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I understand that the late Flt Sgt Charley
Collyer had a relative who was awarded the V.C. It could be
Flg. Off. C Barton who was featured in a Newsletter published
by the Allied Air Forces Memorial and Air Museum, York.
Cyril Barton was a 22
year pilot who gallantly carried out his mission to bomb Nuremberg
on 30 March 1944 despite losing 3 of his crew who had to bail
out as the result of severe damage to the aircraft from enemy
fighters. He limped back to the UK only to receive “friendly
fire” which robbed him of all engine power. Crossing the coast
near Sunderland he avoided a densely populated area before crash-landing
at Ryhope Colliery. Although the 3 remaining crew members survived
the young pilot died. His bravery was recognised by the posthumous
award of the Victoria Cross.
Dave Bennett (Portishead)
After visiting Niagara Falls
we returned to Toronto and then north to visit friends on Lake
Huron where we hired a car for three weeks to enjoy the sights.
After returning to Toronto we flew to Vancouver and took a train
through the Rocky Mountains to Jasper and then drove to Calgary
before flying down to New York. Then it was Washington DC where
Peter enjoyed visiting his old haunts. We then took a train
to Richmond ~ very cheap and on time ~ not like BR. Next stop
was Memphis. We are now in New Orleans which is very different.
Next stop is Florida where our son David will join us for Christmas.
Peter and Ruth Fryer (On tour)
Since the publication of “An
Erk’s-Eye View”, I have received numerous phone calls, letters
and e-mails from people who have read the book. Some of these
have contained anecdotes which might amuse, or be of interest
to, members of the Association. A selection will be submitted
to appear in the Newsletter from time to time and the first
follows. Where considered appropriate, names and places will
be omitted in order to protect the innocent. The following is
from J of Norwich
Ted Caton (Chelmsford)
“The Camp Bike” (No, it’s not what you
might be thinking!)
Four weeks after my arrival at Wildenrath, I arranged with the
Equipment Section to have my Raleigh Lenton bicycle shipped
out to Germany. This enabled me to visit the local villages
and the surrounding countryside.
However due to the huge size
of the camp, which was set in a heavily wooded area, and the
distance from the billets to the guardroom/gate, seven days
punishment with four trips each day reporting to the guardroom
clocked up to be approaching 80 miles marching. Hmmmmm!
You may not be surprised to
learn that my Raleigh cycle, secreted at an appropriately central
point was used by all ‘n sundry to cycle to a point near the
guardroom whereupon the bike would be hidden in the woods. The
offender would then march smartly up to the guardroom and report
for inspection.
This practice was followed for
many months, even after I returned to this country for demobilisation.
(By this time, due to its huge mileage the bike was not worth
bringing back to the UK!) It was some time after I returned
to civvy street that I received a letter from one of my ex colleagues
at Wildenrath explaining that some offender had “blown the gaff”
by marching up to the guardroom for inspection complete with
cycle clips.
Oh dear!!!!!”
Bob also played football for the MT Section,
but mainly for Veneux les Sablons. Bob and Mac played in an
epic match in Paris in 1963, the team had not lost a match in
the whole season, and the match was for the Paris Cup. Unfortunately
the captain was sent off early in the match and the team played
with only 10 men (they won) a newspaper report said later that
the 10 men had torn their hearts out. Winning this match resulted
in a medal and two celebratory parties (typically French). The
first was the Mayor of the town presenting the cup, then the
Minister for Sport coming to Veneux les Sablons to present the
cup again. (Great Days).
Jean Allen
Just a short note to let you
know that Nan and I thoroughly enjoyed our first Reunion of
the Fontainebleau Vets Association. We were a bit apprehensive
not knowing quite what to expect, but as the weekend progressed
we were soon drawn into the atmosphere. The hotel was good,
the staff extremely pleasant and helpful, the price was acceptable
and all in all a most enjoyable weekend.
It was good finally meeting
up with you and Brian Gibbons and everyone we met made us most
welcome, and also making a number of new acquaintances over
the course of the weekend. You must be pleased with the way
things went and can chalk up another successful Reunion.
All the people on Table No.
9 were all first time attendees at the Fontainebleau Reunion
and we got on extremely well together, so much so, that all
agreed to meet up again next year, and would not be disappointed
if you kept the same seating arrangement, at least as far as
we were concerned, for 2005. Once again, many thanks and congratulations
on a successful Reunion.
Chas Hardie ( Galashiels,
Selkirkshire)
Just a brief note to inform
you that Joe Healey, an ex-AAFCE colleague passed away in June
~ I am sorry it has taken so long to inform you. Although Joe
was not a member of the Association I believe lots of members
would be interested. He was a member of the RAF Police in Fontainebleau
between 1960 and 1962 and is survived by his widow Irene and
son Mark.
