Just an introduction to get me started.
My name is Bob Clarke. I am currently based at Boscombe Down, where I fill the post of site archaeologist. I also lecture engineering systems for the FES Training Centre, capitalising on nearly 30 years experience in aviation. I also lecture on various historically related subjects for the University of Bath and have recently started writing books for Tempus. To date ‘Four Minute Warning:Britain’s Cold War (2005) & ‘Ten Tons for Tempelhof:The Berlin Airlift (2007). Currently I am looking into airfields.
Ok to start the ball rolling:-
Was RAF andover a Training Depot Station and if so what was its designated number? Also why put the RAF Staff College there?
By: Bob Clarke - 12th April 2007 at 22:17
Thank you Ray, that helps me along quite a bit.
By: super sioux - 12th April 2007 at 20:22
(/QUOTE )Was RAF andover a Training Depot Station and if so what was its designated number? Also why put the RAF Staff College there?[/QUOTE]
Welcome Bob,
According to the biography of Air Chief Marshall Wilfred Freeman by Anthony Furse, Freeman who was to be senior instructor there and was posted in before it opened in 3 Jan 1922 when he became NO. 3 of the directing staff.
All decisions regarding the new RAF training establishments including the RAF Staff College were taken by Marshall of the Royal Air Force Trenchard.
No. 2 School of Aerial Navigation and Bomb-dropping used HP 0/100 and 0/400 aircraft when at Andover
Ray
By: Bob Clarke - 12th April 2007 at 15:43
Andover and Archy
I was lucky to be in the right place at the right time. One job manages to run along side the other. You are quite correct about the retraining and pay. Archaeologists tend to live off Marmite sandwiches and there is intense competition for any three month contracts the commercial outfits throw out. I too like the life to which I have become used to. I tend to keep the archy down to one to two days a week or when working with the Uni. which I have to say is far more lucrative than digging for a living, and more satisfying it has to be said.
Now where did I put that lottery ticket —-
Any more thoughts on Andover anyone?
By: adrian_gray - 12th April 2007 at 15:32
Trust me its not all its cracked up to be!!
Sadly, having investigated various alternative careers, the salary is one of the reasons I’m still doing the same thing! Rain I can live with, but I’ve had a fat salary for too long now… That and two years retraining at vast expense to earn less afterwards of course… But enough of my whining!
Adrian
By: Bob Clarke - 12th April 2007 at 15:03
Oooooh, I wish you hadn’t told us what you do and given that weblink – I am SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO jealous it isn’t true.
Trust me its not all its cracked up to be!!
Although it does raise some interesting situations, There was this one time when we had a build demolished only to find phosporus sea flares underneath. Archaeology in wartime conditions – and no danger money!!
By: adrian_gray - 12th April 2007 at 11:50
Oi, just because I sit in an office at Boscombe dosen’t mean I work there! 😀
Does your boss know that? :diablo:
Adrian
By: Aeronut - 12th April 2007 at 11:46
I’ve not met Bob but I may get in touch about another archeological job. Bob is more likely to know Rocketeer.
Oi, just because I sit in an office at Boscombe dosen’t mean I work there! 😀
By: adrian_gray - 12th April 2007 at 10:55
Oooooh, I wish you hadn’t told us what you do and given that weblink – I am SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO jealous it isn’t true.
Oh for a job I could lovE!
Adrian
By: Carpetbagger - 12th April 2007 at 10:43
Hello Bob, Welcome to the forum.
Being at Boscombe you may know Aeronut who also posts here.
Sorry, I can’t answer your questions but I would be more than interested in knowing more of it’s history, it being my ‘local’ (former) airfield.
John
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April 12, 2007 at 10:16 am