Hi again Ross, Its good to hear you know about the Weston Zoyland days and the horrific loss of new pilots while I was converting to the post war jets there. Out of interest the memory plaque in the local church is in error as it list Tilley and Fry as being lost in WW2. The correct date was of course 12th February 1954, since they were on the 209AFS conversion course with me. Much later I found a better use for the Weston Zoyland taxiways when I did my courting there ... deserted & quiet! Take care all. Dennis K.
This is amazing, I just thought I would take a look to see if there is anything about Weston Zoyland on youtube and I find a comment mentioning PO Fry. He was my dads best mate. My dad was Corporal Sid Bebber previously of the 107MU in Kasfareet. I actually have a postcard from Fry to my dad at home. Sid unfortunately died in a car crash in London in 1958 only two months after my birth, so I didnt know him but my mum told me loads of stuff, plus I have his picture album with photos from places where he was stationed.
A truly wonderful series of pictures ... especially the curve of the old taxi ways. They called them 'peri tracks' when I flew there in December 1953. How I remember taxying along them with the hood wound back so I could wave to the passing motorist on the adjacent Bridgewater Zoyland road. (Age just 19!) I learned to fly the Gloster Meteor Mk 7 and the Mk 4 there on number 209 AFS. I was one of the pilots flying that night in Jan 1954 when Pilot Officers Tilley & Fry were diverted to Merryfield due to a blocked runway where my mate Bunny Austin landed with the wheels up! Sadly they ran out of fuel and both crashed near Ilminster. I also ran out of fuel and both engines flamed out but I managed to land OK. Thanks for the memories ... now 81 but still flying & teaching most weeks. Dennis Kenyon.
Captain! I remember this story about the fog and how you managed to land using the church light as your guide.... Just as well you managed to lower the air brake before the commanding officer arrived at your Meteor as that would of got you in mega trouble..... Tragic how many of your friends lost their lives on that night due to fog after Bunny landed wheels up and broke his leg when he jumped out..... Thank you for sharing these stories with me Dennis.... When you taught me to fly we had some great conversations, you are a truly amazing guy and great fun to be around. Lots of love Ross
Just another thought about the WZ airfield. As a 19 year old pilot, and along with the rest of my course, we were armed with shovels and detailed to clear the snow from the main runway so we could get airborne. Later I was tasked with firing up the two RR Derwent engines of a Gloster Meteor for taxying down the main runway to melt the snow. It didn't work either. That would have been the winter of 1953/54. I still have the photo. These days pure nostalgia ..... Dennis K.
Very moving for me as my father was stationed here in the 50s with Sq 542 and he took us back a few years ago to see the place that remained so strongly in his memories - Aircraftman W. Slater.
WESTONZOYLAND AVIATION MUSEUM - (Facebook) Constantly giving talks and exhibitions. Nearly 300 images dating from the 1920's and the summer camps. One of our oldest airfields. Veteran Dennis Kenyon one of our most valued veterans who has contributed. One of our largest Meteor training bases which spawned two Air Chief Marshalls. Robbert Turner/Sec.
Excellent John..but damn I must be blind, I've been here twice in the last few years and missed all of this lol. I could see the watch tower in the distance but there was a microlight club flying off part of a runway so I kept away. I must be more inquisitive next time. The church in Westonzoyland is also very impressive with a memorial to the airfield and info on the civil war battle of Sedgemoor which took place nearby in 1685.
This airfield is in Westonzoyland near Bridgwater in Somerset. This is the location on Google Earth: 51°06'17.18" N 2°54'21.92" W. If you are planning a visit, please remember that this is private land & permission must be sought before you can have a look around.
hmmm looking on Google Earth all the Pillboxes are ment to be Type 24s but looking at some of the pictures there are some anomalies anyway ace vid of your photos ';-)
Used to fly from Westonzoyland, long long time ago, forgot all about this gem of airfield, is it still active, sorry for the dumb question, living in the USA now, for some time.
I Was stationed Feb-Sept 1954 National Service SSQ,training pilots in use of oxygen equipment and testing them in Decompresion chamber. MO. was Sqadron leader Gough lived I believe Langholme,Flt Pip Piper,Lads by the name of Stuart Robson. Mt Drivers Pete Clansfield ,Ray Wye both cockneys.cant recal at moment other lads. Remember when pilot wet into sea off Weston his body was found in canal /riverl not far from camp.
FOR SOME REASON I HAVE ONLY JUST LOGGED ON TO THIS SITE THE 4 PILOTS LOSTIN FEB 1954 WERE TILLY PINDER HUGGINGS OR HUGGINS AND FRY. ARE THERE ANY 1954 ,55 GUYS OUT THERE? i AM IN TOUCH WITH DEREK BASTIN ALL MY PHOTOS ARE LOST IN TIME BUT MEMORIES LINGER ON MORE SO THE BLAKE HALL IN BRIDGEWATER WOULD LIKE TO SEE MORE PHOTOS AND CONTACT ANY ONE FROM THAT PERIOD WE WERE ALL MOTOR BIKE BOYS
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Hi again Ross, Its good to hear you know about the Weston Zoyland days and the horrific loss of new pilots while I was converting to the post war jets there. Out of interest the memory plaque in the local church is in error as it list Tilley and Fry as being lost in WW2. The correct date was of course 12th February 1954, since they were on the 209AFS conversion course with me.
