GFL Natal 2010

Natal November 26 , 2010

Terry Griffin has made a few photos and information of this event to ORAFs and as such I would like to share them with you all.

I did not know what GFL represented and as such I requested Terry to elaborate and his reply is included in his article:

"GFL - is basically an abbreviation for "GET FIRED LUNCH" started some years ago by a few Army guys and held annually on the last Friday in November. Today, it is pretty much all Services, but still arranged by Brown Jobs (Rhodesian term for Army members). Often with Cape Town, Johannesburg, Harare and UK hosting their own lunches when we then get in comms via cell phones and verbally abuse each other for old times sake !!

This year was organised by Rich Blaylock.

Several guys came up from Cape Town and Pat Lawless came down from Maputo where he is now based. Pat retired as a Brigadier from the Brit Army a few years ago. Neill Storey, came over from the UK, as he always does. Richard Wood, well known author.

Late arrivals included Keith Spence, Kevin Woods and a few others - what can you expect from a Blue Job (Rhodesian Air Force) and a Policeman !!!

There were about 8 folk who did not make this year, who are normally there - work pressure sighted as a "lame excuse" !!

Front : Ian Scott, Rod Smith, Neill Jackson, Iain Frazer, Rich Blaylock.
2nd Row : Pat Lawless, Mike Rich, Mark Adams, Pete Hean, Brett Robertson, Andrew Blaine.
3rd Row : Neill Story, Mark Hume, Dave Greenhalgh,.
4th Row : Mick Walters, Terry Griffin, Travis Sletcher.

Neill Storey also did a collection for the RLI Association Welfare Fund."

ORAFs also received the reminder for this event and many will appreciate it.

Reminder

Stand by to standby. Roll call at 12:32 hours or thereabouts. Troops to ("face your front you") form up in any order. Guards to be aware of infiltratees from Cape town, London, Maputo, Zambia and the Bluff. These partisan forces should be allowed to mingle on the start line and will be permitted to spearhead the advance.

Note: All uniformed men to be treated with respect.

No lizards pse, just be there.

Yours in DIBUA

Mention is often made of DIBUA in comms, as opposed to FIBUA (fighting in built up areas - army abbreviation) DIBUA being - drinking in built up areas !!
End

Below are a few additional photos received















Thanks to Terry for sharing his photos and memories with us.

Comments and correspondence can be directed to Eddy Norris on orafs11@gmail.com


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NZ Annual Get-To-Together ~ 2010

John (JP) Pringle (RhAF) Writes:-

Yesterday (Sunday 21st) saw yet another get-together of ORAFs in Auckland. Attendees were, in no particular order: Bob and Jann Hattle, Blake and Jane Few, John and Moya Michalakis, Pete and Viv Jameson, Ashley and Helen Stober, Dennis and Patricia Mawhinney, John and Bernie Pringle.



The weather prophet forecast rain however we invoked the spirit of Harvey Quail an once again the morning cloud dispersed and we enjoyed a fine, sunny day.

Plenty of beer disappeared, bags of steak and wors was cremated and many dubious stories were told. The venue, once again, was “The Command Post”, an historic piece of Auckland’s WWII defence installation. For something different we took thirty minutes out of drinking time and toured the recently re-opened tunnel complex between the gun emplacements. Tour guide was JP who felt this justified him having another beer during the photo shoot! Picture was taken by John Michalakis, skilfully using the camera timer function...

End

Many thanks to JP for sharing his memories with ORAFs.

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Buchan and Mann

Charlie (Denis) Buchan (Para Training School) Writes:

Visited Alec Mann ex WO Dog Section (Rhodesian Air Force) in Flame Lilly Village where the SAS memorial is. He attended the Memorial service with us.


Alec Mann and Charlie Buchan

If anyone would like to contact Alec to cheer him up, please contact me on eMail denis.underberg@gmail.com
Alec only has a cell and they must call him. I can give out his number to anyone who is interested.

Yours aye
Charlie Buchan.

End

Thanks to Charlie for sharing his memories with ORAFs

AFA (Zim) Xmas 2009

Kelvin Byrne, Glen Flaxman, Ian McLellan, Trevor Bonham, Sam Symes, Ox Heron,
Derek Utton, Chas Keanley & Cliff Tyson

Thanks to Cliff Tyson for sharing his memories with ORAFs.

Bill and Jean Teague Wedding

Bill & Jean got married to-day (Nov 07) at 1 PM our time (Vancouver, Canada) !! It was a small private affair, and we plan to have a bigger bash for everybody sometime next year; we will keep you posted.....






Love & hugs from us, Mr. & Mrs. Bill Teague.

End of Article.

ORAFs sends it love and best wishes to two special folk.

Thanks to Shumba for sharing this wonderful news with us all.

Bill and Ivan Holshausen were Course mates on Pilot Training in the South African Air Force, later Bill served with the Canadian Air Force and Ivan ventured North to join the Rhodesian Air Force.