203 SQUADRON - History ( Courtesy of MOD RAF site )
Battle Honours:Western Front 1914 – 1918, Independent Force and Germany 1914 – 1918, Aegean 1915, Helles, Anzac, Suvla, Arras, Lys, Somme 1918, Hindenburg Line 1918, East Africa 1940 – 1941, Mediterranean 1941 – 1943, Iraq 1941, Habbaniya, Syria 1941, Egypt and Libya 1941 – 1942, North Africa 1943, Sicily 1943, Eastern Waters 1944 – 1945, Burma 1945(Honours marked with an asterisk, may be emblazoned on the Squadron Standard).
History of 203 (R) Squadron:No. 3 Squadron, RNAS, was formed at Eastchurch in February 1914 and took its Nieuports and Farmans across to the Dardanelles to carry out spotting duties in support of Royal Navy vessels in the area.
During a bombing raid against a railway junction near the Maritza River in Bulgaria on 19th November 1915, Squadron Commander Richard Bel-Davies won the Victoria Cross for landing to pick up a downed pilot in the face of intense enemy fire.
At the end of the year, the unit returned to the UK and was disbanded.
Six months later, ‘C’ Squadron, RNAS, based at Dunkirk was re-titled No. 3 Squadron and the unit flew Bristol and Nieuport Scouts on coastal patrols over the Belgian coast before moving to support RFC squadrons involved in action over the Somme.
The squadron saw little change in its duties after the creation of the RAF and remained in Belgium until March 1919 when it returned home prior to disbanding at Scopwick on 21st January 1920.
Reformed at Leuchars in March 1920 as a naval co-operation unit initially with Avro 504s and Camels, both types were replaced by the Nightjar for carrier-borne fighter duties.
No. 203 returned to Turkey during the Chanak crisis in 1922, but was disbanded once again in April 1923.
On 1st January 1929, No 482 Flight at Mount Batten was renumbered No. 203 Squadron and the unit moved to Basra in Iraq with Southamptons. The aircraft were used for anti-piracy and policing duties in the Persian Gulf and with the arrival of Short Rangoons in 1931 a number of local rulers were entertained in the capacious cabins whenever trouble was brewing. With war imminent, the squadron, now equipped with Singapores, flew to Aden and converted shortly after to Blenheims.
After the Italian declaration of war in June 1940, No. 203 became heavily involved in the East Africa campaign before moving on to Crete to cover the evacuation of the beleaguered island. The squadron flew anti-shipping patrols around the Middle and Far East with a variety of types including Baltimores, Wellingtons and Liberators, remaining in Ceylon until May 1946 when it returned to Leuchars and then St Eval and to re-equip with Lancasters. These aircraft survived until late 1952 when the unit relocated to Topcliffe prior to converting to Neptunes for anti-submarine and maritime patrols over the North Sea. These aircraft barely lasted three years, and the Squadron was disbanded in September 1956.
On 1st November 1958, No. 240 Squadron based at Ballykelly with Shackletons was renumbered No. 203. Various versions of the type were flown until October 1971, when the first Nimrods arrived. Now based at Luqa in Malta, the unit patrolled the Mediterranean until disbanded on the final day of 1977.
In October 1996, the Sea King HAR Mk3A OCU at St Mawgan was renamed No. 203 (Reserve) Squadron, thus returning one of the oldest RNAS / RAF squadrons to active service.
In early 2003, the squadron undertook a detachment to Cyprus providing search and rescue cover for the island while the resident squadron, No. 84, re-equipped with the Griffin HAR Mk2 back in the UK.
Since 2008 203(R) Squadron have been based at RAF Valley as the Sea King Operational Conversion Unit.
History of 203 (R) Squadron:No. 3 Squadron, RNAS, was formed at Eastchurch in February 1914 and took its Nieuports and Farmans across to the Dardanelles to carry out spotting duties in support of Royal Navy vessels in the area.
During a bombing raid against a railway junction near the Maritza River in Bulgaria on 19th November 1915, Squadron Commander Richard Bel-Davies won the Victoria Cross for landing to pick up a downed pilot in the face of intense enemy fire.
At the end of the year, the unit returned to the UK and was disbanded.
