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Welcome to the
FAA Buccaneer
Association web site
The
Association is open to all personnel who maintained, flew or
supported the Buccaneer aircraft during its service with the
Fleet Air Arm of the Royal Navy in the sixties and
seventies. Honorary President:
Rear Admiral
Scott
Lidbetter
LATEST NEWS
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The committee hope all those
that attended this year's Reunion had a great
weekend. Hopefully we can persuade H Williams to
come and serve the Tot next year and he can wear
one of his own masks. An Article on the
commissioning of 809 NAS at RAF Marham in
December 2023 is available on the "FAABA
Pictures" Drop Down Menu in the Members Area.
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Page last updated
23 July 2024 |
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RICHARD
COOKE |
FAABA has recently heard that one of
our members, Richard Cooke has recently died from
M.N.D., he was a regular attendee at our reunions up
until Bosworth in 2014. Richard sadly Crossed the
Bar on July 11th 2014, we send our best wishes to
his wife Helen and their family, Richard was
an Electrical Engineer who served on Buccaneer Units
803, 801, NASU (Lossiemouth), RNU Honington and
finally as a POEL(A) on 809 from 1973 to 1975. |
![](Button%20Images%20New/Richard_Cooke_2014_Bosworth_1_small.jpg) |
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2 pictures taken of
Richard at Bosworth during the FAABA 2014 Reunion |
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CAPTAIN
FRED HEFFORD OBE, DSC, AFC, RN(ret) |
He was CO. of 'C' Squadron, Naval
Test Squadron at A&AEE Boscombe Down from May 1968
to June 1971. During the tour at Boscombe the
Squadron completed some very interesting Buccaneer
and Phantom F4J & K Trials, both ashore and afloat.
Captain Hefford was born January 7th 1927 and
Crossed the Bar on May 28th 2024 aged 97 |
![](Button%20Images%20New/Cdr_Fred_Hefford_awarded_AFC_small.jpg) |
With his family
outside Buckingham Palace after receiving the AFC in
1971 |
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NEXT FAABA (2025) REUNION AT
THE ROYAL COURT HOTEL IN COVENTRY |
The date for next years Reunion has
been agreed with the hotel as Friday 6th to Sunday
8th June. Please mark this date in your diary if you
don't want to miss all the action, |
Don't miss all the pictures and 2
videos online from the this year's (2024) Reunion,
see the "Photos on Web" selection on the menu to the
left |
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FAABA
REUNION HELD AT THE ROYAL COURT HOTEL, COVENTRY 14th
- 16th JUNE 2024 |
Good to see all our regular friends
at the RCH for the 2024 Reunion, a very good time
was had by all, unfortunately we were missing some
regulars due to medical or other reasons but we hope
to meet up again next June (Date pending). The
Windsor Suite although smaller was still enjoyed and
better fitted the numbers attending; the drawback
being that we didn't have enough room for the full
ex-bootie Dance Band. |
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FLEET AIR
ARM MEMORIAL SERVICE LEE ON SOLENT – HELD SUNDAY 19TH MAY
2024 |
Telegraphist Air Gunners (TAGs)
served in Fleet Air Arm aircraft from 1922 – 1950,
providing communications by Morse Code and manning
the rear gun. Three thousand TAGs were trained in
the 28-year life span of the branch. 507 were lost
through enemy action and/or flying accidents, 69
became Prisoners of War.
Most TAGs served only for the period of WW2,
returning to civilian occupations in 1945/46. TAGs
were awarded 2 CGMs, 115 DSMs, 20 BEMs and 134
Mentions in Dispatches. They served in 77 different
Aircraft Carriers.
Each year the Association presents the TAGA Trophy
and Medal to the outstanding Air Engineering
Mechanic of the Year chosen by the Air Engineering
staff at HMS Sultan.
The Telegraphist Air Gunners Association has held a
Memorial Service on the third Sunday in May since
1953, when the Duchess of Kent unveiled the Fleet
Air Arm Memorial at Lee on Solent.
Since 2013, when the TAG’s Association dissolved,
the service has been organised by the Fleet Air Arm
Association. |
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This year the event fell on
Sunday19th May.
