The 9th Annual RAFBEA North American Reunion was held in the beautiful city of Banff at the The Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel. The reunion was held October 18-19, 2009. Everyone has probably read or seen something of this fine establishment in TV, magazines etc; it is without doubt the ''creme de la creme'' of hotels, set in the most serene scenery of the Canadian Rockies, and has been host to countless VIP'S and show biz stars. It was originally built in 1888 by the Canadian Pacific railroad, and is considered Canada's Castle in the Rockies.
On Sunday October 18, 2009 an informal get-together was held at 6:00pm in the Lower Rundle Lounge at the hotel. This gave everyone a chance to catch up on what's been going on and an opportunity to meet new faces. The next day was free for everyone to explore the town of Banff or take in some of the gorgeous scenery offered by the Canadian Rockies.
On Monday October 19, 2009 a pre-dinner reception was held at 6:00pm followed by dinner at 7:00pm in the Mount Stephen Hall.
After enjoying a delicious dinner, our speaker for the evening was Mr. Dave Moberg who has been an employee of the Banff Springs Hotel since the early 1960's. He shared the history of the hotel as well as some of the its most-interesting and colorful guests who have stayed there through the years.
Back row standing left to right: Gorton Lawrence (21st Entry Arm Cosford), John Halliwell (30th Entry General Fitter St. Athan), beard, ?, ?, Michael Williams (29th Inst St. Athan), John Weatherley (8th Air Wireless Yatesbury), Laurie Malley (38th Ground Wireless Cosford), turned sideways, ?, Doug Grant (46th A.R.M. Cosford), ?
Front row sitting left to right: Peter Mitchell (42nd Entry Air Radar Cosford), Jack Bush (32nd Inst St. Athan), Dave Mattingley (44th Entry AirRad Cosford), Martin Roberts (22nd A.R.M. Cosford), pink shirt, Derek Clevelery (6th Entry Engines), ?, Mike Claydon (26th Entry Teleg Cosford), Garth Hammond (37th Supplier Hereford), Brian Carlin (29th Entry Air Elect St. Athan), Chris Barry (26th Entry Cosford).
Back row left to right: Pam Rushby, ?, Eve Williams, Carol Halliwell, Janet Mattingley, Elizabeth Clark, Barbara Cleverley, Adrienne Williams, ?
Front row left to right: Julie Claydon, Julia Beattie, Geraldine Bush, Sheila Roberts, Ann Lawrence, Gail Simpson, Marianne Malley, Margaret Weatherley, ?, Vivian Barry.
By the way, be sure to check out Brian Carlin's website and the new 396-page book Brian just wrote. It's entitled "Boy Entrant The Recollections of a Royal Air Force "Brat". Brian takes us on the absorbing true story of his first major step on the journey of life that would mould him and his fellow Boy Entrants to become the "backbone" of the 1950s Royal Air Force.
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