Saxa and the South Atlantic Medal

The South Atlantic Medal was awarded to personnel who were sent to the South Atlantic during the Falklands conflict in 1982. Unusually for a medal it came in 2 versions, one with and one without a rosette. The basic medal was awarded to those who completed at least 30 days in the South Atlantic on active service before the end of hostilities with Argentina. To be awarded the medal with the rosette personnel needed to have completed at least one days active service between 35 and 60 degrees south of the equator or, in the case of RAF aircrew, one operational sortie south of Ascension.

Less than 30,000 medals were awarded, most of them to navy and army personnel. However a significant number were awarded to members of the Merchant Navy, the Royal Fleet Auxiliary and some civilians (including a few journalists). The total number of medals awarded to members of the RAF was about 2,000.

I am aware of 5 people at Saxa Vord who were presented with the Medal during their tours. There may well be more and I would be pleased to add them to this section if details are sent to me. There appears to have been 2 award ceremonies; the first by AVM Ken Hayr in 1983 and a second, by Air Cdre Stuart-Paul, in 1984.


Presentations by AVM Hayr 1983  Two people were presented with their medals by the AOC 11 Gp.

Cpl Browne completed a number of tours at Saxa and still lives in Shetland today. J/T Jenkinson can be seen on Ascension in this photo taken on Green Mountain (back row 4^th from left), in front of an S259 radar.

Presentations by Air Cdre Stuart-Paul 1984  There were 3 recipients of the medal on this occasion. The second picture is a clip from the first, used in the Shetland Times. Those awarded the Medal are, from left to right, Cpl RW Jackson, SAC LJ Milne and Cpl JB Cufflin.

 

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Interim Ops Room (In use from Feb 1984)

In order that work could be carried out to refurbish the equipment in the R101, interim operations facilities were installed in the old Type 80 display hall. The equipment provided was a compact GL161 System (ex 1ACC). Cpl Richardson from USST Wattisham was involved in the setting-up and commissioning of the GL161 System. Operations started with this equipment in Feb 1984 but I do not know for how long it was in use. If anyone has information regarding the return to the updated R101 facilities I would be pleased to hear from them.
The equipment provided included 6 x Plessey Mk5 Displays with IFF & minicomms, but no rolling ball marker or computer back-up. Information from the S649 (Type 96) radar was fed to the system using to old Type 80 cabling. The GL 161 System, in various forms, had been in use by the RAF for a number of years. I have included a photo from the Ops Room at RAF Bukit Gombak in 1969 at the end of this section for comparison.

I am grateful to Bill Darling (ex TSSU Wattisham) for his help with this section. I would appreciate it if anyone who can supply further information about this “Interim” Ops Room, and the refurbishment of the R101, would get in touch :- gordon.carle@gmail.com
(Left click on photos to enlarge).

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Freedom from Hunger Campaign – 1963/64

In the late 50’s and early 60’s a number of charitable organisations came together to form what was to become known as the Freedom from Hunger Movement. The driving factor for those involved was the belief that it was wrong that large numbers of people were starving around the world whilst there was comparative luxury and surplus in some areas – everyone should be entitled to enough food to keep them alive. The RAF and the local population of Shetland both had (and still have) a good reputation for supporting worthwhile charities and in 1963/4 a number of events took place to help this worthy cause. RAF Saxa Vord and the folk in Unst came up with a number of fund-raising ideas.


The article below is from a 1963 issue of the Shetland Times. (Left click on pictures to enlarge).

A few pictures of the events are available.  A photo of some of the soccer players is below (already published in the Life on Camp 1963 section). The tournament was particularly hard fought (the girl who was to become my wife participated in one of the teams).

A relative of my wife’s visited the gardens at Maundeville on the open day  mentioned in the Shetland Times article and took the pictures below:-

Even at Christmas 1963 the opportunity for raising money was taken. Those who think they “started” Radio Saxa Vord should note it was in operation as early as 1963 and I would welcome any early details of its’ operations. Below is an extract from a Dec 63 issue of SROs (Station Routine Orders) which was sent to me by Pete Brindley

The campaign in Shetland  certainly continued into 1964 with both RAF and local involvement. The article below appeared in the Shetland Times dated 24 Jul 1964.:-

 

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AVM Bagnall Visit Photos - 1994 or 1995 - #4

This is the last section of 4 which include photos taken of visits to RAF Saxa Vord by AVM Bagnall during 1994 & 1995. I do have other pictures taken on the Unit in this period not featuring the AVM - these will be published in later sections.

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