Message Board

Merry Christmas and Best Wishes for the New Year to you all,

Our trip of a life time continues as does the appalling weather here in Australia. We are enjoying
the aquatic way of life at Samantha and Steve's place in St Ives just North of Sydney. We keep our
fingers crossed for a ray of sunshine on Xmas day and maybe the beach!! Our three weeks in China
surpassed all our expectations and provided much food for thought. We travelled many miles and saw
some amazing sights. Hong Kong and New Zealand were equally engaging, especially NZ as we stayed for a few days with Ian and Robin in Blenheim.
I don't think we had changed that much after 55 years other than to look a bit more wringly. Our stay ended all to soon as we had to move on to Australia to spend Xmas with my Daughter and family. Christmas in Australia is very colourfull with the streets lively and full of good cheer. A
different sort of celebration with it being warm and no likely event of snow!! After we have recovered from Xmas we are off to Singapore for a few days then its back home and the winter weather.

Have fun but take care,
Best wishes

Ray and Prim

Noticing the mention on the Notice Board of Butch (Alan) Laycock reminds me of the time we had together in Singapore c 1953. we had some great times together, much of it spent in a bar on Bukit Timah Road. The two us, plus an Air Radio Mech formed a trio performing for a few drinks.Butch on cornet, another on accordion and me on vocals (sort of). These were great times which sadly didn't last too long as we were split up by various postings. Great times - sad to think Butch is no longer here R.I.P

At the next reunion 10yr old Macallan will be on sale at the attractive price of £21.00

SCOTLAND FOR EVER

IAN THE HEILANDER

That's a great link you've put in Ray. Just the job when you're on our site and you wish to refer to something on the HAAA site. Easy!!
Our site is coming along fine keep up the good work .
Regards Geoff

What a great board - wonderful to see names from the past spring up, tho cannot identify the faces - you chaps must be growing up!
Pete LeGallez, John Ratel I remember, and seeing Butch Laycocks name brought back the sound of the cornet - it was he who first stirred my interest in music, along with Rimington, who introduced me to Gilbert & Sullivan.
I spoke to Nabi Khan when he was in the US just before he died, also Rocky Stormont used to call me at Christmas - Chopper Chubb still does.
I would love to hear from old friends _ I will be in Cannes December to March if anyone travels in that direction, then sailing my boat back from Turkey until June, when I return to the US, hopefully to sell the house and retire somewhere more civilised - not a bad place here really, except for the natives.
I met Ginger Braim and Hamilton once, years ago in Cardiff, just after being invalided from the RAF, I was marking time in 21st. SAS and the HAC, before going back into the regular army.
Very sad to see the list of Absent Friends - their faces are so familiar, across the years. Mick House and Gag Wilson (his cymbal solo in 'Washington Post ' springs to mind), dear old Thud - such a nice man.
One remembers Thompson, RNZAF, so gentle, kind and popular, an example to us all - aint that the truth Cocky?!!
Regards to you all,
David Duffy

date:
2009-09-04

Subject: Pete Le Gallez (Gallais ??)

Brousing your web site, I was delighted to find a photo of Pete at one of your reunions. I recall Pete very well. As a newly arrived apprentice (77th) I was thrilled when this tall and imposing member of THE senior entry came into our room (Blk 10 Room 2, I(A) Wing) and asked "was anyone here from the Channel Islands?" I replied with pride "Yes me.... I'm from Jersey.".... Good! said Pete, I'm in 13 -6 you can bring me a breakfast in bed in the morning... thus began a short period as a 'bull boy' .. but Pete was more than generous, and my duties 'light ' to say the least ,and not of long standing... quite an introduction to Halton life. I recall the 71st passing out parade vividly. FSAA Thompson had a most commanding voice.. who knew then that he'd become an AVM with the RNZAF. Best wishes to all the 71st. John Ratel (SAA 77th -& Colour Bearer for our passing out. April 1957)

Good luck for your move. Give me a shout when you're setteled. Geoff Munge

Great site Ray. Sorry that I could'nt make it to the Reunion due to previous Motorcycle racing commitments, but, God willing I am looking forward to next Sept.

Well done Ray at 2009 Reunion . Photographs great. Look forward to next Reunion.

Well done, The work is much appreciated, Ken Fox

Yes I got in!. Well done Ray looking good. See you in April.

I thought that I would take advantage of the good work done by Ray and say hello to everyone.
I look forward to seeing some of you soon.
Derek Bottomer

Superb Ray. I would like to think that members of the 71st that have lost contact will now be able to come back into the fold!

Hi all, great to see an entry site at last.Will have to contact a fewlong lost bods.

Well done Ray, see you at the reuniun

Hi Ray - looking good!. Well done.

Ray - I think the whole layout is superb - congratulations - Geoff