Post-War Signing Event – 12th February
Join us at the Wendover Gallery to meet pilots who flew an array of post-war aircraft!
Our special guests include:
Wing Commander MATT AXCELL – initially earning a commission with the Royal Marines, Matt was posted to 42 Commando and as Officer Commanding 6 Troop Lima Company spearheaded the push for Basra during Operation Telic in Iraq, 2003. After a further tour of Iraq a change of direction saw Matt complete flying training, transferring to the RAF and joining 14 Squadron in 2009 flying the Tornado GR4 operationally in Afghanistan as part of Operation Herrick. After 14 Squadron disbanded in 2011, temporary postings with XV(R), 617 & IX(B) Squadrons interspersed with a second tour of Afghanistan, saw Matt successfully become a Qualified Weapons Instructor, with a remit for weapons, tactics and training for any designated Squadron. 2014 saw Matt complete a third Operation Herrick tour of Afghanistan before flying combat missions over Iraq on Operation Shader. Further ‘Herrick’ and ‘Shader’ tours culminated with a gallantry award Mention in Despatches in 2017 for actions against ISIS targets. He had the privilege of planning and leading the RAF100 Flypast in July 2018 for which he received a Chief of the Air Staff Commendation, (CAS). As Oficer Commanding A9 Flight Matt also oversaw the disbandment of 31 Squadron as the Tornado GR4 reached its Out of Service Date, with the bittersweet privilege of leading the last Tornado GR Force formation in 2019. He went on to assume the challenging high-profile role of Career Manager for his peers, before early promotion to Wing Commander and the role of delivering Global Operations on behalf of the Air Officer Commanding 11 Group.
Flight Lieutenant MARTYN BOOTH – joining the RAF in 1975, Martyn was initially commissioned as a Fighter Controller at RAF West Drayton, before becoming an Intercept Controller with detachments to HMS Antrim, Malta, Norway and Cyprus. Selected for fast-jet training Martyn was awarded wings having qualified on the Hawk T1. Undertaking conversion training on the F.4 Phantom, Martyn joined 111 Squadron at RAF Leuchars in 1982 flying the FG.1, (Fleet Air Arm), version of the F.4. Assigned to 23 Squadron still flying the F.4, Martyn completed a four-month tour to RAF Stanley between December 1988 & April 1985, returning to Leuchars, flying the Phantom F.4 until his retirement in May 1988.
Flight Lieutenant ANDY LEE – having joined the RAF straight from school in 1975 Andy was commissioned whilst still aged 18, serving initially as a Fighter Controller at RAF Buchan and RAF Saxa Vord, Scotland. Switching to pilot training in 1979, Andy undertook advanced conversion training onto the Hawker Siddeley Andover. Posted to 60 Squadron, (the RAF’s Germany Communications Squadron), Andy flew the Percival Pembroke on covert photographic reconnaissance intelligence gathering sorties along the Berlin corridors, codenamed Operation Hallmark. Andy retired from the RAF in 1990.
Sergeant DARREL GREGORY – serving 23 years with the RAF as a Ground Crew Supplier, Darrel supported mainly helicopters, particularly the Chinook’s of 18 Squadron at RAF Odiham. As part of the Falklands Task Force, Operation Corporate, in 1982 he supported the only surviving Chinook, ‘Bravo November’, after the supply ship Atlantic Conveyor was sunk. Darrel went on to support NATO Operations in the former Yugoslavia in 1996 and during the recent pandemic lockdowns began writing down his recollections which resulted in his first published work in 2020.
Commander LARRY JERAM-CROFT – spending a total of thirty years in the Royal Navy, Larry first trained as an Aircraft Engineer and then as a helicopter Pilot. He was awarded a Queens Commendation for Search and Rescue duties and flew the Lynx of the frigate HMS Andromeda during the Falklands War. Larry retired from the Royal Navy in 2000, subsequently becoming a best-selling author.
Sergeant DAVID HORSFIELD – a career spanning 22 years saw David join the RAF in 1971 as an engineer, (airframe mechanic/technician). His first posting was to No.228 Operational Conversion Unit, RAF Coningsby working on the McDonell Douglas F-4 Phantom. David was then posted to RAF Wattisham with No.23 squadron before taking up a Technical Instructor position at RAF Halton. Moving to RAF Wildenrath in Germany, he worked in the Phantom support bays, before completing a tour of the Falklands again with No.23 Squadron in 1985. David’s final posting was to RAF Abingdon Field Repair Squadron, (later Repair and Salvage Squadron), working with the Major Repair Flight.
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Entry is completely FREE, all we ask is that you RESERVE YOUR TICKET in advance to help us manage numbers and make it relaxed and comfortable for everyone.
Bookings are now being taken so please contact us to secure your place.
