Wigan Album

I'm an ex-Wiganer who now lives just 17 miles from Bridgnorth (no e in it), a nice place for a day out - where was this in relation to Bridgnorth?

This must be one of the last contingent of airmen, conscripted for national service. I shouldn't think they are all regulars.

Albert,you can tell the national service airmen by the bright buttons on their top pockets.there were quite a few more intakes after this one in Aug. 1959.

Apparently there were about 300,000 recruits who attended RAF Bridgnorth, 2,300 of whom have left contact details, here's the link
http://www.rafbridgnorth.org.uk/fulllist_lz.html

Eddie. Was this a system brought out in the late fifties, distinguishing national service airmen from regulars?. I have looked at my squadron photograph of mid 1953,taken at West Kirby, and all of the eighty four airmen on the photograph have dark buttons on their tunic pockets. Like your photograph, I am sure it was a mixture of regulars,and national service airmen.

Albert,In the late 50's Regular Airmen were issued with gaberdine best blues and army blouse style working blues,national service airmen were issued 2 sets of the old rough frockcoat blues for best and working.

I have a similar picture to this, as I was called up for National Service in October 1960, being one of the last few to enter the RAF for National Service as conscription officially ended in December 1960. The main difference between NS and Regular was the uniform, I wore a 'Hairy Blue'material, and the Regular was issued with a Barathea type material. When we did our 'Square Bashing' at RAF Bridgnorth the percentage of NS to Regular was about 20 - 80, so we stuck out like a sore thumb. They were great days.

Robin, ex Downall Green.

Robin, were you deferred because of an apprenticeship? I was always of the understanding that anyone born later than September,1939, did not have to serve, national service. I recollect,quite a few lads went into national service at twenty one, instead of eighteen, because of apprenticeships.

Hi Albert.
I was 21 when I was called up for National Service, and was born in March 1939, I had just finished a six year apprenticeship. Very few conscripts were going into the RAF, but as I had been in the ROC for 4 years and had worn a 'blue uniform' I had a right to enter.

Thank you for the follow up Robin. I am a member of the R.A.F.(N.S.) Association. That is why I was so interested in your comments.

Hi Albert.
I am also a member of the NS(RAF)Assn, have missed the last 2 reunions at Cosford because they clashed with a RAFA event, if you see John M from Hindley, give him my regards.

JEM they were stationed at stanmore it is on the hill across the river
I have just moved back to wigan. lived 7 miles from bridgnorth.