MULTI-ERA VETERANS' SIGNING EVENT @ The Steventon Gallery: 9th February
Join us for an incredible opportunity to meet an array of air & ground crew British Veterans who served during various campaigns post-WW2, 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 1988 & 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.
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)
All of our guests will be delighted to sign items for collectors and chat about their experiences!
Bookings are now being taken so please contact us to secure your place.
📍Skyfall, Church Lane, Steventon, Oxfordshire, OX13 6SN
