Movements Related News Articles
 

4 Dec 2011

Death of Sqn Ldr Dave Allan

The Association has been informed that Sqn Ldr Dave "Chunky" Allan rtd (MAMS, JATE and Aux) died on the 4th Dec 2011. Funeral was on 22 Dec at 1230 at the St Austin, Catholic Church, Stafford.

21 Sep 2011
Death of Norman "Taff" Thomas

"I notice your member listed as Mr Norman Thomas, and feel that it must be my Father! But somehow I don't think anyone would remember him as 'Norman' - more likely Tommy or Taff Thomas, the piano man...

I regret to inform you that he passed away on Saturday 17th September, peacefully and at home, just 5 weeks short of 82 yrs. He was a great family man - and with 7 children, I guess you could say he proved that. We will all miss him dearly. I hope he may be remembered by some of his colleagues, or team over the years, and I regret that we didn't make it easier for him to go 'electronic' and keep in touch as it's a great way to share stories, and thank you for the insight. He wasn't able to get about very easily after his retirement in the 80's, and in fact ended up staying in one place for 26yrs - which must be unheard of - for a Mover!

Am not sure of his history but he joined UKMAMS @ RAF Abingdon in the early 70's, and continued to travel far; having joined the RAF in 1947, and being posted to all those far-flung places required of those ever-changing times.

Kind regards, Julie Clark (daughter)"

Taff's funeral was held on the 23 Sep in Cambridge

Messages of condolences

1 June 2011
Management Changes

1st June 2011 - Colin Allen and Ian Berry have stood down from the Chairman and Deputy Chairman positions. Colin and Ian have been involved in the running of the MAMS Association for over 23 years from the initial idea of forming the Association. Flt Lt Tony Geerah has agreed to become the new Chairman. Keith Parker has taken over as Deputy Chairman and Mick Cocker has handed over Team Brief to John Conduit. John is looking for any articles or photos for the next editions of Team Brief. If you want to contribute to Team Brief, please send your article to John.
 

Death of Bob Turner

It is with regret that I have to inform you that the Association has received a message from Chas Cormack informing us of the death of Bob Turner. Bob passed away in Swindon Hospital yesterday. Bob's funeral was held on Thurs 2nd June at 1200.

Our deepest sympathies go to Bob’s wife Claire and his family at this sad time. 

Please send any messages of condolence to me at welfare@ukmams.co.uk

Death of David "Griff" Griffen

I am very sad to bring you the news of the death of my friend David 'Griff' Griffen.  

Griff passed away in the early hours of this morning, 23rd April, after a two year battle with cancer.  Griffs Wife, Liani and his Daughter Jordan were with him at the end. 

Liani will be having a small service in Belfast, the date to confirmed after the Easter holiday. 

Griff was never a traditionalist, and as such Liani has requested no flowers.  If anyone does wish to show their respects, a donation to the USPCA would be greatly appreciated. 

Please send any messages of condolence to this email address. I will pass them on to Liani.

Best wishes 

Neil Beck

Griff's funeral was held on Thurs 28th April at the Roselawn crematorium, at 09:00.

Death of Sandy Sandiford

It is with regret that I have to inform you of the death of Sandy Sandiford, aged 80, who died in the John Radcliffe, Oxford on Weds 16th February. 

Sandy was a Cpl on Echo Team UKMAMS Abingdon between May 1966 and May 1972.

He was suffering from end stage Alzheimers for the last 5 years but during that time was lovingly cared for by his wife Terry and family. 

Sandy's funeral was on:

Monday 28 February 2011 at Oxford Creamtorium (St Johns Chapel) at 12.45pm

Bayswater Road
Headington
Oxford
Oxfordshire
OX3 9RZ 

New Year Honours - 2011

OBE

CinC's Commendation

WO MA Jones - 1 AMW
FS AP Stacey - 1 AMW

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Death of Dave Cromb

It is with great sadness that I have to inform you that yesterday I had a very hard phone call with Phyllis Cromb - Dave Cromb’s wife. 

Dave passed away on the 5^th Dec in Brisbane after a massive heart attack. Phyllis said that he had not been that well for the past couple of weeks with his foot but for the past two days he had been feeling really unwell and had had lots of chest pains. After not wanting a fuss, he eventually agreed to call an ambulance and was actually talking to them when he had a massive attack. The Paramedics worked on him for an hour but could not resuscitate him. 

If anyone has a message of condolence would you be kind enough to email me at deputychairman@ukmams.co.uk or iwberry@virginmedia.com and I will ensure that they are passed on to Dave’s family.  As I get more information and updates they will be published on this site. 

Our thoughts are with the family and friends at this difficult time.

Please pass on the sad news... 

