Latest News May 2009
Grapple Reunion 2009
This years reunion took the form of a visit to the Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) Aldermaston. A total of 38 attended including 20 Grapple veterans. The turn out from 58 was small, with only Peter and Catherine Langdon, and Gordon Dyer and Jan Pyle able to attend.
We were hosted by the team that looks after the AWE Educational Collection, basically a exhibition of the various warheads and delivery systems which the UK has had for its nuclear deterrence defence strategy. It was a privilege to visit the facility as the collection is not open to the general public but is used for the induction of new AWE staff. The visit culminated with a group photo taken in front of a Blue Steel
September 2008 Farewell to Jock Deans
Yet again we have to report the loss of another stalwart of 58 Sqadron and our association. Sadly, Jock Deans passed away at the Royal Infirmary Bristol on 13th September. Those of us who knew him on the squadron remember him as a cheerful and friendly colleague, and who was a great contributor to the cut and thrust of crew room banter. Jeff Kellett, who flew with him, has provided the following tribute and account of him:
"I first met Jock Deans when he and his then navigator, Les Henson,arrived on 58 Squadron in 1957. Being a bit of a rebel myself, I soon warmed to this quick-witted, sharp-tongued Scot and a lifelong friendship was formed.His sharp tongue did not endear him to all, most especially the Squadron CO at that time! Jock's subsequent recrewing with S/L Norman Metcalfe was, according to Jock, 'so that Norman could keep an eye on him'!!!!!
Following his Service career, Jock went into civilian Air Traffic Control, namely the CAA. He had an illustrious career, with duty spells at London and Prestwick ATCC and CAA Headquarters.He finished his ATC career as Chief Officer (SATCO in Service terms) at Edinburgh Airport and as a CAA Regional Inspector for the Scottish Region.
On retirement, Jock and Elizabeth set up home in Pitlochry.However, their daughter,Lyndsay, married and settled in the Bristol area. The distance between meant lots of travelling, so the Deans moved south.In recent years Jock suffered from deteriorating health, initially with breathing difficulties,( blamed by Jock on his earlier days as a smoker). Latterly, further medical problems arose and over the past year he had spent more time in hospital than at his home."
Jock will be greatly missed.
Another Farewell November 2007
We are sad to report the loss of Douggie Hammatt, who passed away peacefully at a nursing home on 13 November. Sqn Ldr Hammatt joined the RAF in November 1938 and had distinguished wartime service earning both AFC and DFM. His first posting to Wyton was as OC 82 Sqn but he later joined 58 Sqn and became 58/100 Sqn Detachment Commander for the first Grapple in May 1957.
A moving memorial service was held at the West Herts Crematorium on 26th November 2007, followed precisely at 13.40 by a fly past and "salute" by a Hawk aircraft from 100 Squadron. Douggie would have approved.
Reunion Reading September 2007
Thanks to the stirling efforts of Jeff Kellett and John Clubb in making the necessary arrangements we held a long awaited reunion at the Holiday Inn South Reading over the weekend of 28th/30th September. A total of 26 - ex- squadron members and their partners and guests attended. It was particularly good that Joan Fell was able to attend. The main event was lunch on the Saturday, a meal occasion which suited most. Smiles on faces of most folk in the photos below taken by unofficial photographer, John Clubb, confirm that we had a thoroughly good time.
Extract from Diary of Andrew Law
Colleagues will see that the memories section of the website now includes a diary extract from Pilot Officer Andrew Law who served on the squadron during World War II. Our website is primarily intended for those who served on the squadron from 1955-1959. However, the nephew of Andrew Law contacted Gordon and offered the extract for the site.
Gordon has added the diary in tribute to all those who served on 58 squadron in World War II and other conflicts, and lost their lives. This diary encapsulates the bravery of our past squadron members and their contribution to the preservation of our way of life.
Previous News
22nd March
We are sad to record here yet another loss from our members following the passing of Alpin MacGregor, or as he was known "Mac", who died unexpectedly in Ediburgh on 22nd March.
Gordon Dyer says "It is particularly sad for me to add this news to the site as I flew with Mac for over 300 hours during 1957 including the Grapple X detachment and thus he had a special place in my RAF life. Our shared experiences on Grapple, including his handling of a hair-raising fuel shortage on a 6 hour 40 mins flight from San Francisco to Honolulu, and a engine-flame out at night on a met-recce flight over a very lonely Pacific Ocean ,demonstrated his great airmanship and skills as a pilot. But that apart he was also a splendid officer and a real gentleman. I will always remember him with great fondness."
