Ex-Servicemen's page

If you have ever served at RAF Church Fenton, then I would be only too pleased to hear from you. Also, if you would like to contact any other people who have served at CF, then I will gladly put your name and e-mail address on this page, to help you get in contact with them.

E-mail me via the contact page.

Ralph Bayley was the station photographer at Church Fenton from October 1986 to March 1988. To contact him click HERE

Dougie Ferguson served at Church Fenton from November 1979 until October 1983. He initially worked in Engineering Records, moving on to Flying Wing HQ, monitoring Aircraft, Engine and Student flying hours. To contact him click HERE

Terence Wilson was a Senior-aircraftsman with 19 Squadron from August 1956 - May 1958. He worked as a servicing data recorder for the Hawker Hunters the squadron was equipped with at the time. To contact him, click HERE

Terry Welsh was the station photographer at Church Fenton from its' re-opening in 1979 to October 1986. To contact him, click HERE

Dave Stevenson (ex SAC Stevenson) served at Church Fenton from 1971 to 1975 as a Ground Wireless Mechanic. He would like to be contacted by anyone who knew him during his time there. To contact him, click HERE

Derick Oakley (service no 4188655) served at Church Fenton from April 1957 to September 1959. He worked in the Orderly Room, looking after personnel records and issuing railway travel warrants amongst other things. To contact him, click HERE

Does anyone have any information regarding an American serviceman called Marco DiMarco? He was based at Church Fenton during 1953-55 and during that time met a girl called Elizabeth (Betty). Betty would very much like to make contact with him or his family. If you can help, please contact her via her friend Alana Shaw.

Dave Ditchburn was stationed at Church Fenton July 1984 (the day York Minster burned down!) to October 1987. He was an airframe mechanic who worked at both the Flight Line and Asf. To contact him, click HERE.

Edwina Kastner is looking for any relatives of her great uncle Henry (Harry) Vernon Worrall. Although not actually stationed at Church Fenton, he was a flight instructor at the Yorkshire Aero Club, at both nearby Sherburn-in-Elmet, and at Yeadon. Before this, Henry was a WW1 pilot. He was also a co-pilot with Sir Alan Cobham in Africa, and a test pilot for Avro during WW2. He returned to Australia in the 1950s, with a son and daughter. If anyone has any information on him, Edwina would love to hear from you. To e-mail her, please click HERE.

Gail Kilmartin's father James Abbott served with fighter command as part of the mobile operations unit room 2, 2nd tactical air force. He was at Church Fenton between 1941 and 1942. If anyone has any information about his time at CF, or knows anyone who would like to make contact with him, you can contact him via Gail by clicking HERE

Ricky Spencer was stationed at Church Fenton from 1972 - 1974 as a Stats Clerk. To contact him please click HERE. To read his memories of the station, please click HERE.

Alan Bruce was stationed at Church Fenton 1971 - 1973 as a SAC in the Fire Service. He is yet another person with very happy memories of the station. To contact him, please click HERE (work) or HERE (home).

Mons Andrew Ford was stationed at Church Fenton 1938 - 39, and again in 1942. If anyone would like to contact him (initially through his son, Trevor), please click HERE. His memories of Church Fenton can be found HERE.

Alan Ireland served as a Flight Sergeant in Air Traffic Control between 1972 and August 1976. He'd love to hear from anyone who remembers him from his time there. To contact him via his son Gary, please click HERE.

Jeff Jacobs was posted to RAF Church Fenton in 1947 and worked in the Transport dept. There, his work covered refuelling aircraft to transporting officers to outside appointments. In just over five years in the RAF, Jeff says Church Fenton was his finest posting. Accommodation in brick built buildings was excellent. He has been resident in the USA for the last 37 years. To contact him, click HERE.

Max Young was stationed at Church Fenton for 18 months between August 1950 and February 1952. He was an SAC Fitter Armourer attached to the Station Armoury with connections to both Squadrons at that time, but worked mainly running the Station Armoury office with a civilian - Bert Wynyard (who lived in the village), a real character, who also ran the gun club for a long while. To contact Max, please click HERE.

