EVENTS 2024

VISIT TO RAFA YORK BRANCH BY RAFA HQ SENIOR STAFF

At the end of January, our Branch was notified of a forthcoming visit in March by three members of the RAF Association HQ trustees, namely the RAFA President, Air Marshal Sir Baz North KCB OBE, the RAFA Chairman, Air vice Marshal Alastair Reid CB and the RAFA Secretary General/CEO, Mr Nick Bunting OBE. Arrangements were made between HQ, our Branch and Branch Club officers to host our VIP guests at the Club on Tuesday 5 March. They had been visiting various locations in the north of England and Scotland, and had visited RAFA Kidzone facilities at RAF Boulmer and RAF Leeming earlier that day.

Although this was not a usual “Club night,” members rallied round and we met our visitors a at about 6pm. As it was still daylight when they arrived, they requested that they have a look around the outside of our Branch Club building. The Branch Chairman escorted them and then brought them into the Club where they were able to meet and chat with our Committee members and several of our Branch members. Refreshments were provided by the Branch Club Chair, Denise Edgar, and some members also brought in food, which was most welcome. Branch President, Dick Gray, gave the visitors a guided tour of the internals of our building and described our plans to open up the ground floor for easier access and use, and also the need for new toilet facilities.

Later in the evening, the Branch Chairman presented Sir Baz North with a cheque for £1000.00 towards facilities at RAFA’s Rothbury House, which is now a residential care home for RAF veterans. This funding from the Branch Welfare Account, is made possible due to the healthy state of the welfare fund at present.

Photos below show (l to r) AVM Reid, Nick Bunting and Sir Baz North at our Branch Club on 5 March.

RAFA YORK BRANCH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING.

The Branch Annual General Meeting took place, as planned, on Saturday 9 March at 12 noon. The meeting was well attended, more members than last year in fact. In total 30 members, including the Branch Committee members, attended the meeting. All those members who had put their names forward for Trustee and Officer committee roles were voted in. The vacant Deputy Standard Bearer’s role was filled by Adrian Gunn. There are still too many Branch Committee duties being undertaken by one or two individuals, and we hope that more members will come forward to take on some of the duties over the next 12 months.

BRIAN MENNELL

1946 2024

Brian Mennell died on 4 February 2024 and his funeral took place at York Crematorium on Tuesday 12 March. A large contingent of RAFA members and Air Cadet officers formed a guard of honour and the Branch Standard was carried by Gordon Murden. The service was conducted by our RAFA Branch Padre, the Rev. David Simpson. The eulogy was read by Brian’s son, Gary and his Grandson, Oliver Mennell, spoke about some of the amusing occurrences in Brian’s life. A reading was given by York Branch Chairman, Andy Bryne.

There were many RAFA York Branch members present as well as friends and colleagues from Brian’s time in the Air Cadets as a Volunteer Reserve Training officer. Brian was a member of the RAF Association for 23 years and he was York Branch Chairman for 5 years and vice-Chairman for some years prior to that.

As a young teenager, Brian wanted to join the RAF as a radar technician, but his father, who had served in the RAF, felt that this was no career for a young lad. Brian was not put off completely by this parental advice and had joined the air cadets as soon as he could, when he enrolled with No 110 City of York Squadron, rising to the rank of cadet warrant officer. Later, he was an enthusiastic member of No 2487 Easingwold Squadron Air Cadets. Brian also researched the history of several RAF stations in Yorkshire and Lincolnshire and wrote books on these topics. He was a member of the Aircrew Association (White Rose) Branch until it closed, and produced the Branch newsletter “The Gen.”

Brian’s first job after leaving school was as an apprentice technician with the Post Office. for whom he worked for several years. In 1963, the Great Train Robbery took place and the British Transport Police came to the Post Office in York seeking expert opinion on how the criminals had bypassed the railway signals and it was at the this time Brian applied to join the British Transport Police. Starting in the Hull area, Brian was in the British Transport Police for over 25 years and rose to the rank of Inspector, commanding the York region for the British Transport Police.

In 1985, Brian renewed his passion for the Air Cadet Organisation and re-joined as a Civilian Instructor at 2487 (Easingwold Sqn), but was quickly commissioned into the RAF VR(T). This began a long association with Easingwold Squadron, eventually becoming its Commanding Officer and later Chairman. It was also about this time that he renewed his interest in gliding, having first gone solo with the Air Cadets at RAF Spitalgate, near Grantham in the 1960’s. Many weekends were spent at Dishforth, flying with the RAF Gliding and Soaring Association. After leaving the Police, gliding became his full-time job, being the Airfield Manager at Rufforth Gliding Club. Here, he was an instructor and tug pilot and accumulated many flying hours. He also taught David Jason to fly motor-gliders whilst he was in Yorkshire filming a Touch of Frost in the 1990’s.

