XVXVSQUADRONASSOCIATIONSQUADRONASSOCIATION

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Chairman:

Air Cdre David Bywater9 Chestnut Grove

Great StukeleyHuntingdon

CambridgeshirePE28 4AT

david.bywater@btopenworld.com

Treasurer:

Mrs Valerie Ford-Jones48 Caraway DriveWood Hall Park

SwindonWiltshireSN2 2RF

valerie.fordjones@btinternet.com

Secretary:

Flt Lt Mark AllanXV(R) Sqn

RAF LossiemouthMoray

IV31 6SD(01343) 817523

secretary@xvsqnassociation.co.uk

President: Air Marshal Sir Michael Simmons KCB AFC RAF(Retd)

DEPUTY CHAIRMAN’S

MESSAGE

I don’t know about you but my fi rst squadron will always hold a place of affection and wonderment in my memories. Like many of you, I have served on several other squadrons. I have commanded two and been to war in the Gulf in 1991 with one of those - but XV squadron at Laarbruch in 1971 was a special place. Of course, in line with other outfi ts, it was really the people who made it so memorable. Arriving as a young (-ish) Flying Offi cer with a wife and 3/9ths of a son, I was amazed at the hooligans (terribly sorry, I meant ‘characters’) who made up at least the aircrew component - that is, ex-Squadron Commanders and current Knights of the Realm excepted!

And it wasn’t just certain very young and immature navigators I am talking about. I could see that the experienced crews we were joining had perfected the techniques of

‘letting their hair down’ over many years. It was lucky then that we lived in a duty free society.

Unlike today, our biggest threat was at least recognisable and we spent many hours locked away in a little compound on the airfi eld waiting for the Russian Bear to make his appearance. During that fi rst tour, our only real time away from home was the annual two week detachment to Decimommanu in Sardinia to carry out armament practice camps – a far cry from the continuous operational tours that our front line armed forces face now. Our biggest dilemma in Sardinia was what kind of pizza we were going to have or what holiday resort we would invade next; and the biggest challenge was who could grow the fastest beard. It took me years to admit that I had to start 6 weeks before we went on detachment to even register but no one could compete with the guy who would shave before breakfast and still have the best growth by 5 o’clock.

When the Queen fi nally called in her shilling in 1991, the active war only lasted for about 6 weeks but it was intense enough for me. I often wondered then what it must have been like to be at war for 6 years back in 1939-45 and how people managed the challenge of such a long confl ict. Perhaps part of it was not actually knowing how long it would take.

Now the men and women of XV Squadron are involved in action which, even in their Commanders eyes, could go on for decades. It is apparent that whilst many of the current squadron have already seen action, many of them will also see action in the future and their very important task today is to prepare the new arrivals to go to their front line squadrons ready for whatever may face them – both on the ground and in the air. The recent pictures of that diminutive female RN medic receiving the Military Cross for her bravery should remind all of us in the Association that our successors have a lot of real hard work to do. With that in mind, it was a pleasure to meet the new OC XV Squadron, Wing Commander Brian James, at the recent Association Committee meeting and to hear his upbeat comments on the state of the Squadron.

Di and I live in Suffolk, in the middle of the small (but select?) Buccaneer mafi a which grew up out of our time at RAF Honington. Whilst we bump into many of them regularly, it is always nice to meet up with the rest of the Association at the Annual reunion – and Cottesmore this year was no exception. Whilst events like these are never cheap, I still think that it would be diffi cult, if not impossible, to replicate the history, ceremony and atmosphere that we get in an RAF mess if we were to hold the event in a normal hotel. We must also thank OC XV Squadron and Mark Allan for displaying those wonderful photo albums which brought

back so many memories – welcome or not! The Committee discussed the costs involved in the Reunion at our meeting in October and, when the whole package is considered, decided to continue with the current format. It is good news that we will be able to hold the Dinner at Cottesmore again in 2010 and I know that Mark Allan will have more information later in the newsletter. Since this year’s afternoon presentation was such a success and to tempt you even more for next year, Tom Payne has agreed to give a presentation on his WW2 Lancaster experiences at next year’s gathering.