Steve Young was stationed at Church Fenton from 1979 until his demob in 1981. He was an S.A.C. working on the Flight line, service no D8128854. He did a number of station liaison visits at local fetes and used to have competitions with the student aircrew as to who could strap into the display ejection seat the fastest. He also helped with the local air training corps as a volunteer instructor.

Steve also worked on the TV series 'AIRLINE' when the filming was done at CF. This was because of his association with the Shuttleworth collection and his volunteer work with them on vintage aeroplanes. Steve went on to form his own Airshow Company and spent 15 years looking after vintage aircraft. To contact him, please click HERE.

Harry Smith. I served at CF from 1986 until demob 1991. Married Theresa Edwards from the telephone exchange 1989. We now have 3 children are are very happy living in Warrington. I currently work for MyTravel Aircraft Engineering.

Best regards - Harry Smith.

To contact Harry, please click HERE.

Vicky Thompson (nee Mason) would like to hear from anyone who remembers her family from their time at Church Fenton in the 60s and 70s. Her dad, Sgt James Mason, was initially with the MT section, then Yorkshire UAS, and after retirement he worked in the guardroom, where he died on duty in 1976. Vicky's mother, Louise, was a chamber maid, and looked after the air training officers. If you would like to contact Vicky, please click HERE.

Stephen Birtles was OC SCAF at Church Fenton from September 1986 to February 1988. To contact him, please e-mail me in the first case (by clicking HERE) and I will pass your contact details to him.

John Ratel was posted to the station armoury in May 1957. He was a Halton "brat" (77th Entry), graduating on April 17th 1957. He was a Junior Technician (armourer), with service number RAF-589647. After a short while, he became groundcrew with 85 Squadron, working on Meteor 12s and 14s. When 85 was disbanded, he moved across to 72 Squadron, and stayed with them for the rest of his time at Church Fenton (during which time they re-equipped with the Javelin). Shortly after this, Church Fenton ceased to be a fighter base, and 72 moved across to RAF Leconfield, near Beverley. To contact him, please click HERE.

Flt J T Kingsley was Deputy Chief Ground Instructor 1964-65, during which time his boss was Sqn Ldr Les Francis. He became Chief Ground Instructor when the station started to wind down with the last Vampire course. After CF he went on to Valley and the Red Arrows in 1967-69. To contact him click HERE.

Jack Bradstock was the SNCO in charge of the Tucano Simulator. He had the honour of being the last serving airman to be living-in at Church Fenton. After the Sergeants' Mess had been closed, he was relocated us to the Officers' Mess. Jack was posted to CF specifically to receive into Service the first Tucano Simulator. The first of it's kind as it was built by Ferranti and used mostly PC technology.

In Jack's own words: "Church Fenton was, by far, my happiest posting in over 31 years, I was very sad to see it close". If you would like to contact him, please click HERE.

Paul Steele - I served at Church Fenton from Dec ’81 until March ’88. I worked on the Flight Line as Line Armourer and Station Armoury as I/C Small Arms anyone wishing to get in touch click HERE.

Cliff Philips began his service in the RAF at Church Fenton. He arrived between Christmas and New Years' Eve 1956, as a boy entrant after training as an Air Radar Mechanic at RAF Cosford. He served at Church Fenton until closure in 1959, when along with most of the rest of the unit, he moved on to RAF Leconfield. While at Church Fenton, Cliff served with both 72 and 85 Squadrons, as well as the Radio Servicing Flight. He would like to hear from anyone who remembers him from his time at Church Fenton - to get in touch, click HERE.

Arthur Grace's first posting, in May 1941, was RAF Church Fenton. He was an 18 year old AC1 (Engines) on 54 OTU (the first night-fighter training unit, operating Blenheims). He left Church Fenton in September 1941. To contact him, please click HERE.

Simon Clarke - Well the only person I recognised of the list was Harry Smith, commonly known as Harry the Bastard. I don't know why he got that name as he was a nice bloke.