After retiring from the VR(T), he was asked to come back and assist as the Regional Public Relations Officer, a role he particularly enjoyed as it meant he could put his interest in photography to good use, he also rose to the rank of Squadron Leader. Brian later became a Fraud Investigator for the City of York Council, once again using the skills he had learnt as a Detective in the Police. He also undertook a degree in criminology.

One of Brian’s greatest interests was touring old battlefields across Europe and visiting the Commonwealth War Graves sites associated with them. Over the years, he visited sites in France, Belgium, Holland, Germany, Poland and Italy. Some of these tours included group tours with members of RAFA York Branch. In 2005, together with son Gary, Brian began researching a book on the war graves at RAF Scampton, this led to three more books on a similar subject and also a book on the history of Easingwold Squadron Air Cadets.. The books were published and sold several thousand copies. Whilst these books provide a lasting legacy of Brian’s interest in military and aviation history, most of us will remember Brian for his dedication to RAFA York Branch, both as a member and a highly valued trustee.

CHEQUE PRESENTATION AT RAFA ROTHBURY HOUSE.

On 14 March, York Branch Welfare Officer, Mr Ron Ford, presented a cheque for £1000 to Mr David Dick, RAFA Rothbury House Manager. The funds will be used to purchase much needed garden furniture for the Rothbury House residents.

TURNING OF THE PAGE CEREMONY 2 APRIL 2024.

On Tuesday 2 April 2024, a number of York b/ranch members, together with members of Yorkshire Universities Air Squadron took part in the Turning of the Page ceremony for April, which commemorates the founding of the Royal Air Force on 1 April 1918.

The page was turned by RAFA York Branch member Hazel Birchall, Flt Lt Simon Kinnersley YUAS and Officer Cadet Wilson, YUAS, representing the past, present and future of the Royal Air Force. At the end of the ceremony, prayers were led by the Rev John Hetherington, Padre at RAF Leeming. The ceremony was overseen by our Branch President, Dick Gray and the Branch Standard was carried by Gordon Murden, with Tim Kitching bearing the Royal Observer Corps Association Area Standard.

As usual, after the ceremony, Branch members and guests made their way to the Branch Club in Aldwark for refreshments. The photos below show the page turning ceremony participants (left) and members and guests at the Branch Club afterwards.

ANNUAL ELMS SERVICE AT EDEN CAMP MUSEUM – 27 APRIL 2024

The Annual World War Two Escape Lines Memorial Society service and parade took place, as usual, at Eden Camp Museum on Saturday 27 April at 11 am. A number of our Branch members attended and the Branch Standard was carried by Gordon Murden. Branch Chairman Andy Bryne laid a wreath on behalf of the Branch, whilst Denise Edgar, in her role as RBL President, also laid a wreath.

The service opened with an address from Roger Stanton MBE, who explained the background and the reasons for ELMS. The prayers were led by the Rev. Canon John Manchester and the closing remarks by Roger Stanton MBE. Music was provided by the Band of the Yorkshire Volunteers, whose repertoire included a drums only piece, which was very impressive.

Students from Hernani in the Basque region of Northern Spain and from San Benedetto del Tronto in Italy attended the event. Both regions were significant in their residents’ assistance in helping Allied escapees and evaders to reach safety during World War II. Given the passing of the years, it is more important than ever to engage younger people in aspects of the history of their forebears, as nearly all the veterans of that conflict have now passed on.

RAF EAST MOOR MEMORIAL SERVICE – 11 MAY 2024

The annual RAF East Moor memorial service took place at the Royal Canadian Air Force Memorial at Sutton on the Forest on Saturday 11 May. The weather was warm and sunny. Ten members of RAFA York Branch attended, including our Standard Bearer, Gordon Murden. Indeed, our Branch Standard was the only one present, a noticeable difference from previous years, where at least four of five other standards would be paraded. The guest of honour was Lieutenant Colonel Patrick LeBlanc, Royal Canadian Air Force, who is currently based in the UK at RAF High Wycombe. Also present was Rachel Semlyen MBE from the Yorkshire Air Museum, air cadets from No 2487 (Easingwold) Squadron and members of the Sutton on the Forest village community.

