MIKE'S
RAFBEA (North America)
The second annual RAFBEA (North America) Reunion (formerly called Canada/USA RAFBEA) was held at the Four Points Sheraton Hotel located in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada on Saturday, October 12, 2002. There were 24(!) RAF Boy Entrants who attended this second reunion.
Everyone met in the hotel lobby on Friday night for an informal get-together with wives/girlfriends. This was quite alot of fun and we're hoping to have some photo's here in the near future.
On Saturday everyone was free to do sightseeing, shopping, drinking, etc. until 3:45pm when BEA members left the hotel for the annual meeting which was held at the BCIT Aviation Campus (located at the South Terminal of the Vancouver Airport). This meeting was followed by a tour of the hangar. The hanger was the work place for training purposes. There were helicopters, Lear Jets, and other aircraft in the building, which apparently are used for movies or training purposes. No pictures taken during this tour; sorry.
Everyone met in the hotel lobby at 6:30 pm for a pre-dinner reception with a delicious buffet dinner which was held at 7:30 pm in the Victoria Room of the Sheraton Hotel. The buffet menu consisted of salads (tossed green, caesar, potato, pasta and a relish tray), cold decorated platter (ham, corn beef, turkey, smoked fish, shrimp, mussels), hot (Baron of Beef Au Jus [carved by the chef] Fillet of Salmon in white wine sauce, potatoes, rice and fresh veggies), dessert (a yummy selection of calorie-filled desserts), rounded out by either coffee or tea.
Brief introductions were given by first-time attendees (and videotaped by Norrie Hathaway's wife, Jane). Afterwards, Doug Grant expertly played his bagpipes for the group. The evening concluded with a RAFBEA group picture and a photo of the wives/girlfriends.
There were several tables filled with memorabilia items which was really appreciated by all. There were photo albums, boots, uniforms, books, passing out photographs, hat bands, badges, etc.
Here's a group picture of all the RAF Boy Entrants who attended the second RAFBEA (North America) Reunion. Back row standing left to right: Doug Grant (46th Air Radar, Cosford), Brian Dalrymple(20th Airframes Cosford), Ted Henderson (25th Nav Inst Cosford), Brian Carlin (29th Air Elect St. Athan), Pete Stockton(38th A/W Cosford), Dave Slane(46th G/Wireless Cosford), Laurie Malley(38th G/Wireless Cosford), Norrie Hathaway(46th Elect St. Athan), Mike Claydon(26th Teleg Cosford), Brian Chinery (9th G/Elect St. Athan), Garth Hammond(37th Supplier Hereford), Chris Simpson(26th Teleg Cosford), Jerry Bryce(35th A/Rad Cosford).
Sitting left to right: Malcolm Forrest(35th A/W Cosford), Dave Mattingley(44th A/Rad Cosford), Les Carey(2nd Armourer Kirkham), Dave Williams(27th Elect St. Athan), Gorton Lawrence(21st Armourer Cosford), Allan Harrison(46th Elect St. Athan), John MacGillivray(46th Clerk GD Hereford), Dave Brown(25th A/Rad Cosford).
Sitting on the floor left to right: Derek Cleverley(6th Eng Locking/Cosford), Stuart Cox (37th A/Rad Cosford), Bob Carmichael (20th Inst Cosford).
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