Church Fenton was my first posting in the RAF. I was an Airframe Mechanic in 1983 when at the tender age of 17 I move to Church Fenton. I worked on the flight line, then in SSF in 3 shed for a while, then back onto the flight line. I left in 1988 and Headed off to RAF Guttersloh. These day's I Help Design Aircraft. In 1987 I married Mandy Dalton who used to work in the post room in SHQ. We are happily Divorced now but I do have two fine Children.

A few of the names from back then :-

Dusty Miller (sooty I think), Graham Thompson (my best man), Ron Burgess (Da do ron ron), Dave 'Ted' Hinchliffe, Chris (Air Traffic), Big Mick Hall, Little Mick Hall,

There are just so many faces and not enough names.

Please add my details on your website.

Many thanks. Also thank you for the trip down memmory lane.

Simon Clarke

To contact Simon, please click HERE.

Ian Hogg was stationed at Church Fenton from when the station was re-activated in 1979, until he was de-mobbed in November 1982. He worked in 1 shed as a Sgt Avionics Tech. To contact him click HERE.

William Arnold was stationed at Church Fenton from 1956 to early 1958. William worked in Tech Control in 1 hangar on aircraft mods, part of Tech Wing which carried out major servicings. To contact William, click HERE.

Michael Holloway - I served at RAF Church Fenton as follows: AS a Corporal in ATC 1967 to 1973; Flight Sergeant Air Traffic Controller 1979 to 1983 and 1986 to 1989. Was probably one of the longest serving member at the Unit and it is good to see a web site dedicated to it. To contact Michael, click HERE.

Geoff Jones - I was one of the first Riggers to re open CF in 1979 (Feb). Originally in the Rectification Flight as a Cpl and then in SSF as a Team Leader on promotion to Sgt. Had a great 5 years along with my partner in crime Iain Smith. Met some of the funniest people in the RAF in this hangar. Would like to hear from anyone who remembers. To contact Geoff click HERE.

Malcolm Sheperd's father Thomas Shepherd was involved in operating decoy fields in the Church Fenton area during the war. He was stationed here from April 1940 to April 1944, after being recalled from the reserves in 1939 at the age of almost 40. He had the rank of Flight Sergeant. Malcolm would love to hear from anyone who remembers his father or knows anything of his wartime service. To contact Malcolm click HERE.

Phil Featherstone was stationed at Church Fenton from 1979 - 1984, working on the flight line. To contact him, click HERE

Ray Richmond - I left Linton on Ouse to serve at church fenton as a corporal in Air Traffic the dates are somewhat ? but I believe I was there around 1953 to 1956 they still had Meteor 8s but were getting ready for the Hunters and for a time flew the Hunter T6, 609 was still going and we had great times at their HQ in Leeds at weekends.Other names I recall who worked in the tower were Jeff Fielding (my opposite watch cpl) Rex Everet(a Doncaster) lad Barry Newton who I still have as a friend rest of the staff are difficult to remember, but on the whole looking back they were good times. To contact Ray, click HERE

Joe Sproat - served in the station sick quarters in 1959 after being transferred from RAF Rufforth. To contact Joe, click HERE

John Critchley - Hi there, I was at CF for short time in early 1970. The chipmunks were doing their thing, but I was a trainee Nav and we did mathemtics, meteorology, ??, maybe something else, but no flying. I know at the time we all marvelled at the advisbility of putting a FTS in the middle of the biggest fog bank we had ever seen- it went on for weeks.
Thanks for the memories and feel free to add my name to the ex-seviceman's page. I would like to write to anyone involved with the Navigator programme! To contact John, click HERE.

Tom Jump was stationed Church Fenton from October 1948 to March 1950 as a Corporal Clerk Guard in the SHQ building dealing with 36's, 48's, including ration cards. Tom remembers well playing for both the station football and cricket teams and the sad day when all the WAAFS were moved out to Linton!! Names Tom can remember include:

Fred Wimbleton from Enfield
Peter "Boots" Hawkins from Fareham
Bill Jordan from Manchester
"Titch" Caulfield from nearby Selby

Tom's service number was 2401457. To contact him, click HERE.

