I GREW UP AT BENTWATERS

Wayne Leighton wleightn(a)midmaine.com
12 December 1999 02:06

Hi, My name is Wayne Leigthton and I went to school on Bentwaters from I believe from 1964 to 1969. I was quite surprised to Find all of these Sites regarding Bentwaters.  My fathers Name was Robert K Leighton. When we left Bentwaters He was a Tech SGT. I believe he worked in the Commanders Office. Unfortunately He passed away a few years ago. I know he would be ecstatic if he knew these sites existed.

Some of the things that I remember are as follows:
Our neighbor in Woodbridge was an F4 pilot. I rember his plane crash landed in a field off the end of the runway and his injuries ended his flying career. We owned one of 2 identical Rambler classic 660 station wagons. My father had the car Shipped over from the states. I remember the English Barber on base I believe his name was Reggie. I Remember living in one of the Quanset's on base before we were shipped back to the States. I recall having a great time while we stayed there.

Thanks for bringing back so many memories. It brings back thoughts of a time long long ago. It has also increased my desire to return.

Wayne.

 

FIRST PHANTOM

bfredette bfredette(a)phxcvb.org
19 November 1999 23:24
Subject: woodbridge 64-67

Hi, Linn. my name is Bob Fredette & my dad, Lt Col Robert Fredette was squadron commander of the 78th TFS (81st TFW) (a) Woodbridge from '64 until mid '67. He landed the very first F4-C (a) Woodbridge after a long flight from Tucson, AZ after the wing converted from F-101 Voodoo's to the F-4.

Pls let me know if u would like pics/more info re: this as I noticed you have more photos of the "tenant" 79th TFS.

thx, Bob F

 

TUNSTALL MILK THIEVES

Chuck Dalldorf cdalldorf-at-sbcglobal.net
27 November 1999

I think often of my time spent living in Tunstall at Corner Cottage and especially many evenings at my local, The Green Man. One of my neighbors across the road was Mrs. Knight. She was a widow and was quite elderly when I lived in Corner Cottage. She helped resolve one of the great mysteries of living in Suffolk for me early during my residence. When the milk man delivered to the front door of Corner Cottage and I was working the flight line at night, often when I returned home, the tin tops of the milk bottles had been broken into and the cream was removed! When I worked on the day shift I was up early enough to get the bottles in before this occurred. What sort of an odd person would go around sipping the cream out of someone's milk bottles? Was village life that quirky?

Finally, one day I was chatting with Mrs. Knight and asked her if the village cream thief was terrorizing the entire village or just taking advantage of my odd schedule. She laughed when I told her about this dilemma. She helped clarify the situation that I, as a kid who grew up in New York City, never would have figured out on my own! Apparently the birds of Suffolk, passing by on their way to and from Rendlesham Forest, took quite a fancy to the shiny tins at the top of the bottle and especially to the cream in the neck of the milk bottles that they could sip out. Mrs. Knight suggested that I take a plastic cup and place them upside down on the tops of the empties left for the milk man. When he dropped the next days milk off, he covered the tops with the cups and Voila! No more cream thefts!

Mrs. Knight was a very gracious neighbor and I am sorry I have no photographs to remember her by. She occasionally stopped by to ask if she could ring her sister to ask her to stop by and bring something from Orford. The nearest phone box was quite a bit up the road at the Post Office, across from The Green Man. The next closest one was a walk down the road toward Orford, in the Tunstall Commons. The phone box sat all by itself with the beautiful forest in the background not very close to any of the Commons cottages at the intersection of Walk Farm Road. When I last visited, the red phone box was still there and still very much in service.

Chuck Dalldorf

81st FMS/ EMS; E-5 Ssgt. 1977 - 1981
RAF Woodbridge and RAF Bentwaters

THE CULTURE

Al Guzman guzzimon(a)pixi.com
24 October 1999 19:29
Base: Bentwaters and Woodbridge - 81st Tac Hospital (Dental) Apr '66 -Sep '69

Aloha from Hawaii!
I was stationed at RAF Bentwaters and worked at RAF Woodbridge Dental Clinic '66-'68 and at RAF Bentwaters in '69. I enjoyed my three and a half years there immensely and still have dreams of disembarking from an airliner and driving through the old rail crossing at Melton. As a single airman, we did what all airmen do when in England...take in the culture and just enjoy it all!I have a few photos and some stories of the base during that period to share should you need them to help start a museum. It would be fun to visit the place, and to see how much it changed.
Mahalo,

