CCF RAF Section Summer Camp 1978

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RAF Coltishall, Norfolk

RAF Section Summer Camp 1978

Photograph Supplied by Ian Wood.

Back Row

?, Kevin Desforges, ?, ?, Ron Abbott, Nigel Hinson, ?, Colin Harrison

Front Row

Flatters, James McCulloch, ?, ?, Ian Wood

Diary entries

From the diary of Ian Wood

Ian hadn't done drill before, hence his lack of skill. He remembers Sgt Fearon spending time with him, one-on-one, to get him to an acceptable level. "A" Flight went on to win the drill competition.

"A" Flight

Sgt Fearon

  • Tent 1 – Cpl Guthrie, Davis, Haygarth
  • Tent 2- Cpl Godbolt, Hodgett, Tunstall
  • Tent 3- Wood, Everson, Illman
  • Tent 4 – Edwards, A.M. Thornton

Sunday

Arrived and made beds. The weather was very poor and earlier in the morning there had been 20mm hailstones. Did a walkabout exercise which consisted of walking about 10 miles looking for objects from clues and grid references. Feet are covered in blisters. Got to sleep about 11. There are 4-man tents which have 2 or 3 people in hem. Two good blokes from Hastings share with me.

Monday

  • 0600 – Got up
  • 0645 – Had breakfast which consisted of fried food and cornflakes.
  • 0712 – Had a tent inspection and scored 13 and a half points out of 20.
  • 0900-0950 Did drill. I am hopeless at it and don't know any of the things.
  • Looked around fire section and had a film on fire prevention at airfields.
  • Went around ATC (air traffic control) and looked at the radar equipment.
  • Looked around No 6 Squadron of Jaguars.
  • Played 5 a side football. I was in goal and we lost 6-1.
  • 2100-0000 Went on a night exercise on a heath. We had to find a light, bring it back to the bus and not get caught by guerillas. Before this we did a river crossing using a raft we had to make ourselves. We all got across the river and back safely. Paid Mr Abbott 3 pounds for meals and minibus trips.

Tuesday

  • 0600 – Got up
  • 0645 – Breakfast
  • 0715 – Tent Inspection
  • 0900-1000 Drill.
  • Did a field exercise which consisted of getting over imaginary rivers and logs using some supplied equipment.
  • Went to the NAAFI shop, bought 2 cans of Coke and a Picnic.
  • 1330-1800 Went to Great Yarmouth. Bought pen, 2 books and 2 postcards. Went around the town with Mallen and Flatters.
  • 2045-2230 – Went around a little town with Mr. Abbott and had a fish and chip supper.

Wednesday

  • 0600 – Got up
  • 0630 – Breakfast – bacon, egg and beans and Sugar Puffs.
  • 0730 – Tent inspection, bed pack. Saw a Hercules take off and land.
  • 0830-0930 – did drill, which is terrible.
  • Did shooting with Mr Abbott. .303 rifles. Hit the target 6 times out of 10. This was the first time I had ever done shooting.
  • 1220 Dinner – dumplings, potatoes and peas and treacle steam pudding.
  • 1400-1600 Looked around EES (Electronic Engineering Section)
  • Went to NAAFY (sic), bought can of Coke, Turkish Delight and Golden Cup.
  • 1720 – Tea – Chips, sausages and beans.
  • Read Black Aura by John Sladek.
  • Watched the 5 a side football tournament.

Thursday

  • 0900 – Map Race
  • 1220 – Lunch
  • 1315 – Briefing and field exercise
  • Late tea.
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