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Life as a Ground Gunner in the R.A.F.in London in 1942 pre R.A.Regiment

• Message 1.Β 

  Posted by peter moss (U14643957) on Wednesday, 13th October 2010

  Our Squadron 2702 were stationed at Harrow-on -the Hill and our prime purpose for being there was the protection of the Kodak factory.We were then sent to London,our billet was at the St Regis hotel in Cork Street and our purpose for being there was to guard underground installations in St James Park and the R.A.F. building in King Charles 1 street in Whitehall.Two sentry boxes one either end of the street.These were the only sentry boxes that I knew of with cylindrical heaters fitted vertically inside the sentry box!We also guarded the roof of the building with the face of Big Ben for company.Little did we know then that the Wartime cabinet rooms were below our feet when guarding the street. At the park end of King Charles 1 street was a very high wooden structure interwoven with wire and a wicket gate which was the only entry point and to which if anybody approached we shouted "Halt hands up" and "Password" A different colour was given every night.Mr Churchill often passed through here at night.We did our drills in Berkley Square in London and often General Charles de Gaulle passed by (a very smart man) to which we Presented Arms as befits a person of his rank.It was some time later that we were to become the R.A.F.Regiment.

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  , in reply to message 1.

  Posted by LairigGhru (U14051689) on Wednesday, 13th October 2010

  Many thanks for this fascinating account. Sharing it with us on this board like this is a very valuable thing to have done. If only more folks with special memories would follow your example!

  Link to this forum: Life as a Ground Gunner in the R.A.F.in London in 1942 pre R.A.Regiment

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