20/05/2013

Telephone:-  01271 342595

16/05/2013

From Dave Austin

Fifty years ago the Blackburn Beverley XB268 crashed at Royal Air Force El-Adem, Libya on the 13th April 1963 landing short of the runway in thick fog and 100yds outside the perimeter fence, hitting a concrete bunker and bursting into flames.  What should have been a routine night time landing ended in disaster killing 2 of the 4 on board, Flt .Sgt. Frank Denby and Senior Aircraftsman David Marshall.   On the 10th of April, 50 years on, a group of former El Adem Fire and Rescue personnel, who were in attendance at the tragedy, met at The National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire to lay a wreath in recognition and remembrance of those who lost their lives, each member of the former fire crew read out the following tribute :-                

We lay this tribute in remembrance of Flight Sergeant Frank Denby and Senior Aircraftsman David Marshall, whose names tragically entered our lives 50 years ago on the 13th April 1963. Though we do not know them, nor do they know us... but today and everyday, we remember them.    

My sincere thanks to all that attended and in doing so contributing to a wonderful day. Dave ( Taff ) Austin, Fire Service, RAF El Adem

13/05/2013

From Andy Cowe, son of Joe Cowe Fire Sect. El Adem 1961-63.

I found the Tears website and noticed on the where are they now page a mention of my father Joe Cowe.Joe Cowe went on to marry Shirley Wright and they settled in Lincoln. He worked as a lorry driver and then as a machinist. He also put a lot of effort into managing boys football teams.  Sadly he passed away in 2008 after a long term issues with emphysema.  At the time of his death he had three children, six grandchildren and a great-grandchild., since joined by another great-grandchild.  He often spoke about El Adem, and seemed to have really enjoyed his time there.

There are a few more photographs on the Online Albums page.

07/05/2013

I have received a request from an acquaintance of mine in Italy, Silvio Cucco. He is after information regarding 16 Parachute Heavy Drop Company (ROAC) during the Company's time in Libya during the 1960's.  If anyone can help with this information I would appreciate it.

Mike Barnes mickb@tears.org.uk

02/05/2013

From Doug Bennison.

On Monday 29th. April 2013, three 'TEARS' members, Lofty Kidman, John Scurrell and Doug Bennison made a visit to St. Clement Danes. Which is the Royal Air Force Church, situated in the Strand, London.

Paying their respects, the purpose was to re-discover the location of the RAF El Adem Station Badge, which alongside over 800 RAF Commands, Groups, Stations is etched in Welsh granite in the flooring.

Visitors entering the church should take the right hand aisle on the south side of the sanctuary. Proceeding towards the pillar containing the hymn board, for identification one side of this pillar is marked X1.  Slightly to the right, on the floor, you will find the etched station badge of RAF El Adem. 

The visit to the church was a pleasant reminder that we now have two memorials to RAF El Adem. The granite paviour stone, adjacent to the rear or the chapel at the National Aboretum Alrewas nr. Lichfield, Staffordshire, and the etched badge in St. Clement Danes.

Both these memorials will ensure for everyone, they will be around as a lasting memory of El Adem for future generations.

During our day visits were made to the very impressive 'Bomber Command' Memorial in Green Park, a mini tour of the Officers Royal Air Force Club to see many fine aviation paintings, and in a corridor a specially designed large stained glass window.

With grateful thanks to 'Lofty', entry passes were made available to visit Churchill's Cabinet War Rooms, in Westminster.  Showing how events were conducted during World War Two.

We decided to take the 'Battle of Britain' heritage walk.  This walk incorporates taking in the 'Cenotaph', Horse Guards Parade, the Ministry of Defence, Downing Street and statues of our wartime leaders.

Finally, on to the River Thames embankment to see the 'Air Force Memorial' and the 'Battle of Britain' London memorial.

Altogether a most satisfactory, TEARS day trip tot he Capital.

15/04/2013

John Moir,

Louise Moir and Dave Lincoln were married at St Mary's Church Bideford, North Devon on Saturday 6th. March 2013.  It was a really wonderful occasion and the sun shone very brightly on the happy couple. Many of you have met Louise over the years at all of our Reunions and Dave attended Reunion 11 last year.  They are both hoping to be with us at our final Reunion in June 2014.

I'm sure you will all like to join us (the family) in congratulating them and wishing them every happiness in their future together. More pictures can be found at the Official Photographers web-site. Which can be found at www.mkcollinsphotography.com  Click on Blog and then click on Louise and Dave's wedding.

09/04/2013

From Grant Edwards

Just a brief note to tell you I had a phone call today from Brian Hatton, my friend from El Adem days, to tell me that there is an obituary in last Thursdays Daily Telegraph for the wife of Wing Commander Craven, who has just died at the ripe old age of 95yrs. Those who served at El Adem when I was there(1955-56) will remember her and may be interested if a note is placed on the Tears web-site.

14/03/2013

Re Beverly crash on Tears news, my mate Dave Stemp lnows a lot about the guy from Abingdon who died.  He was asked by him as a mate to go with him, but being he had a new girlfriend he said no.  He has told me it was a near thing because he was really thinking about going up at the last moment.  He thinks about it now and again and about the added years he has lived since, "we get old and start to think about our luck". I have Dave's email if anybody wants to get in touch with him.

Michael Mayers.

06/03/2013

Hello, my name is Fay Hart (nee Simmonds) I was looking for an old friend when I was sent to your site. He is one of your members and I was wondering if you could help me contact him. His name is Joe Forster.  He served at RAF Akrotiri 1967-68. , and was detached to RAF El Adem during that time.  He worked with my father on 56Sqdr. during his time at Akrotiri.  Any help would be greatly appreciated. Many thanks,

Fay Hart fayhart@yahoo.co.uk

02/03/2013

Full details of Friends of Tears last Reunion being held at The Barnstaple Hotel North Devon in 2014 can be found by clicking HERE don't miss it !!!!!

09/02/2013

Regarding the entry below John Fleet has come up with the names of the victims of the Beverly crash as requested by Dave Austin. They are:- 

4028708 Flt. Sgt. Frank Denby (buried Benghazi Cemetery , row 21 grave 10.

4258135 Sac David Edward Marshall (Buried Benghazi Cemetery row 21 grave 11.

Thanks to John Fleet.

03/02/2013

Request for information from Dave (Taff) Austin, Fire Service El Adem 1962-63.

In preparation of our intended wreath laying ceremony at the Arboretum in April, we are trying to find out the names of the two victims who lost their lives in the Beverly crash at El Adem on the 13th. April 1963. we know one was Flt. Sgt. Frank Denby but no one seems to know the name of the other guy, who we think was a Junior Tech. who hitched a lift from Abingdon to meet up with mates at El Adem.  I have searched many of the online sites without success and I wondered if you or any members of Tears could help with this.  I was convinced that some time ago I had seen the names of all onboard some where on line, but somehow I don't seem to be able to find the site again.

Regards

Dave

Any info to John Moir at jsmoir@btinternet.com

14/01/2013

Bob Heath is trying to contact Raymond Reynolds (entry 13 in guestbook. El Adem datesfor Ray are 1961-63 working at Tass, no reply is being obtained using email shown in guestbook. If anyone can help Bob please contact Tears via the Feedback link on the contacts page.

Mike Barnes