John Hanlon and I represented The AAFCE Vets at his funeral
at St. Margaret’s RC Church in Dunfermline, Fife. The large
church was filled to capacity which shows the high esteem in
which Joe was held. He was one of life’s good guys.
I shall be in New Zealand from mid-November until March 2005
so please leave me off the Newsletter distribution for now.
Arthur Mooney (Faulderhouse, West Lothian)
I said I would contact you again
after my visit to Kendal on the Seniors Outing on the 26th August.
The day went very well and the weather kind, for a change. I
was met, in Kendal, by Roy Francis, recognised him straight
away although he is now eighty years of age, still driving,
dancing and walking, looking very fit. I went to his home and
met his wife Laura who had prepared a very nice lunch. We had
a good chat and talked of the past, Fontainebleau, London, where
he was a driver for the Marshal of the RAF Tom Pike and Cyprus
where he came as personal driver to Air Chief marshal Sir Thomas
Pricket. I stayed on with Sir Thomas for the year after Sir
Denis Barnett retired before tourex and going to Coastal Command
for my last tour. It all went too soon and then we went on to
Windemere for the rest of the bus tour.
The plan was for me to go to
stay with them this coming week but after making arrangements
he had a letter to say he was to go into hospital for an operation
he had been waiting eight months for, so the visit is delayed
until after the op and he has recovered.
I said 1 would let you know
if I could attend the reunion on the 16 October as soon as I
had confirmation of my plans. After a meeting today at the airfield
I work at I have discovered 1 will not be free that weekend
due to commitments. I am sorry but hope next year, when I have
retired from Air Traffic duties I will no doubt be free and
can plan ahead. .
My very best wishes to all at
the reunion I will look forward to meeting Vets in the future.
Stan Roberts, (Shawbury,
Shropshire)
Just a line to say how much I enjoyed my first Fontainebleau
Vets. Reunion and to thank you for all the hard work you put
into it. To be frank both Chas (Hardie) and I wondered how it
would go as we appeared to know no-one else present. If we did
then we/they had changed out of all recognition and we just
passed each other without recognition.
Although all seven of us on
Table 9 were Reunion “virgins” we ended the evening swearing
eternal friendship, determined to sit together next year to
carry on as if have known each other all our lives. That must
say something about those who were selected for Fontainebleau
and who attended the Reunion. I am looking forward to the 2005
Reunion as not only do I now know a few Vets but who knows who
may unearth in the next 12 months. Thanks again for organising
such an enjoyable week-end.
John Reynolds, (Farnham, Surrey)
Another very successful weekend.
They get better as we go along - albeit we all get a year older
each time. Pam and I had a great time and this year the hotel
room was very comfortable. Colin Hogg's 'musical interludes'
certainly add to the enjoyment of the evening. He really got
us going this year. Hope you can keep his slots next year. It
was nice to see Jennifer Parry there. She was quite brave to
come along with her sister in law to accompany her. She was
fortunate in that there were 4 of us who were at Fontainebleau
with her husband, Med. From their comments they both enjoyed
it very much indeed and talked about being there next year.
(After they have honed up their 'backing skills'!) I also enjoyed
the Friday night. It's nice and informal and we seem to get
a good crowd. We all appreciate the work you put in, Danny.
It is evidenced by a successful Association.
Keith Adams (Stevenage)
Congratulations to you and David
Bloomfield for the excellent website. A lot of work, imagination
and skill must have been used. Once more, the Newsletters are
first class and a great credit to you.
David Heaney (Blackpool)
Please do not send any more
newsletters. My father (Jim Muir) has alzheimer’s and has lost
his grasp on reality.
H G Webber, Mrs (Broadstairs)
I was sent this website by Dave Bloomfield. We were in Fontainebleau
from 1964 - 67.
I was reading your write up
about your life so far. I joined the R.A.F. on the 4th February
1952 and went to Bridgenorth. One of my drill instructors was
Cpl. Milligan. He was 'bad'. Years later I met him again. He
had transferred to my trade and I out ranked him. What a great
feeling.
Anyway I left the RAF in 1974
and became a Road Safety Officer. I came to Florida in 1988
and bought a restaurant. Life has been great to me and I have
retired to enjoy our sunny State.
Leonard Slade (Florida)
BOYS’ NIGHT OUT
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Among
his souvenirs George Hawes sent the following article
from a Fleet Street paper ~ probably the Daily Express.