With all of that to look forward to, I should just fi nish now by wishing you all, on behalf of our President Sir Michael and the rest of the Committee, a very happy Christmas and a successful and peaceful New Year.

Ivor Evans

Deputy Chairman

XV(R) SQN

SQN CDR’S REPORT 2009

I write this update having only been in post for some 3 months, so unfortunately I am relying on signifi cant anecdotal and archival material for much of the content.Obviously, it has been a signifi cant honour and privilege for me to take command of XV(R) Sqn, and in the brief time I have been in charge I have been both astounded by how busy the Squadron has been and impressed that the morale on the Squadron remains so high. Our instructional efforts and ethos remain vital to the front line, and there has been no reduction in the support for the entire Tornado GR4 Force, most notably in its undertaking of operations over Afghanistan.

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The inspiring and total commitment of all our people remains incredible; throughout the past year large numbers of squadron personnel have been deployed, away from their families, for many months at a time supporting operations around the world, most notably in Afghanistan on Operation Herrick or in the Falklands; support for Operation Telic ceased in June 09. The Tornado GR4 Force replaced the Harrier GR7/9 aircraft in Afghanistan in April 2009, giving the Harrier air and groundcrews a well earned respite following their 4 year sojourn to Afghanistan. The Tornado Force settled in swiftly at the Kandahar Air Base, having learnt well from the lessons identifi ed by previous roulements; No.12(B) Sqn were the fi rst to deploy, and have now been replaced by No.31 Sqn.The crews fl y extensive close air support sorties, providing life saving cover to our troops on the ground and employ strafe gunnery and precision bombing against the Taliban fi ghters and associated ground targets. The ability to deploy a wide-range of precision munitions at short notice has

been invaluable in supporting the ground offensive, as is the ability to demonstrate an ‘operationally low-level show of force’!

All the aircrew that graduate from XV(R) Sqn for the foreseeable future will almost certainly be expected to convert and deploy very swiftly on these demanding operations; to that end, here at RAF Lossiemouth we remain totally focused on delivering the best possible level of instruction and associated

development for the Post Graduate Aircrew under training (the new offi cial term for Studes!) as they convert to the Tornado GR4. I have been impressed by the attitude and enthusiasm displayed by the students during this phase of their post-graduate fl ying training and they all remain positive and excited about their future profession, keen to put all training into practice during live operational fl ying. Obviously, the end-product of the Squadron would not be possible without the wholehearted commitment of all the instructors, engineering support, operations and administration staff.

You will be pleased to note that we have continued to honour our past. We once again paraded the XV(R) Sqn Standard at Odense (Denmark), Gellik (Belgium) and Vraux (France) in what have become most welcome annual fi xtures. I am advised that XV(R) Sqn continue to be greeted most warmly and hosted magnifi cently throughout. Although I have yet to personally attend one of these ceremonies, I look forward to next year’s events with relish! As alluded to in the last Squadron

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Wg Cdr Mike Saunders hands over to Wg Cdr Brian

James as OC XV(R) Sqn

Commander’s Report penned by my predecessor, we laid up the old XV(R) Sqn Standard in the Church of St Laurentius, Gellik on Sunday 23rd November 2008 in a well received and moving ceremony. Subsequently, XV(R) Sqn formally received our new (the third) Squadron Standard from RAF Lossiemouth’s Honorary Air Commodore, His Royal Highness the Duke of York, on Wednesday 10th December 2008. No.14 Sqn also received their new Standard at the same ceremony.

Socially, the Squadron remains very active, celebrating new arrivals and the inexorable rotation of departing colleagues. That said, I have also been delighted to honour members of the Squadron, of all ranks, who have been awarded well deserved medals for active service in ongoing campaigns.Shortly after my arrival I had the opportunity to preside over the annual All-Ranks Dining-In Night on the Squadron, held within one of our refurbished hangars, with a backdrop of Tornado aircraft and in the presence of the new Squadron Standard; a rather surreal yet humbling and uplifting experience. The spirit displayed amongst the Offi cers and Airmen throughout the evening was fabulous and all those who attended had a splendid night. As has become tradition, and to allow the effects of any possible over-indulgence to wane, the following day we held the annual aircrew versus groundcrew Memorial Golf Tournament at Hopeman Golf Club for the Sean Casabayo Trophy; the groundcrew triumphed yet again. We have just held a Squadron Ladies Guest night during which my wife and I, and a signifi cant number of other recent arrivals, were formally Dined-In and we have also made it through the Squadron all-ranks Christmas party!Throughout the past year we have welcomed and hosted a wide range of

