47 SQUADRON

Supporting the RAF

The Clothworkers’ Company is proud to have supported 47 Squadron for nearly 10 years, first connecting in 2011. In addition to opportunities to meet and develop relationships with service men and women, The Company is delighted to fund annual community and family welfare activities and special opportunities for the Squadron. For instance, we sponsored the memorial sculpture at the National Memorial Arboretum, commemorating the Squadron’s centenary in 2015.

COMMUNITY AWARDS

This September, we were delighted to host service men and women, and their guests, from Brize Norton for the inaugural Clothworkers’ 47 Squadron RAF Community Awards. Each member of 47 Squadron in attendance was named on a Roll of Special Recognition for having gone above and beyond in supporting their crew and community. In addition, Immediate Past Master and First Warden Alex Nelson and Wing Commander Richard Fawkes presented four special awards to:

• Flight Sergeant Stuart Cox, 47 Squadron Engineers Award for supporting teammates even when there is no obvious recognition or award for doing so;

• Flight Lieutenant Edward Bindloss-Gibb, 47 Squadron Operations and Headquarters Award for supporting teammates even when there is no obvious recognition or award for doing so;

• Sergeant Bramwell TempestRoe, 47 Squadron Sans Peur Award for delivering an outstanding contribution to the Squadron

despite facing challenging personal circumstances;

• Corporal Ferdinand Ball, 47 Squadron Officer Commanding’s Award recognising the person who has made the greatest contribution in the context of community, family, wider society or morale.

Our guests enjoyed a brief introduction to our Hall and History by Archivist Hannah Dunmow, sat down to a lunch in our Reception Room before the presentation of the awards, and then enjoyed a few hours in London before heading home.

CRICKET

In August, Tim West (Court Assistant), Giles Malyon (Livery Member), Robert Jones (Livery Member) and guests were invited to join 47 Squadron in Brize Norton Village for a team cricket match. They were able to take advantage of the removal of restrictions on social gatherings so that the Hercules crew could enjoy a day of sport alongside their sister unit, the 67th Special Operations Squadron, USAF, from RAF Mildenhall. Flight Lieutenant Thomas Mallin wrote the following report on the day:

‘Teams decided and coin tossed, it was time to hit the crease. The field was organised, bowlers chosen and the ball wrestled from 47’s Australian exchange officer, who was caught hiding a pack of sandpaper in his trouser pocket. Batters would face four overs each, losing five runs each time they got out. Bowlers would take an over each, allowing all players to have a go. Mixed ability would be one way to describe the first innings’ bowling, with styles ranging from slog-able wides to full-on pitches from our American friends. Only nearly hitting the bouncy castle twice, the umpire decided to restrict bowling to one end only, so as not to draw any of the players’ children into becoming unwitting fielders. On the other hand, batting averages were very notable, with runs mounting up quickly. The representatives from The Clothworkers’ on both teams were particularly on form, with bowlers and fielders alike being worked hard by their bats. Halfway through the second innings, 47 Squadron offered something extra back, with one of its RAF Cricket Team players finding a child-minder for his two-year-old so he could bowl an over or two. Alas, no stumps went flying and the rest of the players breathed a sigh of relief as he left the field to deal with a boundary-side tantrum.

‘As the second innings came to a close, those in bat for the second team kept their nerves to top-off a decent win, although there were some nail-biting moments thanks to a Clothworker all-rounder bowling. All involved had a superb afternoon, blessed with good weather and accompanied with excellent live music, copious amounts of food and outstanding company. Even the minor inject of imminent tasking to Afghanistan didn’t detract from making this inaugural Cricket Festival a roaring success. On behalf of 47 Squadron, we thank you once again for all your support – it was our absolute pleasure to host you and your families for such a fun day; we hope you will join us again next summer. In the meantime, we look forward to seeing more of you at events over the coming year ... let us know if you’re in the area for some pre-season nets!’

Facing page: 47 Squadron visited Clothworkers’ Hall for the Community Awards on 21 September. This page: Clothworkers impressed their RAF teammates by arriving dressed to win in their cricket whites (left). Court Assistant Tim West can be seen taking on the role of wicket keeper (right).