Six months later, ‘C’ Squadron, RNAS, based at Dunkirk was re-titled No. 3 Squadron and the unit flew Bristol and Nieuport Scouts on coastal patrols over the Belgian coast before moving to support RFC squadrons involved in action over the Somme.
The squadron saw little change in its duties after the creation of the RAF and remained in Belgium until March 1919 when it returned home prior to disbanding at Scopwick on 21st January 1920.
Reformed at Leuchars in March 1920 as a naval co-operation unit initially with Avro 504s and Camels, both types were replaced by the Nightjar for carrier-borne fighter duties.
No. 203 returned to Turkey during the Chanak crisis in 1922, but was disbanded once again in April 1923.
On 1st January 1929, No 482 Flight at Mount Batten was renumbered No. 203 Squadron and the unit moved to Basra in Iraq with Southamptons. The aircraft were used for anti-piracy and policing duties in the Persian Gulf and with the arrival of Short Rangoons in 1931 a number of local rulers were entertained in the capacious cabins whenever trouble was brewing. With war imminent, the squadron, now equipped with Singapores, flew to Aden and converted shortly after to Blenheims.
After the Italian declaration of war in June 1940, No. 203 became heavily involved in the East Africa campaign before moving on to Crete to cover the evacuation of the beleaguered island. The squadron flew anti-shipping patrols around the Middle and Far East with a variety of types including Baltimores, Wellingtons and Liberators, remaining in Ceylon until May 1946 when it returned to Leuchars and then St Eval and to re-equip with Lancasters. These aircraft survived until late 1952 when the unit relocated to Topcliffe prior to converting to Neptunes for anti-submarine and maritime patrols over the North Sea. These aircraft barely lasted three years, and the Squadron was disbanded in September 1956.
On 1st November 1958, No. 240 Squadron based at Ballykelly with Shackletons was renumbered No. 203. Various versions of the type were flown until October 1971, when the first Nimrods arrived. Now based at Luqa in Malta, the unit patrolled the Mediterranean until disbanded on the final day of 1977.
In October 1996, the Sea King HAR Mk3A OCU at St Mawgan was renamed No. 203 (Reserve) Squadron, thus returning one of the oldest RNAS / RAF squadrons to active service.
In early 2003, the squadron undertook a detachment to Cyprus providing search and rescue cover for the island while the resident squadron, No. 84, re-equipped with the Griffin HAR Mk2 back in the UK.
Since 2008 203(R) Squadron have been based at RAF Valley as the Sea King Operational Conversion Unit.
Brian Jackson MAEOP 1974 - 1977
My mum's recollections are a bit hazy but my dad MAEOP Brian Jackson started out as a navigator on Shackletons and then Nimrods.
After Malta he was at West Drayton for a while before going up to Kinloss.
His good friend in Malta was Brian Forwood, also in 203 I believe.
N.B. DJR - the stickers below were sent in by Brian's son Jonathan.
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203 Sqdn Reunion 10 May 2002
Article is from the Sunday Times 12 May, 2002 and sent in by Adrian Gambin. The article recounts the Squadron reunion held in Malta in that year. Click on the pdf file, or download, to read the article. It has some interesting text and photographs depicting the history of the Squadron in Malta. |
Posted 05 March 2019, Shrove Tuesday
Reproduced without the permission of Maurice Gilmore but it was too good not to publish! As it is Shrovetide time, I pulled out some pictures from 1970 or 1971 (can't recall which) of an incident which is cringingly embarrassing now but seemed a good idea at the time. Those in Malta at the time may recall that the military wives had an annual pancake race raising funds for charity, and I thought it would be "a good wheeze" and decided to take part. As there were no female members of the squadron I was loaned some ladies clothing from one of the wives (pre LGBT days), safety equipment ran up the Miss 203 Squadron sash and the groundcrew made the enormous frying pan. Stuffing a cushion up my front as "miss 203" was quite risqué then, particularly in Malta but, hey ho. I took off pretty smartly from the start but then about half way down the course, calamity! My frying pan collapsed, so no cigar! There was an article and photos in the Times of Malta, and I think the attachment pics are copies of their shots. Anyway, it was a good chuckle. Maurice Gilmore Orderly Room 1969-72 |
Photographs from Paul Demajo Albanese, Taken by the station photographer at the time.
