Wow this brings back happy memories I. Did my square bashing April 1964 (Feb.)we were then transferred to RAF Hemswell Trenchard block for the 6 weeks square bashing the base was reopened 😊
Was there March April time 1970, remember our drill Sgt "Steve Fagg" with his "Rock Ape" side kick (his name escapes me) I was in one of the "H" blocks, with very very very shiny floors, remember the dreaded bed packs, and morning inspections !!! then one evening one of the older recruits brought in this new fangled thing called a "Steam Iron"... so the damp towels, soap and brown paper were binned, and we had the best pressed blues of anyone....were they happy days, not sure, but interesting and character building days for certain, and fond memories of my proud parents on passing out parade day... (Q8083633) What a last three numbers to have !!!
December 28th passing out parade (E8116301) that was fun, lasting memory was NAAFI catering god did it kill the taste buds or standing on the wind swept platform of the station as diesels thrashed through and the new boys kits rolled along the platform.
That brought back some memories of Mid-1977. Not the "luxury" of Gibson block but the older H Blocks behind it in my case. So sad to see the state of it now, but it is the same with several other units I was on.
I was there in Feb 1976 in the old blocks it was cold DI'S were Sgt Taylor and Cpl Stewart scary but great people.Loved the place would do it all again tomorrow T8124681went on to St Athan after passing out parade on St Patricks day after a massive p***up in the Naafi The Rockapes were a good laugh Sgt Bill Halligan was a scary man met up with him at RAF Catterick when i was posted to 58 Squadron he has passed away but a great gentleman Respect to all that entered RAF Swinderby God Bless
Great film, brought back a lot of memories. I arrived on the 6th September 1973. I did not do the passing out parade as I was sent on to start trade training after five weeks due to a shortage of dog handlers.
@maljohn6584 I was at Swiderby in 1978 as a new recruit . What flight did you start with . God this bring back so many memeories . Then off to RAF Cosford to complete my AMW training course. Do you remember BOB Foulds or a guy named Floidy . Another guy was Kirk Stringer from Wolverhamton . I remember going into the local pub on night and getting cought by CPL Monahan one of our instructors .
1984,Corporal Fosbury and Sgt.Adams.No1 flight.Nov -Dec.Holiday at North Luffenham,no skis provided.Bumped all night,doubled all day.Brief glimpse of snatch in the cinema, lol,just to see who was awake.R8219546.
Great little film. I was there from July 84. One of the old blocks origonaly. Was on 6 FLT 1 SQDN. CPL Aries, a Maltese DI. Failed Weapons training, got re Flighted 1 week to 13 FLT 3 SQDN. CPL Davies was the DI. In the 'new' block. Don't think it was Gibson, possibly Cheshire.
Arrived in Swinderby in October 68. Cpl Topping and Sgt Haliday were our instructors. Enjoyed my 9yrs in the RAF but Swinderby was special. Great memories from there.
I am so jealous of you lot that served, was in the ATC wanted to join the RAF but got an apprenticeship in civvy street, who knows might have hated it but will never know. Too old at 59 still had a good working life good jobs.
Went through Swinderby in June 1980 for what was the start of a 30 year career. Would do it all again in a heartbeat, I only live a few miles from what little remains of the place but the memories flood back every time I pass what used to be the main gates.
Done basic in May 1979, 5 flight in Gibson Block, under the instruction of Corporal Terry Boissell....great time and great memories. Cpl Boissell was firm but a good laugh....wonder whatever happened to him?
Hi remember going into to get jabs and cross country run also weapons striping and loading mags there 1978 remember sherwood Forrest in jan cold with snow going to get food in mess and I was in old blocks spent 6 weeks buffing floor with hand buffers and last day scuffing it all up also bed blankets still like shiny shoes
Many thanks for the slides brought back memories the dreaded cs chamber the cinema with training films collecting your rifle from the armoury marching everywhere fond memories sad to see the old place demolished and gone
Swinderby in 1967 (prior to first posting to RAF Scampton (VULCANS)). Our drill instructor was CPL Saville, ex guardsman with a powerful stick !! We used to line up our 12 man room beds with a long length of string for morning inspection, put floor polish on the door so it was the first thing he smelt on entry, it worked !!
I thought the food wasnt too bad in Dec 69. I remember being late for breakfast one morning 😢 and even though the kitchen had finnished, the chef cooked me up an ok Breky.😅
