The Shoreham Aircraft Museum

It was an ever delightful occasion to welcome Wing Commander Tom Neil DFC & Bar to Shoreham on Sunday 23rd October, for an always popular signing event with one of the most notable surviving ‘Few’ from the Battle of Britain. This well attended event kept Tom busy signing all manner of items from the usual books and prints to model aircraft, especially of the Hawker Hurricane in which Tom became an ‘ace’ in 1940 with 249 Squadron. Ably assisted by his young friend Margaret, Tom sold a good stack of his excellent books, which made it a ‘profitable’ day for both him and the Museum.

Thank you to everyone who visited to support the Museum and meet Tom and not forgetting all the Museum volunteers who worked well to ensure the day was a memorable success.

It was a proud privilege on Saturday 8th October for the Museum to welcome Wing Commander Paul Farnes DFM, a veteran of both the Battle of France and the Battle of Britain as a Hawker Hurricane pilot with 501 Squadron. The signing event was a great success with visitors travelling from near and far to meet Wg/Cmdr Farnes and have him sign books and prints. The question and answer session that followed afterwards was well attended with Wg/Cmdr Farnes in fine form to make the whole day a great and memorable one.

The first Sunday in October 2016 saw the Museum given over to the Army for a signing event. Author and supporter of the Normandy Veterans Association, Raymond P. Newlyn, came to Shoreham to sell his books along with D-Day, Normandy and Arnhem veterans featured in the titles ‘D-Day 70’ and ‘The Airborne Club’. They were Paratrooper ‘Jock’ Hutton, Special Forces Alec Borrie, ‘Tankie’ Walter Fuller, Wireless Operator Bob Stevens, Medic’s David Whiteman & Alec Hall and Stanley Marsh of the Royal Navy.

To add to the great spirit of the day other visitors included RAF air gunner John Waye and the Pearly King & Queen, who kindly brought with them two wonderful Chelsea Pensioners resplendent in their long scarlet tunics. The Pearly King of Camberwell & Bermondsey Jimmy Jukes MBE, and the Pearly Queen of Rotherhithe Michelle Thorpe, devote all their time to helping homeless ex-service personnel find and furnish suitable accommodation.

The dear members from the Royal Hospital were ‘In Pensioners’ John Gallagher (006) ex-Royal Army Ordnance Corps and Dewi Treharne (327) ex-Royal Corps of Signals.
The event was well supported by visitors who eagerly snapped up copies of Raymond’s books complete with all signatures as well as getting their own items signed, so several hundred Pounds were raised for both the Normandy Veterans Association and Museum projects.

It was a wonderful privilege on the last Sunday of July 2016 for the Museum to welcome the amazing Fergus Anckorn, the Far East Royal Artillery veteran who survived a terrible ordeal as a Jap prisoner of war. His experiences included escaping the massacre at the Alexandra Hospital in Singapore and later being put to work on bridge building over the infamous River Kwai.

At 97 years of age Fergus is a long-standing member of the Magic Circle and thanks to his magic tricks he rose above the worst the Japs could throw at him and in doing so helped many of his fellow captive comrades. Fergus was recently on TV with magician Richard Jones. a serving soldier who won the ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ competition.

After a morning session in the Museum talking with visitors and signing books and prints, Fergus demonstrated his wonderful sleight of hand with incredibly clever tricks using just elastic bands and coins. After a traditional ‘bacon banjo’ and a glass of ‘Spitfire’ ale for lunch, Fergus kindly sat out in the Teagarden and with microphone in hand, regaled the assembled crowd with many tales from both his wartime experiences and in entertaining generations of folk with his magic.

The Museum was proud and delighted to welcome two wonderful RAF veteran aces to help launch the 2016 season. Battle of Britain ace Wing Commander Tom Neil DFC & Bar was in attendance along with Squadron Leader Allan Scott DFM, who gained ace status over Malta.

The opportunity to meet these wonderful gentlemen drew a good crowd of visitors despite the poor weather and books, prints and model aircraft were duly signed.

