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Northamptonshire Branch
Meeting: November 2017
Alex Thompson
Our branch meeting was held at the Sywell Aerodrome near Northampton. The airport
opened in 1928, and during WW2 was used as a RAF Training establishment. It
houses an Aircraft Museum.
At 11am our members observed a silence in memory of those who died in the wars.
It was very pleasing to welcome our oldest branch member, 92 yr old Derek MARTIN.
Derek became a member of the IPA in 1962.
During the meeting coffee was enjoyed, some
members also stayed for lunch
It was another good turnout and the branch
is going from strength to strength.
A tribute to RAF veterans
Lawrence Wright No. 8 Regional Chairman
Members of IPA (Cambridgeshire Branch) had the opportunity to visit three
important historical collections in October during a visit to Royal Air Force Wyton
near Huntingdon. The visit was hosted by branch member Tony Ansell, a staff
member at the station heritage centre.
RAF Wyton ceased activities as an operational flying station in 1998 and is
now the home of the United Kingdom Joint Forces Intelligence Group. The
station operates under strict security and one of the treasures tucked away
behind the barbed wire and concrete blocks is the station heritage centre.
The centre, which is open only by appointment to approved visitors, is
dedicated to the history of RAF Wyton; Photographic Reconnaissance in
the Royal Air Force, and the history of the famous Pathfinder Force which
operated from local airfields during World War Two. Between 1942 and 1945
The Pathfinder Force lead Bomber Command aircraft to their targets, placing
target indicators and leaving only when the job was done.
The centre collections are made up of uniforms, medals, badges, aircraft
components and a host of other items from local aviation history.
As well as experiencing the life, times and service conditions of the
countless servicemen and women who have served at RAF Wyton, there
was also chance for members to view artefacts from the Holme Fen
Spitfire excavation which took place in 2015 at the 1940 crash site near
Peterborough and to see many other recovered items from air crashes local
to Cambridgeshire.
“The collections were started in 1996 as a tribute to RAF veterans who
served in the Pathfinder Force during World War Two” said, Tony. “From
there it has expanded to include items from the rich RAF history of Wyton
and surrounding areas, recognising the contribution made to photographic
reconnaissance and acknowledging the respect that the Royal Air Force has
enjoyed in the local community for one hundred years”
Of course, no visit would have been complete with the Branch photo - taken
with the Station ‘Gate Guard’, the preserved Photo Recce Canberra Aircraft
XH170, which sits in silent tribute at the main entrance to RAF Wyton.
IPA Groups interested in visiting the collections can obtain further
information by contacting the RAF Wyton Heritage Centre Visits Co-ordinator
by email at
Thanks from the members attending go to Tony Ansell who made this trip
very interesting.
Ian Wilson
20 Years of IPA
Service
Mike Vince, Branch Treasurer
At the IPA Thames Valley Branch quarterly meeting
held in the Royal British Legion Club, Abingdon,
Oxfordshire, Chairman Kevin Goodman presented the
certificate to member Ian Wilson together with the 20
year loyalty pin badge.
Ian originally joined IPA on 22nd January 1969 with a
membership number of GB 36668. A police posting from
Newbury to Slough in 1975, his membership details were
lost in the move and forgot to do anything about it. This
may be due in part to the euphoria of getting engaged
and then marrying his police officer sweetheart Maureen.
Fortunately for IPA, Ian managed to re-join in 1997 and
was allocated a new number.
POLICE WORLD Vol 63 No. 1, 2018 22
IPA News