MULTI-ERA BRITISH VETERANS' SIGNING EVENT @ The Steventon Gallery: 9th February
Join us for an incredible opportunity to meet an array of Royal Air Force and Royal Navy veterans who served during various campaigns including the Falklands, Iraq & Afghanistan!
Our special guest signers include:
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.
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.
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 1984 & April 1985, returning to Leuchars, flying the Phantom F.4 until his retirement in May 1988.
Squadron Leader DEREK SHARP – AFC BSC Dip Comp JP RAF Retd - born after the end of WW2 and following a grammar school education joined the RAF as a pilot. Following postings as a Strike/Attack pilot, he became a flying instructor, then spent 10 years flying Jaguar fighter bombers. Having took over command of 151(F) Squadron, he suffered a catastrophic duck strike which left him totally blind. Despite being told he would never fly again, he defied all odds and ended his career as a senior instructor and VIP pilot on VC10 aircraft. Following retirement, Sharp totally restored an ex RAF Bulldog aircraft and still regularly flies.
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.
Squadron Leader MIKE ALLTON – a pilot for over 40 years, born and educated in West Bridgford, Nottingham - he joined the RAF in 1983. On completion of pilot training, he was selected to fly the mighty Tornado GR1. Mike operated the Tornado with numbers 14, 31, 13, and II(AC) Squadron. He also completed a four-year instructional tour at TTTE, RAF Cottesmore, where he was the 1995 Tornado GR1 Display Pilot. On promotion to Squadron Leader, he completed a short tour at the Tactical Leadership Programme based on Belgium. This was followed by a Flight Commander tour with II(AC) Squadron. He flew the Tornado GR1/GR4 for 14 years and logged over 2500 flying hours on type. On leaving the RAF in 2002, he joined easyJet and flew and instructed on the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 aircraft. He retired from easyJet in February 2023 having logged a total of over 14,500 flying hours.
Leading Seaman LEIGH QURREY – had a distinguished career in the Royal Navy, joining in 1980 and serving in various critical roles during his tenure. His service history reflects his dedication and contributions to both operational and ceremonial duties. Leigh began his service on the historic HMS Victory in 1981, where he served as a tour guide, showcasing the Royal Navy's rich heritage to visitors and ensuring the legacy of Admiral Nelson's flagship was preserved. As an Able Seaman Radar, Leigh was stationed aboard HMS Antrim in 1982 during one of the ship's most significant operations – playing a pivotal role in the retaking of South Georgia during the Falklands War, which contributed to the liberation of the Falkland Islands, cementing its place in naval history. In 1983, on Antrim again, Leigh took part in Operation Urgent Fury, the United States-led invasion of Grenada. Antrim provided essential support to the operation, particularly in a humanitarian and logistical capacity, as part of Britain's contribution. From 1984 to 1987, Leigh's expertise saw him advance to Leading Seaman Radar, serving aboard HMS Cardiff. During this time, he was involved in Armilla Patrol duties in the Gulf, a crucial deployment to maintain the security of maritime routes and ensure the stability of the region.
Able Seaman (Radar) NIGEL 'SMUDGE' SMITH – Joined the RN, June 1980 and served until April 1985. In this time he completed basic training at HMS Raleigh and radar training at HMS Dryad, before joining HMS Antrim late 1980. Nigel spent his first year seeing the world, training, learning, and generally enjoying life as a radar operator – right up until the Falklands War put a stop to that. At just age 17, Nigel was aboard HMS Antrim, sailing down to the Falklands (which most of the junior rates assumed was actually in Scotland somewhere), with their first stop after 3 weeks being the Ascension Islands. In 1982, Nigel notably had to stand guard on the infamous Alfredo Astiz, a Commander and Intelligence Officer of the Argentine Navy. In 1983 HMS Antrim arrived off the coast of the Commonwealth Island of Grenada to rescue the 200 British officials and tourists stranded during a military coup. The situation was overtaken by a US invasion the following day. Nigel spent his last 18 months at HMS Forest Moor, a shore base, before being released, followed by a 25 year-long career as a Firefighter.
Able Seaman (Radar) LAURIE ‘RIN TIN’ TINSON – had a short but action packed and exemplary career in the Royal Navy. Laurie joined up on 2 June 1980 at just age 16, undertaking his basic naval training at HMS Raleigh and radar training at HMS Dryad. On completion in 1981, Laurie was drafted to HMS Antrim - and in early 1982, whilst the ship was involved in exercise ‘Springtrain’ near Gibraltar, orders were given to sail south to the Ascension Islands to take part in ‘Operation Paraquet’. They were tasked with leading a small group of ships to retake South Georgia from the Argentine Forces after they invaded the Falkland Islands. On 21 May 1982, whilst in the notorious ‘bomb alley’, HMS Antrim was hit with 30mm cannon fire from Argentinian air attacks and took a direct hit with a 1000lb bomb which fortunately failed to explode. The bomb could not be diffused so was carefully extracted from the ‘heads’ at the back of the ship and lowered into the sea. In 1983, whilst HMS Antrim was deployed to the Caribbean for hurricane patrol, Grenada was invaded. The ship was then put on standby to help evacuate British citizens from the island if required.