Al Guzman

OXO CRISPS

Rita Miller shadowind(a)knology.net
08 October 1999 05:04
Base: RAF Bentwaters

Hello - I found yr site through the Tansey's site.
Wonderful site. Brings back all my childhood and early adult memories. All family still lives there, I enjoyed visiting photos of villages. Remembering going to the Oyster Pub at Butley for Oxo crisps we lived at the top of Oyster hill for years. The Old House B&B in Eyke, friends from California stayed there this past April, very nice place. Please check out my site, and consider a link to it. Thank you

RJ (Rita Miller), Florida, USA

SUNBEAM TALBOT

David James Shallop sarge130sob(a)aol.com
16 September 1999 01:45
Base: RAF Bentwaters
When: 1965-1968

Our son Jay was born at Bentwaters hospital March 13, 1966. We lived in Ipswich and I commuted back and forth in our 1956 Sunbeam Talbot. Man what a car. We shot darts on the NCO dart team and had a great time trying to beat the blokes!

McKean
Erie county, Pa.
16426

LOSING at DARTS

Larry Ribbing doubleeagle00(a)yahoo.com]
01 September 1999 15:18
Base: RAF Woodbridge
When: April '67 to April '68

I remember a lot of the good times spent in Woodbridge Village at the local pubs. Drinking dark ale and visiting with the local people and losing a lot of dart games. I also remember a lot of good times in Ipswich and London. The Douglas House in London was a gathering spot for a lot of the military people in London. It was a good place get a shave, haircut and a shower or just a place to have a meal and get a few drinks.

FISHY REQUEST

Floyd Walden fands(a)budget.net
Sunday, August 22, 1999
Base: RAF Woodbridge
When: July 55 to July 58

HELP!!!  I haven't had GOOD fish and chips since I left there (41 years ago).  Can someone please send me a good recipe for the batter for fish and chips? I will be forever grateful.

Rogue River
Oregon, USA

ANYONE FOR TENNIS?

John M. Feeney john(a)cdmedia-dvd.com
August 17, 1999
Base: RAF Bentwaters
When: October 76 to Jan 81

Memories: Playing tennis at all the local clubs. From Flexistowe to Ipswich to Framingham. Seeing Wimbledon, Queens club in Bath, East of England tournament. Club championships......

368 Hilton Drive
Glendale Heights
llinois
60139

Tel: 630-893-2565

TOO MANY?

Brian & Michele Risner micheler(a)hotmail.com
July 15, 1999 at 02:43:19
Base: RAF Bentwaters
When: 1986 - 1990

Memories are too many to list here. We had a wonderful tour at Bentwaters and it is our best yet. We will never forget it!

Alamogordo, NM

GET ME A RUBBER!

Megan Winans, nee Hayward meganpw(a)worldfront.com
Wednesday, July 7, 1999 at 16:09
Base: RAF Bentwaters
When: 1954-1958 and 1961-1965

Not even 18 when I started work at 81st Tactical Hospital as secretary, taken under wing by NCOs in orderly room. Had to learn American slang/words VERY quickly. Very embarassed in large supply area when I asked for English version of eraser. A Sgt Turner in the hospital supply explained why I should not ask for the English translation in an American Supply.

Usually 5 or 6 people crowded into a car and drove in from Aldeburgh to work. Hospital was a neat, friendly place to work in with many happy memories of the people there and the help they gave this tall, young, nervous person.

Looking forward to 91st FIW reunion in Seattle in October. Recognize some names I used to babysit for in Aldeburgh while still in school.
Washington State

CHRISTINE KEELER, MANDY RICE-DAVIES, PROFUMO

Paul Low p.low(a)worldnet.att.net
Tuesday, June 29, 1999
Base: Anglia Control
Tuesday, June 29, 1999
Base: Anglia Control
When: April 1961 - May 1964

I was in England from Apr 1961 to May 1964 as a Radar Air Traffic Controller and Anglia Control was a Radar Air Traffic Control Center located in a sugar beet field across from RAF Wattisham. This puts us near to Bildeston and Stowmarket. We controlled aircraft from 8 bases : Bentwaters was our main base and we were assigned to 3rd AF, 81st TFW, 2161st Communications Sqdrn.; Woodbridge, Weathersfield, Mildenhall, Lakenheath, Alconbury, Chelveston and Sculthorpe. Bentwaters, Woodbridge and Weathersfield all had fighter aircraft (F-100 or F101 with some T-33's thrown in for fun); Lakenheath, Alconbury and Chelveston had bombers (B-66, I think) and Sculthorpe had tankers (KB-50's ??).

