MY RAF DAYS AND AFTER | home

MY YEARS WITH THE A.A.

1956 -1986.

After a medical and an interview at the Reading A.A. office, I was accepted and was told to report to their Training school at Widmerpool, Nottingham, photo of the complex below.

When the Patrols attended the training school, whether they were recruits or back on a refreher course, were greeted with the following,

' YOU HAVE INHERITED A PROUD TRADITION - YOU MUST UPHOLD IT'

This was above all the blackboards in the instruction rooms and in the workshops.

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Just like my call up getting a train and away from home for a while, only two weeks though, also the weather was bad and the train got delayed, still no heating in the carriages, thought they would have got it right by now. The different types of vehicle I rode or drove are below.

My first M20 R.S.O. (Road Service Outfit). Old uniform badge.

Colecting new RSO's.

Anyone know if this was Birmingham or London ?.

The brand new fibre glass M21 R.S.O.

My first solo M/cycle. And not the last.

On the Bath Road, Hounslow.

Outside the Patrol Service Centre in Hounslow West, I was Senior Patrol at the time and looked after the office and the local Patrols. The m/cycle was a smaller machine, B40 B.S.A.

One day whilst asking another patrol to come and take over the Patrol point, the following happend.

In those days it was the norm to assist in times of the unexpected,

today we would have been given the patrol cross or Service medal.

I was on nights with the Landrover, call sign Yellow Wiliam, was very interesting.

Doing some bull, painting the mast with silver paint, can't remember if this

was Honslow PSC or the one on Jumbo.

This is called a Jumbo mobile office and was used at horse shows, (this was at Windsor Royal Horse show), and other main events throughout the country. I was in charge of it at one time when it was stationed on the A40 Western Avenue, at Northolt, by the Polish War Memorial, during the off season period. When it was due for it's revamp prior to going on the road for the summer season, I had the job of taking it to the coachbuilders and taking the tractor unit home with me.

One of the smaller Mobile Office's, it was towed by a Land Rover.

On the steps is Jim Middleton, one of the patrols from the Northolt district,

and me beside him.

One of the new mobile Patrol Service Centres, publicity shoot at the Parkway, Cranford, Hounslow.

While we were at Cranford, a member called in and said he had a puncture, so I had to leave,

and this was used as another publicity photo, hence me not wearing a dust coat.

The membership department wanted to open a shop within a shop and the first one chosen was a department store in Clapham, and I was offered the job of going there for a month for the Christmas period, in 1965, it worked so well it was extended for another month in, another store, in Oxford Street London, and then I was moved into Gamages at Holborn, where I stayed until I moved to Devon in 1971. I had helpers at Gamages and I dealt with motoring insurance for Lloyds' & G.R.E. One day I arrived to find a long queue ending at our counter, over night an insurance group had collapsed and they all wanted motor insurance cover. So I spent the day issuing those that I could acept with cover. Then when I got home I had all the paper work to finish, before I got to bed, what a day.

Our stand in Gamages, I spent 5 years there and met some very interesting people.

B.S.A.B40 before the sidecar was removed.

That was how the weather was back in 1956 when I was first on patrol,

then it was a B.S.A. M20, as the first photo.

The photo inside the Membership Application Form had a Patrol at work.

The front cover and the form for the Member to be to fill in. Those were the days.

First patrol, and 1965 uniform, at the Motor Show, Olympia.

Talking to Harold Wilson, at the Motor Show, Olympia.

This was the single sheet Newsletter for Members and staff,

we often had our photos taken for it,

as above, Margaret Akers feeling the material of my pocket.

The above from Punch was given to us with a news sheet when I was in London.

Start of the Relay 1973. The first one in my front garden in Kingskerswell. The Wife is inspecting it on the right.

This Relay pick up was taken somewhere near, Countess Wear, Exeter.

A.A. Patrol's Transport, through the years. This was at the M/Cycle show,

National Exhibition centre, Birmingham.

New unifom badge.

On duty at the National Exhibition Centre Birmingham,

to deal with M/Cycle breakdowns. Proof that I can do so

is the certificate from the A.A Training School below.

Photo taken at the Devon County Show late 1970's,

the two AA's, Aberdeen Angus Society and the Automoble Association.

Being introduced to the Duke of Kent at the Bristol Relay Gararge,

with all of the A.A. big wig's.

Staff talking to the then Secretary General Olaf Lambert, at Exeter Relay garage.

Yours truly on the right.

Waiting for the off at Exter University. Sent to me by Dick Sheppard from his collection.

Outside the Relay Garage, on Marsh Barton Tradding Estate, Exeter.

The floods in Teigngrace, 1977-78, Job done and the member pulled his

Landrover forward for me to mount my machine, without getting my boots wet.

Above three taken by Freddie Collins, of Countess Wear, Exeter.

Somewhere on Dartmoor, winter 78 - 79.

Top of Telegraph Hill, near Exeter.

When the roads were bad I had to team up with my mate Danny, and leave my M/Cycle at home. In London I would have had to put my sidecar back on.

Dressed up for the Lord Mayor's parade in Plymouth.

