87th Entry

It was about the 16th September 1957 that I left home to 'join up'.
I arrived at Paddington station, boarded the train looking for an empty compartment to ponder if I was doing the right thing. There were no empty compartments, but I entered one that had just one occupant. There was a guy about my age looking as I was feeling - anxious- so I went in, started chatting and found we were both on our way to Locking to sign the next twelve years away. That guy was John Gilbert, and we spent the next few years together at various camps, and I was eventually best man at his wedding.

Pass Out Certificate shows date we signed on and passed out

My aim is to make this a meeting point for the 87th to contact old mates, (and we are getting older now) and to put people in touch with each other.

If you have not been there already then visit the RAF Locking Apprentice Association website at http://www.raflaa.org.uk/

Reunion Information

We will be holding an 87th reunion on 19th May 2010 at The Webbington Hotel & Country Club, near Weston-Super-Mare. This is being organised by 'Charlie' Trussler and 'Tiny' Khüle, and myself. For more information, please email me at bcjd@btinternet.com also please pass this information on to any 87th that you are in contact with. This reunion is for anyone that started with, or passed out with the 87th.

Also a plea to all the guys I have been in contact with in the past, please update me with contact information, many email addresses have been changed.

At the 16th November 2009 we have about 73 names that have signed up to attend the 2010 reunion, 62 have now sent their £10 per person deposit. There are 10 more that have not yet sent a deposit but have said they will attend, with a few not sure, so come and join the party.