The image shows Geoffrey College Steyert on the left and Ron Patton on the right. When first posted and we sought names, etc., as a result this image provided both email and comments regarding this post.
Norman Patton told us: ”I am concluding that this photograph was almost certain to have been taken on ”Re-badging Day”when presumably the Battery at Loftus and probably 631 Lt Regiment Royal Artillery was disbanded and the Loftus detachment of the 4th Bn Green Howards(V) was created. This would have been about 1960 ish! There would in that case be Light Artillery pieces, troops in their several uniforms and probably the Regimental Silver on display. Someone out there knows the full story and all we have to do is wait for their call? It is a good picture, Mr Steyert, isn’t it?”
John Wright informed us: ”Geoffrey College Steyert is dressed in Royal Artillery number one dress Blues complete with RA stable belt. Ronnie Patton is in Battle Dress order which was in use until the early 60’s. Coronation Park (to use its correct name) was opened in 1937 along with Coronation Road to commemorate King George the 6th Coronation. The trophy in the front is I think Boer War period 1899 to 1902 and the badge on the front looks to be that of the East Yorkshire Regiment. From the style of dress I should think this was taken in the 1950’s. My Dad Paddy Wright was BQMS of the Royal Artillery unit at the Drill Hall. The RA took over from the Green Howards after WW2; it was 631 Light Regiment Royal Artillery. In the late 50’s early 60’s the unit was disbanded and taken over by the Green Howards who moved to Guisborough, this is when my dad resigned. His cry was ”once a gunner always a gunner” and he would not join the Infantry. The drill hall then was used exclusively by the Army Cadets. The Garages and gun park were sold off to Loftus Club so they could expand.” Matthew Marsay commented: “I love this photograph of my grandad!”; whilst Julie Riddiough asked: “Wonder if we’re related my nana’s maiden name was Marsay.”
Image courtesy of Stephen Steyert, with many thanks to Norman Patton and John Wright for the full explanation; thanks to Matthew Marsay and Julie Riddiough for the updates.
Geoffrey found this picture that shows the radar gear as it was in the 1950s. The airmen who operated the Coast Radar were stationed on camp at East Barnby and marched down to the site each day to carry out their duties. Dave Jones tells us: ”I was stationed there from 1954 to 1956, we had the worst snow in 100 years, cut off for three weeks; ran out of food, they dropped food by helicopter; snow ploughs could not make Lythe Bank. Hey anybody remember – Dave Jones – me? (Now living in California, USA) or Nat Cole from London (now deceased); two guys from Sheffield in our six bed dormitory? What a waste of time National Service was but I met some great lads from all over UK. God Bless (Norman) “Nat” Cole from London.”. Whilst Dean Gibson tells us: ”The picture shows a Type 14 Chain Home Extra Low (CHEL) / Ground Controlled Intercept (GCI) radar. It had a frequency of 3 GHz, (10cms wavelength) giving it good definition and could pick up a bomber sized target at 90 miles flying at 6,000 feet over the sea. This provided adequate early warning against piston engine aircraft; however, for jet aircraft, due to their higher speed, greater pick-up range was required and the Type 14 gave way, in the early 50’s, to the magnificent Type 80. These were located at various sites around the UK and Germany and also on Mount Olympus, Cyprus, with four being sold to Sweden. One was installed at RAF Seaton Snook but never at RAF Goldsborough. The last Type 80 in service was at RAF Buchan, NE Scotland. I was fortunate to use that Type 80 radar in operations at RAF Buchan and was sorry to see it taken out of service in 1992 to be replaced by a modern planar phased array radar.” Geoffrey assisted with: “I took the photograph when we and the lads went down to Goldsborough pub, think it was the Fox. I was stationed at RAF Goldsborough the camp at East Barnby; it was at the time they were building the first early warning station at Fylingdales with golf ball type enclosed radar aerials. Talking about the weather I was up at Fylingdales marooned for days and yes we had food helicoptered into us. It was 1962/3, I was 19 years old on 5131 Bomb disposal and went out daily to clear the moorland for a safe build as it was used as an artillery range in the war and had to be made safe. We cleared 2 inch and 3 inch mortar bombs and 25 pound shells, very unstable with proximity fuses.” Sharon Warren commented: “My father, Peter Warren was an armourer stationed at RAF Goldsborough, about 1959/60 to about 1962 when he was posted to France. He was part of the team that had to clear the ground of any ammunition, ready for Fylingdales to be built. He was part of 5131 bomb disposal, I was born there, do you remember him?” Geoffrey responded to Sharon’s query: “I was at Goldsborough in October 1960 onwards but did not come across your father, I am so sorry I could not help. Then I was a 20 year old and now coming up 80: where have the years gone?”
Image and information courtesy of Geoffrey Powell, also thanks to Dave Jones, Dean Gibson and Sharon Warren for the updates.