It began with a lunch at Lee on Solent Golf Club.
There was a welcome by the Chairman of the FAAA,
Dave Smith, and introductions by Vice President
Peter Murray. Grace was led by Valerie Sayer, and
the toasts were given by FAAA secretary Jim Moulson,
and FAAA Patron Sir Adrian Johns. There was also a
short speech by Lt Hayley McDermott RN.
This was followed by the Memorial Service at St
Faith’s Church, which was conducted by The Reverend
Doctor Paul Chamberlain, vicar of St Faith’s, and
The Reverend Timothy Ndegwa, Chaplain RN, currently
based at HMS Sultan. After the service an informal
wreath laying ceremony took place at the memorial
itself.
It was lovely to have representatives from HMS
Sultan join in with the memorial and wreath laying.
It would be great to have more association members
come along to this annual event, so why not put it
in your diary for next year, when it will be held on
Sunday May 18th.
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Click on images to
see Full Size |
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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 |
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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. |
![](Button%20Images%20New/Bryan_Farris_CPO_Mech_small.jpg) |
![](Button%20Images%20New/L_to_R_Margaret_Farris,_Eric_Watson,_Jack_Edwards,_Bryan_Farris_at_HMS_Fulmar_decommisioning_50th_Elgin_2022_small.jpg) |
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) |
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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. |
![](Images_2024/Geoff_Wheatley_BTG.jpg) ![](Images_2024/Geoff_Wheatley_809.jpg) |
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FAABA AT
THE CENOTAPH REMEMBRANCE DAY NOVEMBER 2023 |
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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
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Click on
picture to see full size image |
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830
SQUADRON OPERATION FROM RAF HAL FAR, MALTA - 11TH
NOVEMBER - REMEMBRANCE DAY 1941 |
![](Books/830_Mission_Nov.11.1941_An_Average_Pilot/Av_Pilot1.jpg) |
![](Books/830_Mission_Nov.11.1941_An_Average_Pilot/Av_Pilot2.jpg) |
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
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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. |
![](Images_2023/BV_Letter_29.08.23.jpg) |
Click on the image above to see
larger PDF of letter |
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ATTENDEES AT THE ROYAL COURT HOTEL FOR 2023
REUNION 2-5 JUNE |
Robin would like to thank
those members who kindly thanked the
committee, Hilary & I by email post the
reunion. Many thanks going to all members of
the committee for everything they do to make
the reunion the success that it was.
Including Hilary (Sec’s PA). |
if anyone had any issues
(that are worth making a noise about!) about
the 2023 reunion weekend or anyone with any
bright ideas for next year that won't cost a
lot of money or time! Apart from that, we
all had a great time and look forward to
seeing all those that couldn't make it this
year in 2024. |
I can confirm that next year
the FAABA Reunion will be held over the
weekend of Friday 14, 15, 16 June 2024 at
the Royal Court Hotel, Coventry. These dates
are a little later as there is a large Asian
Wedding taking place the previous week. The
beginning of June is a Bank Holiday so I
wish to avoid that.
Thank you all for your attendance this year
at what a lot of you have told me was the
best so far. The reunion would be nothing
without your everyone’s attendance so please
make the effort to come along and make next
year even better. |
![](Images_2023/2023-Attendees-(1Crop).jpg) |
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Click on the smaller images
to see larger size - All pictures available
full size in "Photos on Web" |
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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
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FAABA ON
FACEBOOK |
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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 |
![](Facebook/facebook-icon.png) |
![](Images_2017/Website_image_Fb.jpg) |
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FAA BUCCANEER ASSOCIATION &
FLY NAVY FEDERATION BANNERS |
![](../images/FNF_PULL_UP_2010_(S).jpg) |
![](Images/Banner(sm).jpg) |
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. |
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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
![Download Form](Button%20Images%20New/button32.gif)
For all applications to join or for more information
please contact:-
Secretary FAABA:
Robin Harper, FAABA,
10 Harding Court, Somerton, Somerset, TA11 6TD
Email:
robinh49@btinternet.com
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