Since the expansion of the editorial team great progress has been made in producing the new RAF Fire Service book. Our team of four Dave Kirk, Bob Feather, Dave Stevenson and myself have been busy typing up articles submitted by ex and current RAF Fire Fighters. The book promises to be an excellent read. We are however still looking for more interesting articles. In particular we are looking for information regarding acts of bravery or Commendations for inclusion in a chapter dedicated to Awards and Commendations. With that in mind does anyone out there have any information regarding Jock McAllister who was awarded the MBE for bravery while serving at RAF Gutersloh in the 1960’s also details of the BEM awarded to Tom Dolman and the BEM awarded to Jack King. The whereabouts of any of the above named would be very useful and I will then try and contact them. Don’t forget though the book is not just about awards and honours so keep those amusing and interesting articles coming.

Best wishes

Looking for a good read? ..... then  why not purchase Association member Dave ( Stevie) Stevenson’s excellent autobiography; A Journey Through My Life . I purchased a copy from Dave at our last reunion and I have to say I found the book very interesting and entertaining. The chapters on Dave’s RAF career brought back many fond memories of my own time in the RAF and he so aptly captured life at RAF  Swinderby and Catterick that I felt I was back in training again. His recollections of his time at Scampton Akrotiri St Mawgan and Laarbruch also reminded me of the many characters and situations that one experiences during RAF service. His honest assessment of some of the individuals he worked with will appeal to all ex or current RAF fire-fighters or DFS members. What followed after Dave’s RAF career was a truly remarkable and compelling account of a civilian career that spanned the world and his employment experiences in places as diverse as Libya Sumatra Jeddah Nigeria Songkhla Rayong Al Khoba Malacca Al Jubail Thessalonica and Singapore must rank as one of the most diverse careers of all time. It is a great credit to Dave that he has recorded for posterity his two wonderful careers and although his second career was probably more financially rewarding than his RAF career he never losses sight of the fact it was his RAF training that so well prepared him for his illustrious second career.

I would highly recommend Dave’s book and as he states in his introduction; “whatever your age and life experiences write your life down. It may seem routine to you but think of the changes that happen to you personally and around you that affect your daily life, what today is present will soon be history”.

George Edwards

Signed copies of the book are available from Dave’s home address which is;

 Dawn Winds 8 Gordon Place Union Hill St Columb Major North Cornwall TR9 6 BG

Price of the book is 10.99 plus £2.50 post and packing

£1 from the sale of each book is donated to the Association

The photograph below was taken at the repatriation of British troops passing through Wootton Basset on the 10 November 2009.. Association members are probably not aware that some of our members who live in the Wootton Basset area and some who have travelled from further a field line the route of the funeral corteges and pay their respects to the returning heroes. Members do this of their own volition and I know they would not seek any publicity or accolades but I think it important that we acknowledge the work undertaken by our colleagues. The photograph clearly shows all present a credit to the Association and I am sure their presence will serve to remind the troop’s families that the nation does care and it is right that we should honour the returning heroes.

Included in the photo left to right Ray Preston Alan Gilchrist Dave Kenyon Brian Ford Terry Matson Mike Clapton Dan Guerney & Ron Brown   

Dennis  McCann