And on Plymouth Hoe.

Waiting for the off in the Exeter Carnival.

On display at Middlemore Police H.Q.

On display at Newton Abbot Police Station, for their open day. Chief Insp. Dick Sheppard, Brian and me.

Another one from Dick Sheppards collection of photos.

This took me back to my early days.

Giving a display over obstacle course at Newton Abbot Police Station.

As it was on private land no saftey helmets were required.

The instructors at the winter training courses at Sowton Relay Garage.

From the left, me, Sgt Pete Thompson, Chief inspector's, Bob Barrow, Dick Sheppard,

Inspector Ted Butcher and Patrol Brian Eakers.

Sorry about the quality. This is another thing we used to get involed with in the winter.

Light testing was always well used and it was an enjoyable but hard time for the staff, working on the lights.

Anyone got a copy of the original photo ?.

Here is a better photo from Bob Barrows album. On the left Is Mr Gus Gibson, Exeter Office Manager, me, the Mayor & Mayoress, Mr & Mrs Richard Van Oppen, and the Chauffeur, Mr Malcolm Hughes.

On duty at Cardiff Castle, the A.A. through the years.

Tea break on Dartmoor.

My B.M.W. at Exeter Sowton Realay Garage, just coming in for a meal break.

My first Ford Ecort van, at Torquay.

Standing by at Dartmouth after dealing with a breakdown

Talking to a Member at Torquay harbour office, ( it's my Dad as well as a member)

And here is my Mum.

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Just found these photos, any one know anybody ?

This was my first photo at Widmerpool 1956. I am 3 rd from left in the 2 nd row, behind Inspector Fox. In the same row, 5th along was Danny Hanaford, who I met again when we moved to Devon, we had our 25 year party together in1981.

Danny and me getting our 25 year service gifts, given to us by Mr Derick Fothergill.

This is a Re-training course, couple of years later. I am in the back row far left.

All up on an Inspectors Course.This time I am in the back row 2 nd from the right.

All position are looking at the photos.

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The following photos were sent to me by my old Chief Inspector

Richard (Dick) Sheppard, from the Exeter Area. He has rebuilt the BSA Road Service

Outfits you will see, and has fond memories of the AA every time he takes them out.

The first BSA M21 Dick rebuilt, will see if he has anymore to say about it.

Another rebuild, BSA M20, girder fork machine.

BSA M20, in 2005

JLL697, on display again.

Leading the way again, is the AA.

Front cover of Dick's book,

Dick signing his book, at the Commemoritive AA Centenary, I will ask him if he is still selling it in case anyone is interested in getting one (if its still in print)

Well thats all for now from Dick, watch this space.

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Aircraft of the AA over the years.

At shows I took the radio calls from the de Havilland Rapide,

to let the members know how we worked, with the aircraft for road traffic build up.

The last one was used for air ambulance, bringing

patients home, who had been taken ill whilst on their overseas holidays.

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The following photos were given to me by Bob Barrow,

he has loaned me a scrap book to see what photos I can use.

There are numurous newspaper cuttings and photos, (from before my time), so will put on those of my time at Exeter, and those of you who will be interesing to see some of the photos from way back.

A.A. Office Exeter, 1922,

this is where Boots the chemist now stands.

The new office pre 1957, sidwell Street, Exeter.

The new office in Bedford Street,

opened on 25-7-1957.

Could have been demolished to make way for the Southenhey shopping complex, will update this when I know.

B.I.S. in the new office.

Reception area Bedford Street A A Office.

Staff at bedford Street, Was it Jim's retirement ?.

Anyone know where this photo was taken ? it is about circa1938.

Could be the start of the involvement with the R.M.P.

This one, Superintendent harry Cooper is with,

from left to right, Freddie Ware, Fred Marks and Danny Hanaford.

The last of the RSO's, changing for Mini Van,s.

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And now for some of the Regions phone boxes.

Drumbridges box on the A 38 Exeter to Plymouth.

Above two photos of Matford Park, on the outskirts of Exeter.

Moor Lane box. Anyone tell me where this box was ??.

Director General Alec Durie talking to Patrol R Stonehouse. Box not known.

Now for a couple of really old boxes.

The aircraft and the above 3 photos, I took from,

A History of the Automobile Association 1905 - 1980.

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INTERESTED IN BECOMING A MEMBER,

FOR BREAKDOWNS, INSURANCE AND TRAVEL, ETC. ?

Click on the following link:- www.theaa.com

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The A.A’s involvement with the Military Police started in 1938.

The patrols were asked if they would be interested in joining the A.A./R.M.P./ A.E.R. Company. It was through a friend who had been in it for some years persuaded me to join, what with two weeks army pay on top of my A.A. pay it sounded good.

So on the 13th March 1958 I found my self at the Horse Guards Parade, in London being enlisted into the Royal Military Police Army Emergency Reserve, until 31st March 1967, a total of 9 years 19 days, this was due to reorganization of the TA/AER, so the Company strength was cut. A new number to remember, 23542200. As usual when we got our horses from the hire firm I got the white one.