2015 WINTER NEWSLETTER
2015 annual reunion information - PLEASE CLICK HERE
OBITUARIES
Roger Colebrook
With sadness we received the news Roger Colebrook passed away 28th December. Roger served on 43(F) Squadron at the start of the Phantom era, and after leaving the RAF, flew the DC10 with British Caledonian Airways.
Dick Brown
It is sad to report that the last of our known Battle of Britain veterans, Dick Brown, died in October at the age of 96.
Born in Jarrow in 1919, he worked with Reyrolle Parsons on heavy electrical engineering projects before being called up for basic military training at Cardington in 1939 followed by aero engine training at Locking and at Halton. Following his first couple of weeks of operations at Manston where he experienced his first air raids, Dick was posted to join 43 Squadron at Wick in the Spring of 1940 prior to its return to Tangmere at the end of May where he served throughout the most intensive period of the Battle of Britain, ensuring that the maximum numbers of Hurricanes were available despite the considerable number of attacks on Tangmere by the Luftwaffe.
Subsequent postings took him to a number of UK airfields, working on a wide range of aircraft types. Following D-Day he was deployed to Normandy with a specialist repair and salvage unit, subsequently remaining with this busy and highly mobile unit to repair and recover aircraft of all types.
Willie Marr represented the Association at Dick’s funeral in Jarrow on 21 October and was also our representative at the Remembrance Day service at Stirling.
Kelvin Harris
Sadly Kelvin passed away at the end of October after a short illness. Kelvin began his love of flying as a boy in the Welsh valleys when he first saw fast jets regularly flying over the area. After university he joined the RAF and following navigator training he joined his first squadron – No 43(F) Squadron – flying Phantoms. He soon met Bev and from that point they were inseparable, settling in Fife. A proud and gentle family man, Kelvin spent many hours with his three children on epic walks and bike rides around his part of Fife.
After a tour in Germany, Kelvin then spent the majority of his time at RAF Leuchars between 43 and 111 Squadrons until the demise of the Tornado F3 in 2009. A short time in the simulator followed before his retirement from the Service. His natural affinity was with 43 Squadron and he was a stalwart in every aspect of squadron life. In the mid-90s to mid-00s, when the F3 Force was highly diluted with large numbers of ab initio crews, Kelvin provided a much needed level of experience that glued the squadron together.
Tellingly, Kelvin had time for everyone and was welcoming to all. Rank or trade didn’t matter to him and if you were a family visitor to QRA, senior officer visiting the squadron, the cleaner, Squadron WO or the most junior groundcrew, he would always have a chat and set you at your ease. It speaks volumes about the man that 250 – 300 people paid their respects at his funeral in Dundee. He had touched so many and despite the solemnity and sadness of the occasion, his funeral provided the kind of 43 Squadron reunion that he would have loved – family, friends, aircrew and groundcrew all together. Kelvin will be remembered with great fondness by all who knew him.
With sadness we received the news Roger Colebrook passed away 28th December. Roger served on 43(F) Squadron at the start of the Phantom era, and after leaving the RAF, flew the DC10 with British Caledonian Airways.
Dick Brown
It is sad to report that the last of our known Battle of Britain veterans, Dick Brown, died in October at the age of 96.
Born in Jarrow in 1919, he worked with Reyrolle Parsons on heavy electrical engineering projects before being called up for basic military training at Cardington in 1939 followed by aero engine training at Locking and at Halton. Following his first couple of weeks of operations at Manston where he experienced his first air raids, Dick was posted to join 43 Squadron at Wick in the Spring of 1940 prior to its return to Tangmere at the end of May where he served throughout the most intensive period of the Battle of Britain, ensuring that the maximum numbers of Hurricanes were available despite the considerable number of attacks on Tangmere by the Luftwaffe.
Subsequent postings took him to a number of UK airfields, working on a wide range of aircraft types. Following D-Day he was deployed to Normandy with a specialist repair and salvage unit, subsequently remaining with this busy and highly mobile unit to repair and recover aircraft of all types.
Willie Marr represented the Association at Dick’s funeral in Jarrow on 21 October and was also our representative at the Remembrance Day service at Stirling.
Kelvin Harris
Sadly Kelvin passed away at the end of October after a short illness. Kelvin began his love of flying as a boy in the Welsh valleys when he first saw fast jets regularly flying over the area. After university he joined the RAF and following navigator training he joined his first squadron – No 43(F) Squadron – flying Phantoms. He soon met Bev and from that point they were inseparable, settling in Fife. A proud and gentle family man, Kelvin spent many hours with his three children on epic walks and bike rides around his part of Fife.
After a tour in Germany, Kelvin then spent the majority of his time at RAF Leuchars between 43 and 111 Squadrons until the demise of the Tornado F3 in 2009. A short time in the simulator followed before his retirement from the Service. His natural affinity was with 43 Squadron and he was a stalwart in every aspect of squadron life. In the mid-90s to mid-00s, when the F3 Force was highly diluted with large numbers of ab initio crews, Kelvin provided a much needed level of experience that glued the squadron together.
Tellingly, Kelvin had time for everyone and was welcoming to all. Rank or trade didn’t matter to him and if you were a family visitor to QRA, senior officer visiting the squadron, the cleaner, Squadron WO or the most junior groundcrew, he would always have a chat and set you at your ease. It speaks volumes about the man that 250 – 300 people paid their respects at his funeral in Dundee. He had touched so many and despite the solemnity and sadness of the occasion, his funeral provided the kind of 43 Squadron reunion that he would have loved – family, friends, aircrew and groundcrew all together. Kelvin will be remembered with great fondness by all who knew him.