Bryn Wayt - Pilot and Captain
Regarding the photograph of the aerials and equipment spotted above the waves. It was a 'C' Charlie class Soviet submarine bounced by a 203Sqdn Shackleton piloted by Bryn Wayt.
The first of two caught that day.
Bryn says "we caught another CHARLIE Class later. We thought at the time it was the same submarine, but expert analysis by the Photo INT guys in Cyprus proved it was definitely another nuke"
A further development was a Top Secret signal from the Pentagon no less, from a high up Admiral which said, "….that sortie was one of the most outstanding in memory from the Mediterranean Sea on record, congratulations Wayt".
Congratulations indeed by that crew and the work of all Maritime Squadrons over the years, outstanding service built up by many years of experience.
Regarding the photograph of the aerials and equipment spotted above the waves. It was a 'C' Charlie class Soviet submarine bounced by a 203Sqdn Shackleton piloted by Bryn Wayt.
The first of two caught that day.
Bryn says "we caught another CHARLIE Class later. We thought at the time it was the same submarine, but expert analysis by the Photo INT guys in Cyprus proved it was definitely another nuke"
A further development was a Top Secret signal from the Pentagon no less, from a high up Admiral which said, "….that sortie was one of the most outstanding in memory from the Mediterranean Sea on record, congratulations Wayt".
Congratulations indeed by that crew and the work of all Maritime Squadrons over the years, outstanding service built up by many years of experience.
Colin Pomeroy during a detachment to Sharjah, 1969.
203 Squadron on Detachment - you'll have to guess where!
Photo sent in by Roger Gail after he found it on Facebook.
A few comments from the 203 Yahoo group follow which will add interest to the photograph.
Proceeding left, Bryn Wayt,Dave Bryant,Russ Todd,Phil Zarraga,Andy Foster , Sid Sterling 7th from the left in the front row?
Mike Hill;
Thanks, Roger, I think this dates back to early '70 when crews captained by Bryn Wayt & Mike "Killer" Clegg did what I seem to recall as a mini JASS in Gib (unfortunately my log book currently not accessible to confirm) from our Luqa base. I've a copy of the photo someone produced a few years ago and there are a lot of familiar (young!) faces. I'm on the back row under the spinner of No 3 - the skinny dark haired one behind and between Cy Hesketh & Mick Bussey (?). I can't remember all the details but I think there were also a couple of UK crews there who were accommodated on camp whereas NEAF put us in hotels with imprest payments for meals. I remember that wherever we ate John Ormiston moaned he never had a decent steak although none of the rest of us ever had a complaint! 203 really was the Happy Squadron! ATB Mike
Cy Hesketh;
Got most of it Mick, it was 2 to 20 March 1970. Mick Bossy next to me. Lots of lovely allowances, we did a very fast Viper cruise back to Luqa and unfortunately were too early for customs on arrival!! Lectures in Ince Hall and lunch across the road in some church restaurant, Williams refused to sing hymns between courses ! Excellent flying , Shacks did really well . Cloggies laid all 31 Jez channels to block RF and the Yanks accused them of cheating . Didn't bother us we only had radar. Happy days.
Cy
Peter Williams;
Remember it well. "Bryn's Boys" stayed at the "Montaric" hotel, just off main street. As Cy said had lunch at a church restaurant. When I heard Cy singing I could'nt stop laughing ! Still we did (in uniform) visit a US submarine and an RFA . The RFA sailors did us well with lots of ale, while watching the film "Battle of Britain". A most enjoyable detchment.
Yours,
Peter Williams
NIMRODS ON PATROL
Text as on YouTube
203 Squadron was based in various places but the Mediterranean was a big hot spot during the Cold War. The Squadron was based at RAF Luqa, Malta, durint the 1960's right through to the end of the 70's when we left the British military bases.
This video shows two Nimrods of the squadron shadowing Soviet shipping, they often also encountered submarines with the Nimrod's excellent detection systems.
Video provided to me by Colin Pomeroy, Flt Lt (at the time) Pilot on the Squadron.
Information from Colin;
Date of this flight is: 18th March 1974. Aircraft is XV240.
Location: Kithera, Greece, anchorage.
Colin is flying the aircraft and the captain, the late Colin 'Huggiss' Hughes, in the right hand seat.
This is from an ITN documentary so, as is obvious, the ITN camera crew (and reporters from ITN, Sunday Times and Sunday Express) were on our aircraft.
