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News |
| Sir John Barraclough |
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Details of Sir John's Memorial Service are: Thursday 2nd October, at noon, at St Clement Danes Church (uniform for serving officers, lounge suits for civilians) Apply for ticket before Friday 12 September 2008 to: Mr Paul Hubbard, SO3 RAF Ceremonial Admin, Building 824, RAF Northolt, West End Road, Ruislip, Middlesex HA4 6NG |
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It is with great sadness we reported the passing of Air Chief Marshal Sir John
Barraclough, our President Emeritus who died on Saturday, May 10, aged 90. |
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Sir John was recently awarded the title of "President Emeritus of the Coastal Command and Maritime Air Association."
In this the Association acknowledged his outstanding leadership, drive and determination in the foundation of the Coastal Command and Maritime Air Association and in the establishment of the Maritime Air Trust.
He was of constant support to the Association and his sound advice has been much valued.
His clear management, single mindedness and direction were instrumental in the realisation of the Coastal Command Tribute, culminating in its dedication in Westminster Abbey by Her Majesty The Queen on 16 March 2004. Story from Telegraph News: |
| Battle of the Atlantic Sunday |
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The Maritime Air Trust (MAT) caused to be erected two Tributes to commemorate those personnel of Coastal Command and associated formations who gave their lives in WWII: one Tribute is located in the South Cloister of Westminster Abbey, and the other in the grounds of the Scottish Seabird Centre at North Berwick. The MAT, in association with the Coastal Command and Maritime Air Association, has agreed that it will be fitting to hold an annual Act of Commemoration at each location, and that this should be done on Battle of the Atlantic Sunday - the first in May. Hence, this year, the Acts of Commemoration will be held on 4th May. These events will be short and informal in nature, similar to the Acts of Remembrance held in November at War Memorials around the country, comprising prayers, readings and wreath-laying. Please note that, because of the nature of the locations, no additional facilities (eg seating etc) will be made available. Details of the Acts are as follows: Westminster Abbey. The Westminster Abbey event was held in the South Cloister. North Berwick. The North Berwick event was held on the morning of 4th May at a time to be notified, and led by No 1333(Grangemouth) ATC Sqn. As a footnote, it would be most helpful if a CCMAA member who lives near North Berwick could volunteer to take on the local co-ordination of future events. Please contact John Cairns if you are able to do so. |
| St Eval Church Pinnacles Appeal |
| The Chairman intends running in the Edinburgh Marathon in aid of this appeal, full details can be found on the "St Eval" pages or one the "Appeal Page." |
| AGM 2008 |
| 2008 AGM was held at RAF Kinloss over the weekend of 9/11 May 2008. More details soon. |
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Maritime Air Trust |
| You will be well aware that the MAT is now well into the second phase of Project Constant Endeavour. The first phase culminated in the dedication of a tribute in Westminster Abbey by HM The Queen on 16 March 2004. The second phase, highlighting the continuing importance of RAF maritime aviation to the general public, is now well established. |
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Regional Gatherings |
| John Cairns mentioned in a previous letter that we should look at the possibility of regional gatherings, holding the AGM at Kinloss while addressing the needs of our Scottish members does make it difficult for our members down South. There is an ideal opportunity to mount regional meetings to enable us to get together both socially and, perhaps, hold a small meeting the results of which could be represented at Kinloss in April. To start the ball rolling may John has suggested a Burns Supper in the South at or near to the anniversary of Burn’s birth. We have 2 options, we can fit in with an existing celebration or, if numbers permit, we can go it alone with a follow on visit on Sat morning, favourite at the moment is a gathering on 1 Feb in the Portsmouth area. Voulenteer required to organise an event in their locality?. Again Contact John. |
| Royal Air Force Service Records - Personnel Records |
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As the years progress we receive an increasing amount of requests from
individuals concerning either family or friends "Service History"
requests. As an Association we do not have access to these records. The following is an extract from the MOD RAF Website: "Personnel Records Royal Air Force personnel records are held at RAF Innsworth. If service number and details are known, please quote it in correspondence. Innsworth will only divulge information to the person to whom it refers or, if he or she has died, to his or her immediate next of kin. Anyone else must obtain written permission from the person about whom they are enquiring, or from his or her next of kin, before any information will be given to them. Innsworth make a charge of £30.00 for any information they provide;
cheques made payable to 'MOD Funds'. The only people exempt from charge are
the person to whom the records refer or their widow or widower." |
| AGM 2007 |
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It was decided that annual subscriptions will rise to £10 with
immediate effect. (Application form on this page) |
| Unofficial History of 489 Torpedo Bomber Squadron RNZAF |
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I would be very grateful if this notice could be published on your website and / or in any newsletter that goes to your members 489 - An Unofficial History of 489 Torpedo Bomber Squadron RNZAF - 1941 to 1945 has just been printed. 489 Squadron flew anti-shipping missions alongside other RAF, RAAF, RCAF Squadrons from both Langham and Dallachy. The history is to be launched at a gathering of 489 Squadron personnel and their families at Auckland, NZ on 25 February 2007. . We are very keen that this book is available to all former 489 personnel or their next of kin. If you are in this group, or know of someone who is, please contact jeanandderek@@xtra.co.nz to request a copy. Webmaster note, remove one "@" from David's address. (Stops junk mail) Many thanks David Burrowes Editor / Publisher |
| The Cinderella Service |
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This book reveals the vital contribution that RAF Coastal Command made to the Allies war effort. Although often referred to as the 'Cinderella Service' because by its nature, it did not gain the recognition it deserved and was overshadowed by Fighter and Bomber Commands and considering that it was not given priority in terms of aircraft and equipment, its wartime record was second to none. The two main roles of Coastal Command were anti-submarine work in the Atlantic and anti-shipping operations against enemy warships and merchant vessels. This work looks at every aspect of the command's work, equipment and aircraft and draws upon many first-hand accounts. Lengthy and comprehensive appendices cover Orders of Battle, Commanders, U boats sunk, ships sunk aircraft losses and casualties. |
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"Not Met" |
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A message from our Newsletter editor. Could the person who contacted him
enquiring about Sgt John Howitt please get
in touch again. Ian suffered some over exuberant clearing out of a
hard drive.....
Webmaster |
Escort of Independent Merchant Vessels was a procedure during WWII, where aircraft were sometimes called upon to escort independently routed merchant vessels including "Monster Liners." This exercise continued into the Sunderland Era. It was not unknown for an exchange officer returning to the USA or similar to be "Intercepted" on his cruise home. Have you an amusing "Met" or "Not Met" Story? Click on the image below for information on the CCMAA Newsletter. |
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RMS Queen Mary
"Met" in the post war era.