. THECOW AND CALF..THE RED COW . THE AMERICAN CLUB ON CASTLE HILL. FULL ENGLISH BREAKFAST FOR ONE AND THREE PENCE.THE CENTRAL CAFE MARKET SQUARE. LOVELY CRUSTY HAM ROLL AND GREAT CUP OF COFFEY. I MARRIED A GIRL FROM CAMBRIDGE. BUT AT ONE TIME I WENT OUT WITH A GIRL FROM LONG STANTON . GREAT MEMORIES GEORDIE.
Hi Ray, I didn’t know the 2 Geordies.I left Oakington on the 23rd/Feb/56. I remember P/O McGregor Ed/Officer as I went to the camp college for a few months to get my G.C.E.s. can you remember the camp D./J with his calypso records, a Yorkie I think, great lad no idea of his name now. Pubs names in Cambridge no idea,visited a few also the American Services club, we always dined at the YMCA.
HI GEORDIE , YES P O MC GREGOR . CENTRE IN THE STATION RUGBY TEAM I PLAYED STAND OFF AND SCRUM HALF. HE WAS LATER PROMOTED TO FLYING OFFICER .DO YOU RECALL THE STATION ADJ , FL LT MOLLOY , THERE USED TO BE A GREEK CAFE IN PETTY CURI. I USEDTO EAT THERE AT TIMES . I THINK THE CAMP DJ WAS DAVE HESTER , CHEERS ,,RAY
My Father Master Pilot D.J Scott AFC was stationed there 53-63,so i was at Longstanton and Swavesey schools a long time.Dad was awarded the AFC in 57 i remember the trip to Bukingham Palace. Years later he recovered a flamed out vampire back to Oakington and received a green endorsement.If there is anyone who recalls Dad,Mum and us 4 brothers, please contact
When dad first got posted to 5FTS Oakington, Gp/Capt Hawkins was CO. The Rev Hale was vicar at Longstanton, followed by Rev D Youngman. The Headmaster was Mr Lord and dear Bert Colliss was the school caretaker. Years later another CO was G/Capt Stuart. Some names mentioned by other contributors i recognise as fellow school childrens surnames, there was a Margaret Lord presumably daughter of Wg/cmdr Lord mentioned. I did not necessarily know the ranks and trades of the fathers but the child names i recollect RAF children from Hattons Park school—Bruce Epps, Judith Cutts, Rebecca Roboski,Jill Bailey, Gerad Walters,Gerald Darling, the Millers, Skulleys,Humphreys,the Chatterton family, our neighbours the Birchalls,Normans wife Eileen still sends Xmas cards, Linda Woodward was in my class her dad was F/Sgt (pilot) Ron Woodward they had a car, he got commissioned and posted(years afterwards from my memory of his looks i realised that Sir Clive Woodward was his son, this has since been confirmed albeit i have not as yet attempted to contact Sir Clive,i do have a good photo of Dad & Ron Woodward at a subsequent course, Mum remembers about it too. We lived at 65 AMQ which then became 57 Thornhill Place, same house but altered address and renumbering after building more houses on the site.There was the Keetings, the Dart family, Flatters, Issacs, Essaus, Cox, the Walpoles did 2 tours during our 10 year stint, Glynn Walpole had an accident and subsequently one arm was paralysed. I recollect some of Dad’s friends F/Sgt (pilot) Biff Holland later commissioned and posted Georgie Smith, Fl/lt Iggy Webber there was also Alan West whos widow is still in contact with us. Alan served at other bases that dad was stationed at, i remember seeing Alan get his nose broken playing cricket for Longatanton at the rec’. Alan was originally a Torpedo airman in WW2, I’m sure he was decorated, his portrait used to hang in the Imperial War Museum. There were a number of flying accidents during our time there,Military funerals in the village cemetery. Pilot Officer M V Walker aged 20 had been a student pilot of Dads, he was killed flying solo in 1955. A friend of Dads, Fl/lt Lakeman (Flakers as i recall they nicknamed him, i believe he had a handle bar moustache) was killed along with his student pilot in amid air collision between their Vampire and a Varsity. The full varsity crew were all killed,one being the father of Peter Jackson who years earlier had been at our school also.Another mate of Dads, F/Sgt (pilot) Gibson was at Oakington a number of years, i went to school with his daughters Susan and Jayne, they had a little brother also a Golden Retriever dog. When aged 10 i had a burst appendix and was hospitalised at RAF Ely, it was Gibby who with dad collected me from hospital in Gibby’s car when i was discharged.