Today, the only air despatch unit left in the british army, is 47 ad sqn rlc, based at raf lyneham. It contains ad related correspondence, stories and photos. Our sister squadrons of 601 and 604 were not reformed and are therefore nearing the end of their activities. The first edition of wing commander c g jeffords book raf squadrons, a comprehensive record of the movement and equipment of all raf. Military pallets, boxes and containers part 7 air despatch. The dakota stands in a place of honour outside 47 ad sqn rlc at raf station brize norton. Ground attack and airjungle rescue duties in burma followed, but the squadron was disbanded in february 1946. Having served for years as chairman of the 43 fighter squadron association, air commodore ian mcbride has also now taken a welldeserved rest. The dakota was moved to brize norton when 47 sqn relocated from raf lyneham which was closed down. This section records the details of all other aircrew who served for varying periods of time.
The groups airdespatch companies were 233, 799, and 800. The lowlevel parachuting element of the exercise was supported by 47 sqn who deployed a cj mk4, with crew and support personnel, to eindhoven air base, home of the royal netherlands air force transport fleet. Sid joined the officers and sncos in the officers mess for drinks and food in the evening and was more than happy to regale the sqn with stories from his time in the army during the war. The iiac squadron association aim is to serve as a hub for exmembers and associates of the squadron, to preserve its history including supporting the squadron history book and the iiac squadron memorial at the national memorial arboretum. The open door royal visit to 47 sqn air despatch association. Part 7 air despatch 47 air despatch squadron raf brize norton. The 33 squadron association goes from strength to strength. The email delivered pdf version usully contains additional photos. Mr sid sallis, a veteran from operation market garden joined 47 air despatch sqn on 6 june 2014 to mark the 70th anniversary of the dday landings. Formed on the 12th january, 20 the numbers are steadily growing. It is delivered to all paidup and honorary members of the association. The air despatch troop, providing aircrew to 47 air despatch squadron royal logistics corps, who deliver logistical resupply to ground troops from the rafs c hercules transport aircraft. On 7 august 2014 with summer leave in sight, 47 air despatch squadron received a call activating two air despatch crews, preparing loads from uk aid for air despatch in northern iraq.
Air despatch group, royal army service corps royal corps. On the dz airborne troop force protection demonstration. Events gallery contactjoin links the association of no. Air despatcher, 47 ad squadron rlc army rumour service.
This all ranks association is open to past and present members of 12 b squadron. The squadrons association is unique in its having held annual reunion dinners continuously since 1918. Following the exercise xv1193 separated for a solo exercise involving a simulated airdrop in glen tilt, a. This is the official facebook site for air assault support regiment rlc. One of the roles allocated to ract was the air dispatch role. Although it was not a fighter unit, the squadron did have at least two aces serve in it. There was substantial media attention for interviews and the defence minister visited to see the joint uk military effort. Military aviation 27 sqn association 27 sqn has finally decided to set up a squadron association. The unofficial badge had been a sun rising over a pyramid, but tours in russia and sudan inspired the use of a crane found in both countries which, when navigating, flies high like a bomber. Bert and i last saw each other in chichester in 1974, when i transferred to rmp and bert was stationed at rct air despatch at the raf station near chichester i cant remember the name of the station i am trying to trace berts whereabouts and if any of your members are in touch or know where. The explanation page shows how to use the email address information provided when sending an email explanatory note on raf squadrons. We operated in a mixed formation of up to eight aircraft comprising various types of hercules and a transal.
Number 47 air despatch squadron, royal logistic corps, the only air despatch unit remaining in the british army, provided a stand to. On the 18th dec 1962 they were deployed to labuan due to the outbreak of hostilities against the sultan of brunei. Rigging loads for special operations headquarters, department of the army, united states marine corps, department of the navy, department of the air force. Boss moss affectionately remembered by the air despatch association especially those members who served in 55 air despatch company rasc in butterworth and 47 air despatch sqn at colerne. The aircraft involved flew out via akrotiri and masirah and a kanvas city was set up at bhairawa near the nepalese border. Many old friendships were renewed and a resolve was made to start the association and have a banner as a symbol for air dispatchers to rally behind on anzac day parades. We are quite a self sufficient unit in that we have our own sere officer, qadi qualified air despatch instructor. Come and celebrate the sqns 99th birthday and disbandment at raf lossiemouth update. Too cool to be a blue job tshirt from 680 sixeightzero, a custom product made just for you by teespring. Air dispatch association of australia adaa home facebook. Bob and dave are pictured here beside a 43 sqn hurricane engine cowling during their visit to tangmere this summer. During 1944, rocketfiring beaufighters had arrived, and no.