A little snippet sent in by Nigel May.
Just found this snippet of 203 Sqn hstory on PRUNE. Just shows that if you don't have GPS (or Heavens forbid a Navigator!) there are other ways to find your way home.
The first aircraft toland at Waddington Aerodrome was a Bristol Scout from the RNAS Training Establishment,Cranwell, in early September 1916 (the exact date is unknown). It was flown by Sub-Lt Leonard “Tich”Rochford who described the occasion in his autobiography “I Chose the Sky”.
The following morning, I took the Bristol [Scout] up to 10,000 feet and then commenced a spiral descent. It was a fine day but rather misty and when I came out of the spiral at 4,000 feet Iwas lost. I flew around a while torecognise a landmark and then found myself over a town, which happened to be Lincoln though I did not know it. Soon I saw below me an aerodrome under construction and there I landed.
It was Waddington which in World War Two was an important bomber station. There was only a small contingent there in the charge of a lieutenant. None of them was able to swing my propeller but the lieutenant put at my disposal a Ford “Tin Lizzie” car with a driver, who took me to Lincoln to borrow an RFC mechanic to start up my machine. The ford stalled on the steep hill into Lincoln as its fuel tank was nearly empty and the petrol would not flow into the carburettor. However the driver backed the car down the hill, turned it round, and ascended the hill in reverse gear. Having collected a mechanic we returned with him to Waddington where he got the gnome engine started and I arrived back atCranwell at about 1 o’clock. After two more flights in the Bristol I was told I had completed my flying training andhad been awarded my Wings.
Lt Rochford DSC*; DFCsurvived the war: he went on to become a 29 victory Ace usually flying a Sopwith Camel with No 3 Sqn RNAS which became No 203 Sqn RAF in April 1918.
Best wishes to all, Nige May (203 1974 - 1978)
Just found this snippet of 203 Sqn hstory on PRUNE. Just shows that if you don't have GPS (or Heavens forbid a Navigator!) there are other ways to find your way home.
The first aircraft toland at Waddington Aerodrome was a Bristol Scout from the RNAS Training Establishment,Cranwell, in early September 1916 (the exact date is unknown). It was flown by Sub-Lt Leonard “Tich”Rochford who described the occasion in his autobiography “I Chose the Sky”.
The following morning, I took the Bristol [Scout] up to 10,000 feet and then commenced a spiral descent. It was a fine day but rather misty and when I came out of the spiral at 4,000 feet Iwas lost. I flew around a while torecognise a landmark and then found myself over a town, which happened to be Lincoln though I did not know it. Soon I saw below me an aerodrome under construction and there I landed.
It was Waddington which in World War Two was an important bomber station. There was only a small contingent there in the charge of a lieutenant. None of them was able to swing my propeller but the lieutenant put at my disposal a Ford “Tin Lizzie” car with a driver, who took me to Lincoln to borrow an RFC mechanic to start up my machine. The ford stalled on the steep hill into Lincoln as its fuel tank was nearly empty and the petrol would not flow into the carburettor. However the driver backed the car down the hill, turned it round, and ascended the hill in reverse gear. Having collected a mechanic we returned with him to Waddington where he got the gnome engine started and I arrived back atCranwell at about 1 o’clock. After two more flights in the Bristol I was told I had completed my flying training andhad been awarded my Wings.
Lt Rochford DSC*; DFCsurvived the war: he went on to become a 29 victory Ace usually flying a Sopwith Camel with No 3 Sqn RNAS which became No 203 Sqn RAF in April 1918.
Best wishes to all, Nige May (203 1974 - 1978)
IWM Video Link
The link was sent by Colin Pomery whose friend, a freelance film maker, sent it to him. After the first minute or so is very Shackleton orientated but also includes RTTL 2758 rushing to the rescue:
http://film.iwmcollections.org.uk/record/index/50203
Steve Bones sent this photograph of ground crew shift in 1973.
I've used 'Gallery' to add this photograph so it will enlarge when clicked.
He also sent the 'Toilet Bowser' story.
It was a hot summers evening about 11ish most of the trades had finished doing an AF on one of the kites and were in the crewroom concentrating on the important thing in life, ukkers bridge etc. when the door burst open it was one of the riggers.
