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January 2024 Veterans ID cards now available.

Apply online or by written form

Thousands more veterans will receive HM Armed Forces Veteran Cards now thanks to a £3 million injection to expand the roll-out to veterans who left service before 2018.
Government has invested £3m to scale up production of HM Armed Forces Veteran Cards to 50,000 cards a month.

Follow the link for more information and to apply

https://www.gov.uk/veteran-card

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Staunton Arms 17th August 2023

On Thursday 17th August 2023 a group of Midland Metocs plus visitors met up at the Staunton Arms, Staunton in the Vale for a get together, talk, eat, more talk and the obligatory group photograph. Thanks to Ash and Gill for organising. More pictures on the Midland Metocs Facebook page.

Nuclear test medal: UK veterans to receive recognition after years-long campaign

Veterans of Britain's nuclear test programme are to receive a newly designed medal in time for Remembrance Day, the government says.

The release of the design follows a years-long fight for recognition by veterans and their families, who said exposure to nuclear tests had caused cancer and premature deaths among thousands of people who took part, as well as causing health problems for their families.

The first medals will be available in time for Remembrance Sunday on 12 November, the government said. However, they will not be issued automatically - veterans and relatives wanting posthumous recognition will need to apply, and survivors will be prioritised over next of kin

The Met Branch was involved in the tests but as far as I know all persons have now crossed the bar. Their relatives may wish to apply for this long overdue medal.

Steve Howard at Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial 31 March 2023

You can spot Steve, He is the smart one.

Hermes Recognise anything ?

An enterprising chap on the Hermes group on Facebook has published a series of plans of the Happy H as it was in the 1970's before the addition of the upturned shoe horn (ramp). Below are a couple, can you spot anything?

04 Deck (the highest) HMS Hermes

No wonder we were fit! My cabin was on 2 Deck forward over the bows, four high bunks opposite a wall of lockers, used to help the climb to ones pit. Work was in the Met Office on 04 deck, the space forward was a brilliant goofing platform and drinking area when VIP's were on board. The Bar Steward used the Met office as his bar - Go Figure!

The Balloon Shelter was Port Side Aft, under the flight deck, a long way from anywhere as I recall and used as little as possible i.e. never with a compliment of PO plus 2 X L/Airmen. Finally the Bathy Launcher was attached to the Quarterdeck as aft as you could go without having to swim with a print out just off the Quarterdeck, Starboard side as I recall. We did use this. Sea temperatures taken by using a bucket from one of the weather decks, depending on how the sea/swell was behaving.

Navy Wings Naval Aviation Documentary - candidates to be interviewed for the film (One of our Wrens is being interviewed)

Following on from the great success of the fundraising campaign for Navy Wings' Fleet Air Arm/Naval Aviation documentary, things are progressing rapidly. The team (in Cc above in case of any questions) are now looking for suitable candidates to interview, and tell their story in the film.

The first group that they are looking to find interviewees from are those who served in World War Two, and up until 1950. They are particularly interested in anyone who served at sea, and especially in the Battle of The Atlantic, Arctic Convoys, Madagascar, Mediterranean, Normandy, BPF. Other groups will follow later.

Ideally they would like two or three candidates from each association, who it is felt have a particularly good story to tell about their time in the FAA. They have plenty of aircrew candidates, so would like some from a non-aircrew background.

Rather than ’self-nominating’, it would be great if each association committee could suggest two or three suitable candidates, obviously having checked first with those they plan to put forward.

They are keen to start filming very soon, so it would be appreciated if this action could be taken quickly within association committees. A short ‘bio’ on the individual would also be very useful.

The Navy Wings team would then contact the individual to explain the situation, and have a thorough ‘get to know’ session prior to the interview being filmed.

This will be a fantastic way to contribute to the film, which will need a broad cross-section of interviews to tell the complete story of the FAA.

By Arthur - Am sure they will get around to us youngsters eventually, in the meantime any ladies or gents who are old enough contact Gill who will make sure you are included in the possible contributors.