Reflecting on what they had achieved, 47 air despatch squadron were all exceptionally proud to be able to directly influence the welfare and conditions of those most vulnerable and in desperate need on the ground. Living in billingham, cleveland, jim, passed away on 27 march 2019 aged 98. A gentleman and a gentle man who knew the worth of every man serving with him. With worldclass production and customer support, your satisfaction is guaranteed. Obituaries 10 squadron association royal air force. The air dispatch association of australia came into being as a result of the vietnam veterans welcome home parade in sydney on the 3rd october 1987. Enter your email address to subscribe to think defence and receive notifications of new posts by email. The tenacity and flexibility of our teams from 47 sqn raf and 47 air despatch sqn royal logistic corps made up for the delay caused by strong winds during the first part of the mission. The city of london squadron association praeter sescentos. The colonel and chief of the royal logistic corps hrh princess. Royal air forces register of associations hosted by 207 squadron royal air force history squadrons. All were based on or near to the dakota squadron airfields of 46 group. Welcome to forces reunited the place where you can find information and friends from air despatch squadron we are the largest and fastest growing community of uk forces veterans on the web with over 500,000 members. If youre into reallife adventure and excitement, look no further, this is a book for you.
The association for members of air despatch units of the british army. Group captain geoff moss the 24 sqn raf association blog. Twenty fourtwenty four main menu of 24 sqn association. Danger at sea and a deadly time on mount everest are among the topics in mikes story of his adventurous life. Another video of the air despatchers from 47 air despatch sqn conducting live drops over antarctica in support of the british antarctic survey team. In front of a fountain, a demoiselle cranes head erased approved by king george vi in november 1938. Air dispatch association of australia adaa, sanctuary point, new south wales, australia. Those who were kia, made pow or were evaders are recorded elsewhere. Most of this group acted as despatchers with 48 group, but some also flew in the stirlings of 38 group during the later stages of the. Hi, i was rct from 1969 to 1973 and was friends with a chap called bert sutton, who was also rct. He had been an early member of the 10 sqn association jim was a tail gunner who was shot down whilst on a minelaying mission near stetin in the baltic, in february 1945.
The air despatch troop role is to push a platform out of the aircrafts open rear ramp in flight at the right moment to allow the parachute to open. The aim of this site is to provide members and friends with articles and news on the association activities both past and present. Following the exercise xv1193 separated for a solo exercise involving a simulated air drop in glen tilt, a couple of miles north of blair atholl. The beverley association was formed in 1988 to bring together former aircrew, ground crew and others who were connected with the blackburn beverley in any capacity for social and reunion purposes. No 38 expeditionary air wing air transport no 41 gp test pilots pool. James petre 10 sqn flt sgt ww2 halifax tail gunner 1945. Iiac squadron association iiac squadron association. Air cdre paul lyall has graciously agreed to become our president and we have a plan to commemorate the formation of the association with a gathering at the national arboretum in april. Twenty fourtwenty four the magazine of xxiv squadron association. Lyneham airfields of britain conservation trust uk. Post 2010 sdsr 47 air despatch squadron rlc 47 ad sqn are now part of air assault. Our association has branches in each state and publishes quarterly newsletters, distributed to over 400 members and their families.
The army reserve squadron was disbanded in 1994 and reservists transferred to 176 ad sqn. Air despatch pay is good as well, especially the higher band. We had not had an oc for quite some time due to the fact that the original position was held by a regular capt from the sqn, this position was disbanded if you like and we were given a nrps wo2. On 27 may 1993, lcpl bernard mannings hercules xv193 was on a lowlevel navigation exercise with two. The open door is the newsletter of the air despatch association. From the mid1970s until the mid1990s 1st air transport support regiment comprised two air dispatch squadrons.
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