The Royal Air Force Association (RAFA)

The RAFA in Thame, Oxon.

I've just had a very nice chat with a very nice lady from the RAFA. This was within one of our local supermarkets in Thame, Oxon. A stall had been set-up to sell flags/badges etc. During this Harold, a former Flight Engineer came over to give a small donation. Turned-out that they are both the same age and were both at RAF Hixon at the same time !!! but didn't know each other then. After this Harold was sent to Kelstern were he done 29 operations before the war ended. The lady who's name I didn't ask was in the Met section at Little Staughton. Her c/o [ A former RFC Pilot ] said to her one day, ''I would like you to take a trip up in a Lancaster, walk around the clouds and tell us exactly what the weather is going to do'' !!! she done this on six occasions. Her seventh trip was after the war on a ''Cooks Tour over the Rhur, Devastating, Awesome a lifeless city she said.

Its not often that you see RAFA collecting for the yearly wings appeal, in fact despite being a RAFA member I havent seen them collecting for some time.

And waht a co-incidence!

canberra;51715 wrote:

Its not often that you see RAFA collecting for the yearly wings appeal,

The Hoddesdon and Broxbourne RAFA are very active during the Wings Appeal in Hoddesdon every year. They also support us with their Standard Bearer (Roy Howe) at Remembrance Day services at the memorials we built. And again for the informal Amiens service, that takes place on Hunsdon airfield every year. We in turn support them at their Annual Dinner evening, and they were good enough to grant us 'Honorary Member' status!
A great crowd who do a lot of good. Their excellent 'Airmail' publication is also a good tool for seeking former personel too.

canberra;51715 wrote:

Its not often that you see RAFA collecting for the yearly wings appeal, in fact despite being a RAFA member I havent seen them collecting for some time.

And waht a co-incidence!

You must be walking around with your eyes shut then. It is quite a regular occurrence in the South.

Paul.
Unfortunately, not all those who served in the RAF are members of RAFA. I will be on parade at thr Air Forces Memorial at Runnymede tomorrow for the RAFA 70th Anniversary Battle of Britain Service.

Robin.

Well its not a regular occurence in the north!

Probably due to the law on street collections.

And why is there a Battle of Britain service in August????????????? 15th September is Battle of Britain day.

canberra;51729 wrote:

And why is there a Battle of Britain service in August????????????? 15th September is Battle of Britain day.

There are so many events commemorating the 70th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain taking pace in the South at this time, that it is difficult to get a free weekend. Remember that the official dates for the Battle of Britain are between the 10th of July until the 31st of October.

Robin.

In Bicester a while ago attending her stall she got into conversation with a young chap. He said that he was going to Hixon the next day and wondered if she would like a photograph of the control tower. This she now has along with a photograph of the tower at Little Staughton which is now a ''listed'' building with it's memorabilia.

Just hope that Little Staughton Control Tower never becomes as 'listed' as this one.....