Steve & Rosina's Travels a further update April 2023.

The Good news is that Steve's blog has been resurected from the dead after much hiffing and puffuing from Steve.

https://www.driverandchef.co.uk/ is the link to the newest version.

More Good news is that Steve has booked a wreath laying at the Menin Gate for 31st March on his way to Instanbul and Greece. We hope to cover the event in some detail.

If you were unaware, Steve Howard and partner have travelled extensively in Motor Homes throughout Europe, the USA West to East and East to West over the last decade. During this time he published a popular blog on camping, the locals, cost etc which included numerous pictures with occasional text that Jolly Jack would understand.

Steve has decided to continue to publish his travels but in a slightly different way. The Cloud Observers site will continue to link to Steve's thoughts and photographs where relevant.

Steve Howard, that's Steve back row next to PO Bogey Knight (photo from David Strike, front row L/H marker doing the eyes right). Steve will be off on his motorhome travels again soon.

Follow Steve on his Blog, lots of photos, hopefully to include a small ceremony in Ypres sometime in 2023. Picture Link to Steve & Rosina's Blog below.

Midland Metocs cover the world!

On Wednesday 7th December a group of the Midland Metocs met up at a pub in Worksop, Nottinghamshire for a get together and chin wag. Joining the group from Australia was Dave Strike via the know how and dexterity of Ash Price and his bat phone.

The bat phone was slightly less than perfect but a big thanks to Dave Strike for burning the midnight oil to stay up to chat to us, wish us all a Merry Christmas.and sip a Tiger beer on our behalf.

So next meeting might just include a few more expats?

Virtual group photo with David Strike on the right.

Nuclear test veterans to be honoured with medal after campaign

Those of us of a certain age will remember that members of the then Met Branch were involved in the Nuclear tests and that they highlight a hole in our records. Any lucky enough to still be with us can apply for this overdue medal which is also available to the families of those that have passed. Link here.

FAA Memorial Thames Embankment 2022. Stratocumulus or Altocumulus? Photograph Ray Whitehouse RNPA

Frank Nowosielski

A young Frank Nowieslski Met course photograph, his instructor Colin Brenchley, one of the founder members of Cloud Observers.
From John Whitehead, Frank was my 1st Lt in Victory two ex Mets running uk oldest warship.

Military ID Cards Now Available To Veterans

Some veterans will automatically be given one of the new cards, with all former personnel being able to apply for one by the end of 2019, thus said the MOD back in 2018.

Slow forward to 2022, it now appears that all persons leaving the service have been issued with a veterans ID card as part of their leaving routine. The rest of us are still in nowhere land, the latest "statement" from MOD is copied below.

Last reviewed 15 February 2022

The Veterans’ Recognition Scheme has a two-phase rollout. Phase 1 is complete; with Service leavers receiving a recognition card as part of the discharge process.

Phase 2 is to extend the scheme to existing veterans so that they can more quickly, easily and securely prove they served in the UK Armed Forces so they can access the services they need.

There is a need to future-proof the roll-out and ensure that we are giving ID cards only to those with verified service to guard against fraudulent use as veterans become able to access a wider range of benefits.

In the Veterans’ Strategy Action Plan (2022-2024) the government committed to exploring the secure, digital verification of veterans’ status. This work is underway, and we are currently working with veterans and other stakeholders to ensure any solution meets the needs of all veterans. This will support delivery of the Phase 2 roll out of ID cards. The government is still committed to delivering ID cards but cannot give a timescale for final delivery as this work is in progress

HMS Fearless 40th Anniversary of the Falklands Campaign book

The Fleet Air Arm in the Falklands War

David Strike

With, ‘Asian Diver Magazine’ about to celebrate its 30th Anniversary in June of this year, ‘Counterstrike & Other Musings’ is a timely release of the stories - peopled with largely fictitious characters – that appeared in that magazine throughout the 1990’s as the whimsically titled, ‘CounterStrike’ editorial column.