Much later I found a better use for the Weston Zoyland taxiways when I did my courting there ... deserted & quiet! Take care all. Dennis K.
This is amazing, I just thought I would take a look to see if there is anything about Weston Zoyland on youtube and I find a comment mentioning PO Fry. He was my dads best mate. My dad was Corporal Sid Bebber previously of the 107MU in Kasfareet. I actually have a postcard from Fry to my dad at home. Sid unfortunately died in a car crash in London in 1958 only two months after my birth, so I didnt know him but my mum told me loads of stuff, plus I have his picture album with photos from places where he was stationed.
A truly wonderful series of pictures ... especially the curve of the old taxi ways. They called them 'peri tracks' when I flew there in December 1953. How I remember taxying along them with the hood wound back so I could wave to the passing motorist on the adjacent Bridgewater Zoyland road. (Age just 19!)
I learned to fly the Gloster Meteor Mk 7 and the Mk 4 there on number 209 AFS. I was one of the pilots flying that night in Jan 1954 when Pilot Officers Tilley & Fry were diverted to Merryfield due to a blocked runway where my mate Bunny Austin landed with the wheels up! Sadly they ran out of fuel and both crashed near Ilminster. I also ran out of fuel and both engines flamed out but I managed to land OK.
Thanks for the memories ... now 81 but still flying & teaching most weeks. Dennis Kenyon.
Captain!
I remember this story about the fog and how you managed to land using the church light as your guide.... Just as well you managed to lower the air brake before the commanding officer arrived at your Meteor as that would of got you in mega trouble..... Tragic how many of your friends lost their lives on that night due to fog after Bunny landed wheels up and broke his leg when he jumped out.....
Thank you for sharing these stories with me Dennis.... When you taught me to fly we had some great conversations, you are a truly amazing guy and great fun to be around.
Lots of love
Ross
Just another thought about the WZ airfield. As a 19 year old pilot, and along with the rest of my course, we were armed with shovels and detailed to clear the snow from the main runway so we could get airborne. Later I was tasked with firing up the two RR Derwent engines of a Gloster Meteor for taxying down the main runway to melt the snow. It didn't work either. That would have been the winter of 1953/54. I still have the photo. These days pure nostalgia ..... Dennis K.
Very moving for me as my father was stationed here in the 50s with Sq 542 and he took us back a few years ago to see the place that remained so strongly in his memories - Aircraftman W. Slater.
Awesome as always! :)
Very good photos....Steve.
Hope to visit on day. Look great. Great photos mate.
Thank you Tracey : )
Cheers Paul.
WESTONZOYLAND AVIATION MUSEUM - (Facebook) Constantly giving talks and exhibitions. Nearly 300 images dating from the 1920's and the summer camps. One of our oldest airfields. Veteran Dennis Kenyon one of our most valued veterans who has contributed. One of our largest Meteor training bases which spawned two Air Chief Marshalls. Robbert Turner/Sec.
Excellent John..but damn I must be blind, I've been here twice in the last few years and missed all of this lol. I could see the watch tower in the distance but there was a microlight club flying off part of a runway so I kept away. I must be more inquisitive next time. The church in Westonzoyland is also very impressive with a memorial to the airfield and info on the civil war battle of Sedgemoor which took place nearby in 1685.
There's lots of stuff at Westonzoyland, I must go back because there is still some more that I want to photograph.
You know it'll happen on day ! Cheers mate :).
This airfield is in Westonzoyland near Bridgwater in Somerset.
This is the location on Google Earth: 51°06'17.18" N 2°54'21.92" W.
If you are planning a visit, please remember that this is private land & permission must be sought before you can have a look around.
hmmm looking on Google Earth all the Pillboxes are ment to be Type 24s but looking at some of the pictures there are some anomalies anyway ace vid of your photos ';-)
Used to fly from Westonzoyland, long long time ago, forgot all about this gem of airfield, is it still active, sorry for the dumb question, living in the USA now, for some time.
Bush Trash It isn't an active airfield anymore mate.
I Was stationed Feb-Sept 1954 National Service SSQ,training pilots in use of oxygen equipment and testing them in Decompresion chamber. MO. was Sqadron leader Gough lived I believe Langholme,Flt Pip Piper,Lads by the name of Stuart Robson. Mt Drivers Pete Clansfield ,Ray Wye both cockneys.cant recal at moment other lads. Remember when pilot wet into sea off Weston his body was found in canal /riverl not far from camp.
Come on over mate, I'll show you around : )
Promises, Promises.
Are you referring to my uploads???
Cheeky :).
FOR SOME REASON I HAVE ONLY JUST LOGGED ON TO THIS SITE THE 4 PILOTS LOSTIN FEB 1954 WERE TILLY PINDER HUGGINGS OR HUGGINS AND FRY. ARE THERE ANY 1954 ,55 GUYS OUT THERE? i AM IN TOUCH WITH DEREK BASTIN ALL MY PHOTOS ARE LOST IN TIME BUT MEMORIES LINGER ON MORE SO THE BLAKE HALL IN BRIDGEWATER WOULD LIKE TO SEE MORE PHOTOS AND CONTACT ANY ONE FROM THAT PERIOD WE WERE ALL MOTOR BIKE BOYS