visitors to the Squadron including DCinC Ops, Air Marshal Iain McNicoll who completed his last fast jet fl ight in a XV(R) Sqn Tornado GR4, having started his RAF career fl ying the Buccaneer on XV Sqn, AOC 1 Group, AVM Greg Bagwell discussed current operations and the Squadron’s role in training personnel for those operations, and the new Tornado GR4 Force Commander, Group Captain Rocky Rochelle.As it’s good for the team to get out and about, we also managed to get a few of our aircraft away from Lossiemouth during the year, including an air show in Prague, training fl ights to Malta and a very worthwhile two week detachment to Leeuwarden.

We are always genuinely pleased to host any visits by the Association, either in groups or as individuals, indeed I offer an open invitation in the hope that we can encourage more ‘old-boys’ to visit this northern outpost of the empire. I consider it vital that we continue to maintain the

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Air Marshal McNicoll following his last fast jet fl ight

in a Tornado GR

profi le of the XV Sqn Association amongst the current staff members and transient course members. As the average age of the trainees seems to get younger each year, we must all work that little bit harder to ensure that they connect with their provenance and forebears. I look forward to the 2010 Annual Reunion at RAF Cottesmore, to attend as the incumbent OC XV(R) Sqn, and can only mirror the comments of Ivor Evans in his belief that such events are best held in a RAF mess wherever possible.Whilst the cost will always be a factor, the atmosphere, ceremony and history cannot readily be replicated elsewhere and the beer is usually substantially cheaper! It was a pleasure to have met a number of you at the recent Association Committee meeting and I look forward to meeting more ‘friends’ and characters at Cottesmore, and during my tenure as Offi cer Commanding XV(R) Sqn. I thank Flight Lieutenant Mark Allan for his role as the Association Secretary for guiding

me in the ways of the Association during my early months as Offi cer Commanding and for his efforts over the past year; an often thankless task I’m sure you will agree. To end on a personal note, and on behalf of all current members of XV(R) Sqn, I would like to wish all XV Sqn Association Members and families a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. We end 2009 in good shape and high spirits, looking forward to the challenges that the following year will undoubtedly bring. Aim Sure for 2010!

Brian James

Offi cer Commanding No XV(R) Squadron

5XV(R) Sqn on detachment to RNLAF Leeuwarden in June 2009

ANNUAL REUNION DINNER

Firstly, thank you to all those who supported the Annual Reunion Dinner in June this year. The whole event was a great success and proved very popular, with larger numbers attending than in previous years.With the Victor Era presentation this year being so successful, we are going to follow it up next year with a presentation on the WWII Lancaster Era. Tom Payne has very kindly offered to give this presentation and I hope it will encourage more of you to join us.

Next year’s Dinner will be held at the RAF Cottesmore Offi cers’ Mess on Friday 4 June 2010. We are currently in negotiation with the Mess over cost and hope to offer you a reduction compared with this year’s event. With the very reasonable accommodation charges, we believe the whole package will represent good value. Final details and booking forms will follow early next year. We have again reserved all the spare accommodation in the Offi cers’ Mess for the evening. In the meantime, if you would like to attend or want more details please contact the Association Secretary.

XV(R) SQN 95TH ANNIVERSARY

XV(R) Sqn will celebrate its 95th

Anniversary in March 2010. The occasion will be commemorated with a social function at RAF Lossiemouth. Plans for this event are still being fi nalised and should become clearer in the New Year.

ASSOCIATION WEBSITE

The last six months have seen a lot of improvements to the website by our webmaster, Dom Parmee. The new design

that has been created is more in keeping with the colour scheme and format we use in the newsletters. Although new content is being added all the time we would appreciate any articles or new ideas you may have for the website. The site has now been registered with ‘Google’, so there should be no trouble fi nding it if you’ve forgotten the web address, which is www.xvsqnassociation.co.uk Please have a browse and let us know what you think!

ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIP

The XV Sqn Association has a healthy membership of around 300 at present but the Committee is always keen to encourage new members and currently offers lifetime membership for a single payment of just £15. Please spread the word to any past or present XV Sqn members who you think may be interested in joining. Additionally, the Committee continues to offer associate membership to close relatives of former members of XV Sqn and those with a particular past association with the Sqn. All membership forms can be downloaded from the association website. Please contact the Secretary if you don’t have Internet access.

Membership Database

I continue to receive ‘returned undeliverable’ mail sent out to Association members and consequently have a growing list of ‘Unknown Addresses’. If you have changed address recently or if you know the whereabouts of any members that appear on the ‘Unknown Address’ list, new contact details would be gratefully received.

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BUCCANEER ERA REP

After many years as the Association Buccaneer Era Rep, Pidge Holme has stepped down. On behalf of the Association, the Committee would like to thank him for his efforts and wish him all the best in the future.

We are fortunate to have found a volunteer for this position so soon, and are very grateful to Vic Blackwood who has kindly agreed to take over from Pidge on the Committee.

XV(R) SQN MEMORABILIA

During this year’s reunion some guests expressed an interest in buying XV(R) Sqn memorabilia. The Sqn shop has a range of items for sale and I have included below a list of these with current prices. We are planning a XV(R) Sqn Shop page for the website, which will include photos of the stock. If you are interested in purchasing any of the items below then please contact the Secretary.

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Sqn Patch £4.00

XV Patch £4.00

Name Badge £7.00

T-Shirt £9.00

Tornado Sqn Print £4.50

History Print (all sqn aircraft) £2.00

Lancaster LS-A Print £4.50

Bow Tie £11.50

Cummerbund (various sizes) £17.00

Wall Shield (Sqn Crest) £33.00

‘WHAT’S UP DOC’

A little light humour from Canberra times

by the Canberra Era Representative

I am sure that most of us will have seen Bugs Bunny popping up from his hole with a carrot in his hand saying ‘What’s up Doc’, well, this is a true story, of an event during the middle 50’s, on a Bomber Command Station, fl ying an English Electric Canberra Aircraft B Mark 1, of XV Squadron. Have you ever had the feeling that everything is just not quite right, something missing, but you can not put your fi nger on it, well read on, and see for yourself.

It’s a Thursday morning, just after 0800 hrs, the ground crews are arriving at the dispersal. Wimpy Wade with the Squadron tractor moves the gen set near the aircraft, starts it up and plugs it in to the aircraft.Sgt Kim (Catseyes) Peacock with biro and clipboard in hand places names of ground crew who are to service the aircraft against their respective trades, engine, airframe, radar, instruments, electricians and armourers (So as the next aircraft to be serviced is not done by the same crew).This is what Kim (Catseyes) Peacock means by time and motion, his new system, so every crew member has a set number of aircraft to service during the week.

The aircraft in question has been serviced, the time approx 0900 hrs, aircrew arrive and climb aboard whilst the pilot does his prefl ight checks, before he climbs into the cockpit, and straps himself in. The gen set is already ticking away at the side of the aircraft. The pilot gives the signal, and I point to the port engine. The starter bursts into life thrusting the smell and smoke of the cordite through the exhaust ports as the engine starts to cough into movement and noise.

The starboard engine does the same, and so we carry on with the aircraft checks, that is to say, fl aps, airbrakes, rudder, and last bomb doors. Checks complete, the pilot motions chocks away. I motion to the lads and they pull the chocks from under the wheels and remove the gen set lead from the aircraft. I signal the pilot that all is clear and he moves the aircraft onto the concrete perry track. I salute, he nods, and off he goes on just another normal bombing sortie of around three to three and a half hours fl ying (or so we thought).

Back at the dispersal, Kim (Catseyes) Peacock asks Wimpy and I to have early lunch, and return at noon so someone is there to see the aircraft in when it returns. At about 1100 hrs Wimpy and I are about to knock off a little earlier than normal for lunch when I see that the aircraft is returning down the runway. Cancel the early lunch, we dash down to the apron to see the aircraft in and turn it round so as it is ready to fl y again later.