Laurie left HMS Antrim mid-1984 and was drafted to HMS Dryad as part of the firefighting team, and then in November, he transferred to HMS Nelson to be demobbed. HMS Antrim was his first and only ship-based draft. Laurie was on board until the ship was decommissioned in 1984 and sold to the Chilean navy.
ADRIAN JOHNSON – joined the RAF in June 1983 and began flying training at RAF Swinderby on the Chipmunk T10. Basic flying training followed at RAF Linton-on-Ouse on the JPMk3 and Mk5 and he was selected for the fast jet program, being posted to RAF Valley on the Hawk T MK1 - where he received his wings in July 1986. After completing the TWU (Tactical Weapons Unit) training at RAF Chivenor, he was posted to 237 OCU at RAF Lossiemouth on the Buccaneer S2B with conversion to the ‘Buc’ with hours on the Hunter T8. A change to multi-engined flying followed with a tour on 55 Sqn, RAF Marham flying the Victor K2 in the air-to-air refuelling role. Next stop was a QFI (qualified flying instructor) role at RAFC Cranwell on the Shorts Tucano basic trainer. After successfully achieving his A2 QFI qualification, a staff tour at HQ University Air Squadron followed. A final tour in the RAF was at RAF Brize Norton with 216 Sqn flying the Lockheed Tristar L-1011 in the AT/AAR role with operational sorties in support of the NATO led Kosovo War in 1999. Adrian joined easyJet in September 2000 on the B737 at Luton when the airline could boast just 17 aircraft. After 10 years and 8000 hours on the Boeing he converted to the Airbus A320 which he remained on until retirement in December 2024. The majority of his time at easyJet was spent as a training captain with the focus on airborne, rather than simulator training. In over 40 years of flying he has amassed over 23,000 hours.
Flight Lieutenant DAVID GLADWIN – joined the RAF straight from school aged 17 in 1962.Trained on Jet Provosts at Acklington, ( including ejecting from XP635 ) Vampires, the nuclear armed Valiants and Victor tankers. Further tour on Canberras. CFS, became senior standards QFI at Jet Refresher school. Thence to BOAC on VC10. Assigned to Concorde -course cancelled due BA financial problems. Then to new Orion as 737 training captain, after Britannia takeover moved to 757/767 fleet. Chartered Concorde for two short flights at EMA, did 300 more after many requests to take it to other airports around UK, then to Paris and New York.
Flight Sergeant ANDREW UNSWORTH – RAF Air Loadmaster (ALM):
2nd Battalion Scots Guards (1989 - 1996)
Northern Ireland Tours (1990 & 1992 - 1993)
Transferred to RAF NCA (1996)
230 Squadron Puma Crewman (1998 - 2002)
28 Squadron Merlin Crewman (2002 - 2008)
202 Squadron Sea King Winchman (2008 - 2012)
78 Squadron Merlin Crewman (2012 - 2016)
99 Squadron C17 Loadmaster (2017 - 2023)
Operation AGRICOLA (Kosovo 1999)
Operation OCULUS (Bosnia 2003)
Operation TELIC (Iraq - 5 tours)
Operation HERRICK (Afghanistan 2013)
Operation SHADER (Iraq & Syria 2014 - ongoing)
Operation PITTING (Kabul evacuation 2021)
Come and support YOUR military veterans!
Items purchased at the event over £60 can be signed free of charge - otherwise the signing fee will be £20 per collector with a limit of three items at a time. All of our guests will be delighted to sign autographs and chat about their experiences...
Open from 10am
Signing starts 11am
Healing Military Minds:
HMM is a fundraiser for the charity Combat Stress and provides vital support for former Service members to deal with issues like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety and depression. Their aim is to continue to drive the education and publicity of mental health amongst the military community. Come and say hi and find out about the important work they're doing!
Facebook: www.facebook.com/healingmilitaryminds
Climb in a cockpit...
With the new arrival of Jet Provost T.3 XN511 - along with Sea Vixen XN647 - you'll have the chance to see what it's like behind the centre stick in a jet cockpit!
Bookings are now being taken so please contact us to secure your place.
📍Skyfall, Church Lane, Steventon, Oxfordshire, OX13 6SN
