Update 6th June 2008 - 0630 GMT (Service Pensions)

Hi Dave. Just a note. I don't know if any of the lads who didn't do the full twenty two know but there is a movement afoot to attempt to get a prorata pension based on service time, applicants must have served at least three years and less than the 22 normally needed for a pension dated between joined after 1949 and left service before 1975. the site is http://www.afpg.info I am letting you know because you have access to more of the lads than I do. tks

Jim Edge (966)

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Group Captain Arthur William CASWELL OBE CBE FIBE

Dave Stinson found this in the Hereford Times Archive Site: Wednesday 6th December 2000

Ironic he died in December (the month of our Pass Out,which he attended in 1961)

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The Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Defence (Mr Derek Twigg): The Defence Training Review (DTR) Programme aims to improve, modernise and rationalise the delivery of Phase 2 and Phase 3 specialist training. A PPP solution is being considered to deliver training on a Defence rather than single Service basis, and seeks to bring about the necessary modernisation and flexibility required to accommodate the Department’s changing training requirements. The programme also aims to rationalise the existing training estate and provide investment in key sites to create centre of training excellence.

Bidders’ proposals were received for Package 1 on 17 Oct 05, and Package 2 on 14 Nov 05, and a period of robust evaluation has concluded, with recommendations now being considered. Ministers have not yet made a decision. This is an extremely complex Programme and we are committed to obtaining the best outcome for Defence. However, I can confirm that an announcement of Preferred Bidders will now be delayed to the New Year, although the precise timing of the announcement cannot be given at this stage. 14 Dec 06

Phase 2 training - Basic tech training
Phase 3 training - Pre Employment training
PPP - Private Public Partnership
One Package wishes to retain Cosford, whilst the other to re-locate to St Athan.
All the big money going on the St Athan bid!
The St Athan bid envisages training commencing 2012
If this happens it is thought Cosford would be retained as a military site, although not RAF.

>>>>>> Click HERE for follow-up

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ADDRESS - 16,Denbigh Road,Tipton.DY4 7QF

TELEPHONE - 0121 5573606
EMAIL - ccmjbrowning@talktalk.net

REQUIREMENT - I commenced my national service in april 1956 to the intake unit at cardington beds.iwas then transferred to bridgnorth,i then went to walton mte and on completion i was posted to raf luqa in malta.i reached the rank of sac.In 1958 I returned. to England for demob from innsworth. would be pleased to hear from any person serving in station sick quarters - Many Thanks - Cyril Browning

40th Entry Names in by Squadrons from the Cosford Magazine postings list.
(Select your colour for listing - Links are displayed as Word Document files)
Please be patient it takes a couple of minutes to download files -
Note: use the < back > button to RETURN to web pages

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Arabian Service Medal

1839 - 1967

Get Order Form

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Wherever you walk, you will hear people talk,
of the men who go up in the air,
of the daredevil way, they go into the fray;
Facing death without turning a hair.

They'll raise a big cheer and buy lots of beer,
for the pilot who's come home on leave,
but they don't give a jigger, for a flight mech or rigger,
with nothing but "props" on his sleeve.

They just say "Nice day" - and then turn away,
with never a mention of praise,
for the poor bloody erk, who does all the work,
and just orders his own beer - and pays !

They've never been told, of the hours in the cold,
that he spends sealing Germany's fate,
how he works on a kite, till all hours of the night,
and then turns up next morning at eight.

He gets no rake-off, for working 'til take-off,
or helping the aircrew prepare,
but whenever there's trouble - it's "Quick at the double",
the man on the ground must be there.

Each flying crew, could confirm it as true,
that they know what this man's really worth,
they know that he's part of the RAF's heart,
even though he stays close to the earth.

He doesn't want glory, but please tell his story,
spread a little of his fame around,
He's just one of a few - so give him his due,
and "Three Cheers for the man on the ground

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Good idea, I don't know about the venue though.

If it's a goer lena and I will do our best to get there, wherever it is lets hope there is enough interest to make it viable.

There is, of course, a Cosford do on the 25th of June that one or two of us might go to as well as the air show on the 11th of june and the large model aircraft show on the 15/16th of June. these will go ahead even if the M.O.D. decides to shut the place down. If that day dawns perhaps we should organise a Wake, if things go the other way and Cosford gets the contract a celebration may be in order.

I still go over on Thursdays to do my bit for the Museum but the cold war hanger will never be ready in time and a lot of us in the museum club have doubts as to how they are going to put so many aircraft in the space.

For anyone that's interested we now have the Valiant on site. The R.A.F crash and smash team have just about got it back together. The Vulcan still needs a bit of work as does the Victor.
The F1-11, a present from the yank's, has been re painted and awaits it's wings. The Hunter and the Canberra are being readied for the paint shop.

A very strange looking cargo arrived under wraps last week which,in view of it's shape we decided would never fly, when the wraps came off it turned out to be a chunk of Berlin Wall complete with graffiti, on the western side of it anyway. no doubt this will go in the new hanger as it is.

