98th Entry Halton Apprentices

Geoff Yalland (left) with Pete Rogers at the reunion
It is with the deepest regret that I write today to inform you about the death of our old pal Pete Rogers. Peter passed away on Wednesday 5th May 2010 after a long battle with prostrate cancer.
Many of you will know Pete and his wife Kirsty attended [...]

It is with much regret that I have to inform you of the death of fellow apprentice Colin Salisbury. Our researchers have been through much the same process as that undertaken with Gerry Dooley but, unfortunately, in this particular case we have not been able to contact any of Colin’s relatives. I am therefore unable to pass on any further [...]

 
You may be aware that we have been trying for some time to trace Gerry Dooley. Letters and phone calls to various addresses have been made with no response ever coming back. Jackie Munro recently resorted to checking the register of deaths to see if anything appertaining to Gerry could be found there and she discovered [...]

At the start of the New Year our investigators Jackie and Vic Munro have once again started to track down 98er’s. As the numbers needing to be traced steadily reduces the task obviously becomes more difficult. With the recent help of the RAF Halton Apprentice Association volunteers we have acquired the Christian names of some Entry members to help in our search.
The names we [...]

 
Keith Slater has managed to trace the widow of Cyril Woolford, Maggie, and they have exchanged messages. Maggie has sent the following:
Hi Keith,
Yes you have found Cyril Woolford. I did go to the 98th entry RAF website and saw a picture of a very young Cyril. He talked about those days with such a smile on [...]

I am extremely grateful to Keith Slater for his attempts to trace 98er’s. Unfortunately, the news we sometimes receive is very sad and this has been the case with Cyril Woolford. I reproduce what Keith has written so that it can be retained in the Entry website Obituary category.
‘I believe I have traced Cyril Woolford but not with the [...]

‘I was filled with sadness when I read that  John Pengelly had passed away after suffering from cancer. John and I were good mates at Halton and for our first year we ‘pitted’ opposite each other. In those early days our characters weren’t too far apart, John being a down-to-earth Cornish lad and inveterate Plymouth [...]

 
I am saddened to have to write today about the death of our friend John Pengelly. John’s widow, Jean, was contacted yesterday as part of our ongoing quest to find 98er’s and she told us about the very tragic news. John had suffered a short illness and died of cancer 3 years ago. John was living in Taverham, Norwich. I [...]

Mike England believes, although he is unable to confirm, that Pete Wahltuch was killed when his Landrover overturned on the bombing range at Donna Nook. If anyone can confirm this sad news or provide further information I would be most grateful. Ed.
We have now heard from Peter’s son, Ian, who has updated us on the sad news of [...]

Ray Rigby

Ray Rigby was born in St Helens, Lancashire and joined the Royal Air Force in April 1961 as an Aircraft Apprentice. He started his basic training to become an Electrical Fitter (Air) with other members of the 98th Entry at No 1 School of Technical Training at RAF Halton in Buckinghamshire.
Ray was bright, cheerful [...]