Reflections

Alf Thompson

              
It is always sad to know of the passing of a former friend and 'Tommy' Thompson was  all that to me. I first met him in 1961 when he attended a Trig course at SMS, some very wild nights followed aided and abetted by Alan McVeagh,   Eric Davey and Mike Pooley. Tommy turned up again in 1963. When I enjoyed an occassional weekend off we went out for a
drink. He was the first mess member to invite me into the bar. I recall feeling very uneasy to be accorded such a privilege.

I was not to meet up with Tommy again until 1976. Living in Christchurch, Dorset, married and the father of three little ones we all went shopping in Boscombe. Tommy approached our family group.
"Mike"? he beamed with a smile. It was a wonderful moment. When ever he was in the area with his work he would come and stay with us. Those were precious moments. Alas they did not last and we lost touch. I have some wonderful memories of Tommy, especially the friendship he extended to me, my life all the more richer for knowing him........................Mike Chaplin
1. Myself, Mike Pooley, Alan McVeagh, Tommy - Sgts Mess Summer
Ball barmen, 1961 Courtesy Mike Chaplin		 2. Eric Davey, Alan McVeagh, 'Tommy' Thompson - 1961 SMS Courtesy Mike Chaplin 3. 'Tommy', washroom sgts mess, SMS, 1963 Courtesy Mike Chaplin    

Alf and Terry meet again

   

Andy Anderson

     
4. Terry Gibson & Alf Isherwood first met in 1955 when they were on their way to Singapore as part of the team forming 84 Field Survey Squadron. Terry spent some time with 84 in Malaya but was then sent to 570 Map Repro Troop in Singapore. In 1957 Terry returned to UK and was demobed. Recently Terry, now living in Australia, contacted Alf to say he was coming to UK and would it be possible to meet. A meeting was arranged and they met in Winchester and during an extended lunch hour rolled back the years. Courtesy Alf Isherwood 5. On left hand side Bill Davison of 55B intake at Harrogate - Pennypot late 1950's.
Courtesy of Pat Anderson, wife of the late Andy (Donald) Anderson. 		 

Italian Holiday - Courtesy Tim Holt, Andrew Thomas and Brian Houldershaw
A group of our members are in the habit of taking holidays together and this was one taken in Spring of 2006 3. Taken outside the Hotel Mirage at Riva Del Garda on 6th. May 2006. Dressed for Dinner.

L - R:- Brian Houldershaw, Andy Thomas, June Houldershaw, Norma Lees, Jim Butterworth, Tim and Ada Holt, Margaret Thomas, Bill Lees,
 Margaret Butterworth, Neil and Norma McQueen		 6. Riva del Garda – View from hotel room balcony.
4. Midday meal time – left to right –
Waitress, Brian Houldershaw, Curly Lees, Norma McQueen, Norma Lees, Margaret Butterworth, Jim Butterworth, June Houldershaw, Andy Thomas. 
The remainder of the group of twelve (apart from Tim, the photographer) were out buying handbags & shoes. 
Missing members: Tim Holt, Scouse McQueen, Margaret Thomas, Adrienne Holt.		 2.  Curly Lees with Juliet of Romeo & Juliet fame – taken in Verona. 1. This shows four ex jungle bashers from No. 1 Topo Troop, 84 Svy Sqn RE, atop the Castle Keep at Riva Del Garda.
l - r:-Brian Houldershaw, Neil 'Scouse' McQueen, Jim Butterworth and Andy Thomas, 5th. May 2006.
NO we were not contemplating climbing the Bukits in the background.
8. This photograph was taken part way up Monte Riva at the old Bastione.
Time for a Tiger at the mountain cafe.
Shows Norma McQueen, Jim Butterworth, Brian Houldershaw, Neil McQueen and Andy Thomas. 6th. May 2006.		 7. This photograph shows most of our group at the summit of Monte Baldo which we had scaled by using no less than two cable cars from Malcesine,
Lake Garda. 2nd. May 2006.

L - R:- Andy Thomas, Margaret Butterworth, Norma McQueen, Jim Butterworth, June Houldershaw, Norma Lees, Tim Holt, Brian Houldershaw
and Neil McQueen.		  

Military Wedding

      

1. The Wedding of Ron & Nita Birch

From Left to right

Don McKenzie, Ken Robinson, Graeme Hollinshead, Ron Birch, Nita Birch, Frank Litterick, John Rylatt, Les Terry, Alf Isherwood Courtesy Ron Birch