British Airways, who have a collection of passenger aircaft on site as well as a small display in hanger 2 have pulled the plug as far as sponsership goes, but the word on the grapevine is that we have bought the aircraft at £1 each.

Another interesting rumour is that Shawbury may re locate to Tern Hill, choppers don't need a 9000ft runway anyway. perhaps they will turn Shawbury into Telford Airport, you never know.

Kind regards to all Mike

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27th June 2005

RAF Innsworth to Close

28th June 2004

MIKE SIXSMITH

Just received this from Dusty Millar - Steve

Hi Steve,
Have just finished speaking to Mike on the 'phone. He is still paralysed down the complete left hand side of his body, confined to a wheel chair and totally reliant on his wife Aileen. His brain and speech are working ok, but he spends 18-20 hours each day sleeping. The Docs tell him that he should make a 'reasonable' recovery in about 12 months.
Considering what he has been through, he seems surprisingly optimistic and cheerful. I have passed on the best wishes of all concerned, and he tells me when he feels up to it he will revisit the 40th site and to see what has been happening. He hopes (present progress continuing) to eventually get back in touch.
Mike has agreed to allow this information to be put on the 40th site.
Speak soon
Dusty

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STOP PRESS - 3rd April 2004

GOODBYE RAF COSFORD!

MORE PHOTO'S

Yes, it's true, RAF Cosford no long registers on the righter scale. It now has the oh-be-joyful name of DCAE Cosford (Defence College of Aeronautical Engineering). The new signs went up a few days ago.

Since I've been there, a few years, I've never seen the Parade Ground clear of cars. Even during the Hols, there's always been a few (wrecks?) cluttering up the area. But during several days of mad-panic (everybody: Duck!), the parade ground was cleared and swept (by contractors, not students). Practice went on for a longish while in good weather (cool but bright). Rumour had it that we were to get a fly-past and be joined on the parade ground by three helicopters (Lynx, Chinook & Merlin). The fun had by all on the day must have had someone tearing out what little hair remained. It positively heaved it down (Il Pleut ne plus ultra) early on. And it was dark, dank, misty and quite like some familiar times we all spent. The airfield was quite etherial as the Chinook landed.

The Merlin didn't make it. It seems that one crashed (the 3 in the back walked away, but the pilots were injured), so the whole fleet was grounded. The fly-past, by three Harriers, was bang-on time as the Band struck up. Then the sun came out and we all sighed with relief and they got on with parading as specified in Orders.

So there's a mob of sailors (in full rig with white gaiters), a rook of Army (details unspecified), and a couple of flights of our lot marching up and down in the usual and familiar manner. It was fun to see the usual errors being made. There were even two RAF Warrant Officers!

The Band (RAF Central, as far as I could see), were at the back near the Chinook. Rifles for all, Swords for Officers on parade and a good time was had by nearly all. The whole thing was observed by the gathering of Guests on the chairs provided and a lot of the staff standing round in obscure places. There were several photographers and a film crew in attendance, with cables snaking everwhere.

I have more photos if anyone wants to see the Parade Ground (scene of many a BE debacle) and I'll send them on a CD. 73 - Dave Coomber 40th AWM.

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STOP PRESS - 1st April 2004

GOODBYE RAF COSFORD!

01 April 2004 RAF Cosford becomes the Defence College of Aeronauticial Engineering (DCAE) so doing away with the RAF Cosford Station title which has been there since 1939.

All signs on the main gate and elsewhere will be changed to reflect this new title. This is all part of the Defence Training Review which has now put several of these Defence Colleges in place. The objective is to harmonise the 3 services training and where possible provide joint training.

The Defence College for Telecommunications and IT is located at what was Army Blandford.

To us Ex-Boys, RAF Cosford remains the place name whatever they decide to call it!

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STOP PRESS - 6th February 2004

The "Ones that got away"

With information obtained, by Dave Cutbush, from records at RAF Innsworth Dusty Milllar has compiled a list of all the ex-40th that we have not yet found. If you have any information on anyone on the list please contact any of us.

Steve Lister - Dave Cutbush - Dusty Millar - Pete Stenning - Brian Peacock

41st Entry Find 4 Squadron D.I. Cpl Frank Kelly

(e-mail from John Ward 41st Webmaster)

Any of you remember him - let's have the story...............
Regards
John
John Ward - 41st Telegraphist
Member of the RAF Boy Entrants Association
Association site: http://www.rafbea.cjb.net
41st Entry site: http://www.41st-entry.org.uk

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Memorabilia pages - If you have any odds & sods of a similar nature, that will scan,
I would be grateful for them to add to the page. Steve

40th Entry (where are you?)
Listed below are members of the 40th Entry lets get more contacted so we can make the next
reunion happen.

PHOTO'S - If any ex 40th Boy Entrants have any photos & would like to share them with others to revive a few old memories they would be greatly appreciated. Particvularly of Summer Camp at Collaton Cross & the 1961 Italy trip. Contact either of us on the e-mail contacts below.

Contacts: Dave Pottage & Steve Lister

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