David Hedgecox, whose late father was Gordon, left a comment on this post about life in CSE in 2021 on how much his father would have enjoyed them.
“His name was Gordon Hedgecox, and he died three years ago. He was with 192 Squadron at Watton from, I think, late 1951 to 1953 and told similar grim stories of the Watton Green accommodation. He drove us past the nissen huts when on a family holiday in the early 1970s – it was obviously a memorable time! On the squadron he worked on radar on the Lincolns and Washingtons. He was de-mobbed in 1953 before the Coronation Review at RAF Odiham, but visited that event and saw some of his ex-colleagues there. I still have a few photos of squadron members at Watton in front of a Lincoln and Washington.
My Dad is in the Lincoln and Washington ones, but is not in the smaller group Canberra photo as far as I can tell. I think he was a Senior Aircraftsman, and specialised in radars and he mentioned H2S a lot.”
As always Julian, wonderful and memorable information.
Thank you dear friend.
Dorothy M
i was at watton from 1955 to 57 i was an air radar mech i was taught H2S at yatesbury even though it had been obsolete sinc the end of the war i also learnt g2 and rebecca i was with b flight dev squadron i am 84 years old now i dont suppose many of us left alive lac john hill
Hi John. I was at Watton 192 squadron 56 to 58 as an SAC air wireless mechanic working on the Washingtons, Canberras and Comets. I’m nearly 84 like you and as you say there can’t be many of us left. We must have known each other but as the years go by it’s difficult to remember even names. When demobbed I put my limited radio servicing knowledge to good use and opened a radio and TV business. I enjoyed my time on 192 squadron and the experience gained and put to good use. Do get in touch if you can remember me. Very best regards. Harvey
David Thanks so much for posting this about your late father and I think the photos of the Lincoln and B29 Washington are great.
My father Arthur Collins was a Master Navigator aircrew with 192 Squadron at RAF Watton in the mid 1950s when I lived there with
my family in MQs. He was also aircrew on the Avro Lincoln before his move to RAF Watton when stationed at RAF Waddington from
1951 to 1954 when once again I lived there in MQs. Greatly appreciated Roger