Derrick Pawley was a Flt Mech Engines on DH Hornets of both 19 and 41 Squadrons, from 1948 - 1951. His first job was to be responsible for servicing one of the engines of 19 Squadron's one and only Mosquito amongst their fleet of Hornets. Derek played Hockey for the station, so says he must have visited every station in Yorkshire because of this. To contact Derrick, please click HERE

George Edwards was an RAF Fireman at RAF Church Fenton, 1968 - 1970. To contact him, please click HERE. To read George's memoirs of RAF Church Fenton, please see the "Memories" page. George's recently-released autobiography 'Out of the Blue - an Airman's tale', is available via www.woodfieldpublishing.com

Stephen Higham - I was stationed at CF from Oct 81 until Jul 88. When I left I believe I was the longest serving member of camp at that time. My best job ever. To contact Stephen, click HERE

James Pottage - James' son Kevin Pottage has contacted me asking if anyone remembers, or has any photos of, his father. James served as a fireman at Church Fenton around 1962/1963, and later Catterick. If anyone has any memories of James, please contact his son Kevin, by clicking HERE.

Michael Green was stationed at Church Fenton 1980 - 1983, to contact him click HERE.

Bennie Zaccardelli served in the fire department 1968 - 1972, and lived in the married quarters in Acomb, York. To contact Bennie, please click HERE.

John Brown was a QFI on the Primary Flying Squadron (PFS) at Church Fenton 1969 - 1971. To contact John, please click HERE.

Clarisse Edwards (nee Wagstaff) was a member of the W.R.A.F. at Church Fenton from 1948 - 1949, and worked in the pay accounts section. To contact Clarisse, please click HERE.

Pat McGeough was a Sgt. Propulsion technician at Church Fenton from its re-activation in 1979 until 1982. He lived in Brockley Close in the village. To contact Pat, please click HERE.

Evan Launder was an engine mechanic on the DH Hornets of 41 Squadron, from mid-1948 to 1949. To contact Evan, click HERE.

Ted Wright was a Corporal armourer in the station armoury 1954 - 1955. He serviced the 20mm cannons of the Meteor day fighters of 19 & 72 Squadrons. To contact Ted, please click HERE

Dave Young served at Church Fenton 1979 - 1983 on the flight line and in rects. Names he remembers include Pete Ramsden, Vinnie Williams, Mick White, Neil White, Paul Neal, Phil Featherstone, Bob Hanley and more. To contact Dave, please click HERE

LAC Mike Roberts was in Air Traffic Comms and Ops Block commcen at Church Fenton from April 1958 to July 1959. To contact Mike, please click HERE

John Williams: "I was stationed at Church Fenton from 1970 - 1973 in Supply Squadron, mostly in POL, then R&D and finally in SCAF (Cut off from the outside world). I played Rugby for the Station and Rugby League at the weekends as I originate from Featherstone, not too far from C.F. I used to run the bar for the Rugby Club, very handy as it was at the side of Stores. Many happy times were had at Church Fenton". To contact John, click HERE.

Paul Harding was a fireman at Church Fenton from 1981 until 1986. To contact Paul, please click HERE.

John Day -"I did my National Service at CF 1953-1955, most of the time as a refueller tanker driver, but also with a period in ATC. Our unit CO in ATC was Flt.Lt. Ching. We had a great sergeant in M/T. I don't remember his second name; we just called him "Sgt.Bill". Our station CO at one period was a Maori group captain who was a WW2 hero. A pal, John Beecroft, had a new MG and we used to go pub-hopping around Yorkshire on sports afternoons. We would take swimming trunks and towels to support our story that we were going swimming. It was a good time, many years ago."

To contact John, please click HERE.

Norman Lill served at Church Fenton from 1986 until 1989. To contact Norman please click HERE

Tim Dalby served in Ground Radio at Church Fenton from 1979 - 1984. To contact Tim, please click HERE.

Colin Sutherland did his national service as a turner in the station workshops with 60MU, 1960 - 1962. To contact Colin, click HERE.

