50th Anniversary Reunion

At The RSME page 3

A group shot outside the KC Hotel on the morning of departure.
The picture opposite was taken after breakfast on Thurs 3rd April. It shows Archie Mitchell with some of his new found friends. L/R Alan Myers, Gordon King, Babs Knowles, John Knowles, Tony Mitchell (seated), Terry Milsom, John Hamnett, Jennifer Mitchell and Peter Coates (seated) with Gerry Crowe standing behind Peter. The previous and last evening had been spent in each others company with old friends obviously enjoying the cameraderie. Ahead lay the journey home which for Malcolm and Kitty MacMillan meant a long haul to Inverness.
Charlie Quinn had a return journey to Guernsey and his pal Jim Parker had already departed to Newcastle. Jim and Charlie (right) served together on Post Crown with 54 Sqn, along with Gordon King they made up the 54 contingency. Not all the guests faced an immediate journey home however. For some a group visit to Chatham Dockyards was on the agenda and a very surprising tour it turned out to be!
Pals Jim Parker and Charlie Quinn in a composite shot.
Rosie, the ropery guide.
Meet the formidable Rosie! She was the guide for our tour around the Chatham Ropery, at one time the longest brick building in Europe. Rosie soon made her mark by expecting complete attention and obedience. She re-enforced her status by picking on our leader and reducing him to silence. From then on she ruled the roost with no question of dissent from her charges. She had us in the palm of her hand. Yakker, eat your heart out!
Steve Singh stands waiting to be employed in making rope for Rosie the rope maker. If you find yourself in Chatham, be sure to visit the dockyards and the ropery. It's a visit not to be missed.
Steve Singh, carer of Gordon King is employed by Rosie to work the machinery.
The entrance/exit for the Chatham Dockyard Ropery.
The final image of our story shows the group about to depart the Ropery. A fun three days had come to an end and it was time to leave. Our work to mark the 50th Anniversary of the start of work on the Crown Airfield had been a success. Deserved because of the input of our Chairman who made it happen. If we realise our future plans, then the Loeng Nok Tha Airfield (Crown) will become an international airport around fifty years after it was first opened by the then Thai Prime Minister and we will be there when it does.