We sadly report the death in October 2009 of Flt Lt Bernard (Bernie) Collen DFM. Bernie was a Lincoln pilot with 100 Squadron during 1948-49 and flew during operations in Malaya during the communist uprising under the command of Wg Cdr Ronnie Jell. DFC., AFC.

Bernard Collen, also known as Barney, joined the ATC at its foundation and became the first air cadet to obtain the Certificate of Competency. He joined the RAF in December 1942 and trained as a pilot in Rhodesia. He flew Wellingtons in Palestine; on return to the UK he converted to B25 Mitchell bombers and was posted to Germany in the immediate post war period. He joined 100 Squadron at Waddington in late 1948 and undertook operations in both East Africa and Malaya. During one op in Malaya, he was taking off with a full bomb load when his port outer engine caught fire. He completed the take off, and despite being ordered to jettison his bomb load, he elected to continue the sortie completing his bombing run. For this he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal.

From 1953 he was an Instructor at Little Rissington and his work during this period was recognised by the award of the Queen’s Commendation for Meritorious Service in the Air. Bernie was commissioned in 1960, and worked in Air Traffic Control at Middleton St George and Bruggen. After returning to flying duties in 1966 as an instructor at Manby flying jet Provosts at the School of Refresher Flying, Bernie went back to Air Traffic Control work ending his RAF Career at RAF Honington.

His 70^th birthday was celebrated in November 1993 flying a Tiger Moth, and the photograph reveals the great delight of a professional and consummate aviator. Rest in peace Bernie, you have served your country with great skill and bravery. 

Dr Keith Ellis

100 Sqn Association Reunion 2010

PLEASE CAN WE REMIND ALL MEMBERS, THAT WE MUST HAVE YOUR BOOKINGS FOR THIS YEARS REUNION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. IDEALLY, WE NEED TO HAVE ALL BOOKINGS MADE BY THE 30TH JUNE, SO THAT THE ASSOCIATION HAS THE CORRECT NUMBERS TO ARRANGE ALL EVENTS FOR THAT WEEKEND. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE SEND YOUR BOOKINGS IN RIGHT AWAY!!!

Loss of two Members

I have just been informed of the deaths of two of our Members:
 
Mr Ken Johnson (of Room 16, Abbeyfield House, Reene Court, Newport, Gwent) passed away in November 2009.
 
Mr E (Ted) Mayfield DFM suffered a stroke in February 2010 and died on March 25th 2010. Ted was a Lancaster veteran and won the DFM with 100 Squadron.

Reunion 2010 - Officers' Mess Accommodation
 
Some of you had made a request to the RAF Leeming Officers' Mess for accommodation during our Reunion to be held over 16 and 17 July 2010.
 
Leeming is experiencing an unusually high number of inward postings of officers at the present time. Because of this, the Officers' Mess regret that they are most unlikely to be able to offer any 100 Squadron Association Member accommodation during our Reunion. The Mess staff are making personal contact with those members who had requested accommodation to inform them of this.
 
The Mess staff offer their apologies, but this situation is beyond their control. Naturally, should any accommodation become available, the staff will let us know.
 
Members are advised to consult the Accommodation list that was sent out with The Hornet early in March. This list contained a wide selection of accommodation within a reasonable distance from Leeming.
 
Dr Keith Ellis
Secretary

16 April 2010 - I have received details from Kevin Parfitt today, for the funeral of Basil 'Ginge' Parfitt:

The funeral will take place at Tynewydd Funeral Home, Gladstone Road, Barry at 2.15pm On Tuesday 20^th April followed by a short service and cremation at Thornhill Crematorium, Cardiff at 3.45pm.

There will be family flowers only with donations to the RAFA association.

15 April 2010 - After receiving an email from Kevin Parfitt this morning, I regret to inform you all that Basil ‘Ginge’ Parfitt, passed away in the early hours of Friday 9^tth April, aged 90. He was a friend of the late Stan Deason who unfortunately passed away on the Thursday night, and their funerals have been arranged for the same day.

I have emailed Kevin asking him to pass over the details of the funeral, in which these details will be posted here very soon.

Many Thanks

Damien English

14 April 2010 - Following a telephone call from Mrs Jackie Jones, Stanley Deason's daughter earlier this evening, I regret to inform you all of the passing of another of our WWII chaps. Stanley passed away last week.

Stanley had been a member for a good few years and had served with the Sqn from 1942-1945 as an LAC FM/ Airframes, serving at Waltham, Elsham Wold and latterly at Scampton.

I have passed on our condolences and sympathies to Mrs Jones. I am advised that there is to be family flowers only and that Mrs Jones will let me know of a chosen beneficiary for any donation.

John Hammill

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