2018 News Archive

XI(F) SQUADRON

ASSOCIATION

Rest in Peace, John Willy -
passed away on 1st November 2018

We have just received the sad news that John William-Wright passed away on the 1st November 2018.

John was Chief Tech Airframes and also the UMO on the Squadron in the late 90’s. (Unit Movements Officer).

They shall not grow old

as we that are left grow old,

Age shall not weary them,

nor the years condemn.

At the going down of

the sun and in the morning

We will remember them.

Real Royal Mail

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have joked they were performing the duties of a “really Royal Mail” as they hand-delivered presents to troops who will be away from their families at Christmas.

The Duke and Duchess paid tribute to British forces stationed overseas as they took gifts from children to their mothers and fathers serving at an RAF base in Cyprus.

The Duke told troops fighting Islamic State (Isil) that they deserve thanks of the nation, reminding them: "Recognition of your sacrifices is exactly what is due to you all".

The Royal couple met the families of pilots, senior officers and flight crews from XI Squadron, who are now on deployment at RAF Akrotiri and flying missions from Cyprus to combat Isil.

They arrived bearing presents from their children, wives and parents who were invited to a Kensington Palace Christmas party on Tuesday.

Ian ‘Jock’ Ashenhurst

We have just received the sad news that Ian ‘Jock’ Ashenhurst has passed away on Saturday 10th November in Perth, Scotland at age 92.

Jock joined up in 1958 and served with 11 Squadron at Leuchars at the time they moved to Binbrook in 1972 as the line co-ord, he was also an airframe fitter.

Prior to the RAF Jock served 9 years in the Merchant Navy and joined at the age of 18 in 1944, he was a veteran of the North Atlantic Convoys.

Funeral will be 12:30 on Friday 16th at Perth Crematorium with tea and biccies after at Huntingtower Hotel which is nearby.

They shall not grow old

as we that are left grow old,

Age shall not weary them,

nor the years condemn.

At the going down of

the sun and in the morning

We will remember them.

Happy Birthday Sir Michael Graydon

The Association and Squadron would like to send their congratulations to The Association Patron Air Chief Marshal Sir Michael Graydon, on his 80th Birthday today (24th Oct).

Group Captain Baulkwill (left) is congratulated by
Group Captain Flewin after his last flight.

Group Captain Mark Flewin has assumed command of RAF Coningsby

Group Captain Mark Flewin (pictured right) has assumed command of RAF Coningsby having taken over the reins from the outgoing Station Commander, Group Captain Mike Baulkwill. Group Captain Flewin has previously served at Coningsby flying Typhoons with both 3(F) & XI(F) Squadrons.

On behalf of our Association, the Secretary would like to congratulate both Mark on his new command and Mike on his new promotion to Air Commodore.

Group Captain Mike Baulkwill’s last flight with the BBMF Spitfire

These 4 photos reflect Group Captain Mike Baulkwill’s last flight with the BBMF Spitfire at Coningsby yesterday (4 Oct) before being posted on promotion. (No info where yet).

Mike was the XO on XI Squadron a number of years ago on Typhoons whilst serving under Jez Attridge as OC XI. Jez is currently the Association Chairman.

The following is Mike’s message to all...

Last trip today with the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, 5 frontline fighters flown in my career and this one is my favourite. A big thank you the whole Flight for an amazing 2 years and their exceptional hard work and outstanding support to the Station, the Royal Air Force, the Veterans and the United Kingdom.
Lest We Forget.

RAF Binbrook 11 Squadron Reunion at Bruntingthorpe

The photo was taken at the RAF Binbrook 11 Squadron Reunion at Bruntingthorpe on 7th and 8th September.

Congratulations Damo!

Flt. Lt. Damon Green has been posted to the Red Arrows.

In the photo above Damo is being congratulated by the current Squadron Boss Wg. Cdr. Paul (Pablo) O'Grady on his celebratory last flight in an 11 Squadron Typhoon, having spent 3.5 years in total on Typhoons. The Squadron and the Association would like to thank Damo for his stalwart support of the Association and for organising several Reunions from the Squadron side.

RAF Coningsby‘s Station Commander, Gp Capt Mike Baulkwill flew a Spitfire for the first time today.

Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (Official) Facebook page. August 31st.

Rest in Peace, Allen McGregor

We have just received the sad news that Allen McGregor has passed away.

His funeral will take place at Roucan Loch Crematorium, Collin, Dumfries at 1pm on the 10th August.

