Page 13 - issue08.03.2019

Royal Air Force News Friday, March 8, 2019 P13

News

WWII warbird joins US tribute

A WWII Dakota and two Typhoons
joined a flypast of USAF fighters
IN THE February 8 edition of RAF to mark the 75th anniversary of a
News (1461) we ran a story on Flt Lt crash which claimed the lives of 10
Chris Stradling passing 6000 hours American airmen.
in the Tornado GR4. Ten aircraft performed the salute to
article
The
wrongly
was
Point accompanied by a photograph of the victims who died when their B-17
came down near Sheffield in 1944..
The tribute followed a campaign
Tornado Force colleague Flt Lt
Of Order Richard Atkinson, rather than Flt Lt TORNADO RECORD: Flt Lt Chris Stradling by local resident Tony Foulds, pictured
right, who has maintained a memorial at
Stradling. We are happy to correct
this mistake. celebrates with Marham Station Commander Gp the crash site for years.
Capt Townsend and Tornado crew.
Defence News
Three -year reprieve
for historic Halton

TRAINING CHIEF: Babington

FORMER CAS: Sir John Slessor
Welcome to Lorem ipsum
RAF TOWN
Please drive carefully

HERITAGE: Graduates on parade after
Lorem ipsum completing their phase one training at
Halton in Buckinghamshire
WWII HERO: AVM Sinclair with PLANS TO axe historic Air Force
RAF founder Lord Trenchard
stations at Halton and Henlow
been delayed following a three-
year review of defence estates.
Halton has been given an extra
three-year stay of execution and
Council name game will remain until 2025 while the
honours RAF greats medicine at Henlow will remain
Air Force centre for aviation
until 2023 – an extra three years.

Tracey Allen on the site are named after RAF
A WILTSHIRE market town is stations, aircraft and historical
bidding for the title of Britain’s figures.
most Forces-friendly town – “We wanted to continue the cohesion
by naming 10 new streets after between the new development and the
historic Air Force figures. existing one by adding more RAF-
Melksham is paying tribute to related street names.
the famous airmen on a new estate “All the officers whose names we
being constructed on the old RAF have chosen passed away less than Also facing closure under the
technical training site school 50 years ago, so the parish council review of UK military sites are
at Bowerhill which closed in is seeking their next of kin to gain RAF Barnham and RAF Colerne in
1965. their consent.” Wiltshire, under the government’s
The town already boasts RAF Melksham in Bowerhill Better Estates programme.
a number of RAF-related was home to No 12 School of Defence Minister Tobias
addresses including Barnes Technical Training from 1940 until Ellwood said: “When improving
Wallis Close, Hurricane 1965 when the site was sold off for the defence estate we have always
Road, Halifax Road, and RAF MELKSHAM: Site closed down in 1965 and was sold for development. strived to achieve the right
housing development, inset left, Aircraftswoman adjusts instruments
Duxford Avenue. at the No 12 School of Technical Training .PHOTOS: AHB According to historian Mike balance between working with
Now planners want to Gray the Great Train Robber Ronnie local communities, achieving
celebrate their Air Force heritage Biggs was stationed there in the value for money and making sure
by honouring some the Service’s trace the relatives of Air Marshal Sir their families give permission are 1ate 940s and was dishonourably our Armed Forces have what they
best known figures. John Babington, who was in charge AVM Clayton Boyce, Marshal of discharged then jailed in 1947 after require to protect our people and
Among those in line for the of RAF technical training, Air Cdre the RAF Sir John Slessor and WWII he was convicted of stealing from promote our prosperity.
distinction are former Chiefs of the Sir John Chamier, a founder of the pilot AVM Sir Laurence Sinclair. the station’s offices and food stores. “This update will give our
Air staff Sir Arthur Tedder and Sir Air Training Corps, whose name Jo Ecclestone, Parish Officer for l Next of kin can contact Melksham Service personnel the certainty
Cyril Newall and Royal Flying Corps was suggested by local Air Cadets, Melksham Without Parish Council, Parish council on 01225 705700; to put down permanent roots
pioneer Air Cdre Edward Maitland. 2385 (Melksham) Sqn. said: “All the existing roads in the email:admin@melkshamwithout. and fully integrate with the local
Council planners are trying to Also in line for the honour if residential and industrial area co.uk. community.”