Please leave comments regarding previous service below:
15 thoughts on “Guestbook”
Great to see 600 Squadron is still alive and well. I served with 2600 Squadron at Biggin Hill in 1955 to ’57 when the Squadrons were disbanded. I went on to serve with 458 (LAA) Regiment RA(TA) at Sidcup) until I decided I missed the RAF. On signing on at Blackheath I asked if I could use my RAuxAF No. which was granted so I carried 2676562 throughout my career with just the prefix “L” added in the 1960’s. I served as a Ground Wireless Mechanic, then Fitter until I retired as Ch/Tech. LTech(TC).
I served in Germany, Malaysia (RAAF), Singapore, Bahrain, Oman, Malta, Cyprus, Gulf States and Maldives and from the Outer Hebrides to Somerset and wouldn’t have missed any of it.
Hello Richard, great to see a line from an old 600 comrade. I also spent the years 1955 to 57 at Biggin. I served as an Instrument mech. After 600 I served two years, also at Biggin, on a flight training squadron. Hope we can exchange a few adventures. Take care, Brian Barrett
I have just seen and read your website as my father, Albert William (Bill) Fairlie was a member of 601 Sqdn. as a Sergeant Pilot (R.A.F.V.R). back in the 1930’s. He was called up on the outbreak of WW11 in September 1939 but only for a short while as, at the behest of the War Dept., he was required back by his company (GQParachute Co. Ltd. in Woking.) to design a parachute for dropping military equipment . His job was later designated as a Reserved Occupation so he never saw active service.
Hallo from Canada .Do you know of any of the old Sqdn. who is still around?I was a member at Biggin from,1950 to 1954.What a time that was.I was a Air Cadet from 1942 to1946 and RAF to 1948.I would not have missed it for any price
I did my National Service at Biggin Hill 1952 to 1954 as a fitter. I served initially on 600 Sqn & was posted to 41 Sqn, still at Biggin, where I remained. My time was spent servicing Meteors. I look back at my time with much affection, despite the fact that National Service disrupted my young life.
Hello , My father , Tony Oldham , was ex 601 squadron and has tried very hard over the years to contribute to keeping the old comrades association of 601 together . Very sadly he passed away today 19th April at 13.10 hrs peacefully with his family around him . If there are any old comrades who may read this and would like to get in touch my email address is [email protected] .
I’m trying to find any info on detailed Operations of 600 Sqn during WW2 especially around the turn of 1944 when based in Italy. This is to research a family link , Flying Officer Harold Raymond Adams, killed in Air Operations 29.1.44 aged 20. Buried Bolsena Cemetary.
Thanks Adam
Hi, I am putting together a history of my late fathers service with the RAF but also connections after he retired. I have seen an item of correspondence dated July 2003 to suggest he may have been Secretary of the 601 (County of London) Association at some point.
His name is Joseph ( Joe) Mead and lived in Althorne Essex until he died.
Can anyone help me or recall his connection with the 601 Association- Thanks
So sad to hear about Jacqui Tennant’s passing away. I joined No. 1 MHU the same time as she did in 1985. We did the Nijmegen march together, she made all the boys look like unfit old men, always happy and keen.
Trying to find out the squadron code and identity code of FD Hughes aircraft when he was flying with both 600 and 604 squadron during the war.
Have only discovered within the past year that he was related to my grandfather on my father’s side. Any assistance in this matter would be greatly appreciated.
Hello ,
Just to let you know my father Flt Lt John Goss (94) who served 1942-1947 is in good health living in Pembrokeshire West Wales. He was navigator in Bristol Beaufighters 600 Squadron serving in North Africa, Italy. His pilot was Flt Lt Len Wakeman (Canadian) and commanding officer was Wing Commander Paddy Green. Deputy was squadron leader Horn.
First let me say I have never served with No. 600 Squadron, nor am I a relative of someone who has. I hope this declaration will not exclude me from asking for your help with something that has been puzzling me on and off for many years – long before the internet.
A recent visit to St George’s Chapel of Royal Air Force Remembrance at Biggin Hill started my research off again.
It concerns a dedication to Flying Officer Peter Bishop on one of the twelve stained glass windows designed by Hugh Easton at St George’s Chapel, Biggin Hill.
The dedication gives his date of death as 8 July 1955 and is set into No. 141 Squadron’s window in the chapel. Besides an inscription from his brother and the crests of two Oxford colleges there is the ‘dustcart’ crest of No. 600 Squadron and – interestingly – an illustration of a Gloster Meteor F8, complete with serial and individual aircraft letter.
However… the serial is WA962/D and a quick internet search shows this aircraft flew with No. 41 Squadron RAF. Having not found any reference to Peter’s death in the Station ORB or in No. 41’s ORB at the National Archives, I did find a mention in No. 600’s record which states he joined the Squadron in 1953 after studying at Oxford and died flying an aircraft for Hunting Aerosurvey.
I then found that a Auster J5/B Autocar (registration G-AMFO) belonging to Hunting Aerosurvey crashed at Kircaldy enroute to Perth (Scone) airport in Scotland.
So does anyone have any other information on Peter’s service or the crash?
I am planning to write a blog post and will of course credit any information that is passed to me.
Any information – no matter how small will be useful, if only to confirm what I have already learnt.
Finally apologies for the long email but it has been a long project with a few dead ends!
