RAF Gan -- The Royal Air Force

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[> [> Re: RAF Gan -- John Cooper, 21/02/04 15:41:05

Clinton Phillips

Unfortunately your email has bounced, Mike Radclyffe has been in touch he was on MCU Gan at this time from Dec 1959 to Dec 1960, email me if you want any further info

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[> [> [> Re: RAF Gan -- John Cooper, 21/02/04 15:45:26

Mike Tee ACR7D Gan November 1959-Nov 1960 has found Brian Cleverley (via this site) but is also looking for two other mates from his group Terry Hodgetts Ground Radio Mechanic and Ray Silver teleprinter Operator, anyone know of whereabouts please contact me

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[> [> [> [> Re: RAF Gan -- Jim Duncan, 6/08/04 13:37:08

I was on detachment from Negombo for a few weeks in 1958, which were spent on SASF under old Henry Moon! There were only about six ground crew, and I was replacing a rigger who had gone to Singers. I chummed up with Ginge Wombwell, and spent many lazy days on the reef, swimmimg in the shark net that only had two sides! I also did a couple of runs to Gan, looking after some Costain Pakistani Contractors during the flight, ( so they wouldn't set fire to the Pigs!) On one such flight, I was in the cockpit for the landing and as we taxied down the runway, there was Henry at the end waving his yellow lollipops all over the place!. The pilot said, " Oh no! It's that bloody mad Christmas tree again!
Ginge and I built a raft made from 5 gal drums, bits of wood, and rope. When he both sat on it, our bums were well below water! In these days sharks were looked on as a bit of a threat, and we had one or two moments when we had to paddle furiously for the beach!
I recall Henry giving out amendments for APs, and was furious when he found they were being used as toilet paper! His favourite remark was, "I might as well speak to my namesake up there!"
Last year someone told me where Henry might be living, but if he is, then he'd have to be bloody old! Seemingly, he retired a WO.
On Gary's website there should be a picture of Henry and the ground crew (including me) during the Abandoned Earl's visit, are you on it? Tony Hawes took the photo.

Jim, (Jamie) Duncan ex-SASF Neg/Kat 1956-1959

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[> [> [> Re: RAF Gan -- Bill Concannon, 3/09/06 18:07:41

Does anyone have information on the ACR7D? I trained at RAF Locking on course NAVAD1 Jan 1957 But cannot remember much about it.
Bill C

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[> Re: RAF Gan -- Jerry Markham, 14/09/04 20:55:51

My memory bank recalls the lecherous looks we gave those Stewardesses when those charter aircraft troopers came through, I wonder what those birds thought when looking at us, God they must have thought we were a demented bunch, good memories though.

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[> [> Re: RAF Gan -- Bill/Jeff Chandler, 8/11/04 19:56:31

After 6 months into the tour and a few beers even the WRVS lady looked attractive, different though when we came back off our midterm leave in Singers! :-))

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[> [> [> Re: RAF Gan -- Anthony Liptrot, 20/05/05 10:53:26

>I was stationed at Gan as a TPO from june '60 to june '61. i remember the arrival of the WRVS lady (Gwen caton, I believe). i would be happy to hear from any old mates that were stationed at Gan around that time, especially if you know the wereabouts of John Watchorn, john Ferguson or Gus Mcnaghten.
Cheers

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[> [> Island in the Sun -- John Cooper, 19/12/04 21:25:13

Well I guess it is now over 45 years since I first paid a visit to Gan, in 1959 it was nothing what it is today but then we got it for free! Today you have to pay about a grand for a week.

But of course that was in the days when we wore woolly stockings (yes I know mad dogs and Englishmen!)2" below the knee and officially shorts that were supposed to be a regulation 2" above the knee, well that was 1959 and not many rules and regs seemed to be operative then.

I guess thinks changed a tad when SHQ had white kerbs surrounding a flagpole and haircuts was when there was a barber in attendance. Still had a magic of its own which I should imagine is absolute paradise to downtown Shaibah near Basrah, now that is another story..........

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[> [> [> Re: Island in the Sun -- John Cooper, 26/12/04 8:19:14

Just heard the breaking news of the tidal waves in the Maldives and hope that the damage to all of those lovely islands is minimal and that lives have not been lost. I can't help but feel for those islanders whose homes are no more than 6' above sea level

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[> [> [> [> Re: Island in the Sun -- John Cooper, 29/12/04 8:53:45

This website covers a lot of the islands that make up the Maldives Chain, it reported on Wednesday that Equator Village (ex RAF Gan) was unaffected by the tsunami

http://www.minivannews.com/news/news.php?id=142

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[> [> [> [> [> Re: Island in the Sun -- John Cooper, 2/06/05 22:00:54

Difficult without names and trade etc but who knows , hens eggs have turned up before!JC

Hello John,

I hope you can help me. I am looking for an ex-RAF type that I knew at Finningley [230OCU Vulcans] around 1961-63, whom I remember was posted to Gan around early-1963. I believe he was, then, an airmech or similar, posted as a Cpl.

FYI - I served in the RAF from 1957-66 mostly with BC & CC, latterly with 224 SQN Gibraltar [the beautiful Shackleton] then finished at HQCC Northwood before leaving on transfer to the RAAF. I served a further 22 years in Intel with the Aussie mob before retiring here on the Indian Ocean coast north of Perth.

Look forward to your comments.

Chris

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[> [> Re: RAF Gan -- IAIN HARWOOD, 29/07/06 22:07:37

I SERVED AT RAF ALNESS 1969-1970, I REMEMBER 2748 BECAUSE THE DAY BEFORE I ARRIVED. THIS VESSEL HAD BEEN TAKEN ON THE ROCKS AT BURGHEAD AND SPENT MOST OF ITS TIME BEING
REPAIRED. I REMEMBER THE FIRST TIME BACK IN THE WATER
IT WAS TAKEN ROUND TO FORT GEORGE AND THE RADAR PACKED UP
SOME DIPSTICK THREW WATER ONTO IT. THE FIRST PERSON TO GREET ME AT RAF ALNESS WAS NONE OTHER THAT KENNY DUNCAN.

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[> Re: RAF Gan -- Dave Stewart, 7/01/06 14:56:25

Hi all,
I served on Gan fron Sept 1971 to May 1972 was anyone there at that time I would love to here from you.

While there I worked in the evenings in the Astra and can still remember putting up all the section slides before the show started.

Dave Stewart