Fondest Regards, 

Ian

Mr Ian Berry
Deputy Chairman
UKMAMS Association

Dave's funeral was at the Garden Chapel of the Albany Creek Crematorium, Albany Creek Road Bridgeman Downs, on Friday 10th December 2010, at 11:30 a.m.

No 1 Air Mobility Wing Grow ‘Mos’
1 Dec 2010

During the month of November, 1 AMW took up the challenge of growing moustaches or 'mos' for the globally sponsored charity event 'Movember'.   

Movember challenges men to change their and the face of men's health by growing a moustache to raise awareness regarding prostate cancer and to aid the funding of its research. The rules are simple, starting on the 1 November clean shaven; the men had 30 days to grow their best effort moustache.  The Movember moustache campaign has grown into a global phenomenon with the UK campaign specifically benefitting The Prostate Cancer Charity (TPCC), the country's leading prostate cancer charity. 

On the last day of the event and donning WWII style RAF uniform, the thirteen 1 AMW personnel braved the weather for 'tea and medals' and met in-front of the WWII Dakota gate guard outside 47 AD Sqn's HQ to establish whose 'mo' had won the challenge.  In judging the event, RAF Lyneham's subject matter expert, the SWO said: "Having been born with my 'tache', I can't fully appreciate how difficult a task this has been for the guys, but the effort has been tremendous all round."

With the formal parade and inspection complete, the SWO decided that the winning title should be given to Sergeant 'Muff' Mufford for his superb effort, particularly with regards to the fact that it only took thirty days to achieve!  The thirteen participants from No 1 AMW were, Squadron Leader Mark Clulo, Flight Lieutenants Ben Winters, Adam Hale, Trev Batey, Mike Trewhella, Conrad Steele-Benny and Matt Stott, Flying Officers Piers Compton and Aaron Fulton, Warrant Officer Martin Jones, Sergeants 'Eccy' Eccles and 'Muff' Mufford and Corporal Steve Lauder.

Flight Lieutenant Ben Winters, who organised the event said: "The guys from 1 AMW have done a fantastic job in raising the profile and awareness of such a worthy cause.  They have all made a great effort with the challenge and raised over £1800 for the charity." The event captured the imagination of the local and national media with footage being shown on National BBC Breakfast News and articles appearing in the Daily Star, Guardian and a series of local newspapers and web sites.

RAF News

BBC News

1 AMW Just Giving page.

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Death of Henry Downes

It is with regret that I have been informed by Paul van Aardt that fellow mover Henry Downes chocked out of life on Saturday 27 November 2010. Paul wrote:

“Hi Terry,

Sorry to have to pass this on mate but, Henry Downes died today. No idea of the cause of death. He did not show at the pub and subsequent inquiries and phone calls were unanswered. Police were called and gained entrance to find he had died. Bless him, hopefully it was peaceful.”

Kind regards
Paul van Aardt”

If anyone has any more details or has a message of condolence could you be kind enough to email me at welfare@ukmams.co.uk. 

Our thoughts are with the family and friends at this difficult time.

Best regards

Terry

Mr Terry Roberts
Welfare Secretary
UKMAMS Association

Henry's funeral was on 20th Dec at 13:30 at the Efford Cemetery and Crematorium, Efford Road, Plymouth, PL3 6NG and after at Henry's local, the The Severn Stars Inn, Severn Stars Lane, Tamerton Foliot, Plymouth PL5 4NN (map).

Please send any condolence cards to
Will Downes
C/O Trevor Dyche,
22 Borrowdale drive
Tamerton Foliot
Plymouth PL6 5BN

Family flowers only please and any donations in lieu to the Royal British Legion.

Eulogy - Henry Downes by his brother

Thank you all for coming here to see Henry off on his final journey,

I say that because I once had a conversation with Henry and asked how many countries he had been to, he told me that there were very few parts of the world he had not been to. He said this not in a boastful way but in a straight matter of fact way. That was part of the character of my brother; he said it as he saw it.

I shall now start by giving a brief history of Henry’s life. By the time I have finished I hope I can fill in a few holes in his past that you may not have known about him. This will perhaps help you understand the Henry that we all knew in our different ways.

Henry was born in Cuxhaven, Germany on the 28 September 1941, not long after his first father who had been wounded on the Russian front died in a hospital in Norway.

After the war ended my father met Henry’s mother, they fell in love and got married. My father then adopted Henry and his older sister Giselle. Henry’s early years he went to Prince Rupert Boarding School, there he learnt English and all the other usual subjects. He struggled with written English so my mother used to help him by buying him copies of The Beano and Dandy to help him. He told me it worked.

Eventually the family moved from Germany to England. It must have been hard for him in those days so soon after the war. He did adjust well to life in England. He told me it wasn’t hard and said he was surprised how well people treated him. After that he fell in love with England and being English. The kindness shown to him had a great impression on him at an early age.

