Click for Site Directory
Leading Aircraftman Eric Neville
Leading Aircraftman Eric Neville
Stanmore Park with the remnants of a broken balloon this is beyond repair
and much form filling will be needed to strike it off charge! Note the sentry
post sandbagged on the right of the picture.
A casual pose at a gate.
A casual pose at a gate. Note the ever present respirator sack!
Stanmore Park. Eric is astride a large step-ladder servicing the bedded down balloon.
For those who like Health& Safety in 2020, these servicemen worked on these with no
harness, no safety net, no hard hat, and no fluorescent clothing. Gloves were provided
on the basis one size fits all. A considerable number of men and women broke limbs when
falling off this standard type of R.A.F step-ladder. I know one died from injuries. Interviews
with Balloon Operators reveal that Health & Safety was unheard of and they agree it was
dangerous but, "There was a war on, you know?"