Parham Visit

By
Dick Drain

I, along with Bill Pennebaker and Norm Coats, was invited to England for the rededication of the bells at Parham (they pronounce it Pairam) Church.

Peter Kindred had called me on the phone before I left and told me I would by staying with his son-in-law and daughter, John and Judy Moore. Bill Pennebaker would be staying with Kath and Peter Kindred, and Norm Coats would be staying with Martin and Angela Riley.

After Peter picked up Bill and Norm at Heathrow, they picked me up at Gatwick. We visited the American Cemetery at Madingley. Norm Coats was navigating and almost took us to Scotland. He made corrections and we finally arrived at the cemetery.

On 1 July, Simon Cottrell, the Vicar, Peter and the three of us had lunch at a Pub. That evening we attended a supper party hosted by Martin and Angela Riley.

On 2 July, we had lunch at the Museum. The bell rededication took place at 6:30 PM.

The next morning, Peter took Bill and Norm to Heathrow to catch their flight. I stayed as there was no way he could get me to Gatwick since my plane departed at the same time. A couple of days later I left for London. I rode the Tube and buses and visited the Pub on Sloan street which is where our crew hung out when we went to London.

It was a very busy and hectic three days. Peter and Mick took us on a tour of what was left of the base after lunch at the Museum. Peter has leased several building to high-tech companies. Hardstand 13 is still intact as is part of one of one of the runways (but not much). Part of the perimeter track is used by the Parham Flying Club. They pointed out the Chapel which was also used for movies. They asked me if I ever went to either. I said no. They asked why. I said after I got done flying, I was sleeping and when we got a pass we went to London. I told them the ground people were probably the ones who attended. Peter owns 1100 acres and raises pigs and wheat.

With Kath and Peter Kindred (Norm, Bill, Peter, Kath and Dick)

Alan Brooks, Dick Drain, Gerry Green at Parham Museum attended the members’ reunion in Tucson in March 2006. They were at our table for the dinner. When they finished the salad, they put their knife and fork on their plate. I told them to save them.

Alan Brooks, Dick Drain, and Gerry Green at Parham Museum

They said they would get others when the entree was served. Well, they didn't, and Frank had to scurry around and get knives and forks for them. They never told the other volunteers at the Museum of their gaffe. Well, I did and now they are known over there as The Knife and Fork Boys. Gerry Green was so impressed with Tucson and their ride in Liberty Belle that he joined the J Club. They said they would both be back in Tucson next year.

Dick