Offering an irreverent take on sometimes-serious diving issues – ranging from training and practical diving techniques, through to marine conservation, equipment and safety – it is a collection of light-hearted commentaries mixed with a touch of satire; in short, it’s an easy and humorous read that can be enjoyed by everyone … regardless of whether or not they dive.

Attractively priced, the 240-page, ‘Counterstrike & Other Musings’, is available as either a downloadable Kindle version, or as a soft-cover book, via Amazon at:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09RJ2DPZH And in Australia, at:

https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B09RJ2DPZH

Click on the mask for the Navy Wings shop

18th to 25th September 2021

A Mini Reunion was held at Culdrose Manor, highlights included a cream tea and BBQ for guests. Old and new haunts were visited by all those who stayed in the Manor house as well as nearby accomodation.

A few images from our week at Culdrose Manor with many more to see on the Midland Metocs Facebook page

https://www.facebook.com/586659457/videos/1982537608572113/

Midland Metocs Mini Reunion

16th June 2021 The Staunton Arms in the Vale of Belvoir was host to the Midland Metocs, we previously entertained the Metoc Retreads at this venue (complete with London Bus) a few years back. Another great meet kindly organised by Ash Price. Wherever next?

Our next mini reunion will be held at Culdrose Manor between 18th and 25th September 2021 where we hope to meet many of the branch who settled south of the Tamar, indeed anyone south of the Midlands.

Westminster Embankment 2020

Bude 2020

Lee on Solent 2020

https://www.facebook.com/NavyWingsUK/posts/2716926115243032

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Discounted Tube Travel

If you live in London or are an infrequent visitor like me then you probably have an Oyster Card. My spies tell me that you can get a third off, offpeak fares if you also have a forces (coming to a pensioner near you) or Senior Railcard. You have to apply at a ticket office as this cannot be done online. Presume the new Veterans Railcard will be included in the scheme

Having tested the water on this one by asking at a ticket office the routine is

  1. Find a ticket office thats open (degree of difficulty - high)
  2. Explain that you do not live in London etc. (degree of difficulty - less than 1 above)
  3. Find that you need to open an account. (degree of difficulty - cannot do at ticket office)
  4. Back home, I now have an account, next trip to London, see how we go. (degree of difficulty - takes time)
  5. Summary This is not straightforward and well hidden. You almost feel they dont want you to succeed. TFL Staff were polite and patient throughout so no reflection on them.
  6. Now own Veterans Oyster card but have to establish if any top ups of the card earn the discount.
  7. In the two years it took to get my Oyster card the original ticket office closed down.

Midland Metocs Mini Reunion

Meeting at Grange Farm Pub, Oadby, Leicester on 23rd Nov.2019, organised by Ash Price.

Radio sonde 2017 style

Here we have a video of a container ship, a big brutish, frankly ugly container ship. She is westbound from Liverpool to Halifax NS and enroute launches radiosondes. Have a look at the video from 4:09 onwards to see how they receive weather information and generate their own. How easy it is now!

With thanks to Tugg
The value of Weather Observations during WWII

David Strike Diving in Australia

https://www.facebook.com/1017395288/videos/10222032262088422

Pussers Tilley

Those who know me will know that I dabble a little in Model Railways.
Whilst looking for suitable vehicles I came across this model of a Bedford Tilley and so memories of transport to and from the Tower
and other such journeys sprang to mind. Would anyone like a model section on the Website?

Latest finds are two Pussers Landrovers, a long wheelbase Station Wagon and a Short Wheelbase varient that were often found on the carriers.

Series III LWB Station Wagon
SWB Series II Canvas Hood
Tilley or is it Tilly (how do you spell it?)

Dockyard Dandy


Forces Discount Card

Your discount card to flash wherever you go. Only £4.99 for five years so why not apply today for all year round discount opportunity?

I always forget mine but the occasional assistant has noticed it in my wallet, thus it has paid for itself a few times over.

Membership Forms

More downloads on site and on the Downloads page

Title (Download Total)File Type
Cloud Observers Application Form (9880 downloads ) pdf document
Cloud Observers Application Form (9304 downloads ) picture