BRIAN JENNINGS

The Buccaneer Association were sad to receive the news today from his family that Brian Jennings, a staunch supporter of the Association passed away earlier this morning 13th April 2024.  Our best wishes to his family and friends at this difficult time.

Maintainers of 801 Squadron aboard HMS Hermes around 1968 - 1970, Brian (2nd Left Top Row) is attached to Eddie Dunsmuir

William Saunderson & Brian Jennings during the Buccaneer Association visit to Andrew Langdon's Museum at Topsham on the 18th May 2023; this was the last visit that Brian was fit enough to attend

Click on images to see larger versions

FLEET AIR ARM MEMORIAL SERVICE LEE ON SOLENT – SUNDAY 19TH MAY 2024

Dear All,
Please find attached, and copied below, the details of the 2024 Fleet Air Arm Memorial Service at Lee on Solent, to be held on Sunday the 19th of May.
This event has been taking place since 1953, and is fully supported by the FAA Association patron, Admiral Sir Adrian Johns (who also inaugurated the Fly Navy Federation), and FAAA President Admiral Tom Cunningham.
This annual service is for all Fleet Air Arm Associations, and keeping it going will honour all FAA veterans; but in particular the Telegraphist Air Gunners, whose association founded the event - and of whom there are now very few remaining.
We would encourage association members to support this important memorial service by attending, especially if they are local to Lee on Solent.

Regards,
Phil Carpenter

Secretary
Fly Navy Federation

Click on image to see Full Size

THE BUCCANEER ASSOCIATION'S 22ND REUNION, JUNE 2024 AT THE ROYAL COURT HOTEL, COVENTRY

For the attention of all members, this year's reunion will again be held at the Royal Court Hotel, Coventry on the Weekend (Fri to Sun) 14th, 15th & 16th June.

The 2024 Reunion booking forms (Word & PDF) are now on the ‘Members Only’ part of the website for those that may not have received them (Select 2024 Reunion on the "Association Info" Drop Down Menu). The menu choices for the Friday and Saturday evenings will be sent once I have received them from the RCH.

The Word booking form is editable for you to complete, save and return to me by email. (preferred). The PDF booking form can only be downloaded, printed off, completed and either sent to me snail mail or copied to your computer and sent to me via email.

Information about the weekend is also on the website. Above all I must ask you to give me names of 8 persons for each table; we have left the names of last year's attendees in yellow to help you. I realise that some of you may like to have 10 on a table, it’s a bit of a squeeze but that’s your problem! If you are all happy I can work with last year’s table plans. This will allow me to place your menu choices alongside your names to aid the table service.

At the 2022 AGM I was asked to place the names of those attending the Reunion on the website, and this Phil Glover will do for me again; the list will be updated as further bookings are made.

If you still have them, can you please bring along your name badges which were issued last year. If not let me know.

Like last year, you will not be asked for further payment (Full Members plus one only) for the Royal Marine Band.

As always, any questions let me know soonest;  I will email Life, Full and Associate Members with updates on the reunion as required.

Kind regards

Robin
Sec. FAABA

BRYAN EDWARD FARRIS

The family of Ex CPO (Mech 1) Bryan Edward Farris, are sad to announce that he Crossed the Bar after a short illness on 02 January 2024 at Dr. Gray’s Hospital, Elgin, aged 91. He enlisted in the Fleet Air Arm on 27 September 1949 and served until discharge on 07 February 1973. He served in many locations, including Gamecock, Daedalus, Fulmar, Phoenix, Heron, Blackcap, Condor, Seahawk, Falcon, Sanderling, Ariel II and RNAS Lossiemouth . Ships – Illustrious, Triumph, Bulwark and Ark Royal. Squadrons – 767, 849, 848, 750, 738 and 809. Bryan is survived by his wife Margaret and son Graeme. Although not a member Bryan attended several FAABA Reunions notably in Liverpool and at Hotels etc. in Morayshire.

Please note the Funeral service is private at his own request.

Bryan in uniform as a CPO Mechanician

L to R Margaret Farris, Eric Watson, Jack Edwards, Bryan Farris at HMS Fulmar decommissioning 50th at Elgin 2022 (Sandy Peebles looking on)

GEOFFREY WHEATLEY

For those who haven't heard, Geoff Wheatley who served on 3 Buccaneer Squadrons (736, 800 & 809) Crossed the Bar on the 11th Jan 2024 in Dorset County Hospital, he had been in hospital there since Mid December.
Geoff was on 736 Squadron from 63-64, 800 Sqdn from 1964-66 and 809 Sqdn from 69-71; In 1972 Geoff was one of the caretakers involved in removing all the Navy's equipment from HMS Fulmar as the RAF moved in to take over the Air Station.
After Lossie Geoff was an Instructor on the Basic Training Group at Lee on Solent for 3 years from around 1975, later, Geoff served on a Wasp small ship's flight with 829 Squadron, and lived in Weymouth.
After leaving the Navy Geoff Worked as a Technical Author.
If you knew Geoff post your memories on our guest book for his family, Bon Voyage Geoff, sadly missed.
A celebration of Geoff's life will take place at All Saints Church, Wyke Regis on Friday 2nd Feb at 12 Noon.

809 SQUADRON RISES ONCE MORE LIKE A PHOENIX

Today (8th Dec) 809 Squadron re-commissioned as the latest F35 Stealth Fighter Squadron at RAF Marham, Previous 809 CO Cdr Tim Gedge presented the latest squadron CO with the squadron plaque. For more information visit the article in the Eastern Daily Press using the link below. There is a good range of photographs by Chris Bishop.

