RAF Kasfareet from an aerial photo of 1947  and illustrated as at 1948/9 time

AOC Parade Marchpast on the athletics track. The station band lead the parade

The AOC takes the salute from the Senior Station Officers heading up the parade

Above Trombones ; Albert (Paddy) Blood MBE deceased of Ireland & Weston Super Mare and Bob Pullen of Weston Super Mare - served 40 years !!! Band Leader is Harry Whipps - Newcastle, deceased. Behind him is drummer deceased of Chigwell. On saxophones  Rick Sealey of Nottingham ?, Brian Gamage of London ? and Mousey Simmonds of Weston Super mare resident now in Florida. Behind on string bass is Dave Pollard of London ?.

 In the above picture, Albert Hesketh says he can just make out on Ron Cooper of London and Alan Stenton of Batley. Albert says he is behind Paddy Blood and not shown on the first pic - but he IS THERE !!!

Two of my pics of the RAF  Middle East Air Force Dance Band performing in concert at the Astra Cinema, Kasfareet.





All named by Albert Hesketh.

Three of the band come from Weston Super Mare  !!!!

The above picture of the MEAF Dance Band was sent in by Albert Hesketh, lead trumpet who was based in El Hamra. It shows the Band performing at the Kasfareet Cinema in support of the Harry Secombe show (Sept 1954) and I have displayed the picture here next to my two other band pictures to highlight the triangular music stands. Looks like they had gone through an upgrade in art design at some time. Left to right :- On piano ; Jim Franklin, Trumpets ; Ron Cooper, Albert Hesketh and Alan Stenton. Trombones ; Tony Halligan and Bob Pullen. Drummer ; David Michaels then Harry Whipps ; Band Leader. Saxophones ; Dave Jack, Eric Pickering, Mousey Simmonds and Pete Ramsden and finally Roy Pollard on bass. (all named by Albert) 

Albert`s e-mail

Some more interesting gen about the RAF MEAF Dance Band.

Albert`s comments are all from memory and like most of us, after so long a time, any errors are excusable.

Above, Fanfare Moascar.  A picture provided by Albert Hesketh of the 3 cornets and 3 trombones conducted by Harry Whipps (dec`d) who took part in the Moascar tribute to the Battle of Britain Celebrations Sept 1954.
The event was recorded and played by the BBC that same night back in England.

Christmas Menu 1955

Bonzo and Norris standing up

Bonzo and Norris sitting down

Probably close to the Fire Station near the Main Gate