RAF Boys? So sweet
PARIS. Thursday. -The strip-tease team who reddened the
faces of 500 R.A.F. men at Supreme Headquarters. Fontainebleau.
said today: " These boys were sweet.” “We play to
troops of all nations, but we never had nicer treatment
than we got that night."
That night? It was a week ago, when a Paris cabaret arrived
for a smoker concert. Before the audience knew what had
happened there was a girl standing nude in the airmen's
mess. ...
Among the team was Austrian born American Valerie Blake
(pictured). She did a rumba then a " by request "
repeat number without her clothes. American singer and
impresario Al Dorsey, who led the team, said: " There
was no rough-housing with the R.A.F. - they were real
nice." |
A LIFE REMEMBERED
Thank you for your article on
Charley. He was a true gentleman and admired very much by all
who knew him
Harry Hepple (Weston-Super-Mare)
I first met Flight Sergeant
Charles Collyer on 3July 1951 when he lowered the tailgate of
the 3 ton lorry which had conveyed me and five others from the
Gare du Nord station in Paris to Fontainebleau. The vehicle
had stopped on the parade ground at Caserne Oamesne. He looked
a formidable figure resplendent in the uniform of a Royal Air
Force policeman. His boots were shiny enough to see to shave
in and the creases in his trousers sharp enough to serve as
a razor.
He greeted us in his quiet, dulcet tone of voice and gave us
a briefing on life in France before showing us to our accommodation
in the Caserne. It soon became apparent that he was no ordinary
RAF policeman. We met daily when I entered the Chateau which
at that time was the headquarters of AAFCE .He always had a
friendly greeting for all irrespective of nationality"
but this was always accompanied by a smart salute when greeting
officers. At this time he was still a RAF policeman, it was
not until much later that he transferred to the GD trade group.
In 1952 I married and returned
to France with my wife. FS Collyer was responsible for obtaining
the "Carte de Sejourn" (residential permit) which
was required for families. Shortly after he was introduced to
my wife and from then on he always greeted her with a smart
salute and "bonjour madame". He found time to speak
to everyone and would always enquire if there were any problems.
When HQ AAFCE was relocated to Camp Guynemer he was SNCO I/C
the fortnightly pay parade which was held outside the pay accounts.
On one particular day a vehicle stopped and a Group. Capt. alighted
to say farewell to Charley. As the Group.Capt.drove away Charley
remarked "I'm glad that old bastard has gone". That
was the only expletive I heard him use in 4½ years. I
was the PA to that particular Group.Capt. and his remark was
warranted.
Toward the end of my tour in
1955 the furniture in my flat was repossessed by a Captain in
the French Foreign Legion who had just retired. It was his furniture
and I had no intention of arguing with an ex-Legionnaire. I
had to call on Charley for assistance and we spent many evenings
seeking alternative furnished accommodation. When this failed
Charley arranged for me to hire furniture thereby allowing me
to remain in my flat until I departed from Fontainebleau.
It is not easy to find appropriate
words to describe Charley. He was a friend to all, always helpful
and courteous. I remember him as a gentle man and a gentleman.
We will not see his like again.
George Thorne, (Cirencester)
We have learned of the death
of Charles Collyer which claimed him on the 7th September, aged
84. All those who were connected with military matters and,
above all, those who lived the glorious days of NATO in our
City have certainly not forgotten, especially the elderly, the
courageous and humanitarian activities and courage shown by
Flight Sergeant Collyer whilst in the RAF and as head of protocol
at the Allied Headquarters (AAFCE) where he dealt with all the
Generals until, in 1967 , France withdrew from NATO.
Arriving on our shores with
the D-Day landings Charles Collyer was posted here in 1950.
Very active in helping not only the English, the Americans,
Canadians, Belgians but also the French, in finding them apartments
or introducing them to local activities, Flight Sergeant Collyer
played a huge role, and was irreplaceable as far as the families
of NATO were concerned.
Today our fellow citizen Brian
Moulding, also British, as was our lost one, mourned a friend
who had long been his boss, and had continued to see him in
his retirement.
Retiring to Luneville, Charles
Collyer wished to make his final home in Fontainebleau. The
funeral service was held last Thursday in the hospital chapel,
and he was buried in the cemetery.
Fontainebleau Newspaper
– (Translation by John Day)
SEVENTH ANNUAL REUNION
DINNER (Click here for photographs
of the event)
It was another successful weekend
at the Warwick Corus Hotel in October with 71 present. A large
number of attendees were unable to join us this year due to
illness but it was encouraging to see so many members attending
their first Reunion.