14th June 2006
It is with great sadness that we report the news of the death of Colin Fell , who passed on to those other shores on 14th June. Air Cdre Colin Fell will be remembered with great affection by all those who knew him. He was a splendid squadron commander who cared deeply forthe men he led, had an expectation and trust in them to do the correct thing, and displayed a unique combination of presence and charm. He has been an inspiration, to us both as leader in RAF service and in leading our association.
The Thanksgiving Service is to be held Friday, 23rd June at 1.30 pm at St Mary's Church, Walton, Cleveden.
26th August 2005
St.Eval Memorial
A stone memorial has been dedicated to those of Coastal Command who lost their lives at St.Eval between 1939 and 1959.
Colin Fell , who served at St.Eval during the war, attended the memorial , brought this to our notice and kindly provided this photograph.
We recognise the importance of this event and salute those 30 ex-58 Squadron who lost their lives flying from St.Eval on Whitleys, Halifax and Liberator. For further details of squadron casualties see the on-line book of remembrance at http://www.stmawgan.org.uk/book_of_remembrance.htm
Reunion Dinner at Tiverton
The long-awaited reunion dinner was held at the Best Western Hotel in Tiverton on 25th May. This was a most enjoyable event and all 26 who attended agreed that it was wonderful to meet up again. We were particularly pleased to see Cynthia Pomford and Joy Metcalf.
As a reminder the table plan can be seen here.
The hotel staff looked after us very well. We are very grateful to John Clubb and Brian Taylor for making the arrangements for the event. We hope that this might become a biennial event.
7th March 2004
The Canberra Association reunion at Wyton in 2003 was well attended, but few 58 Sqn were there. Brian Taylor, Gordon and Julie Dyer, Pete Hearmon, Pete Major, Mary and John Clubb, were the only ones present.
However the meeting gave an opportunity to talk of a possible reunion for our Group in the West country in 2004/2005.
The 58 Squadron Tree
Gordon visited the Arboretum in March and reports that the 58 Tree is thriving. It is now 7 feet tall.
The National Memorial Arboretum was taken over by the Royal British Legion at the end of 2003 so this means that the future of Alrewas was assured in perpetuity. The Arboretum continues to operate as a separate costs centre and cheque donations etc go to them rather than the RBL.
Father Time and Health Matters
Generally Father Time has not been kind in the last year. We were very sad to learn of the death of Fred Haynes in February; he joins Les Henson who we lost last year and John Pomford who we lost in 2002.
Chas Lister 's progress remains slow and steady with speech and recall improving a little.
Stan Tomlin is not so good. He is in a Nursing Home and showing little signs of recovery.
Future Communication Methods to Members
A large proportion of people these days have an e-mail facility and we are therefore hoping to move to a system where most of our communication with members will be by this medium, supplemented by the news page of this web-site. We hope that this will enable us to save the time and be more efficient in getting news out, and for members to give us their response .
We will of course use ordinary mail to keep contact with any who do not have an e-mail /Internet facility .
Web-site
Colin Fell kindly provided information on past 58 Squadron COs and this has now been incorporated into a separate page on the web-site, accessible via the History page. He has also provided other comments which have now been added to the history page.
More pictures of ex-58 aircraft have been added, including a PR 34A Mosquito, an Anson CMk19 and the Vickers Virginia.
Peter Langdon has provided his reflections on his Grapple trip in May 1957 and this is now added to the site. This complements what John Clubb has written as their perspectives differ.
We look forward to getting your further comment and ideas about using/improving the web-site. A number of questions arise:
- How about some more memories from you to supplement the Memories page ? This page is intended for individuals to submit their own personal reflection of an occasion they recall of squadron life. It need not be a long as the one that John Clubb has shared. If anyone would like to share a personal memory please submit the text to Gordon . (If you have MS Word then submit file in either .doc or .htm format. If you do not have MS Word then submit in .rtf format)
Note - there is now a link to this site from a comprehensive RAF history site at:
- Should there be additional links? if so to where?
- is there a better place to host the site?
- is there anyone keen to take over the running of the site?
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