Great to see 600 Squadron is still alive and well. I served with 2600 Squadron at Biggin Hill in 1955 to ’57 when the Squadrons were disbanded. I went on to serve with 458 (LAA) Regiment RA(TA) at Sidcup) until I decided I missed the RAF. On signing on at Blackheath I asked if I could use my RAuxAF No. which was granted so I carried 2676562 throughout my career with just the prefix “L” added in the 1960’s. I served as a Ground Wireless Mechanic, then Fitter until I retired as Ch/Tech. LTech(TC).
I served in Germany, Malaysia (RAAF), Singapore, Bahrain, Oman, Malta, Cyprus, Gulf States and Maldives and from the Outer Hebrides to Somerset and wouldn’t have missed any of it.
Hello Richard, great to see a line from an old 600 comrade. I also spent the years 1955 to 57 at Biggin. I served as an Instrument mech. After 600 I served two years, also at Biggin, on a flight training squadron. Hope we can exchange a few adventures. Take care, Brian Barrett
Richard, I remember you well in 2600, from when you enlisted, like me, straight from the ATC… Francis Mackay, loud-mouthed Jock.. ring a bell.
FM
I have just seen and read your website as my father, Albert William (Bill) Fairlie was a member of 601 Sqdn. as a Sergeant Pilot (R.A.F.V.R). back in the 1930’s. He was called up on the outbreak of WW11 in September 1939 but only for a short while as, at the behest of the War Dept., he was required back by his company (GQParachute Co. Ltd. in Woking.) to design a parachute for dropping military equipment . His job was later designated as a Reserved Occupation so he never saw active service.
Hallo from Canada .Do you know of any of the old Sqdn. who is still around?I was a member at Biggin from,1950 to 1954.What a time that was.I was a Air Cadet from 1942 to1946 and RAF to 1948.I would not have missed it for any price
I did my National Service at Biggin Hill 1952 to 1954 as a fitter. I served initially on 600 Sqn & was posted to 41 Sqn, still at Biggin, where I remained. My time was spent servicing Meteors. I look back at my time with much affection, despite the fact that National Service disrupted my young life.
Hello , My father , Tony Oldham , was ex 601 squadron and has tried very hard over the years to contribute to keeping the old comrades association of 601 together . Very sadly he passed away today 19th April at 13.10 hrs peacefully with his family around him . If there are any old comrades who may read this and would like to get in touch my email address is [email protected] .
It is a pity that the history of the Squadron ‘Gentlemen in Blue’ is not mentioned. It is still available in bookshop and on the internet.
I’m trying to find any info on detailed Operations of 600 Sqn during WW2 especially around the turn of 1944 when based in Italy. This is to research a family link , Flying Officer Harold Raymond Adams, killed in Air Operations 29.1.44 aged 20. Buried Bolsena Cemetary.
Thanks Adam
As per the message above, I suggest you get hold of ‘Gentlemen in Blue’ ISBN 0-85052-575-6.
There are a number of entries relating to F/O Adams.
Hi, I am putting together a history of my late fathers service with the RAF but also connections after he retired. I have seen an item of correspondence dated July 2003 to suggest he may have been Secretary of the 601 (County of London) Association at some point.
His name is Joseph ( Joe) Mead and lived in Althorne Essex until he died.
Can anyone help me or recall his connection with the 601 Association- Thanks
So sad to hear about Jacqui Tennant’s passing away. I joined No. 1 MHU the same time as she did in 1985. We did the Nijmegen march together, she made all the boys look like unfit old men, always happy and keen.
Dean
Trying to find out the squadron code and identity code of FD Hughes aircraft when he was flying with both 600 and 604 squadron during the war.
Have only discovered within the past year that he was related to my grandfather on my father’s side. Any assistance in this matter would be greatly appreciated.
Hello ,
Just to let you know my father Flt Lt John Goss (94) who served 1942-1947 is in good health living in Pembrokeshire West Wales. He was navigator in Bristol Beaufighters 600 Squadron serving in North Africa, Italy. His pilot was Flt Lt Len Wakeman (Canadian) and commanding officer was Wing Commander Paddy Green. Deputy was squadron leader Horn.
First let me say I have never served with No. 600 Squadron, nor am I a relative of someone who has. I hope this declaration will not exclude me from asking for your help with something that has been puzzling me on and off for many years – long before the internet.
A recent visit to St George’s Chapel of Royal Air Force Remembrance at Biggin Hill started my research off again.
It concerns a dedication to Flying Officer Peter Bishop on one of the twelve stained glass windows designed by Hugh Easton at St George’s Chapel, Biggin Hill.
The dedication gives his date of death as 8 July 1955 and is set into No. 141 Squadron’s window in the chapel. Besides an inscription from his brother and the crests of two Oxford colleges there is the ‘dustcart’ crest of No. 600 Squadron and – interestingly – an illustration of a Gloster Meteor F8, complete with serial and individual aircraft letter.
However… the serial is WA962/D and a quick internet search shows this aircraft flew with No. 41 Squadron RAF. Having not found any reference to Peter’s death in the Station ORB or in No. 41’s ORB at the National Archives, I did find a mention in No. 600’s record which states he joined the Squadron in 1953 after studying at Oxford and died flying an aircraft for Hunting Aerosurvey.
I then found that a Auster J5/B Autocar (registration G-AMFO) belonging to Hunting Aerosurvey crashed at Kircaldy enroute to Perth (Scone) airport in Scotland.
So does anyone have any other information on Peter’s service or the crash?
I am planning to write a blog post and will of course credit any information that is passed to me.
Any information – no matter how small will be useful, if only to confirm what I have already learnt.
Finally apologies for the long email but it has been a long project with a few dead ends!