Two pipers were present and they signalled the commencement of the service. An address of welcome was given by Lieutenant Colonel LeBlanc RCAF, followed by reflections and prayers led by Revd Steve Whiting. The Act of Remembrance, led by Squadron Leader Henry Morgan RAF (Retd)

The Last Post and Reveille were sounded by Mr Jamie Higdon and wreaths were laid by representatives of the organisations present, starting with Lieutenant Colonel Patrick LeBlanc who laid wreaths and flowers on behalf of No 415 and 429 squadrons RCAF. Mr Robert Sheffield laid a wreath on behalf of Sutton on the Forest and Rachel Semlyen MBE laid a wreath on behalf of the Yorkshire Air Museum, whilst York branch Chairman Andy Bryne laid the RAF Association York Branch wreath. Wreaths were also laid by a member of Easingwold Squadron Air Cadets and by Oliver Mennell.

After the closing remarks by Mr Robert Sheffield, representing Sutton on the Forest Parish Council and the playing of the Canadian and UK national anthems, those present made their way to the Grey Village Hall, where excellent refreshments were provided by the ladies of Sutton on the Forest YCA.

RAF East Moor was home to two RCAF squadrons during the Second World War. The station opened in 1942 and was initially part of RAF No 4 Group. The first squadron to be based there was No 158 Sqn RAF, flying Halifax II bombers. In November 1942, the station was handed over to the RCAF, and No. 429 Squadron RCAF formed at the airfield on 7 November 1942 initially only flying the Vickers Wellington Mk III until January 1943 when the Wellington Mk. X was added. On 19 September 1943 the next squadron arrived being 432 Squadron which initially used the Avro Lancaster Mk II before being re-equipped with the Halifax Mk III in February 1944 and the Mk. VII Halifax in July 1944. The squadron disbanded on 15 May 1945 at the airfield.

The last Canadian squadron to use the airfield was No 415 Squadron which flew the Halifax III from 26 July 1944. The unit inherited the additional Mk VII versions during March 1945 but disbanded shortly after on 15 May 1945 at the airfield. After the end of the war in Europe, RAF East Moor was taken over by the RAF for a short while before being closed in late 1946. However, the memorial at Sutton on the Forest ensures that the sacrifices made by RAF and RCAF personnel which flew from RAF East Moor will not be forgotten.

YORKSHIRE AIR MUSEUM FRENCH AIR FORCE ELVINGTON 80TH ANNIVERSARY

On 16 May 1944, French Air Force personnel arrived at RAF Elvington and, shortly afterwards, commenced operations over Nazi-occupied Europe, flying Handley Page Halifax bombers. No 346 “Guyenne” Squadron was formed on 16 May 1944 with No 347 “Tunisie” Squadron also forming at Elvington on 20 June 1944. The French squadrons remained at Elvington until October 1945, when they flew their Halifax aircraft to Bordeaux, marking the end of the French Air Force wartime association with RAF Elvington.

However, this was not the end of the association, which has grown over the years, especially with the establishment of the Yorkshire Air Museum and Allied Air Forces Memorial in 1985. To mark the 80th anniversary of the raising of the French Tricolour at RAF Elvington, a special ceremony was held at the exact location on the morning of 16 May 2024. The ceremony commenced with an address and service led by the Air Museum Padre, Rev Taff Morgan. The French Tricolour was raised by Messrs Paul Bogaert and Alain Mallia. The ceremony concluded with the reading of a letter to Paul Bogaert, the retiring president of the Association des Anciens et Amis des Groupes Lourdes. Paul’s dedication to the association between the French Association and the Yorkshire Air Museum has ensured that the links today remain as strong as the dark days of the Second World War. Around 2300 French airmen and groundcrew were based at Elvington in 1944-45 during which time 41 aircraft and 216 airmen were lost in the cause of freedom.

The ceremony was followed by a guided tour of a new exhibition (1944-45) and a chance for a close-up tour of the Museum’s Halifax BIII bomber, which is currently on display outside the hangar. The event ended with a buffet lunch for invited dignitaries and guests with speeches by Rachel Semlyen and Ian Richardson, and a toast to the Entente Cordiale by M. Sebastian Bidaud, Deputy Head of Mission, French Embassy, London.

Guests attending the event included the Lord Lieutenant of North Yorkshire, the Sherriff of North Yorkshire, the Lord Mayor of York and Civic Party. Several Royal Air Force personnel also attended as well as Mr Ken Cook, a surviving veteran of the 1944 D-Day landings. There was considerable local media present to record the event.

It was an honour for Pat and I to represent RAFA York Branch at this event, together with our Branch Club Chairman, Denise Edgar, in her role as Royal British Legion York Branch President.