Gerry Knight sent this picture of the memorial at Bradwell Bay taken on his last visit from Oz
Evidently 64Sqn. are listed on the plaque and he says that all that remains of this WWII Satellite station are a few dilapidated nissen huts.

 
I first heard the name Bradwell Bay in 1953. It was during ‘Operation Canute’ involving the Army and the RAF (not sure if any navy were present) to try to stem the tides and repair the sea defences around the Essex coastal area that were devastated by floods in February of that year. Thousands were made homeless, 307 people died and Sir Winston Churchill the Prime Minister at that time declared the floods a National Disaster

I was among the first group of about ten bods who were seconded to join the other volunteers and enjoy a couple of days by the seaside, filling sandbags,….. with.MUD!   I cannot remember who my travelling companions were, but Norman Pollard once mentioned to me that he had been there, perhaps he was one of them? We travelled the 40 miles by road and on arrival were ushered into a local church hall that was to be our mess and sleeping quarters for the next couple of nights. I recall that we slept on biscuits on the wooden floor, surprisingly I can’t remember what the food was like, it must have been o.k. but then, we were always hungry. One thing that I did miss and indeed fantasized about was - a NAAFI  Wagon - on floats !  Strangely, it seems that the more one tries to remember the hazier events become. That for me was a good memory, the discipline was easy going, as true to form we took on the task with good humour. The highlight of the day was when the supply of sandbags were replenished by two army chaps labouring in a small rowing boat and who had to run the gauntlet of well aimed mud pies from the bank above. It certainly gave us the opportunity to prove ‘that if you throw enough mud at whatever   - some will stick’ …how true!

From Baz Gowling :  Ron Dick - pilot on 64 squadron from 52-54, and a member of the 1953 aerobatics team, died a short while ago of pancreatic cancer at his home in USA . He was a very keen aviator all his life, with whom I also served on Vulcans much later than our time together on Meteors at Duxford. He retired in the rank of  Air Vice-Marshal. I believe that he was one of those involved in the flying of the Memphis Belle Flying Fortress over from the States to Duxford some years ago - although there are many at Duxford who would be able say whether that is correct!  R.I.P

Another New Member (from the web site) Gordon Kennard No.4Dist RAF Police 1956 – 57  and 2TAF Germany …….

SilverSurfers are now making more use of the messages link and hits to date total 2,405…WOW

Recently I posted my intention to start a Gallery on the website for Arts, Crafts & Authors, mainly to display their work. Any dealings that might ensue would of course be strictly between the interested parties, with perhaps a small voluntary donation going towards the funds. I would like to hear from interested members in this regard. 

Please contact me on 01903 539847                larrycee@ntlworld.com