(Incidentallyit had been an emerency admittance, apparently the MT sect had to grab the CO’s car as it had a heater, all the ambulances were out on routine out patients app’s etc. Perhaps the young MT driver at the time, MT controller or MTO if alive could recollect this unusual event).Later on when i was at senior school, Gibby was in the 4 Vampire formation team, i think it was called the Hot box, unless that was the name of the manoeuvre, during the practise session over the Relief landing ground at RAF Graveley, two Vampires touched, F/Sgt Gibson was killed but Master Pilot Gregory managed to get back and land safely, Mary-Ann Gregory was at our school. Dad was an official at Gibbys military funeral, the family elected to have Gibby buried in thier home town, later the family moved away, i’ve often wondered about them since. Passing out/Wings parades were big events in those days with the RAF Band etc, i too like an earlier contributor have an old programme, i will dig it out and check names. One time i recall Princess Alexandria presenting the wings. The family of W/O Easter went to our school, up to W/O Alf Easter death approx 10 years ago we exchanged Xmas cards. Once at Swavesy Village College , there was Jimmy Dart and Gary Walton whos dad was an officer in SHQ. Richard Cook son of WO Cook (armourer), James Scott son of Cpl Scott. Earlier on there had been another pilot Charlie Scott (as our surname Scott), Charlie and dad had learnt to fly in Canada during the early part of the war. I recall a Meteor crashing near the railtrack between Longstanton and Oakington, Dad told me that in the far distance a parachute was seen, this was Doug Skinner and i understand that he broke a leg. However the student was not found, days later a local found the body in the allotments near Longstnton station. Although i never met Doug Skinner i do believe that he married our school lady Miss Few. There was the incident of gypsy Jack Smith, where servicemen were brought in to help the police search. Would you believe that this included Wg/Cmdr Compton flying above the area early one morning in a Chipmunk. Later Wg/Cmdr Compton was posted to RAF Linton-on-Ouse as G/Capt, Dad was posted there in 1963 as the Vampires moved there when the Varsitys took Oakington. I still live up here near York. I suppose my fond memories of Oakington and Longstanton were formed from such along posting during my impressionable years. i do try to call by if i’m A14,(A604–Huntingdon road as we knew it ). Without them ever realising it, i have the highest regard and respect for many of the villagers there. Older people may recollect the original CCC roadman Mr Parr with one arm (i’ve wondered since if it was a WW1 injury ), Then Harold Stearn took over, servicemen must remember Jock Mcavoy from the PSI farm near 3Sqdn football pitches, and the Parker brothers who worked there. The vilge football team run by Mr Giles, Alf Parker marking the pitch out and keeping goal. Ken giles, Roy and Mick Colliss, JJ, i could go on and on and bore you all further but i would love to say “THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES”,i do apologise to those i have not named——i could write abook. Please forgive any slight mistakes from my childhood memory, no offence meant to anyone. I would hope that the subsequent proposed development would include memorabillia from the camp, WW2, Flying training and latterly the Army. My soft spot would be for a Vampire to be in the Square. Thanks again Gavin Scott
HI GAVIN I REMEMBER MASTER PILOT SCOTT I WAS A CRPRAL IN THR SAFETY EQUIP SECTION SO I KNEW MOST OF THR FLYING INSTRUCTORS AND THE TRAINEE PILOTS IF YOU LOOK BACK YOU WILL SEE OTHER POSTS ABOUT OAKINGTON .THAT I HAVE MADE REGARDS GOOD MEMORIES CHEERS ,RAY
Hi, Ray,Sorry I don’t recall F/Lt. Molloy,didn’t know many up at H/Q. Dave Hester I think you are spot on there, well done!
My father, Peter (Pete) was stationed at RAF Oakington as an air traffic controller 1948-51. He married my mother in 1949 and I was born and lived in a local cottage. As a family we also lived in Linto-on-Ouse ending up in RAF Uxbridge with my father working at West Drayton. My father received his MBE for outstanding contributions to air safety and retired as a WO. He spoke warmly and had happy memories of his time at Oakington.
HI DAVE ITS NICE TO GET SO MUCH INTERESTING MAIL ON THIS SITE CHEERS RAY
I was stationed at Oakington 1969-1972, working in the E&I bay first and then the line as a nav/inst mech.
I was in the station band and played the cornet. Used to play Last Post on Remembrance Day, Longstanton in the morning and Oakington in the afternoon. Remember SWO Sooley DFM very well. His bark was worse than his bite. I wonder if he is still about. Wonderful memories of a fine station. So sad to see it as it now is.
