I arrived at Church Fenton railway station on a cold and very fogy Sunday night in January 1970. I had just completed a tour in the Far East (18 months RAF Seletar and 9 months at RAF Gan, the most easy going RAF station in the Air Force) Phone the camp, my instructions said, there was no one around, so I staggered with all my kit into the village and found a phone box. The duty driver told me he would be along in about an hour or so, can you see the pub? he said, called the Junction. Go in there and I will pick you up. Found the Junction, very friendly people and some of the RAF lads tried to get me to phone the MT Section again and tell the duty driver to come at closing time. This seems a good place thought I but I refused as I did not want to upset the orderly Cpl. issuing me transit bedding late at night. Finally arrived the camp, reported in and went to the NAAFI for a beer, only to find the place dead as a grave yard, not such a good place now I thought. Back to bed and sleep. Reported to the General Office in the morning ( the Station tannoy blaring out Flying Phase one, or Flying Phase two) whats goiong on? The Chief Clerk knew me from RAF Seleter, no cushy job for me then. He told me he was puting me on P2 (in charge of all things to do with officers documents, which included all the student pilots, Naval officers and Jordian students). A pain in the backside. I started to get settled in my new surroundings (Flying Phase three blared out the tannoy) and meet my new mates. This is when the told me, being a new guy, at the weekend I would have to complete a Phase Three. What is that? I asked, all smiles and no replys. Saturday arrived, I was woken up early and taken down to the Mess for a big breakfast. (not my usual routine). Down to the Junction for opening time(Phase one) drinking many pints till closing time. Taxi down to Tadcaster to the British Legion, til the pubs opened in the town(Phase Two) Around eight taxi back to the Junction until closing time(Phase Three). Do all this without falling asleep, and you were in. I managed to do this(what a fight} but all the other Phase Three’s I went on, I never survived.
That was the start of a great tour at RAF Church Fenton in which time I got engaged and disenged from a lovely local lass from the village. Jackie was her name. Many more great stories and times until I got promoted and posted to RAF Boulmer late in 1971.