Geoffrey Powell put a comment on our picture of Fylingdales and aroused our interest. We got in touch with him and he sent us lots of images by email and then went to the trouble and risk of posting his albums of photographs recording his time at Goldsborough and Fylingdales to us. He also sent a copy of his own story; we are privileged to be able to share a selection of these with you. Russell Pigott commented: “Not strictly to do with the subject, but it looks like the picture is on Colchester station, was this chap based down there? I’ve just driven a train through there this evening! Also is there any pictures of the huge nuclear bunker at Goldsborough which is now flooded?” Geoffrey Powell responded with: “In answer to your questions the answer is NO it was taken on Stockport station between postings. I do know to my horror that vandals have wrecked the Radar building and I was lucky I did not disappear down a manhole filled with water as I stepped back to take a picture as the cover had been removed on my last visit .”
Geoffrey added: “I have got to the Archive have done a wonderful job on the story about the men at Goldsborough and Fylingdales etc. I didn’t think with the change it was going to get better but it has and I thank you for your efforts at doing so as when we are long gone there will be a legacy for others to read as I don’t think the threat of a intercontinental or invasive attack will ever go away. This site for that reason is most interesting and as you have done so, should have a permanent record. It so happened that on joining the RAF I was given a portable radio and to take the boredom away; after getting an electric shock I swapped it for a camera otherwise these wonderful pictures would not have been recorded. An excellent job you have done, I was 19 or 20 years old then and now 72 where have the years gone to.. and still got Alfie my constant companion Black Labrador in the pictures .Thank you and ALL responsible for a wonderful site. Geoffrey Powell SAC 5131 Bomb Disposal Sqn RAF 1960 /63/.”
Image and information courtesy of Geoffrey Powell, thanks to Russell Pigott for the update.
SAC Powell was a Mechanical Transport Driver attached to 5131 Bomb Disposal Squadron. He was posted to RAF Goldsborough (East Barnby camp) in 1961. He travelled by train from his home in Leicestershire to York, York to Malton, then Malton to Whitby, via Pickering. He was collected at Whitby station and taken to RAF Goldsborough. Geoffrey was struck by the beauty of our countryside. Ian Terry tells us: ”I was an Armourer and joined 6217 BD flight at Goldsborough directly after my Christmas leave in January 1962. where I was reunited with my mate Mick Hodge. I remained on Bomb Disposal until September 1964. In September 64 I was posted to No 31 squadron RAF Laarbruch.” Terry also tell us: ”When we were at Goldsborough there were actually two flights. 6217 and 6226.” Dennis Carlton told us: “6226 was also at RAF Goldsborough from 1959 until 1962. I wonder if anyone caught Cancer as the workers at Fylindales used to chuck asbestos sheets on the dump. Whats ‘elf and safety’? The flight also worked at Lastingham.”
Image and information courtesy of Geoffrey Powell, also many thanks to Ian Terry and Dennis Carlton for the updates.
Goldsborough camp housed the men and back up staff supporting the work going on at Fylingdales. Geoffrey was tired and lonely when he arrived, but soon got to know the others in the Billet. Their accommodation block had bunk beds and there was a stove in the middle and a bathroom and showers at the rear; the men ate in the Airmen’s Mess. In present times the site is better known as East Barnby Centre, part of the North Yorkshire Outdoor Learning Service and described as: “The UK’s Greatest Outdoor Classroom”; providing a residential centre for field studies or outdoor activities.
Image and information courtesy of Geoffrey Powell, further information about RAF Goldsborough can be found on ‘Subterranean Britannica’ website.
Geoffrey’s place of work was the MT (Motor Transport) section. They had Bedford R/L three ton trucks, Austin two ton trucks, a Morris Commercial Ambulance, a small Bedford ration truck and two Land Rovers on site. There was also a Standard Ensign staff car for the CO. The mudguards of the trucks and ambulance were painted red to denote that they were on explosive business. The letters BD (Bomb Disposal) were painted on the Land Rover and Vanguard car.
Image and information courtesy of Geoffrey Powell.
One of Geoffrey’s duties was driving to Middleton St George (now Durham Tees Valley Airport) for camp rations; he also drove to other depots for kit and materials that was required by the Bomb Disposal men.
Image and information courtesy of Geoffrey Powell.
The MT section transported the Bomb Disposal men and their equipment over to the Fylingdales moors every day, down Lythe Bank, through Sandsend and Ruswarp. Their job was to clear unexploded munitions and other objects that had been left over from when the Army used the area as a firing range with their tanks. They were clearing the moor ahead of the contractors building RAF Fylingdales. The designated drivers stayed out on the moor with them. At lunchtime a two ton Austin truck took hot meals out to the men.
Image and information courtesy of Geoffrey Powell.
It was soon observed that the MT (Motor Transport) drivers were wasting time sitting in their vehicles for most of the day. They were told to help the BD (Bomb Disposal) lads, doing different duties, moving tapes and the occasional digging.
Image and information courtesy of Geoffrey Powell.
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