HI GAVIN IN YOUR VERY INTERESTING POST ABOUT OAKINGTON.YOU MENTIONED GYPSEY JACK SMITH. WELL I REMEMBER THE INCIDENT WELL .I WAS COURTING A GIRL FROM CHESTERTON NEARBY THE GYPSEY SITE ON THE FEN ROAD WHERE JACK SMITH LIVED. HE IF I REMEMBER MURDURED A LADY TEACHER IN THE FIELDS AROUND OAKINGTON .WELL AT MY GIRL FRIENDS HOME IN CAM CAUSWAY I HAPPENED TO BE THERE WHEN THE POLICE WERE DOING HOUSE TO HOUSE QUESTIONING AS TO ANY INFORMATION REGARDING THE WHEREABOUTS OF JACK .. WHAT LED TO HIS ARREST WAS THAT THE INVESTIGATING DETECTIVES LOOKING AT HIS MOTHERS CARAVAN NOTICED THAT THE OUTSIDE SEEMED BIGGER THANTHE INSIDE. AND AFTER A GOOD LOOK INSIDE FOUND THAT AT ONE END A SMAPLL PARTITION HAD BEEN ERECTED AND JACK WAS HIDING INSIDE.ON HEARING THAT THE POLICEWERE GOING TOM OPEN THE HID AWAY JACK SHOT AND KILLED HIMSELF WITH A SHOT GUN / NOW GAVIN WE WENT TO THE FEN ROAD ON THE DAY OF HIS FUNERAL AND I HAD NEVER SEEN A MANY B M Ws MERCADES BENTLEYS AND TOP OF THE RANGE CARS IN MY LIFE .JACK WAS GIVEN THE ULTIMATE ROMANY SEND OFF EVERY MOANER IMMACULATELY DRESSED.HE WAS DRIVEN TO THE GYPSY BURIAL PARK AT PETERBOROUGH. DO YOU RECALL THE STORY OFF THE CAMBRIDGE RAPIST,, WELL I HAVE A STORY TO TELL ABOUT HIM,,,CHEERS RAY
HI AGAIN RAY, Every thing you put above is about as i recall it,although i had not realised that he had shot himself before being arressted,and so i was unaware about the funeral that you detail.
As you and the earlier entry from JOHN BATES were at Oakington in 55, can you recall the fatal flying accident to P/O M.V. Walker during 1955, he is buried in Longstanton? I have many more points to continue with later, meantime yes we also knew the Englands, Mum now 86 seems to think they were good friends of W/O Alfie Easter, Mum and Dad ,i.e.M/Plt Scott AFC, were neighbours again with the Englands in Cyprus. More later, Gavin
MORE SAD MEMORIES GAVIN .WHILT AT OAKINGTON ATRAINEE PILOT ON A COURSE WAS FROM MY HOME TOWN HAS SISTER USED TO LIVE NEXT DOOR TO US . HE DIED AFTER BALING OUT OF A VAMPIRE .HIS BALE OUT WAS TO LOW FOR HIS CHUTE TO OPEN ,HE WAS P/O WAINE. I GET MESSAGES F FROM JOHN HARLEY AND HE INFORMS MT A SQD LDR TUNSTALL AFLYING INSTRUCTOR IS STILL ALIVE AGED 92 ANLIVING IN SOUTH AFRICA ,REGARDS RAY
How delightful to see a post from Jane Bidwell. I happened upon your site whilst trying to chase down a history of RAF Waterbeach for my Father-in-Law who was stationed at Waterbeach (Crash Crew) in 1960/61 and I stumbled across your site whilst searching photos of Waterbeach (etc). I was also in ATC at Oakington during Jane’s time there and well recall enjoying going over to Waterbeach to play with the Varisites when they used it as an RLG – I also recall Jane sunning herself on the tiny balcony/veranda of the weird green-house/top tower at Waterbeach in between flocks of Varsities coming over from Oakington to play with us. The “sunning herself” was nothjing rude or untoward you understand … it was a different age of innocence then. It’s just that seeing Jane’s name brought back excellent memorioes of warm sunny days when there didn’t seem to be any problems in the world like now.
How it brings back memeories to see these photographs. I returned from Egypt and spent the last nine months of my service here. Dec.1955 to Aug.1956. It is a great shame that another R.A.F Station will soon disapear completely.
Hi Ray, I can recall one or two Vampires with flame out after take off,climb and eject was the norm, not much chance of either normaly they came down on the other side of theA 604, I did a crash guard patrol on the verge of the A14 now A1198 north of Bourn one night in 55. I remember the Meteor weather plane from Waterbeach touching down and taking off early mornings testing for flying conditions.I did every patrol that was going, Fire picket,I.R.A.patrol,Crash guard, RAF Graveley patrol,plus Guard of Honour,plus duty storeman which was regular and two night exercises,guarding the HQ,and the officers quarters, officers attacked and airmen guarded. Catch you again Ray.
hi GEORDIE .ido remember the crashes .i used to go to the mortuary with a medic to collect the deceased pilots safety equipment, and take it to our section for safe keeping in case it was needed in an inquiry.graveley was a wierdd place especially around the decrepid old billets. we used to take jugs from the kitchen in the billet under the control tower.to the pub in the village and fill them with green king i.p.a. can you recall the RAF copper who was atgraveley with you . cheers for now .RAY.