They shall not grow old

as we that are left grow old,

Age shall not weary them,

nor the years condemn.

At the going down of

the sun and in the morning

We will remember them.

Practice for the RAF100 Parade

Left to Right :

Chief Technician Chris “Dinger” Bell, Flight Lieutenant Pete James, Warrant Officer Dave Thorp and Flight Sergeant Andy “Monty” Burden.

Happy 100th Birthday to the RAF

Rest in Peace, Mitch.

You will be long remembered with affection and respect by your colleagues on No. 11 Squadron.

They shall not grow old

as we that are left grow old,

Age shall not weary them,

nor the years condemn.

At the going down of

the sun and in the morning

We will remember them.

John ‘Mitch’ Mitchell

We have just received the sad news that John ‘Mitch’ Mitchell has passed away.

John served with the Squadron at Binbrook in servicing control for many years.

His funeral will take place at Grimsby Crematorium on Friday 25th May at 11:40hrs.

Wreath or flowers to be sent either to the Funeral Directors, Co-op FuneralCare in Abbey Road, Grimsby or the North East Lincs Crematorium (Grimsby Crematorium).

The family will be having a collection at the Service with proceeds going to the RAF Benevolent Fund.

They shall not grow old

as we that are left grow old,

Age shall not weary them,

nor the years condemn.

At the going down of

the sun and in the morning

We will remember them.

Chief Tech Alan Davidson

It is with the greatest sadness that I report the death of my father 1922669 Chief Tech Alan Davidson at the age of 83. He served on Xl Squadron at Leuchars and Binbrook. Alan joined up in 1950 a few weeks after his 15th birthday at RAF Locking and served at Coltishall, Changi, Butterworth, Topcliffe, Wildenrath, Leuchars and Binbrook, finally being discharged at RAF Leeming in 1974.

His funeral will take place on the 18th May at 15.00 hrs at the South Oxfordshire Crematorium, OX13 5PA. There will be a reception later in The Bear Hotel, 14 Marketplace, Wantage, OX12 8BA. If anyone wishes to attend please give me a heads up so I can report numbers.
Thank you.

Ian Davidson

They shall not grow old

as we that are left grow old,

Age shall not weary them,

nor the years condemn.

At the going down of

the sun and in the morning

We will remember them.

Reunion 2018,
August 9th & 10th.

This year’s Reunion will take place under a similar format to previous years. It will commence with a Dining In Night at the Petwood Hotel, Woodhall Spa. The following day will entail a visit to the Squadron site at RAF Coningsby, with the Association AGM being the final element.

All Association members are welcome to attend including spouses/partners.

The Secretary has already sent out information to all those currently registered on the Membership database. Therefore if you haven’t received an email or other notification then could you please contact the Secretary as soon as possible.

Message from the Secretary.

May I welcome all to this brand new Association Website. The previous Secretary, Iain Small, was struggling to find time to keep the old website going and the Members wanted an update. Until very recently, the old website hadn’t been updated since 2013.

Approximately 2 years ago I agreed, with Iain, to take on the website thinking it would be quite an easy task especially as I’d just set up the Facebook Association Group.

How wrong I was!! In 12 months I’d managed to find time to complete a couple of sentences for uploading and that was as far as I’d got. I realized it was quite an arduous task and desperately need help. It became obvious that I hadn’t really understood what was involved. Fair play to Iain for keeping it going for so long!

The chap responsible for constructing this new website, Trevor Ker-Lewis, had also been instrumental in setting up the previous version. Trevor’s career is in this field and he offered to help. With no volunteers forthcoming (don’t blame them) I gratefully accepted Trevor’s offer and, having received backing from the members that attended the 2017 AGM, handed it over to the expert.

Trevor & I colluded over where to take the format of the website and decided (with permission of the Association Committee Members) that a full upgrade was needed including the possibility of scrapping the old site.

Now we haven’t actually scrapped it as access to it can be found at the bottom of the “Features” page on the new site but it is my intention that it will only be used as an archive for the future. Trevor has carried over as much as possible to the new site but I don’t want the site to be saturated with articles that may not be necessary for the next 100 plus years.

This Website was launched on Sunday the 1st April 2018, also the commencement of celebrations for RAF100. I would like to add my congratulations to our Royal Air Force at home & overseas, Serving personnel & Veterans for their commitment in helping to achieve this milestone.