As a token of thanks to Tom and Allan for their very fine signing efforts, Club member Ronnie ‘The Flying Scotsman’ Lamont presented each of them with a bottle of Scotland’s finest tipple, which were warmly accepted.

There are still some pilot signed portraits available of Tom Neil and the late, great Captain Eric ‘Winkle’ Brown, priced at £25 each + p&p. Please contact the Museum for details.
http://www.aviartnutkins.com/individuals.php

On Sunday 1st November 2015, the Museum was proud and pleased to welcome Squadron Leader Tony Pickering (32 & 501 Sqn’s during the Battle of Britain), Sqn Ldr Allan Scott DFM (1435 Sqn, Malta) and Flight Lieutenant Rodney Scrase DFC (72 Sqn, North Africa, Sicily and Italy).

We can’t thank these wonderful gentlemen enough for visiting Shoreham to meet ‘fans’ both young and old and help raise monies for Museum projects.
Thank you too to everyone who came along to support this event and show their appreciation for the service Tony, Allan and Rodney gave for our freedoms.

The Museum was privileged to welcome a group of veterans on Sunday 4th October 2015 who included ‘Jock’ Hutton of the Parachute Regiment – he was one of the first into action on D-Day and he subsequently saw action during the Battle of The Bulge, the Crossing of The Rhine (Operation Varsity) and the continued advance into Germany. Joining him at the table were ‘Bomber Boys’ John Waye, Ted Molyneux, Sid Beaver DFM and Harry Irons DFC.

In very fine weather a great day was had by all, so thank you to everyone who came along to support the event and the monies raised were shared equally between the Bomber Command Memorial Maintenance Fund and on-going Museum projects.

Dartford Council Leader Jeremy Kite really pushed the boat out to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain, arranging for a Spitfire to be present outside The Victoria and Bull Hotel. It was very reminiscent of the Spitfire Funds of 1940. The museum had a stand next to the Spitfire, and a great day was had by all.

Photo shows club member Roy Monk and friends!

The Museum was recently delighted to receive a visit from popular RAF Spitfire ‘ace’ Flight Lieutenant Rodney Scrase DFC. He has been a very supportive ‘Friend’ to the Museum for many years, so it was an added proud moment when Rodney and his dear wife Sue were presented with the original portrait painting of a younger Rodney, by Museum Curator and artist Geoff Nutkins. Both Rodney and Sue were delighted to receive the portrait and Sue in particular couldn’t wait to get it home to hang in pride of place.

Rodney is due to attend the upcoming Ruxley Manor Garden Centre War Veterans Signing Day on Saturday 20th June 2015.

To herald the start of the 2015 season on Saturday 4th April, it was a wonderful privilege for Shoreham to welcome the distinguished and record breaking veteran test pilot, Captain Eric ‘Winkle’ Brown CBE DSC AFC Hon FRAes RN, as guest of honour.

Arriving to a much appreciated guard of honour from members of the Bexley & Lewisham Sea Cadets, Captain Brown soon settled in to greeting many visitors to the Museum and to sign their personal prints and books. After a spot of lunch, Captain Brown was presented with the original portrait of him painted by the Museum Curator and artist Geoff Nutkins and on his delight in receiving the portrait he remarked that, “It felt good to look young again!” Captain Brown then held an audience captive to hear several recollections of his remarkable aviation career as he kindly answered many questions. For those lucky enough to listen to this outstanding man, they all appreciated what a unique and privileged moment this had been.

The Museum cannot thank Captain Brown enough for being so generous with his time and not tiring in his warmth of greeting to members of the public both young and old. Thanks also go to members of the Erith Air Training Corps Squadron for helping out during the day alongside the band of Museum and Tearoom volunteers, which all contributed to a wonderful start to the new season at Shoreham.

Signed copies of the Captain Eric ‘Winkle’ Brown portrait are available for purchase – please contact the Museum for more details.