98th Entry Halton Apprentices

Just to show we appreciate both our readers and contributors:
Click here to view: http://98thentry.com/98th2009.mov

Father Christmas visited me early this year when I received a call from Mick Ingham on 21st December 2008 and he told me he was now able to attend the Entry Reunion in April. Mick, known as ‘Boots’ in our Halton days because of his size 13 feet was one of my best pals at Halton. We [...]

Dear Santa
If you leave a new bike under the tree, I will give you the antidote to the poison I put in the milk.
Johnny
 

As Christmas approaches and the new year beckons it is perhaps a good time to reflect on the events of the past year. From a 98th Entry perspective, I think you would all agree we have had a very successful 2008 and next year we have the reunion to look forward to in April. I am still pinching [...]

Since my involvement with the Entry website I have wondered who came up with the original idea of Entry stained glass panels in St. George’s Church  and when the project started. I have now discovered the background to the project.
The replacement of the original plain glass windows was initiated by a former Padre of St. George’s Church, the Rev [...]

On our behalf Bill Bailey has been busy arranging accommodation for the reunion weekend 18/19 Apr 09. He has decided upon the Holiday Inn, Aston Clinton, as our venue. The hotel is situated on the outskirts of Aylesbury conveniently located on the A41, yet within easy reach of the M25, M40 and M1 motorways. Only 32 miles from [...]

I am taking a significant risk publishing the photo above and I am sure I will get some flack! It was taken Christmas 1995 at the Flamingo Theatre Club, Akrotiri during my last performance as the Pantomime Dame. I was the ‘Queen of Hearts’! My acting days are now over. Oh! yes they are!  The RAF theatre [...]

 
More problems were to be found on the Puma and a Royal Flight task added to the mounting workload prior to ‘D’ day. Part 3 of the Operation Granby story describes the final challenges and the eventual outcome of my visit to Saudi. On my return to ‘Strike’ there were more surprises in store for me. To [...]

Having got the choppers to the theatre of operations safe and sound the next priority was to get the crews familiar with the new equipment and also undertake vital tasking before ‘D’ day.  However, the Puma developed serious problems which threatened our ability to remain operational.  Part 2 of the story outlines the steps that were taken [...]