The riggers were always the last, they had a lot to do. Part of this was emptying the toilet tank which was done by attaching a flexible pipe to the aircraft. The other end, about 30ft or so, was attached to a tanker. The tanker driver started pumps, waited job done, home for a cold one happy days but not this time
The aforesaid rigger was beside himself he staggered in and he had obviously been crying the man was apoplectic he kept pointing outside I took a look outside expecting to see a fire or perhaps an accident, nothing, no Russian hordes or even scarier the SWO, nothing, it was as quite as the grave.
When he had composed himself between gasps and tears he explained as best he could that the sewage pipe had come away from the aircraft and being under pressure had snaked across the pan like a boa constrictor on a promise, at this point remember its a hot night aforesaid tanker driver had his windows open, big mistake. The business end of the pipe arrived in the cab via a window and emptied its contents over that poor, poor, man.
I laughed till I cried, my ribs hurt and I was helpless and so was the rest of the shift. How that rigger got to the crew room to raise the alarm God alone knows not that anyone was in a state to help.
Just proves the Universe has a sense of humor.
Paul Jesseau - 203 Squadron through the years
A huge thank you to Paul for sending the these photographs of his 203 Squadron picture showing the aircraft flown by the squadron from it's inception in 1918 through to 2014.
Hermann Buttigieg sent the following text, and picture below, to the 203 Sqdn Yahoo group.
" I am currently working with the Heritage Officer at Royal Air Force Leuchars and we have a framed picture (please see attached) presented to 203 Sqn on their 65th Anniversary. It has a poem from “Alice in Wonderland” and also the 203 Sqn Sea Horse is painted upside down. I was wondering if you have any further information on this picture, as we are trying to get these such pictures returned to the most appropriate person/organisation before we close in April 15. "
TIMES OF MALTA - 'Squadron flies through adversity to the stars'
April 2013 = This month marks the 95th anniversary of No. 267 Seaplane Squadron, which was stationed in Malta at RAF Kalafrana
"Throughout its 60-year stay on the island, the Royal Air Force shared with the people of Malta “not only the happiness in peace, but the hardship, tragedy and final victory in war”.
Air Commander Malta, Air Commodore H.D. Hall
This link takes you to an article in the Times of Malta, 19 April 2013, and covers a brief history about the RAF in Malta.
"Throughout its 60-year stay on the island, the Royal Air Force shared with the people of Malta “not only the happiness in peace, but the hardship, tragedy and final victory in war”.
Air Commander Malta, Air Commodore H.D. Hall
This link takes you to an article in the Times of Malta, 19 April 2013, and covers a brief history about the RAF in Malta.
On the 25th of May (1970) Flt Lt Werb and Crew were detailed for what can only be described as ‘a jolly’.
The photograph below was provided by Bill Francis, who also features on the photograph as a member of the crew.
Having been given the task of carrying a senior NATO naval officer, Vice Admiral PWB Ashmore RN, to and later from Lisbon. On the way to Portugal problems arose with the Libyan air traffic controllers who would not accept the flight plan to Lisbon, so the crew re-filed the flight plan to show Gibraltar as the destination, and then carried out a roller landing on ‘The Rock’ before proceeding to their original destination. Crew 2 and its VIP passenger left Lisbon on the 27th, had a day off in Gibraltar and returned to Luqa on the 29 th.
L-R and using numbers - front row first
1. ? – visiting staff officer or Eng Off
2. Bob Fox (1st Nav)
3. Dennis Werb (Captain)
4. Paddy Beatty (AEO)
5. Keith Aldridge (Co-pilot)
6. VA Ashmore RN
7. Steve Ives (2nd Nav)
8. Bob Corlett (MAEOp)
9. Bill Francis (Sgt/FS [can’t quite tell which] AEOp)
10. Colin Issacs (FS - AEOp)
11. Keith Leonard (Sgt - AEOp)
Rear Row: LR — starting behind VA Ashmore RN
12. ?
13. ?
14. ?
15. Tony Bluett
16. Ground Crew - ace bloke, name ???? Engines
Colin Pomeroy
Delivering Shackleton WR990 during distribution of retiring Shackletons
This was WR990, which we landed on the grass at RAF Newton, where the aircraft was used for ground training, on 17th October 1970.
