Training in Ramsgate, 1937

....."I had never ever flown and awaited my turn with eager anticipation as I was being prepared (parachute and harness fitted). I then realised I would be standing behind the pilot and wondered would I fall out if he looped the loop."......

....."However there was a wire anchored to the floor and the other end had a fitting which in some way fastened to the harness. It gave me some comfort to know I was now part of the aircraft and there was no way that sort of accident could happen."

"Hawker Harts had no canopy to protect the crew from the elements so it was rather breezy when airborne. Ramsgate airport was just a grass field so we bumped our way to the edge and took off.".....

....."We did not fly very high and as we flew along the coast over Ramsgate, Broadstairs and Margate, some of the people on the beach waved to us. Coming back we took the inland route to the airfield."

"Coming down I expected to get that sinking feeling but with the excitement of the flight I was too thrilled to have any feelings until we were bumping along the ground. The whole flight was a sensation I have never forgotten."

(From an article in Tally Ho - the 609 Squadron Association Newsletter by Jack Lister.)

609 Auxiliaries at Ramsgate Camp in 1937.

From left to right then top to bottom: P Kendall, Cpl Daniels, L Garrit, J Lister, R Parke

John Payne

A mechanic with 609 squadron, relaxing in his tent at Ramsgate Camp.

My grandparents would keep in touch with John Payne until his death in the 1990s. He would be a regular dancing partner to my grandmother who remembers he was particularly good at quickstep.

Boulton Paul Overstrand

Piloted by flying instructor Flight Lieutenant N Odbert. It was presumably used to transport 609 Auxiliaries from their base at Yeadon to Ramsgate Camp.

A pre-war group photograph of 609 squadron

The photograph includes both pilots and ground crew.
Jack Lister is 8th from the left in the bottom row.