If we just wanted a drink off base we went to Bildeston by foot and staggered back after drinking Lager and Lime. If we wanted to drink and socialise we went to Stowmarket (10 schillings - one way - by taxi). We went to the Mikado and the pub just across the street or the Kings Head on High Street (which I understand is now a mini-mall) or the Shepherd and Dog or the Cedars (private club).

If we didn't want to see the movie on base we went to Ipswich to the Cinema or to the Music Hall [got to see lots of top artistes there including Pete Fountain, the Beatles (before they got big), Cliff Richards, Herman and the Hermits, etc.] Then there was always London which I got to about every 3 weeks. Got mixed up with Mandy Rice Davis and Kristeen Keeler one night [Profumo scandle]- almost got bounced out of England because of it - took a lot of explaining to my commander and the local Constabulary.

Anglia Control had roughly 156 personnel: Cooks, Maintenance personnel, Air Traffic Controllers and Administration. Ranks from Airman to Major or Lt Col [depending on who was in command]. I can't recall my first commander but he was a Lt Col nicknamed "Beno" because every memo that came from his office started out with the words, "There will be no ....", drinking in the barracks, girls in the barracks, card playing in the library, etc. Our "Mascot" was called "Rosie". I played "Father Christmas" one year for the kids of the Stowmarket Orphanage. I owned two cars while there, a 1932 Morris Minor {32 mph down hill with a stiff breeze and 32 mpg} and a 1939 Jaguar GT Saloon. We had a civilian barber who came out 2 or 3 times a week.

We had a PX run by a great looking local who would flirt but do nothing else. We also used to stop by the Airmans Club in Ipswich, at least that's what I think it was called.

Hope this has been somewhat helpful and not too rambling.

Paul Low

For contact, see Paul's entry on US-UK SEARCH 60s page.

WAVING JETS

Scott Baldwin baldwin(a)ctaz.com
Sunday, June 13, 1999
Base: RAF Woodbridge
When: 1977 - 1980

Great times were always had with everyone at Bawdsey Beach watching the jets come in over the wave tops during the ORI's. We lived in an old mansion house outside of Woodbridge with some of the best neighbors ever. It was some of the best times of my life.

For contact, see Scott's entry on US-UK SEARCH 70s page.

NO MORE FORD!

Liz & Brian Wilson BriannLiz(a)msn.com
Monday, June 7, 1999 at 01:38:29
Base: RAF Bentwaters
When: 1989-1992

Well I remember how close the shop got. We lived in Thurberton and it was COLD out there in the YEW TREE HOUSE. I love how they name their homes!  I am glad I dont have to drive that Ford again.

For contact, see Brian's entry on US-UK SEARCH 80s page.

WHAT IS THE UK?

Stephan C. Idica   sidica(a)hotmail.com
Thursday, June 3, 1999
Base: RAF Bentwaters
When: 1983-1985

I remember being 18 years old looking at my orders and not knowing what the UK was. I grew up during the time I was there. The cold war, the exercises, that we were not sure if they were real or not. The thing I remember most often are the people. US and the "local Nationals". I learned early that if you show respect you get respect in return. I traveled and toured the coast on leave. Cromer was the best place I found.

I am almost afraid to go back although I would like to see it again. I still feel as though it is my home. Are there any reunions planned in England?

Also see Stephan's entry on US-UK SEARCH 80s page.

'54 RED & PRIMER FORD WAGON

Dennis R. Ludcke Ludcke(a)AOL.com
Monday, May 31, 1999
Base: RAF Woodbridge
When: 1961-1964

Served at Woodbridge from summer of 1961 to Oct. of 1964. Have great pictures of base and flightline, some illegal as hell. Does anyone remember my 1954 Ford station wagon, painted red and primer? PC Stone always stopped me as the previous owner was a poacher. The pig bus Margaret, Lesley, Paula, Carol, Drano, too many to remember. The airman's club and the grilled bologna & cheese sandwiches. The POL guys - K-9 handlers. Just sooo much to remember and such a great time - part of my young adult days.