GULF WAR MEMORIAL
A memorial to those killed during the Gulf War of 1991 will be dedicated at the National Memorial Arboretum on 28 February 2016, the 25th anniversary of the end of hostilities. Although 43 Squadron was fortunate not to suffer any casualties during its deployment to Dhahran throughout the conflict, the chairman will attend the ceremony to represent the squadron at this commemoration.
GULF WAR MEMORIAL
STIRLING 2016
Arrangements have now been finalised for the centenary celebrations at Stirling next year. Members wishing to attend who have not yet completed an application form and forwarded their remittance should contact the secretary via the ‘Events’ tab on the squadron website www.43squadronassociation.com. Those who have already submitted applications should ensure that the secretary has what will be their correct postal address as at April 2016 when tickets for all events will be sent out by post. All payments should be made before the end of March 2016 to secure a reservation.
Fri 20th May 2016
0830 for 0930 start – Golf match against the Provost of Stirling’s team. If you are a golfer and would like to represent the Association, please let Willie Marr know at w.marr@btopenworld.com.
1800 – 2000 Civic reception for former COs, the Association committee and event organisers by invitation from the Provost of Stirling.
Sat 21st May 2016
1530 – Dedication of a memorial at Falleninch Farm, Stirling. Please assemble by 1515. Ample parking is available. Invitations and car passes will be sent to members wishing to attend.
1900 for 2000hrs – Reception and formal dinner in Stirling Castle. Transport will be provided from hotels on the accommodation list.
Sun 22nd May 2016
1100 – Laying-up of the 43 Squadron Standard and dedication of a memorial to the Squadron within the Church of the Holy Rude, St John Street, Stirling. Please be seated by 1050. There is no parking at the church, however it is within easy walking distance of the Stirling Highland and Colessio Hotels. Transport will be provided from the other hotels on our list. Please advise the secretary of your requirements.
It would be of great assistance to your committee in their planning if you could let us know if it is your intention to join us at Stirling ASAP, and which events you would wish to partake.
PLEASE SEE THE EVENT PAGE - CLICK HERE
Fri 20th May 2016
0830 for 0930 start – Golf match against the Provost of Stirling’s team. If you are a golfer and would like to represent the Association, please let Willie Marr know at w.marr@btopenworld.com.
1800 – 2000 Civic reception for former COs, the Association committee and event organisers by invitation from the Provost of Stirling.
Sat 21st May 2016
1530 – Dedication of a memorial at Falleninch Farm, Stirling. Please assemble by 1515. Ample parking is available. Invitations and car passes will be sent to members wishing to attend.
1900 for 2000hrs – Reception and formal dinner in Stirling Castle. Transport will be provided from hotels on the accommodation list.
Sun 22nd May 2016
1100 – Laying-up of the 43 Squadron Standard and dedication of a memorial to the Squadron within the Church of the Holy Rude, St John Street, Stirling. Please be seated by 1050. There is no parking at the church, however it is within easy walking distance of the Stirling Highland and Colessio Hotels. Transport will be provided from the other hotels on our list. Please advise the secretary of your requirements.
It would be of great assistance to your committee in their planning if you could let us know if it is your intention to join us at Stirling ASAP, and which events you would wish to partake.
PLEASE SEE THE EVENT PAGE - CLICK HERE
GENERAL INFORMATION and HOW TO PAY
Discounted rates for hotels in the Stirling area are to be found under the ‘EVENTS’ tab with details of how to claim the special rates. Where no specific discount code eg. ‘’Fighting Cocks’’ is mentioned, please quote 43 Squadron Centenary when booking at these hotels. Details of alternative hotels in the area are also attached.
Transport will be provided from selected hotels for the Saturday dinner and Sunday church service as outlined above. Please let the secretary know your requirements once you have confirmed your attendance and booked your accommodation.
Tickets for the dinner are £60 each per member and their first accompanying guest and can be obtained from the secretary by using the online booking form and posting the appropriate remittance made payable to 43(F) Squadron Association to
The Secretary,
43(F) Squadron Association,
72 Georgian Way,
Brackla, Bridgend, Mid Glamorgan CF31 2EY
Members wishing to bring up to two additional guests may do so on application to the secretary at a cost of £100 per head. However to allow adequate time for all members to apply to attend the dinner, those members wishing to bring additional guests will have their requests held until 31 Jan 2016. After that date the secretary will allocate any spare places for additional guests strictly in the date order they were requested. Bookings will close on 31 March 2016. However, please note that numbers attending the dinner at the castle are limited, and early bookings are recommended to avoid disappointment.
CHEQUES MADE PAYABLE TO
43(F) SQUADRON ASSOCIATION
Transport will be provided from selected hotels for the Saturday dinner and Sunday church service as outlined above. Please let the secretary know your requirements once you have confirmed your attendance and booked your accommodation.
Tickets for the dinner are £60 each per member and their first accompanying guest and can be obtained from the secretary by using the online booking form and posting the appropriate remittance made payable to 43(F) Squadron Association to
The Secretary,
43(F) Squadron Association,
72 Georgian Way,
Brackla, Bridgend, Mid Glamorgan CF31 2EY
Members wishing to bring up to two additional guests may do so on application to the secretary at a cost of £100 per head. However to allow adequate time for all members to apply to attend the dinner, those members wishing to bring additional guests will have their requests held until 31 Jan 2016. After that date the secretary will allocate any spare places for additional guests strictly in the date order they were requested. Bookings will close on 31 March 2016. However, please note that numbers attending the dinner at the castle are limited, and early bookings are recommended to avoid disappointment.
CHEQUES MADE PAYABLE TO
43(F) SQUADRON ASSOCIATION