As the engines stop, it is now that I say to myself ‘there’s something not right, but what is it’. The rest of the lads now arrive to do there service on the aircraft, as I carry out one engine check whilst Wimpy does the other. The fuel tankers arrives and I climb on to the aircraft, Wimpy passes the hoses to

me for the port side, one for the drop tank, the other for the main tank, and so on to the starboard side, he passes one for the main tank and then the drop tank. I then dash to the starboard side of the aircraft to fi ll the drop tank, climbing over the main fuselage and engine nacelle, that I slide down, on to the wing to fi ll the tip tank, the idea being that your left leg is hanging over the wing so as to stop you falling off when you reach the drop tank. Unfortunately it is not there and I fall on to the grass area under where the drop tank would normally be.

That was it, the drop tank was missing! No wonder there was something wrong and why I was wondering. It transpires that during the fl ight there was a blockage in the line from the drop tank to the main tanks, therefore when the port tank was empty the starboard was still full and the pilot had to struggle to keep the aircraft on an even keel so to speak. He had only one thing to do and that was to jettison the tank and return to the airfi eld as soon as he could.

I had a jolt after I left the aircraft, but it lasted only a couple of hours. So that was ‘What’s up doc’.

Tony Britton

Canberra Era Rep

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XV(R) SQN MEMORIAL EVENTS

For those who weren’t able to attend, we’ve included below some photos of this year’s Sqn Memorial Events.

Gellik Memorial wreath laying ceremony

Although the details for the 2010 memorial events are yet to be confi rmed, we expect them to take place around the following dates:

Odense: 4 May, Gellik: 8-9 May, Vraux: 14 July

Association members would be made very welcome at any of these events, but would be responsible for making their own travel and accommodation arrangements. Further details may be obtained from the Secretary.

Members of XV(R) Sqn in front of the Vraux Memorial

WE REMEMBER THEM

It is with great sadness that since the last issue of the newsletter in March 2009, we have learnt of the passing of the following members of the Association:

Percy ‘Red’ Eames

Percy Eames, or ‘Red’ as he was known to everyone, due to the colour of his hair, died peacefully in hospital on 22nd March 2009, aged 92.

Apart from being the last ‘known’ surviving Blenheim pilot of XV Squadron, ‘Red’s’passing was also signifi cant in that he was one of the few remaining members of the squadron associated with the Hawker Hind era.

Percy Eames was posted to XV Squadron, as a Pilot Offi cer, on a Short Service Commission during March 1938. Initially he fl ew the open cockpit Hawker Hind biplane, but at the end of June that same year converted to the Fairey Battle bomber.

On 1st September 1939 ‘Red’ was posted along with the squadron to Betheniville, France, where XV Squadron was sent as a prelude to the announcement of the outbreak of World War Two. Whilst in France ‘Red’ was appointed Squadron Navigational Offi cer.

During December the squadron returned to England and converted to the twin-engine Bristol Blenheim bomber. It was in this type of aircraft, on 12th May 1940, that Flying Offi cer Percy Eames was badly injured in the legs, during an attack against the bridges at Maastricht. He did however, manage to complete his mission and fl y his aircraft back to England.

Following a number of weeks in hospital ‘Red’ was declared fi t, returned to XV Squadron and resumed operational fl ying duties. Unfortunately, on 30th July 1940, his aircraft was shot down during an attack against Paderborn and crashed into the sea.Although ‘Red’ and his two crew members all managed to bale out of the stricken aircraft, ‘Red’ later learned he was the sole survivor of the crew.

Having initially evaded capture ‘Red’ was later betrayed to the Germans, captured and taken to France. He was destined to spend the rest of war in a number of Prisoner of War camps, including Stalag Luft III, in Sagan, which became famous for the ‘Great Escape’. On being liberated in November 1945 ‘Red’ returned to England where he remained in the post war RAF. He fi nally retired from the RAF in 1958.

In later years, although in his eighties and with his sight failing and being hard of hearing, ‘Red’ made several visits, along with the Blenheim Society and members of the current day XV Squadron, to Vraux, France, for the commemoration service at the Red House. He was always accompanied on these trips by one or more of his four children. ‘Red’ is fondly remembered by many, including Gerard Faux and Denis Rigolet who run the wartime museum in Vraux, where many of the exhibits are dedicated to the memory of Squadron Leader Percy Eames; a fact the latter’s children are extremely proud of.