At the meeting on Saturday afternoon
the Income and Expenditure Account was approved. It was agreed
that we should endeavour to organise a coach trip to France
in Sept 2005. Terry Bryant presented a Dedication that was adopted.
Mike Capon brought a selection
of RAF magazines and freebies.
On Saturday we sampled some
excellent food followed by musical entertainment from Colin
Hogg when the dance floor was crowded. During a short interval
the Raffle was held which raised the staggering sum of £420
thanks to the efforts of Claudine Gibbons who sold the tickets.
A selection of photographs is
attached as a supplement to this Newsletter
We shall meet again at the Warwick
Corus Hotel on Friday and Saturday 14 and 15 October 2005. Full
details will be circulated when available. Meanwhile make a
note of the date in your diaries.
OBITUARY
It is with the deepest regret
to report that Pauline Hills passed away on 18 November after
a brave fight against her cancer. Not once did she complain
and she smiled throughout her illness. She was very supportive
of the Association’s activities and many will remember Pauline
at our Reunions. Last year she made the effort to join us at
Warwick despite the fact that she was very poorly. She will
be sadly missed by Les and our thoughts are with him at this
difficult time. We shall all miss her. The Association sent
a donation to her local hospice.
Brian Gibbons wrote :- Rang
Les Hills at Weymouth this morning as we generally keep in touch,
but he was too distressed to talk. I knew that his wife Pauline
was undergoing treatment for cancer, but was sad to learn that
she had died a few days ago. Les promised to contact me in a
few days time. Pauline was an engaging cheerful person always
pleased to see Claudine & myself when we visited. I understand
that Les lost his first wife to an illness.
VETERANS WEBSITE
Our Website is now enhanced
by the addition of a Visitors Book. The Members Gallery is desperately
short of entries ~ only a dozen or so have provided the information
to put on the site. Dave Bloomfield has put in so much effort
in developing the site so let us do it justice. If your details
are up there visitors may find a long lost friend and colleague.
This will help our membership to grow. So put pen to paper and
send your particulars to David Rogerson. You may say as much
or as little as you wish.
FLOWERDOWN HOUSE
George Millington recently took
a short break at Flowerdown House in Weston-Super-Mare. This
establishment is operated by the RAFA and RAF Benevolent Fund
and offers excellent facilities for respite and convalescence.
Full details may be obtained by calling 01934 621664
FIVE DAYS TRIP TO FRANCE
- MON 12 – FRI 16 SEPTEMBER 2005
This is a very busy week in
Fontainebleau and it has proved impossible to secure accommodation
at the Ibis. On reflection this may be a blessing as the hotel
is less pleasing than when we were last there in 2000. Other
hotels in the area, even the very expensive ones are unable
to provide the accommodation we require. Our Tour Operator has
therefore looked at options towards Paris at the slightly better
equipped Mercure and has come up with the following :-
Mercure hotel Noisy le Grand
near Paris.
Cost :- £270 ~ Single
supplement: £72. Group Evening meals at £15.00 per
person
The price per person is based
on a minimum of 35 full fare paying passengers and includes
4 nights bed and buffet breakfast accommodation
Executive coaching, 48 seats with on board toilet & beverage
bar.
Short sea crossing
Tour of Paris on 15 September.
Use of the coach for excursions while in France.
Free car parking is available at the rear of the Tour Operators
office in Sevenoaks.
A deposit of £30 per person
will be required by the end of December, with final payment
6 weeks before departure. Travel insurance is required for this
holiday and if you do not have your own the Tour Operator’s
scheme can provide cover at a premium of £18 per person.
The Mercure relais hotels are,
as the French would say, 'simplicity' and more akin to the Ibis
whereas the Mercure has a bit more service and is generally
considered up-market. The location is also a factor; the relais
are built for the traveller and sited close to the motorways
usually on industrial sites.
The pick up points in England
will be: London Waterloo, Sevenoaks and Dover.
For those wishing to stay at
Sevenoaks on Sunday night 11 September there is a Travel Inn
Tel No 01732 884214. You will be responsible for booking your
accommodation.
If you wish to join the party
please complete and return the blue form attached to this Newsletter
as soon as possible.
Although the itinerary is not
finalized we hope to visit Yvres where there is a memorial to
the crew of the Lancaster bomber that crashed near the village.
Visits to Camp Guynemer and Le Quartier Chataux will be arranged.
The highlight will be the parade at the Arc de Triomphe.
AND FINALLY……….
You have read on previous pages
about “Gunner.” It would be appropriate to place a plaque on
his grave on Camp Guynemer with a suitable inscription. Subject
to the Commander’s consent this could be laid when we visit
the Camp next September.
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