The connection between the pictures and 203 Sqn is that Colin Paterson and I were on the squadron in Nimrod days at Luqa, and that Tony Thomas was an operations officer in Maritime Ops there for some of that time.
Names have been added as a comment in the photo of the crew.
From Steve Saunders, RAF Luqa Fire Section 1973-76
Richard Yates - 1976
Times of Malta newspaper cutting about 203 Squadron disbandment ceremony report sent in by Richard Yates.
1_jan_78_-_sunday_times_of_malta.pdf | |
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Nimrod R1 XV249 Last Landing 29th July 2011 - Video by Martin Painter.
Words of Martin Painter on the YouTube page.
"The last ever flight and communications from a HS Nimrod. The aircraft landed for the last time at Kemble in Gloucestershire on 29th July 2011 ending 44 years of Nimrod flying and completing a 62 year lineage from the first light of the De Havilland Comet in July 1949. XV249 was then dismantled by ASI and transported to the RAF Museum at Cosford in March 2012.
Thanks to the crew of 249 and the folks at ASI Kemble."
The Video is made up of still photographs with crew and tower interaction on radio.
Video Link
(Photograph of Nimrod featured is how she would have looked in the 1970's)
"The last ever flight and communications from a HS Nimrod. The aircraft landed for the last time at Kemble in Gloucestershire on 29th July 2011 ending 44 years of Nimrod flying and completing a 62 year lineage from the first light of the De Havilland Comet in July 1949. XV249 was then dismantled by ASI and transported to the RAF Museum at Cosford in March 2012.
Thanks to the crew of 249 and the folks at ASI Kemble."
The Video is made up of still photographs with crew and tower interaction on radio.
Video Link
(Photograph of Nimrod featured is how she would have looked in the 1970's)
WL790 last flight to Tuson (Pima Air Museum)
Thanks to Nigel Appleby for sending in this account of the last flight of WL790.
"WL790 was kept flying in Midland Texas until 16 Dec 2007 when she was delivered to Pima Air and Space Museum in Tucson Arizona. When she was ferried to Midland it was impossible for ex-RAF aircraft to fly in UK so she went to the US where she flew on the experimental register until it became too difficult to keep her going. "
Click the 'Pima Air Museum' link to see details and the enclosed photograph and the documented flight is in the document below 'shackleton_wl790_ferry_to_tucson.doc'
"WL790 was kept flying in Midland Texas until 16 Dec 2007 when she was delivered to Pima Air and Space Museum in Tucson Arizona. When she was ferried to Midland it was impossible for ex-RAF aircraft to fly in UK so she went to the US where she flew on the experimental register until it became too difficult to keep her going. "
Click the 'Pima Air Museum' link to see details and the enclosed photograph and the documented flight is in the document below 'shackleton_wl790_ferry_to_tucson.doc'
shackleton_wl790_ferry_to_tucson.doc | |
File Size: | 25 kb |
File Type: | doc |
Dave (Dep) Briggs
Nigel Appleby - 8 Sqdn departing Shackletons.
Anyone who was in Malta on July 15, 1974 may remember 2 of 8 Sqn's Old
Grey Ladies departing, I took both of them and apologise for the
quality, they were originally slides and were scanned into my computer
in 2008 by which time they had faded. In the one from the inside, I was
in the bombaimer's position and the the aircraft was being flown by Pat
Patterson. The one of the outside was taken first (numbering messed up
during scanning) and was flown by Bill Houldsworth. We had approval to
do a couple of low passes but both captains were standing on the CO's
carpet the next morning after irate phone calls from Luqa.
Not as impressive as the Nimrod at Gib but I know these are genuine!
Grey Ladies departing, I took both of them and apologise for the
quality, they were originally slides and were scanned into my computer
in 2008 by which time they had faded. In the one from the inside, I was
in the bombaimer's position and the the aircraft was being flown by Pat
Patterson. The one of the outside was taken first (numbering messed up
during scanning) and was flown by Bill Houldsworth. We had approval to
do a couple of low passes but both captains were standing on the CO's
carpet the next morning after irate phone calls from Luqa.
Not as impressive as the Nimrod at Gib but I know these are genuine!
Colin Pomeroy - Video of Shackletons, worth watching.
Bryn Wayt
Newark Air Museum Shackleton. These were taken during the V-Force Reunion on 28 April 2012 by me, David Rose.