Now we move onto his teen years. He tried to work in civilian life, getting a job in a furniture factory in Maidstone. To be honest, he hated it.

Soon after this traumatic experience he decided to join one of the forces. My father thought the obvious choice was the Royal Engineers. But Henry being Henry decided on the RAF. One of the best choices of his life. He remained in the RAF for 36 years.

During that time, he met his wife, Pat, whom he loved more than anything else in his life. Between them they had a child, James. Unfortunately, James had a long history of illness in his short life. HE died at the age of 6. After this tragic time, Henry and Pat although heartbroken got on with their lives and seemed to even get closer than ever.

Near the end of his RAF career they both decided to find somewhere to put down permanent roots. As a family, we hoped it would be in Kent, but Henry and Pat decided on Plymouth. As it turned out, probably a good decision.

Unfortunately, not long after moving to Devon, Pat developed cancer and after 30 years of a great marriage, Pat died. After this we all thought Henry might come back to Kent but he decided this was the place he and Pat wanted to live so he would stay.

It was a good decision. He made a new life, he made a great circle of friends and got on well with his neighbours especially Vic. He often told me how much he enjoyed life down here. I should like, on behalf of the family, to thank all his friends and neighbours for keeping an eye out for Henry and for making his life so much fun.

Coming to the end of this life history, we all know Henry went too early especially having seemingly beaten cancer and we all thought we going to have the pleasure of his company for many years to come. But that is not how it is.

In trying to sum up Henry, I was a little lost, until my sister in law, Lynda gave me a list of e-mails from people who knew Henry in the RAF or just knew him. IN it there is a common thread that comes out. They all seem to say of Henry:

He was a big man physically
He had a big heart
He had a big personality
He had all of that

To me and my other brothers he as a great brother. He was a very much loved uncle and a very good friend.

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12 June 2010 - Queens Birthday Honours

Chief of Air Staff's Commendation

FS SJ Constantine

C in C's Commendation

Team Commendation - 1 AMW SF Movements Flight

AOC's Commendation

Cpl PJL Swallow

Sgt SM Wooles

Team Commendation - Civilian Airhead Detached Flight

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Death of Bob Stevenson

It is with great regret and sadness that I have to announce the passing of Ex FS Mover Mr Robin (Bob)  Stevenson who sadly passed away last week. Robin served at many RAF Stations, and at the RAFMS as an Instructor, before leaving the RAF to join the Police force where he served for 15 years behind the scenes. There will be a service on Thursday 10th June 2010 at Headington Crematorium Oxford at 12.45pm and then on to the Chequers Pub Brize Norton Village. Any friends and former colleges are welcome to attend.

The Family do not wish for flowers, but a collection will be taken for The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

It would be nice to see Ex colleagues from the Forces, Police, and Lions Club attend this Service.

Those members still serving May wear uniform if they wish.

Details from RAFMovs

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UKMAMS Association Donation to RAF Benevolent Fund

UK Mobile Air Movements Squadron (UKMAMS) Association presented Nicola James with a cheque for £1,000. The Chairman Colin Allen MBE, welcomed Nicola to the RAFA club in Swindon on 9th Dec to meet members of UKMAMS. Another guest at the club was Wing Commander Andy Killey OC No 1 Air Mobility Wing (1 AMW) based at Lyneham . In a previous life 1 AMW operated in the guise of UKMAMS so it was great to meet Andy and talk about how times have changed.

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Death of Terry Titterington

From John Conduit

"It is with deep sadness that I have to inform you of the death of Terry Titterington who passed away at 01.30am on Friday 5^th March 2010 after a long illness. 

Funeral arrangements have yet to be finalised.

Jean has asked that if you would like further information to please contact me – John Conduit - in the first instance email contact: johncon AT gmx.com."

Regards

John"

I spoke to Terry some months ago when we first heard that he had cancer, at that time Terry had expressed his desire that he did not want any information about his illness to be published. A decision that we respected.

Our thoughts are with Jean and the family. 

Terry Roberts

Read the Condolences received

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Death of Mick Acaster

The Association has just been informed of the following sad news by Keith Parker:

Mick Acaster ex UKMAMS 70's/80's passed away the last week of January. Mick was a Prison Officer in Leyland Lancashire and died on his way home from work of a suspected heart attack.

Mick was one of the first retired movers to join the UKMAMS Association on its formation and had continued to be stalwart member. 

Dave Bell attended the funeral and conveyed condolences from all friends and former colleagues; thank you Dave. 

I'm afraid this all the details we have at present. Any updates or any other information that we receive will be published on the Association website: http://www.ukmams.co.uk/ 

At this time, our thoughts and sympathy are with Mick’s family as they try to come to terms with their loss. 