FAABA AT THE CENOTAPH REMEMBRANCE DAY NOVEMBER 2023

Remembrance 2023 by Chris Lawrence:

The day started dry, but light drizzle moved in mid-morning, but it wasn’t too serious.
Again this year, only four members in the FAABA Platoon (Chris Lawrence, Michael Weller, Tanzi Lee and Robert Robson (Adopted in to the FAABA)).
But then Michael Weller hijacked Ted Beach (ex-Buccaneers) from the SE Platoon which was formed-up nearby!
Because the Marching Columns are rotated each year, we ended up being very near the back – and so we were one of the last platoons to step-off!
There were large crowds as usual, but there was an increased presence of the MET Police Force, possibly due to the recent active protests!
The Service and the March Passed went well, and I think we were all ‘in-step’ for most of the time!
Princess Anne took the Royal Salute as we marched back to Horse Guards Parade.
Dave Clark had requested to lay the second FAABA Poppy Wreath at the FAA statue in the Memorial Gardens on the Embankment.
I think we all had a great day, and finished off with a few well deserved beers and plenty of sea-stories!

I hope to see more FAABA members there next year – Use it or Lose it!

Best Regards
Chris Lawrence

830 SQUADRON OPERATION FROM RAF HAL FAR, MALTA - 11TH NOVEMBER - REMEMBRANCE DAY 1941

This operation carried out by 830 Squadron FAA was part of a continuous series taken to disrupt Rommel's operations in North Africa by denying him access to spares, fuel etc in his fight against the Eighth Army. On this night 7 aircraft took off and only 3 returned, this is the story of the four Swordfish aircraft and crews who never made it back that night of Remembrance Day.  One of the aircraft was Swordfish V4295 which previously took part in the operation to sink the Bismarck, part of 825 Squadron flying from HMS Victorious and fitted with ASV Radar.

What happened to the crews, did they survive and where did their later life take them. The book is available from Amazon using this link;

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Average-Pilot-Swordfish-Mission-Strait/dp/B0CGKRNZMQ/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_pl_foot_top?ie=UTF8

BLIND VETERANS DONATION BY FAABA 2023

Attached is a copy of the letter from the Blind Veterans Association regarding the donation of £1000 we sent post the Annual General Meeting towards their new Rustington Centre near Littlehampton, Sussex. The centre will be open at the beginning of September.

Click on the image above to see larger PDF of letter

THE BUCCANEER AVIATION GROUP

Hi, we have had the following message from Charlie of TBAG

Hi,
I’m Charlie from The Buccaneer Aviation Group, and I have taken over from Mike who previously ran events.
I am writing to announce that we’ve officially begun selling anti-det and fast-taxi back seat ride tickets for the 2023 events season!! Tickets do sell fast, so please get in touch for more information if you’re interested!
We also have last-minute availability for back-seat rides for the fast taxi events on the 9th July and 20th August, and we have one anti-det back-seat ride available for the 15th October.
For more information on either this year or next year’s events dates, please email me at C.Hewitt0803@gmail.com .
Tickets are also for sale for this summer’s events here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/cc/the-buccaneer-aviation-group-2022-events-tickets-114279

FAABA ON FACEBOOK

Remember; we also have a Facebook page to assist in getting the message out to members quickly and to help attract new members; the web page will still be the main page for publishing information to members but we will usually put a link to new articles on the Facebook page. Those members who use Facebook (especially those using mobile devices) will find it easier to keep up with changes on the website through these links. The Guestbook will remain and we hope people will keep posting there, any important info from the Facebook page will be put onto the website.

You don't need to join Facebook to view this page as it is "open", Click on the link or button below to view the page, if you are a Facebook user you can post pictures or comments and use the "Like" button to create a link on your Facebook menu.

http://www.facebook.com/FleetAirArmBuccaneerAssociation

FAA BUCCANEER ASSOCIATION  & FLY NAVY FEDERATION BANNERS

Click on the image above to view the Fly Navy Federation banner which is available for use at all FNF member events

Click on the image above to view the Buccaneer Association banner which is available for use at all FNF and Buccaneer Association events

The Buccaneer Association banner is a free standing banner approx 6 foot by 2 foot. It is available for all to use for any function they see fit, RNA or FAA dinners etc and is kept by Robin Harper. Anyone requiring this banner is responsible for arranging delivery and return and any costs associated with the loan. There is also a FNF banner (Shown above) which we have access to, same rules apply. Applications for requirements through Robin Harper.

FAABA MEMBERSHIP - UPDATED 01/02/2020

Membership. We now have well over 450 names on our list of people interested in the association, a substantial number having dropped off as their email addresses have changed. We do keep a database of NON-MEMBERS and also one of only FULL/ASSOCIATE MEMBERS to receive information that is deemed necessary.

It is important to have up-to-date, full contact details including; address, post code and a contact telephone number in addition to an email address so we can contact you.

if you change any personal details without informing the secretary you risk being left out of receiving any information that the association may wish to send to you.

Full membership currently stands at 120. It is now £10 per year payable by Bank transfer or £50 for a five year period if paying by cheque, so please, if you are not a fully paid up member please consider joining. You can also become a Life member by paying a one off fee of £100. It is getting increasingly expensive to meet all our commitments to you, the members, with magazines, newsletters and other communication briefs etc and every penny counts with any excess being ploughed back into the Association.

Join the FAABA now: Download the membership form here, the price of annual membership was changed to £10 in January 2009