Colin Pomeroy
Colin was a pilot on 203 Squadron.
Some of these photographs were taken by Richard Caruana.
Some of these photographs were taken by Richard Caruana.
203 Sqdn Photos - Unsure of origins now so if you recognise any you have taken please let me know. Are the log entries yours?
Bryan Hyland
Shackletons at Luqa.
The Leaving of Malta - Colin Pomeroy
December 1978 saw the activities gathering pace ahead of the final disbandment, but flying continued, the last operational sortie being flown by Flt Lt Bowen and Crew 2 on the 30th. Prior to that though another major SAR incident occurred. On the 9th Sqn Ldr Green and Crew 9 were scrambled in response to an incident close to Cyprus. A Mayday call had been received on 121.5 MHz by an Israeli C-130 Hercules from the container ship MV Jasmine, which was listing at an angle of 45º and in danger, it was thought by its skipper, of sinking. An RAF Hercules was already on scene when the Nimrod arrived in the area and had succeeded in directing another container ship, theZim Tokyo, to the listing vessel. At 0925Z the Nimrod took over as On Scene Commander and as communications link with Olympus Radar, Israeli CH-53 Sea Stallion helicopters and their F-15 Eagle escort. Below the Jasmine had launched a lifeboat with some twenty persons aboard, with a further five crew members remaining on the ship. Eventually it became apparent that the list had stabilised and that the ship would be able to make port in Limassol under its own power and at this point the Nimrod came off task.
Tempered by the knowledge that the end was in sight for a particularly successful and happy squadron, social events continued at Luqa. On the 2nd of December the Air Commander Malta was dined out in the Officers’ Mess, whilst on the same evening a ladies dining-out night was held in the Sergeants’ Mess – to be followed by a formal dining-out night in the Sergeants’ Mess on the 7th. An emotive all ranks Squadron Party was held at the Verdala Hotel on the 9th, where the highlight of the evening was the ceremonial arrival of a huge cake decorated with Squadron badges made entirely from icing. The final official social events were receptions in the Airmen’s Club and Sergeants’ Mess on the 29th and a reception for 200 guests in the Officers’ Mess on the 30th. It has to be said that during these final days that as much sorrow was shared by members of the Maltese community as it was by members of 203 Squadron and their families.
The disbandment parade, some 200 personnel strong and with an audience of over 500, was held on Saturday the 31st of December, where the Reviewing Officer was AVM RD Austen-Smith, AOC AHQ Cyprus. The Air Commander Malta, Air Cdr HD Hall, and the Station Commander, Gp Capt CA Vasey, were in attendance, and the parade was commanded by Wg Cdr Carter, with Sqn Ldrs Johnson and Essex as flight commanders. The Squadron Standard was paraded by Fg Off Rawsthorne, escorted by MAEOp Mike Hill and FS Graham Johnson and FS W Bill Kirk. Music was provided by the RAF Luqa Station band, under its conductor Sgt P Vann. Sqn Ldr Tanner piloted the ‘mighty Nimrod’ flypast aircraft. The only downside to a most impressive, if sad, occasion was that high winds necessitated the parade being held in the main hangar.
The Squadron was honoured to have at the parade ex-Squadron Commanders and members, including Sqn Ldr ‘Tich’ Rochford (who had been on the Squadron in April 1918 when it had been renumbered from No 3 Squadron RNAS), Air Cdr L Fox, Gp Capt CA Masterman, Wg Cdr WE Hamilton, Wg Cdr GA King and Wg Cdr WL Smyth.
After the parade Flt Lt Mike Starling and Crew 10 carried out 203 Squadron’s last Nimrod flights, when returning the AOC to Cyprus, via RAF Akrotiri, on the 31st of December.
