CDR CHARLES C(CHUCK) GILES

From the Times – 6th March 2025: Cdr Charles (Chuck) Giles has Crossed the Bar aged 93 on the 24th Feb 2025. He flew Scimitars with 736 and 800 Squadrons (Ark Royal) from 1959 before converting to the Buccaneer in 1964. He was SP of 801 (Victorious) and then CO 800 (Eagle) from late 1965 to late 1966. He told the 1965 story in Charlie Manning’s “View from the Cockpit – P124) - Noting that the Buccaneer Mk 1 had no air to air armament, the legendary Jack Smith got the 801 armourers to fake a Sidewinder out of used beer cans, mounted on a Buccaneer in plain sight , for the benefit of the resident Russian spies along the Suez Canal.

A variety of staff and sea-going appointments followed and we believe he was Captain of HMS Falmouth in the mid 70s – Cod War time. He retired about 1978.

JAMES J HENDERSON

We have been notified by James's son Leeon about his dad who Crossed the Bar on Sunday the 2nd of March (2025) after suffering severe health issues since 2012. James was a member of FAABA until 2014 and attended Reunions in Morayshire during 2007 & 2012. James and his son stayed in the Stotfield hotel in Lossiemouth for the 2007 Reunion along with Phil Glover, Jim Green & Grahame Williamson, the Friday & Saturday reunion events were held in the Sergeants Mess at RAF Lossiemouth. A Pub Crawl was held on the Sunday lunchtime from the Coulard to the RNA and although it was raining we survived.

James on 800 Squadron HMS Eagle 1967-69

James, Phil & Jim Friday at the RAF Mess

James & Leeon in the Coulard Car park

The Stotfield Hotel

JOHN WARD

Message from Joseph Baconnet to FAABA: I just wanted to let you know that my uncle, John G Ward, Crossed the Bar peacefully on Thursday 20th February at approximately 0730 Zulu Time. His younger brother, Andrew, and his son, Roger kept him company during his final hours at Ayr Hospital.
Uncle John was present at last year’s FAABA reunion dinner at The Royal Court Hotel and I know he had a good time. John served with 736 squadron, 801 squadron and HMS Fulmar.

I am happy for anyone who wants to attend his funeral & celebration to contact me direct on joseph.baconnet@gmail.com.

The funeral service will be on 18th March 2025 at St Margaret’s Cathedral, Ayr (at the 10am Mass) and then he will be interred afterwards at Ayr cemetery.
The wake will take place at the Savoy Park Hotel (16 Racecourse Road, Ayr. KA7 2UT) from 11.30 am.
I would be grateful if those from the association planning on attending the wake could let me know so that we have the numbers right.
A JustGiving page has been set up for those that would like to contribute with any money raised going to the RNLI and the Royal British Legion (two charities close to his heart).
Thank you again for your kind words and assistance.
Regards
Joe Baconnet

REMEMBRANCE SERVICE 2024

Hi Everyone,
The day was dry but overcast, we were all happy with that, as long as it didn’t rain!
The FAABA Platoon contained the following members:- (Tanzi Lee, Chris Lawrence, Robert Robson, Alex Dunn, Stan Akers, Roger Wiltshire); Unfortunately Michael David Weller had a family emergency late on Saturday night, so he had to return home.

Because we were very nearly the last platoon to step-off in 2023, the Columns are rotated each year, so this year we were very near the front!
The camaraderie and respect for everyone that attends this massive event, is almost palpable!
It is a great honour to play your small part in remembering – The Fallen, from the Two World Wars (and before that), to more recent conflicts.

Roger Wiltshire laid the first FAABA wreath as we marched passed The Cenotaph and Robert Robson laid the second FAABA wreath at the FAA memorial in the Embankment Gardens. Once this was all completed we headed for a few well deserved beers (which were nearly £7 per pint)!
Every year I ask for more Buccaneer Members to attend this great event – just once!

Best Regards
Chris

MALCOLM DRINKWATER

The Buccaneer Association received the sad news today the Mal has Crossed the Bar in the USA, we are very sad to hear the sad loss of one of our Senior Members; especially as he had to cancel his visit to our 2024 Reunion in Coventry at short notice due a problem with his health. He and his wife Jenny had  made Flight and Hotel Bookings but had to cancel it all at short notice. The last time Mal & Jenny had made the journey to the UK was in 2018 but in 2019 Covid struck forcing reunions to be cancelled until 2023. Rest in Peace Mal, it was great to know and serve with you from 1964 at HMS Ganges; Mal served on 809 Squadron aboard HMS Hermes on its first First Buccaneer Front line deployment.

Mal (Center) on an HMS Ganges Guard in 1964/65

Mal pictured at RNAS Yeovilton in 1969 during the Farnborough Air Show by 809

Mal (Rear Left) at the 2018 FAABA Reunion at the Royal Court Hotel, Coventry

FAABA BLAZER BADGES

Hi Everyone, we have recently had a delivery of ten FAABA Blazer badges as a trial, the will cost £10 each + postage. If anyone who is attending Remembrance Sunday and would like one to buy please contact our Slops Representative (H Williams) at taffandangie@btinternet.com. You don't have to be attending the Remembrance Sunday event to want one, so whatever your need please contact H by email.

