The 367 Association

Report of the Annual Reunion, 2003 

• The Tenth Annual Reunion of the Association was held on Saturday, 4th October 2003 at The Gateway to York Hotel, Kexby, a few miles outside the City of York.

• well over 70 Members and Associates attended the Reunion - the largest turnout to date! 

• During the day, we visited the Yorkshire Air Museum - and Allied Air Forces Memorial - at the old RAF Bomber Command base at Elvington, home of 77 Squadron RAF, and subsequently the French Squadrons 346 and 347.

• The buildings have been preserved as typical of a wartime bomber station, as well as displaying the history of aviation, from Sir George Cayley, the world-renowned Father of Aeronautics, to present day aircraft manufacture.

• Building 3 houses the Air Gunner's Display, dedicated to the memory of the 20,000 Air Gunners lost during WWII  This display is believed to be the only one of its kind in the world. 

• Of particular interest was the extensive display in Building 20 relating to Barnes Wallis, covering everything from the R.100 airship; the famous 'Bouncing Bomb' to Wallis's ideas for a swing-wing, supersonic airliner.

• Despite the chill north-westerly breeze, we thoroughly enjoyed the various exhibits, including lunch in the NAAFI.  

• Duly at 5 pm we assembled at The Gateway for our AGM.  Our President and Chairman - Tom Eaves - was again unable to be with us, as he was afloat in Scandinavia.  Vice-Chairman Ray Whiteoak - resplendent in No 1 Uniform headgear - ably presided over the meeting, reading out a letter of greetings from Tom.

• Old photographs were very much in evidence, with members helping to identify faces in several groups but, as is always the case, several names remained on the tips of our tongues. 

• Meeting in the bar before the Reunion Dinner, we were able to view part of our Historian's own unique collection of photographs.  At the end of the meal, our Historian announced the results of a Historical Quiz relating to 367 SU, which had been running throughout the day.  The winner (who was it?) was presented with a copy of Albert Royle's "The best years of their lives", an account of the National Service years.  The three runners-up were each presented with a genuine RAF cap badge.

• The now traditional group photograph  will be added to the Associations archives and web-site in due course - there were so many taken, it will be difficult to choose!.

• Next year, we return - by popular demand - to Station X at Bletchley Park on Saturday, 9th October 2004.  Watch this space for further details! 

• “See ya doon thar.”