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Reg Lewis, DFC

Squadron Leader Reg Lewis, DFC, was posted to XV Squadron late in 1942. He fl ew a number of operational sorties with Flight Lieutenant T Cooke before being posted, along with his pilot to 214 Squadron.

During August 1943 Reg was posted to No.138 (Special Duties) Squadron, based at RAF Tempsford, where he fl ew on Halifax bombers. Reg was granted a commission in the rank of Pilot Offi cer and later, on 14th September 1943, was awarded a Distinguished Flying Cross. In February 1944, after having fl own agent Francis Cammaerts over France, Reg’s aircraft was shot down; not only did he managed to bale out and evade capture, but also managed to make his way to and over the Pyrenees into Spain.

Squadron Leader Reginald William Lewis, DFC, who was a long serving member of the Royal Air Forces Escaping Society and Bomber Command Association, died in hospital on 12th October 2009. Reg was also a member of the XV Squadron Association.

Richard ‘Basher’ Hearne, DFM

Richard Hearne, DFM, who on the morning of the last XV Squadron Association Reunion dinner, decided to rise from his sick bed in order to attend the event at RAF Cottesmore, has died. He passed away at his home in the early hours of the morning of Saturday, 24th October 2009.

Richard, who was affectionately known to his many friends as ‘Basher’, was born in Manchester on 22nd February 1923. Having

completed his RAF training ‘Basher’ was initially posted, during September 1943, to 620 Squadron at RAF Chedburgh. However, a month later his crew was posted to 1657 Conversion Unit at RAF Stradishall. Richard’s fi rst association with XV Squadron was when he was posted to the Squadron on 4th November 1943, as a fl ight engineer on Stirling bombers, the aircraft on which he had completed his training.

Having converted to Avro Lancaster bombers, between December 1943 and January 1944, ‘Basher’ fl ew a total of thirteen operational missions on this type before his pilot, Pilot Offi cer Alan Amies, was requested to fl y an operation with a novice crew; it was to be a mission from which Pilot Offi cer Amies and the crew failed to return.

During mid-May 1944, ‘Basher’ joined the crew of Flight Lieutenant Oliver Brooks, DFC, with whom he was to fl y a further ten operational sorties. A friendship developed between the pilot and the fl ight engineer which was to last some forty-odd years.

When Oliver Brooks completed his tour of operations ‘Basher’ still had seven missions to complete before he too was declared ‘Tour Expired’. These remaining ‘Ops’ were undertaken with the crew headed by Squadron Leader Pat Carden, a much respected man and an exceptional pilot. On completion of his ‘tour’, which totalled thirty operational sorties and 150 operational fl ying hours, ‘Basher’ was posted to No 3 Lancaster Finishing School as an instructor. He also served, for a short period in each case, with 90 Squadron, 186 Squadron and 218 Squadron respectively.

On 30th August 1944, ‘Basher’ was recommended for the award of a Distinguished Flying Medal, the citation for which read in part, “An outstanding fl ight engineer who rendered valuable assistance to each of his (three) captains in the completion of each sortie”. The award was granted and gazetted on 14th November 1944.

In later years, accompanied by his wife Betty, Richard became an ardent supporter of the Mildenhall Register and the XV Squadron Association. Together Richard and Betty attended all the reunions and other functions, be they in Germany (Laarbruch), East Anglia (Mildenhall, Honington and Cottesmore) or Scotland (Lossiemouth); distance was never a problem. ‘Basher’s’ cheery expression and easy-going nature will be missed by all who knew him.

Geoff Hill

Geoff Hill, who joined XV Squadron in early January 1945, fl ew as a bomb aimer with Flight Lieutenant Ken Fisher and his crew. Between January and August that same year, Geoff undertook twenty-two operational sorties, two ‘Manna’ (food-dropping) operations, one ‘Exodus’ and one ‘Dodge’ operation (returning prisoners of war from Germany and Italy respectively).He also fl ew on one ‘Baedeker’ trip, when members of groundcrew were given the opportunity to view the bombed out cities and towns of enemy occupied territory from the confi nes of a Lancaster bomber and one ‘Post Mortem’ exercise. A ‘Post Mortem’ exercise, carried out after the cessation of hostilities, consisted of a number of aircraft all making mock attacks on a pre-determined ‘target’.