Hi,Ray,I don’t recall the Cpls. name but it wasn’t Cpl.Prior I think he had ginger hair but I could be wrong,there was only Sgt. Morrison+ two Cpls.that I knew of, then an A/C. trainee came that the lads used rib, until he got his stripes. Never got to Graveley village.I remember there was a Vampire in the hanger the week that I was there may have been there a while.Tale of the hanger been haunted from the days of bomber command.
HI .GEORDIE .. RAF POLICE CORPORAL DAVE BRINKLEY. SUNDAY MORNING .WHILST HAVING A LIE IN, THE SWITCH BOARD ATTENDANT A T OAKINGTON USED TO RING US TO LET US KNOW THE DUTY OFFICER WAS ON HIS WAY ,,GREAT TIMES .CHEERS ,RAY
I was working in the officers mess when the message came that one of the cleaners wife had been murdered .Can/t remember his name but knew him well having worked with him, i think he lived in oakington villiage or cottenham
Hi Mick,If you type in a goggle search (gipsy jack murder in Oakington), you should come up with a hisimp-chat enquiry 2nd para down the woman that was murdered was Ethel Collinge who worked at Chivers.
Hi Terrance RE Lancaster ND 523
I just read your message and was shocked. I think your dad was flying with my dad on the night he was killed. My dad was on ND 523. My dad bailed out over Germany on the 22/23 March and spent the last 14 months of the war in Stalagluft 3. I don’t know what to say, I am sorry that you lost your dad that night. I live in New Zealand where Mum and Dad came in 1963. I dodn’t know if you have any information about what happened that night. I have a ittle and would be happy to share it with you if you would like.
Wendy
To keith Webster, I was at oakington in 1960 and was billeted at station sick quarters as the crash ambulance driver for RAF Graveley during the day and on call out for the Domestic at night. So we must have worked together. my nick name was “chuff”. You may not see this as you posted in Feb. 2008, and I have just seen your post. This really is a great site, so many memories.
Contact me at lafbery@telus.net
I remember oakington well my father who has recently passed on served with the army air corp for a few years there flying lynx,s. great bqs we use to have there a shame to see it in such a sad state
I was stationed at Oakingtonfrom1957to1962.Cpl.oic. crash crew.I have numerous photographs of the lads,station and incidents.I would like to submit them,but being a new boy to computers I am quite lost.Could you advise me.Thank you very much for the wonderfulmemories. Scouse Carter.
HI SCOUSE, YOU MAY HAVE READ SOME OF MY POSTS ABOUT OAKINGTON /AND ITS GOOD TO HAVE YOU ON BOARD AS AN OLD OAKINGTON MAN . INCIDENTLY I AM SEMI SCOUSE AS I ONLY LIVE IN ST HELENS .CHEERS RAY
My father (Leslie Holmes) served in 7 squadron for most of WW2. He passed away about 5 years ago, but he remained close friends with several others from the squadron and all of our families have been good friends over the years.
He has kept fairly detailed journals of his life including the years in the RAF which i have been reading recently including many names and some photo;s.
Contact me if you have any questions or comments –
bholmes15@kc.rr.com
1952-1956 Can anyone remember the airspeed Oxford we had on base in 1952 also we still had a few meteor mark 3 & 4 before the arrival of the Vamps, I worked along with a corporal Ray,alas forgot surname, From the AFS doing major repairs on vampires.
Demobbed in Sep 1956 as a JT.
hi john i was at oakington fromfebruary 1954 to demob in september 19 56
Hi Ray, I must have know during my four years at Oak, I work mostly in ASF as a airframe fitter, got transfer on a day basis to Waterbeach doing man A insp chks on Meteor mk 8, during the period when our runways were being repaired, then formed a two man team with corporal Ray Wardle working from workshop inside AFS, We conducted our business using car trailer to move our tools from other hangers which included heavy maint, I was billeted outside the cookhouse main door on the left side, I had Motor cycle crash with Ray Hamblin in Autume 55 outside Girton girls colledge going into town, Was then out of action for three months, At demob time the RAF found me a Job with BOAC new brittania fleet. Rgrds John Ruskin.
HI JOHN. AT SOME TIME OR OTHER OUR PATHS MUST HAVE CROSSED . MATES OF MINE FROM ASF .WERE TONY FAULKNER AND STAN Mc CABE . OUR OFFICER WAS FLT LT GREEN. AND OUR CHIEF INSTRUCTOR WAS WING CDR TRENT .VC. DO THESE NAMES MEAN ANYTHING ?.