Of the seven aircraft on charge on disbandment day, Annex A to Admin Order 1/77, dated 31 Oct 77, listed their disposal to be as follows:
3 Jan 78 XV242 Flt Lt Riddett RAF St Mawgan
5 Jan 78 XV236 Flt Lt Caines RAF St Mawgan
9 Jan 78 XV249 Wg Cdr Carter RAF Kinloss, via RAF Waddington carrying the Standard for laying-up at RAFC Cranwell.
12 Jan 78 XV263 Flt Lt Bowen RAF Kinloss
17 Jan 78 XV260 Flt Lt Laing RAF Kinloss
19 Jan 78 XV258 Sqn Ldr Green RAF Kinloss
19 Jan 78 XV252 Sqn Ldr Tanner RAF Wyton
December 1978 saw the activities gathering pace ahead of the final disbandment, but flying continued, the last operational sortie being flown by Flt Lt Bowen and Crew 2 on the 30th. Prior to that though another major SAR incident occurred. On the 9th Sqn Ldr Green and Crew 9 were scrambled in response to an incident close to Cyprus. A Mayday call had been received on 121.5 MHz by an Israeli C-130 Hercules from the container ship MV Jasmine, which was listing at an angle of 45º and in danger, it was thought by its skipper, of sinking. An RAF Hercules was already on scene when the Nimrod arrived in the area and had succeeded in directing another container ship, theZim Tokyo, to the listing vessel. At 0925Z the Nimrod took over as On Scene Commander and as communications link with Olympus Radar, Israeli CH-53 Sea Stallion helicopters and their F-15 Eagle escort. Below the Jasmine had launched a lifeboat with some twenty persons aboard, with a further five crew members remaining on the ship. Eventually it became apparent that the list had stabilised and that the ship would be able to make port in Limassol under its own power and at this point the Nimrod came off task.
Tempered by the knowledge that the end was in sight for a particularly successful and happy squadron, social events continued at Luqa. On the 2nd of December the Air Commander Malta was dined out in the Officers’ Mess, whilst on the same evening a ladies dining-out night was held in the Sergeants’ Mess – to be followed by a formal dining-out night in the Sergeants’ Mess on the 7th. An emotive all ranks Squadron Party was held at the Verdala Hotel on the 9th, where the highlight of the evening was the ceremonial arrival of a huge cake decorated with Squadron badges made entirely from icing. The final official social events were receptions in the Airmen’s Club and Sergeants’ Mess on the 29th and a reception for 200 guests in the Officers’ Mess on the 30th. It has to be said that during these final days that as much sorrow was shared by members of the Maltese community as it was by members of 203 Squadron and their families.
The disbandment parade, some 200 personnel strong and with an audience of over 500, was held on Saturday the 31st of December, where the Reviewing Officer was AVM RD Austen-Smith, AOC AHQ Cyprus. The Air Commander Malta, Air Cdr HD Hall, and the Station Commander, Gp Capt CA Vasey, were in attendance, and the parade was commanded by Wg Cdr Carter, with Sqn Ldrs Johnson and Essex as flight commanders. The Squadron Standard was paraded by Fg Off Rawsthorne, escorted by MAEOp Mike Hill and FS Graham Johnson and FS W Bill Kirk. Music was provided by the RAF Luqa Station band, under its conductor Sgt P Vann. Sqn Ldr Tanner piloted the ‘mighty Nimrod’ flypast aircraft. The only downside to a most impressive, if sad, occasion was that high winds necessitated the parade being held in the main hangar.
The Squadron was honoured to have at the parade ex-Squadron Commanders and members, including Sqn Ldr ‘Tich’ Rochford (who had been on the Squadron in April 1918 when it had been renumbered from No 3 Squadron RNAS), Air Cdr L Fox, Gp Capt CA Masterman, Wg Cdr WE Hamilton, Wg Cdr GA King and Wg Cdr WL Smyth.
After the parade Flt Lt Mike Starling and Crew 10 carried out 203 Squadron’s last Nimrod flights, when returning the AOC to Cyprus, via RAF Akrotiri, on the 31st of December.
Of the seven aircraft on charge on disbandment day, Annex A to Admin Order 1/77, dated 31 Oct 77, listed their disposal to be as follows:
3 Jan 78 XV242 Flt Lt Riddett RAF St Mawgan
5 Jan 78 XV236 Flt Lt Caines RAF St Mawgan
9 Jan 78 XV249 Wg Cdr Carter RAF Kinloss, via RAF Waddington carrying the Standard for laying-up at RAFC Cranwell.
12 Jan 78 XV263 Flt Lt Bowen RAF Kinloss
17 Jan 78 XV260 Flt Lt Laing RAF Kinloss
19 Jan 78 XV258 Sqn Ldr Green RAF Kinloss
19 Jan 78 XV252 Sqn Ldr Tanner RAF Wyton