Geoff was very proud of his association with XV Squadron and was a great help to the Squadron Historian on many occasions, especially with regard to photographic and other material. Geoff and his wife Sheilagh, also extended this supported to both the XV Squadron Association and the Mildenhall Register, by attending the Reunion Dinners and other functions. Geoff will be missed by those who knew him.

Derek Lewis, AFC

After previous tours on Canberras and as a fl ying instructor, Derek (“Taff”) Lewis was posted to XV Squadron at Laarbruch in 1973. Towards the end of his tour he was selected as Project Offi cer to oversee the evaluation and introduction of the fi rst electronic countermeasures pod to be fi tted to the Buccaneer. This was a challenging task and after a series of fl ying trials in the USA the equipment was successfully adapted for use by the Buccaneer force. For this important contribution to the operational capability of the Buccaneer “Taff” Lewis was awarded the Air Force Cross. He completed his tour on XV Squadron in 1976.“Taff” Lewis’s subsequent career included tours as Chief Flying Instructor at RAF Valley and Air Attaché in Tel Aviv. He retired from the RAF in 1993 and worked the RAF Benevolent Fund for the next 13 years. He died in July 2009 after a long battle against cancer. His widow, Kay, and a daughter and son survive him.

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NOTES FROM THE SECRETARY

Another year has raced by and as I write this there are only 15 shopping days until Christmas - I had better get myself organised! It has been a very successful year for both the Sqn and the Association and I very much hope you have enjoyed reading all the news in this edition of the annual newsletter.

I would like to pass on my thanks to those that have contributed to this edition. The newsletter is only as interesting as the content we put in and if anyone would like to write an article for next year’s newsletter, please let me know - contributions are always gratefully received. There is always the update newsletter in Spring 2010 if you would like to contribute and can’t wait until next Christmas.

For those that received a hard copy of this newsletter, I would appreciate any feedback on this smaller booklet format we have published. This has been done as a cost and time saving measure. Additionally, I would also encourage those with email facilities to take advantage of having their association correspondence sent via email; so far we have only had a small uptake of this service. Please let me know if you would be happy to receive newsletters by email.

It just remains for me to wish you and your families the very best for Christmas and the New Year. Meanwhile I will be enjoying the festive season with my family in Scotland. See you at next year’s reunion. Until then, ‘Fly safe and Aim Sure!’

Mark Allan

Secretary

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PHOTO GALLERY

Operations in AfghanistanOperations in Afghanistan

XV SQN ASSOCIATION CONTACTS

CHAIRMAN:Air Cdre David Bywater9 Chestnut Grove, Great Stukeley, Huntingdon, Cambs, PE28 4ATdavid.bywater@btopenworld.com

SECRETARY:Flt Lt Mark AllanXV(R) Sqn, RAF Lossiemouth, Moray, IV31 6SD01343 817523secretary@xvsqnassociation.co.uk

TREASURER:Mrs Valerie Ford-Jones48 Caraway Drive, Wood Hall Park, Swindon, Wilts, SN2 2RFvalerie.fordjones@btinternet.com

ERA REPS:

Pre-Canberra:Martyn Ford-Jones48 Caraway Drive, Wood Hall Park, Swindon, Wilts, SN2 2RF,mfj_xvhistorian@hotmail.co.uk

Canberra:Tony Britton‘Bro-Bri’, 7 Queen’s Avenue, Bradford, West Yorks, BD2 4BPjambritton@virginmedia.com

Victor:Gerry Newton46 Lake End Drive, Holmer Lake, Telford, Shropshire, TF3 1NTgsnwtn@aol.com

Buccaneer:Vic Blackwood25 Beaufort Rd, Ingham, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP31 1NWvicblackwood@ukonline.co.uk

Tornado:Flt Lt Mark Allan

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XV(R) Sqn Graphics

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