| Members Memories |
RAF Luqa Malta G.C. in 1954
written by Geoffrey Godfrey
 As a recently qualified Junior Tech. Engine fitter (S) I arrived in Malta in April. Part of the draft I was on wet on to El Adem, the rumour was that we would spend 15 months of our Tour in Malta and 15 months at El Adem. I was fortunate and spent all my tour on 37 Squadron. The squadron was equipped with 'Lancaster MR lll's' and flew Anti-submarine patrols in conjunction with the Royal Navy and also Search and Rescue using the 'Fairey' Airborne Lifeboat.Although we were one of two ASR sqdns on Malta, (the other one was '38') we spent a lot of our time somewhere else.
My first detachment was to Castel Idris in Libya, not far from Tripoli. Then in the early part of 1953 we went to Ballykelly in Northern Ireland, this was for Joint Anti Submarine School training, again with the Royal Navy.
Later in 1953, April 1st. to be precise we were airborne at around 07:30 and bound for Habbaniya in Iraq. After that we returned to Luqa just in time for the Celebrations for the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth ll. There were also detachments to El Adem, Gibralta, and at this time the Shackleton was entering service and we eagerly awaited our first arrival. After the 'working up' period there were more detachments to 'Gib' and El Adem and of course to Ballykelly.
It was just after our first trip to Castel Idris that I was told to report to the C.O. to be told that I had been promoted to the dizzy heights of 'Corporal'
It was also around this time I met a 'Wren' who later became my wife. I returned to UK in October 1954. If there is anyone out there who was there during that period, I would be happy to 'swap yarns' and experiences.
We also formed a 'Country Music' quartet on the squadron and used to sing a lot of 'Hank Williams' stuff whenever we got the chance. |
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