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TOPIC: The Barrack Square
Dennis


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RE: The Barrack Square
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Thanks John, re Station commander & adjutant...I only wish I could be convinced!!
By which I mean I wish these names could ring bells - but perhaps they will if I concentrate! Let me try another tack (!) to try achieve a "bingo" or a "snap" of agreement. Would you know the names of those who preceded and /or who succeeded  these? Or dates?  Of the two my personal priority is the Adj. (the one with VR tabs). A real stickler for bull he really enjoyed getting everyone out onto the tarmac - and I'm talking about the runway not the square! - and coming along in his crrêpe soled shoes "brothel creepers" we called 'em and his head tilted on one side as tho' permanently screwed down! He also had a permanent face tan which made me wonder if he might have had some Indian/Pakistan origen. Apart from a personal confrontation I had with him - which is why I'm trying so hard to recall his name - that's about it. I think he was very probably older than his superior, hence the "VR" item. Am also pretty sure his name was not as English as Scrivener (but could be wrong) also that their ranks were more senior to the ones you mention: Flight Lieutenant doesn't seem high enough - but again I may be wrong unless, unless I may be confusing another station...no definitely not, MH most definitely (have just checked with my internal antenae!!!) For dates well I was there for 2 1/2 years from January '52 until June '54 so there may have been changes. Thanks again for helping & perhaps I may be lucky if someone can eventually agree with my memories! Cheers. 

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Dennis Hall
corporal buckshot


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Well, Dennis, Wingco Johnstone was the CO; we called him Groucho because of his resemblance to Groucho Marx,in June, 1952, when I arrived. And Warner was definitely the Station Adj because I've got his signature on my discharge, dated March 1954.   If John C can contact Tom Scrivener then these details can be confirmed because Tom has a very good memory and has put me right on a few matters, including the time the Duke of Edinburgh flew in to inspect the flood damage in Feb 1953 when I was detailed to be on his guard of honour (white webbing and all) in the pouring rain washing the blanco out on to our greatcoats and he never even glanced in our direction.   There was some subversive mutterings then!
John

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Dennis


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Right John so you were there when I was there! And memorywise you've probably got the edge on me given your close following and monitoring of all these MH matters. Let me have another go! I think I can leave Wingco Johnstone by the side for the mo' as altho' his name doesn't come back no matter I'm sure you're right. And you're certain of Station Adj being of name Warner and you can't be more English than that. Have I got the man wrong? Was he there as a stopgap, standing in for Warner? Well "my man" of swarthy countenance, hat ****ed no.giffirmly to one side in pseudo jaunty fashion, head almost permanently screwed to one side as he scrutinied the ranks on the runway tarmac for AOC's impending inspection, plus his characteristic if not unique among his fellow officers footwear of crêpe soled shoes. And the Volonteer Reserve insignia shoulder tabs. All right I'll use my last card! I have a sneaky feeling his name his name might have been something like Faquar or somesuch because I think this was the subject of some frustration ribaldry among the ranks as we waited "patiently" in the wind and rain for him to get his inspection over with!! How come you don't recall such an exceptionally unusual senior officer? Could he have been there as a stand in? I wonder. He was certainly a right bull******* but that's all right in retrospect (!).
But he was a decent fair minded officer despite his style. I had a reprimand from him once, from an experience so have a story which I may have occasion to tell sometime should the subject arise.

-- Edited by Dennis on Wednesday 16th of June 2010 07:33:06 PM

-- Edited by Dennis on Wednesday 16th of June 2010 07:34:31 PM

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Dennis Hall
John Cooper


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This is one of the 4 existing barrack blocks, these were built in 1922

KV Martlesham Heath Barrack Block  DSC_2262 by John Cooper, on Flickr



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John Cooper


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The Barrack Square with several photos stitched together to form a panorama of the Square with the three memorials 

 KV RAF & USAAF Memorials Martlesham Heath 3 x pic Stitch a by John Cooper, on Flickr



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