FORMATION OF THE BIRMINGHAM BRANCH
NOVEMBER 1987
In November 1987 as a result of an advertisement in the Ex Service column of the Birmingham Evening Mail placed by Vic Bibby, with a view to forming a RAF Regiment association, Malcolm Baldwin and Dave Ball who did not know each other at the time, both became Founder Members of the RAF Regiment Comrades Association which was formed on 10th December 1987. In early 1988 Malcolm Baldwin had discussed the possibility of forming a Birmingham Branch by post and telephone with the Founder Secretary Vic Bibby. He was told by Vic of another member in the Birmingham area Dave Ball, who was also interested in this possibility and contacted him by telephone.
JUNE 1988
After meeting each other, they decided to investigate the possibility of founding the Birmingham Branch And after placing advertisements in the Birmingham Evening Mail and receiving inquiries from interested ex RAF Regiment people, a meeting was held at the Kingstanding Ex Servicemen’s Club, on Thursday 16th June 1988. There were seventeen ex RAF Regiment people present who became the Founding Members, Larry Allcott, Malcolm Baldwin, Dave Ball, Brian Barnhurst, Ray Barr, Bob Bell, Colin Clarke, Wilson Dixon, Jack Ellis, Graham Garvey, Dick Lane, Eric Russell, Jack Russell, Don Sperrin, Doug Tapsell, Eric Tripp and Bob Yule.
At this meeting a Steering Committee was appointed to organise the setting up of the Branch. This Steering Committee consisted of Dave Ball, Acting Chairman, Malcolm Baldwin, Acting Secretary, Dick Lane, Acting Treasurer, Graham Garvey, Acting Committeeman and Jack Ellis, Acting Committeeman.
JULY 1988
A further meeting was held on Thursday 28th July 1988, again at the Kingstanding Ex Servicemen’s Club at which it was agreed to formally set up the Birmingham Branch of the RAF Regiment Comrades Association. Following this, the Birmingham Branch was inaugurated on Thursday 29th September 1988 at a meeting at the Nautical Club, Bishopsgate Street, Birmingham. At this meeting the members of the above Steering Committee were all formally elected to their positions and the Birmingham Branch of the RAF Regiment Comrades Association was born.
EDITOR'S NOTE: The Birmingham Branch has since moved its meetings to the Windermere United Services Club, Wake Green Road, Moseley Birmimngham, meeting on the second Thursday every month.
APRIL 1990
After meetings to set up the first RAF Regiment Association, on 12th April 1990, the Birmingham Branch became one of its founding Branches.