Also see Dennis's entry on US-UK SEARCH 60s page.

NO CAR, NO FUN

Bernard Sussman BernieDMP(a)aol.com
14 May 1999 18:26
Base: RAF Woodbridge
When: 1959 to 1961

It seems you only remember the good times when you are young and in the Air Force stationed in England. It was a great time to be stationed overseas. Living in Ipswich was fun. Getting to base without a car wasn't.

Also see Bernard's entry on US-UK SEARCH 50s page.

MORE CHIPS

Chuck Van Wey cvanwey(a)ix.netcom.com
10 May 1999
Subject: A fine site!

I was interested in your page on Snape. I believe the old chip shop was run by a man named Vic Large [it was Vic Last]. I first knew him when he ran the chip shop in Orford, which was located right across the street from Elm Cottage, where I lived 1959-1962. I was back in '77 and had a piece of rock and chips at the Snape shop, and also from the chip van that used to park down by the Castle Green in Orford on Tues. and Thurs. evenings. It greatly saddens me to hear that the chip shop is no more! Again, thanks for your wonderful site. All the best,

Chuck

A BRIT REMEMBERS

Though never actively involved with Bentwaters, I visited the base on many occasions. I used to go to the airshows, going from the late 60's until the final one . I always found everyone there very friendly and thought it was a great location for an airfield. I have some great memories, and a few photos & videos to remember it by.
I remember some great airshows at Bentwaters over the years. The best ones going back to the late 60's early 70's. This was way before all the safety regulations.

The best display I saw was by a Royal Navy Phantom, just after the Transatlantic air race, Empire State Building <--> Post office tower in London. It had been raining and there was a low cloud base, the F4K took off and did his complete show at very low level and very high speed, it was really breathtaking, it even got a mention in one of the Phantom books.

I also saw the Thunderbirds and Blue Angels at Bentwaters when they both flew the F4.

My favourite was the Lightning, a fantastic aircraft, which has now (despite the best efforts of the CAA and British Aerospace) taken to the air again in South Africa. I remember once at Bentwaters, the lightning ready for take off, the commentator said, ladies and gentleman check your watches when I say he's rolling, and when I say stop he'll be at 30,000ft. He went off down the runway, about half way down retracted his gear, got to the end of the runway and went into a vertical climb in little over a minute, my favourite aircraft. Low tech, fast & noisy..!!

On the last but one show, we saw the Thunderbirds, who were also at Mildenhall (sadly cancelled this year) a couple of years back. I think one of the pilots married a girl from the Bentwaters area. I've always been interested in aircraft, back to when I was in the ATC (Air Training Cord - air cadets) - guess I've never grown out of it !!

Best wishes
Alan Radley, near Southend, Essex.    Amateur call sign  G0TTM

PASADA BAR II

When I read Michael Mullock PASADA BAR it definitely brought back memories for me. Pasada bar was were I met my wife on a blind date and have been married now 33 Years. I was an A1C 2164 Com Sq. RAF Bentwaters 1963-1967 Radar Controller. My first car was a 1950 Humber Hawk. We moved to Ipswich after we got married and still enjoy the town. I was fortunate to end up working for TRANS WORLD AIRLINES 32 years now and our family grew up crossing the Atlantic. We visited the Pasada Bar a year or so ago and it brought back those great times when 20 year old airman enjoyed dating those beautiful English girls, England's greatest asset.

John Sertic
57 Pell Ave
North Babylon
New York 11703
Tel 516-422-0372

jes1215(a)yahoo.com

E4 2164 com (Air Traffic Control) 1963-1967, RAF Bentwaters

1953 FLOOD

I was in the 81st Supply Squadron for six years, joining that squadron at Wheeler Field, to Kirtland AFB, to Larson AFB and then to Bentwaters. I was one of the first airmen to help open Bentwaters in 1952. My job assignment was the two 45,000 gallon fuel tanks on the back side of the runway. I was the only person assigned there for 2 years. It was a lonely job every day. My wife and I lived in Southwold on the north sea. I lived there during the great storm and flood of January 1953. We have many fond memories of East Anglia. After leaving is 1954, we returned to Chicksands, near Bedford for a couple years and a year at Alconbury. Thank you for the web site, I shall review each page as time passes.