DAEDALUS COMMEMORATIVE STONE

Proposed Commemorative Stone

Similar Completed Memorial Stone at another site

Click on image to see full size

Commemorative Stone Wording and Art work

NEXT FAABA (2025) REUNION AT THE ROYAL COURT HOTEL IN COVENTRY

The date for next years Reunion has been agreed with the hotel as Friday 6th to Sunday 8th June. Please mark this date in your diary if you don't want to miss all the action,

Don't miss all the pictures and 2 videos online from the this year's (2024) Reunion, see the "Photos on Web" selection on the menu to the left

FAABA REUNION HELD AT THE ROYAL COURT HOTEL, COVENTRY 14th - 16th JUNE 2024

Good to see all our regular friends at the RCH for the 2024 Reunion, a very good time was had by all, unfortunately we were missing some regulars due to medical or other reasons but we hope to meet up again next June (Date pending). The Windsor Suite although smaller was still enjoyed and better fitted the numbers attending; the drawback being that we didn't have enough room for the full ex-bootie Dance Band.

THE BUCCANEER ASSOCIATION'S 23RD REUNION, JUNE 2025 AT THE ROYAL COURT HOTEL, COVENTRY

For the attention of all members, this year's reunion will again be held at the Royal Court Hotel, Coventry on the Weekend (Fri to Sun) 6th, 7th & 8th June.

The 2025 Reunion booking forms (Word & PDF) are now on the ‘Members Only’ part of the website for those that may not have received them (Select "2025 Reunion" on the "Association Info" Drop Down Menu). The menu choices for the Friday and Saturday evenings will be sent once I have received them from the RCH.

The Word booking form is editable for you to complete, save and return to me by email. (preferred). The PDF booking form can only be downloaded, printed off, completed and either sent to me snail mail or copied to your computer and sent to me via email.

Information about the weekend is also on the website. Above all I must ask you to give me names of 8 persons for each table; we will leave the names of this year's attendees in yellow to help you. I realise that some of you may like to have 10 on a table, it’s a bit of a squeeze but that’s your problem! If you are all happy I can work with last year’s table plans. This will allow me to place your menu choices alongside your names to aid the table service.

At the 2022 AGM I was asked to place the names of those attending the Reunion on the website, and this Phil Glover will do for me again; the list will be updated as further bookings are made.

If you still have them, can you please bring along your name badges which were issued in 2023. If not let me know.

Like last year, you will not be asked for further payment (Full Members plus one only) for the Royal Marine Band.

As always, any questions let me know soonest;  I will email Life, Full and Associate Members with updates on the reunion as required.

Kind regards

Robin
Sec. FAABA

809 SQUADRON RISES ONCE MORE LIKE A PHOENIX

Today (8th Dec) 809 Squadron re-commissioned as the latest F35 Stealth Fighter Squadron at RAF Marham, Previous 809 CO Cdr Tim Gedge presented the latest squadron CO with the squadron plaque. For more information visit the article in the Eastern Daily Press using the link below. There is a good range of photographs by Chris Bishop.

FAABA ON FACEBOOK

Remember; we also have a Facebook page to assist in getting the message out to members quickly and to help attract new members; the web page will still be the main page for publishing information to members but we will usually put a link to new articles on the Facebook page. Those members who use Facebook (especially those using mobile devices) will find it easier to keep up with changes on the website through these links. The Guestbook will remain and we hope people will keep posting there, any important info from the Facebook page will be put onto the website.

You don't need to join Facebook to view this page as it is "open", Click on the link or button below to view the page, if you are a Facebook user you can post pictures or comments and use the "Like" button to create a link on your Facebook menu.

http://www.facebook.com/FleetAirArmBuccaneerAssociation

FAA BUCCANEER ASSOCIATION  & FLY NAVY FEDERATION BANNERS

Click on the image above to view the Fly Navy Federation banner which is available for use at all FNF member events

Click on the image above to view the Buccaneer Association banner which is available for use at all FNF and Buccaneer Association events

The Buccaneer Association banner is a free standing banner approx 6 foot by 2 foot. It is available for all to use for any function they see fit, RNA or FAA dinners etc and is kept by Robin Harper. Anyone requiring this banner is responsible for arranging delivery and return and any costs associated with the loan. There is also a FNF banner (Shown above) which we have access to, same rules apply. Applications for requirements through Robin Harper.

FAABA MEMBERSHIP - UPDATED 01/02/2020

Membership. We now have well over 450 names on our list of people interested in the association, a substantial number having dropped off as their email addresses have changed. We do keep a database of NON-MEMBERS and also one of only FULL/ASSOCIATE MEMBERS to receive information that is deemed necessary.

It is important to have up-to-date, full contact details including; address, post code and a contact telephone number in addition to an email address so we can contact you.

if you change any personal details without informing the secretary you risk being left out of receiving any information that the association may wish to send to you.

Full membership currently stands at 120. It is now £10 per year payable by Bank transfer or £50 for a five year period if paying by cheque, so please, if you are not a fully paid up member please consider joining. You can also become a Life member by paying a one off fee of £100. It is getting increasingly expensive to meet all our commitments to you, the members, with magazines, newsletters and other communication briefs etc and every penny counts with any excess being ploughed back into the Association.

Join the FAABA now: Download the membership form here, the price of annual membership was changed to £10 in January 2009