28/10/2011 21:50100 Squadron Association - Royal Air Force

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100 Squadron Association Reunion and AGM - 2011

Our Reunion was held this year over the two days of 17th and 18th June 2011 at Royal Air Force Wyton. Members, including JoyceSisson who travelled from Toronto, arrived from 10:00 and our meet’n’greet soon got underway. After a good lunch of fish’n’chips(well it was Friday) some of our Members departed by coach for a visit to Anglesey Abbey, a National Trust house some 15 milesdistant. Jinny White took several photos and this is one of them.

From L to R Sally Kingston, Joyce Sisson, MiggsBonnor and Laura Ellis.

The 35 Members who remained were treated to anexcellent talk delivered by Air Cdre Graham Pitchfork,our Guest of Honour, which was entitled “The Menbehind the Medals.” This was a very informative lecturegiven by a master of his trade. Graham is a renownedRAF historian and has published many books on RAFHistory. This was followed by a visit to the PathfinderMuseum where Andy Campbell, Curator of the Museum,gave us another interesting talk on the WWII PathfinderForce, which was headquartered at Wyton. All in all, amost interesting and enjoyable afternoon.

Some 50 guests, including 7 officers from the Squadron,sat down for the Reunion Dinner with wine generouslyprovided courtesy of Babcock Engineering. We werefortunate to have the company of Rev (Wg Cdr) RogerHardman, Station Chaplain of RAF Wyton, as a guest andhe said grace prior to the meal. After dinner Air CdreBonnor introduced our new Squadron Boss, WingCommander Christian Gleave, who has flown Harrier

GR7’s and GR9’s with IV (AC) Squadron in several combat arenas, plus a tour with the renowned Red Arrows. The Boss emphasisedhis commitment to the Association and said that he looked forward to the continuation of the close relationship between theSquadron and the Association. Our Raffle and Auction raised some £450:00 for the Association funds, and all had a good evening.

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28/10/2011 21:50100 Squadron Association - Royal Air Force

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We held our Annual General Meeting on Saturday morning with some 22 Members present plus the Committee. The important pointsto emerge from the meeting included:

1. An update from the Boss that revealed just how busy 100 Squadron is in terms of 4850 flying hours tasked annually, that includestraining support for Typhoon and Tornado Squadrons as they prepare to deploy for Afghanistan and Libyan operations. 100 alsoprovides training for close air support forward controllers, and fast jet pilots train with the Squadron prior to posting to the RedArrows. The Ton has funding to provide security until 2015. With Hawk T2 aircraft entering service, the T1 role(s) is likely to bereviewed with 100 Squadron being heavily involved in such a review.

2. 2012 will be the 95th birthday of 100 Squadron and the Reunion is most likely to be held at Leeming late in July to coincide withLeeming Families Day. This also coincides with Sunderland Air Show, so the possibility of a good Air Show is an added bonus. TheReunion details will have to be worked out at a Committee Meeting early in September, and Members will be informed just as soon asis possible.

3. Air Cdre Bonnor outlined the reasons behind the resignation of John Hammill as Treasurer at the turn of the year, and why he hadto become Acting Treasurer.

4. Dr Keith Ellis confirmed his intention, announced in 2010, to stand down as Association Secretary and introduced Jinny White (wifeof Wg Cdr Wayne White, OC 100 Squadron 2004 to 2006) for election as the new Secretary. He also indicated that he offered himselffor election as the new Association Treasurer. All other officers (Greg Harrison as Historian, Damien English as Website Editor andJohn Holford as Editor of The Hornet) offered themselves for re-election in their current roles. These proposals were passedunanimously.

5. Dr Keith Ellis welcomed some 9 new members to the Association including several members of Jim Berry’s family.

6. James (Trevor) Watson reported on the success of the Dutch Memorial Day at Twello in particular. The BBMF Lancaster providedseveral flypasts at the Memorial site to the delight of the local people. Flt Lt Kinnersley (Kinno) also reported that he along withseveral other Squadron members had attended Memorial Ceremonies at other Dutch sites with the Lanc putting in appearances.

7. The progress of the Bomber Command Memorial was reported; the foundation stone for the Memorial was laid in May, and buildingwill now commence. Bomber Command Association intend that the Memorial will be unveiled in May 2012 just prior to the DiamondJubilee celebrations of Her Majesty the Queen. The Boss indicated that he expected 100 Squadron to be represented at the unveilingand that the Standard would be paraded. Air Cdre Norman Bonnor and Dr Keith Ellis will keep members fully informed with respect tothe unveiling ceremony.

Rev (Wg Cdr) Roger Hardman conducted our end of Reunion Church Service. In the absence of Stamper Metcalfe, Dr Keith Ellis readthe Act of Remembrance, and Air Cdre Norman Bonnor read out Absent Friends. The collection raised exactly £100:00 and this wasdonated equally between RAFBF and Bomber Command Memorial Fund.

Flt Lt Kinnersley had conducted ‘secret negotiations’ with BBMF and at just after 12:20 the ‘Phantom of the Ruhr’ appeared from thewest flying very low indeed. The grand old lady flew very low, and I mean very low, over the Officers’ Mess for us. The aircraft was‘clean’ and under power as she roared over us heading east. She turned and came back again for a second pass, and then for a thirdtime with the pilot fighting a strong crosswind before she turned north for Coningsby. Superb flying by a highly skilled driver! What asplendid finale to our Reunion, it simply could not have been a better way for us to draw our proceedings to a close and head forhome!

Just whet your appetite for next year, a couple of photos for you, taken by Norman Bonnor. We urge you to join in the 100 Squadron95th birthday celebrations at RAF Leeming in July of 2012. Be there!!!!

Recommended Websites

28/10/2011 21:50100 Squadron Association - Royal Air Force

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Royal Air Forces Association (RAFA)

Royal Air Force Charitable Trust

SSAFA

Help For Heroes

Scottys Little Soldiers