Roslyn W Murphy (Pete) Retired USAF E7 1972

SHEPHERD'S GROVE

The Camp Book Store was operated by a fine English Gentlemen and I used to do a lot of business there. This was a hang out for a goodly number of us as it was behind the base theatre, between the enlisted Mess Hall and Officers Club where I worked as a short order cook, bottle washer and general flunky.

Later I moved to the NCO CLUB where I was promoted to Chief Flunky and Short Order Cook. Being 18 years old, uneducated, stupid, energetic and misplaced in Food Services, I did, however, do the worst I could.

As a retired high school teacher, over the many years since Shepherds Grove, I have really learned how to embellish our experiences in Suffolk; some of which, we can even talk about today. Fun time, good cheer !

This farmer was a familiar site on-base tilling and plowing while the AF was doing its thing. Anyone remember his name?

I was the base photographer, un-official, and took a lot of these types of photos. Would now be interesting to connect with the names. This fellow was very friendly and talkative and enjoyed posing for a goodly number of pics. This would be the type of thing to see if anyone recognizes this base FIXTURE.

Chuck Wrobel

A/IC, NCO Club,
1952-53, Shepherds Grove

TEARS FROM ANOTHER WOODBRIDGE

I came across your site my mistake, what a lovely web page.  I am an English lass who spent many years in the Woodbridge area when I was around 18.  I am 38 now.  I cried looking at the site - how time flies.  I live here in Florida USA and I am about to work as a flight attendant for an American Airline and I will be living in Woodbridge, New Jersey USA.

God Bless and thank you for the memories.

Ruthy
March 1999

CONNECTED CHRISTMAS

I remember my first Saturday at RAF Bentwaters in December of 1977. I hitch-hiked to Ipswich and spent a Saturday right before Christmas in the height of the shopping centre. I enjoyed being out and seeing people preparing for the holiday. I remember the large outdoor Christmas tree in the town centre as well. Made me a bit homesick, but also made me feel very connected to others that also celebrated Christmas and the end of the year holidays.

Chuck Dalldorf

March 1999

SHARP DRESSER!

Your web site is fabulous! My wife (Elaine) and I have been clicking away all afternoon. The pictures of the bases brought back fond memories. The real killer photo is the bridge over the Deben. The driveway to our farmhouse was on the right just after the bridge and before the Pub on the right. What a great place. Only heat was the fireplace! Once the fire went out, that was it until somebody got up to make another fire. We learned to get dressed very quickly back then!! Thanks so much for taking the time to share your site with us. We will be back often. Cheers!!

Norb Skowronski
March 1999

FLAGS, NATIONAL ANTHEMS, TEARS

The picture of the bus stop added to Linn's webpage showing the destination signs is taken in front of the main gate of the domestic area (across the road) of RAF Bentwaters where many of us got away by hitch hiking to exotic destinations such as The Cherry Tree in Bromeswell, the Elephant and Castle in Eyke, the Anchor in Woodbridge or even as far as the railway station in Ipswich for weekend get-a-ways to London in the days before we were oriented to the area and living off base. The HQ buildings are just behind the bus stop area. I remember having "retreat" duty several times to take the flags in to HQ. Saluting to both flags and national anthems as well!

I'll never forget the first day I saw the entrance to RAF Bentwaters (13 Dec. 77) and the last day I left with tears in my eyes (12 July 81). Both times looking at all the Quonset huts!
Cheers!

Chuck Dalldorf
March 1999

VIDEOS

Woodbridge - I use to go to there a lot, for videos and every time I went my little Renault 12 had to stop and see her favorite mechanic, I bet his business declined some after I left. I liked that town because it was small like the one I grew up in.

Patrick Bailey
March 1999

WOOLLY CLOUDS

I was stationed first at Woodbridge, then Bentwaters and worked at Martlesham from 1965 to 1967. I drove a dark green 1954 Riley Pathfinder all over East Anglia. I was and probably always will be a bit of a romantic. I remember  going to what remains of Dunwich, laying in a meadow looking up at those distinctly English woolly clouds gliding towards the sea, wondering what life would bring. The people that built Dunwich are gone and not much of what they built remains.

I was 19-20-21. Like a traveler to a foreign beach I stopped and picked a few pebbles from the water. I put them away and as a fifty year old man I realize they were precious jewels. I wished I would have picked some more. Days pass quickly like English woolly clouds on a blue summer sky.

Michael Mullock

If you want to contact these memory weavers,
many of them have entries on the US/UK Search pages.