The information technology age is a wonderful thing for those that can use it. If it wasn’t for IT, it is doubtful if the events of Saturday April 6^th 2002would have taken place. But first we need to go back just 31 years to 1971. That summer RAF Halton gave birth to 223 entry, mere sprogs to most that went before us. 

223 entry was relatively small compared with the senior entries present at that time. The memory fades with time, but I have it on good authority that 96 young men descended onto No 3 Wing Parade Square all drawn by an invisible force and a common goal. Some lasted longer than others, some of the others didn’t stay at all and returned on the same MT that had brought them from Wendover Station. 

Over the course of the following two years 223 became the itinerants of the apprentice entries, with homes on all three Wings in York Flight, Comet Flight and finally Jaguar Flight. This showed the diminishing recruitment and the diversity in training with our dorms on 3 Wing being turned in to single rooms. Later to be inhabited by students from ******************Air Forces 

On 21^st June 1973 we had our pass out parade, it was a small affair with 46 apprentices (airframe propulsion and ground electrics) eventually surviving. Hence our entry crest of a black scorpion and the motto ‘small but deadly’. Decisions made on postings at that time molded the careers of everyone but not necessarily for the better. We packed our bags and said our goodbyes. 

There was of course the occasional chance meeting across the hanger floor or in the mess. As time passed these meetings became less frequent and I left the for civvy street and had no further contact with 223. 

That was until late 2001 when quite unexpectedly a hand written letter arrived at my current home address, with a RAF Innsworth postmark. It was from Bob Rodham ex 223 who got off his big fat **** and was making an attempt to re unite 223. His efforts included a web site dedicated to 223 and included contact e-mail addresses for those that had been traced already. The saying ‘From little acorns’, is not far wrong over the following few weeks and months another name was added then another and another. Each addition remembered another staff name or a nickname a photo was supplied here and there. Bob continued to bombard us e-mails keeping us informed of new additions pages and badgering us for mug shots of what we look like now. 

These efforts traced 42 out of the 46 that left 29 years some are still serving! Sadly it was also discovered that 2 of our members had passed away. There came a point that there had to be a reunion, Bob arranged that as well with the date Saturday 6^th April 2002, venue The Hanover Hotel near Hinckley, the food, the entertainment, and a discount on the rooms as well. 

As the date approached I began to feel some trepidation, would I recognize persons I hadn’t seen for all those years? Would they recognize me? What would we talk about? Who was going to be there? I needn’t have worried.

The ice was broken before I got to the hotel with a game of golf with Phil Francis who drove down from Dundee to London (the better half not wishing to listen to old men reminiscing preferring the in laws) and then to Birmingham, now that’s dedication. We spent most of the day just talking about the past and the present oh and some golf on a sunny but very windy day. 

At the hotel I bumped in to two old friends walking to the room. I walked into the hotel bar to be confronted by another group who I all recognized, and them me to. It wasn’t long before the evening began in a small suite overlooking a wonderful lake. Drinks were taken as persons gathered and collected their name badges. Some attended with there partners others had discarded their shackles. “There’s so an so” rang out and whispers of “who’s that” “I would never have recognized him” and so the evening progressed. It started of with a photo call with all the wives and girlfriends snapping away the sight of the camera flashes made me feel like a celebrity. Although staff were waiting to serve the finger buffet, no one made any effort to be first in the queue preferring to meet and greet. Perhaps it was because we had forgotten our plastic beakers. 

It was nice to see 29 of the guys along with 24 partners turning up which made it a good Turn out for us. 

Opposite the buffet table were a number of photographs on a board taken during those Halton days, which for some reason caused much merriment with the ladies and the boys. We chatted and mingled one remark triggered someone else’s memory and so it went on. Now 223 although a small are not stingy and when I suggested through e mails and telephone calls in the weeks preceding a collection for Bobs’ efforts, its that IT again! every one gave without hesitation, and so it was that after the meal, and having toasted absent friends, followed a small presentation. On behalf of 223 I presented Bob with a framed picture of a York in flight (our spiritual home) and a substantial wad of cash, none of which was forthcoming at the bar, while the “other half” Yvonne had the customary bouquet of flowers. Bob also had the obligatory engraved tankard. 

While most continued to talk others played roulette and black jack at the mini casino that was in the suite solely for our use. Later while others drifted off either having to drive home or sink in their, pit the more hardy of us drifted into to bar until the early hours where Ian ‘Pompey’ Hovey produced a guitar and a singsong followed. What happened to those hotel bars that stayed open until the last resident went to bed? At two o clock down came the shutters but thanks to a friendly night porter we were well looked after. 

It seemed like as soon as my head hit the pillow it was time for breakfast. The hotel was busy and 223 were spread far and wide any chance to have further conversations were concentrated over the servery and the fried eggs. Then all to quickly we had to book out of the rooms and load the car. However people congregated around the foyer saying their goodbyes while others required coffee finally departing a lunch.

It was a night I will remember with great fondness for the rest of my life, seeing old friends, talking about persons and incidents at Halton that changed our lives forever. Discovering how our career paths had mapped out where people had settled. Although the years had aged us most were instantly recognizable. It seemed like a summer four-week break had passed rather than 29yrs. 

One question that nobody could answer was how did Don Tanner, the jankers king make Wing Commander? He’s still serving so he could go higher.