Tony Drinkwater served at Church Fenton between September 1973 and 1975. To contact Tony, click HERE.

Brian Brumbill served with 112 Squadron from 1962 - 1964 and lived at Church Fenton. To contact Brian, click HERE.

John Harrison served at Church Fenton 1969 - 1972, and 1974 - 1975 and worked in the Aviation Medical Centre and Station Medical Centre. To contact John, click HERE.

Max Garrety was a student on number 38 course of 7FTS, January - September 1989. To contact Max, please click HERE.

Kevin Meeson - in his own words: "hi water babys smiler ere this is my no 3 sons file please use i was at fenton from 68/71 i came from masirah had 3good years their on looking back on life i was only a fool to leave as george edwards says it was good the sad times was when we lost 3 pilots 2 from leaming and 1 from fenton com dunbar dompsey royal navy i  was proud to have done my job that day tho  it was not vert nice to see but the training we had did come thru god blrss all firefighters in this world". To contact Kevin, please click HERE.

Mick Drummond - Served 1979 to 1981 on the Line as a CPl.  Great freiends with Steve Leslie, knew lots of lads and lasses from that time. MY HOUSE WAS REGULARLY "tACeVALLED" on Friday evenings. To contact Mick, please click HERE.

Tony Atkin ("Guppy") - Served at CF from 1985-88 in station workshps. Great three years. I played station football and for the stackers team on sundays in the local league. I completed 15 years in the RAF but CF was my first posting and will always have a place in my heart. So sad to see the photos as it is now. I think I spotted my room in the acc. block photos. Spent a lot of time in the Flyer the landlord was called Dave great bloke. To contact Tony, click HERE.

Gary Groves was a fireman at Church Fenton from 1983 - 1985. To contact Gary, please click HERE.

Eddie Klaja arrived at Church Fenton in January 1970, leaving in late 1971. To contact him, please click HERE.

Terry Quinton was a J/T in the MT section at Church Fenton, 1962 - 1964. To contact Terry, please click HERE.

Gary Rogers was at Church Fenton from 1983 - 1989 as an SAC on the flight line, leaving the RAF in 1989. He then came back to Church Fenton in 1990 working on the flight line for Airwork, before leaving in 1991. To contact Gary, please click HERE.

Robert Harris: I was at Church Fenton from May 1955 to Feb 1957. I was known as Bob Harris and served as an SAC radio mechanic on 19 squadron. I would be pleased to hear from anyone who was there at that time. To contact Robert, please click HERE.

Paul Gamble: MTD, 1986-88. Posted to RAF Hullavington {Balloon Ops Sqn}. I took over from Tim as station DJ and had a whale of a time. Wish I could
have stayed at CF for a while longer. Hi to all who remember me. To contact Paul, please click HERE.

Clay Jones: Trained at CF on Leeds UAS 1964-67. While Engineering Undergrad / Postgrad. Then BOAC VC10/BA Boeing 737 skipper. Seek partners in new enterprise. Clay Jones. To contact Clay, please click HERE.

Ian Moore: I served at Church Fenton 1986-1990 on the flight line. I often went by the nickname "Chirpy". To contact Ian, please click HERE.

Ted Kelly: I was a Flight Mechanic Engines on DH Hornets of 19 Squadron in 1947 -1948 at C.F. when we were the fastest prop jobs going, or were we? To contact Ted, please click HERE.

http://www.forcesreunited.org.uk - great website for getting in touch with your old friends.

http://www.modreunited.com - another great website for contacting old comrades.

http://www.comradesandcolleagues.com - and another...

http://www.rafinfo.org.uk - good site if you are after info regarding squadron/unit associations. Also good if you need info about other (current and ex-) RAF stations.

http://www.oldoppos.co.uk - another website for contacting your old service friends, with over 3000 members as of March 2003.

http://www.worldwar2exraf.co.uk - new site specifically designed to re-unite World War 2 RAF personnel, both Aircrew and Groundcrew.

http://www.servicepals.com - largest of the reunion type websites for ex-forces personnel and has links with the Royal British Legion.