Regards 

Terry Roberts
UKMAMS Association Welfare Secretary

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Death of Cpl Ady (Adj) Agutter

One of the stalwarts of JHSU (G) 90-93, Cpl Ady (Adj) Agutter, passed away on New Years Eve. he was a great friend of mine. His funeral is at St Columba's Church, RAF Kinloss on Tues 12 Jan 10 at 1330. If anyone remembers him from their tour at Gutersloh they will be most welcome at the funeral. Floral tributes or donations in his name to Help For Heroes may be sent to Watson Funeral Directors, 17 Blackfriars Road, Elgin, IV30 1TY.

Ady had a massive heart attack clearing snow around his garage - he never could sit still and take it easy - always doing something. We will all miss him and his wicked sense of humour

If you wish to turn up at the funeral send me an email at thomasdochertyATtiscali.co.uk. Wear your best uniform if you want to. I will pass on any responses to his wife Dee.

Although not a Mover, Ady was Army - Royal Signals then RCT then RLC., he served on JHSU

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Death of David Austin

It is sadness that we learn today that David Austin passed away suddenly on 15 August 2009. After a sudden heart attack our condolences are with the family. David was a stalwart support and member of the UKMAMS Association over the past years.

Geoff Austin (David’s son) has passed on this information and has given us some Photographs to remind us of David.

RIP “David you work here is done”

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New Year Honours - 2010

OBE

Wg Cdr M L Symonds RAuxAF (former OC 4624 RAuxAF)

AOC's Commendation

Flt Lt K J Felton

WO S L Gelder Airport Unit Hannover
FS D J Barnes AMW - B Shift Co-Ord
SAC M A Puxley ESS 1 AMW

Cpl A G Batten No 501 Sqn RAuxAF

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Death of Dave Wright

It is with sadness that we have had news that Dave Wright has lost his fight with cancer

Dave passed away at Westvale House Care Home in Warrington on Sunday 20th December.

The funeral service was on Wednesday 30th December at:

Walton Lea Crematorium
Chester Road, Higher Walton
Warrington,
Cheshire WA4 6TB

Tel: 01925 267 731

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Reunion for airmen after 50 years

AIRMEN have been reunited after 50 years apart.

Jim Ryan, John Forbes, John Baskerville, John Carey and Hugh Curran all enlisted for a career in the Royal Air Force in the 1950s and were trained at RAF Hereford.

They met for the first time since they passed out of training at RAF Lyneham last Friday.

Mr Forbes said: “It was great the way they made us feel so welcome and were actually just as interested in how we ‘old boys’ did the job all those years ago as we were interested in how it is done today.”

The men joined up for 18 months trade training as boy entrants, some as young as 15 years of age.

They were five of 70 entrants joining up at that time for the supply trade.

After passing out on March 24 1961, they were all posted to various operational units around the UK and lost contact.

During the visit the men got to see various departments in action.

All of the group, with the exception of John Forbes, served at RAF Lyneham during their careers.

Although some of the men left the RAF after 12 years service while some stayed in service until the age of 55, all agreed it was a time they would never forget.

They also said it was sad that in a couple of years the home of the Hercules is set to close and move to RAF Brize Norton.

Mr Ryan added: “I am pleased that John Carey has come from Lincolnshire and John Baskerville from Ireland.

“Sadly many were unable to attend this reunion and some are still yet to be found.

“It is hoped that by launching our own web site for the 38th entrants many more can be found for the 50th anniversary of the passing out day.”

Source - This is Wiltshire

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Top award comes out of the blue for Lyneham Corporal
 

RAF Lyneham corporal Matt Fish was delighted to be the first serviceman other than an engineer to be presented with a top flight safety award last week.

Cpl Fish, 27, was commended with the Adrian Ray Memorial Award, which is given to the officer or airman who has made an original, outstanding and practical contribution to flight safety in memory of Flight Lieutenant Adrian John Ray who lost his life while serving with the RAF.

Cpl Fish was chosen for the award after he spotted a mistake in a manual that could have led to the loss of the aircraft his team was flying.

The corporal, who has been stationed at Lyneham since 2007, was mysteriously called home a week early from his latest detachment to Afghanistan and asked to attend a formal regimental dinner meal in Shrivenham with a senior officer.

He said: “It was not until we had finished the meal that things started to become clear as Air Vice Marshall Kurth announced it was time to present the Adrian Ray Memorial award.

“When my name was read out, there was a big cheer from the room and it was then that I was informed this was the first time a member of the logistics branch had ever been nominated, let alone been presented with the award.

“When made our way to the bar, so many people were shaking my hand and congratulating me. All of the logistics officers were offering to buy me a drink to thank me for finally taking the award from the engineers.

“Unfortunately, I could not accept as I had to drive myself back to Lyneham.”

Source - This is Wiltshire

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