Parachute Course Admin Unit - Permanent Staff PCAU
No 1 PTS Parachute School, RAF Abingdon - and - Royal Naval Air Station HMS Hornbill, Culham
A selection of images of parachuting and general training, supplied by readers of the site, ANY MORE ????
click any to enlarge
Abingdon
Culham
Photo's
Photo 2
Photo3
Readers
Photo's
Readers 
images
Keith
Petvin-Scudamore
Pete Bonsall
Pete Lassum
Front page
click any to enlarge (30K)
1 I am sending you a copy of a photo taken outside of the barrack block In August 1957, The characters In the photo are Me back left, John Pennington back right, John Brown front left. I don't remember the names of the other two lads. They were from Yorkshire. The one kneeling at the front was also a qualified pilot.
John Nilan ex 23522009 Pte J Nilan
(John is in the Group Photo of
PCAU 1957 RAF Abingdon
with Beverley Y)
The attached photograph was taken at Abingdon and I was wondering if you could identify the RAF sergeant instructor - front row, centre. I am also in the front row, on the extreme right.
Jim Collins
If you can help, let me know and I will pass it on to Jim
who tells me - I was at RAF Abingdon just before you a pity I did'nt get to know you but I recognise a few of the chaps in the photo with the Beverley. I came from 1 para Able Coy. just before the lads went to Cyprus
Taken July 1957, Pete is the one standing at the back 6th from left. He tells me that they were just about to head off to the Range for classification on the 303
He assures me that the Glamour girl is from Sally Army tea truck and was not in their squad - the way she holds that rifle, I would be carefull !!
Lower photo I like, however, note the look on the RSM's face - is that a smile or a threat !! No doubt some words of comfort followed .....
Both photo's taken at Abingdon, Barracks in the background
Pete Bonsall - more images from Pete, worth a visit !! 
Rare photograph of PCAU Paratroopers in a Pub ...
Sent in by Mick Whitehead who tells me it was taken in the "Grapes" Hostelry in Abingdon - as if you did'nt know !!
from left - Bernie Bowler, L/C Jock(?) from Isle of Muck, Mick Whitehead and (?) Shepherd. Taken around 1956 I think, note the empty glasses, think it must be your turn !!
All of them are Permanent Staff with PCAU
Photo sent in by Mike Chapman who did the Parachute Course at Abingdon in 1957, unforgettable 2 weeks he says, completed their last 3 jumps in 1 day to finish and get their Wings. Beverley is XB283 for any one interested
They used both Hastings and Beverley for the course, he remembers dropping into the hole in the tail boom of the Beverley ,I always liked that one !!
Photo sent in by Ron Gamston who did the Parachute Course at Abingdon in 1955, also in the photo is Frank Stubbersfield. Photo taken at Thetford Chase Norfolk on an exercise in 1955. They were both in A Company 1 Para 1955 - 1958, see photo link
RAF Instructor at Abingdon was Sgt. Watts.
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Click here to see A Company Group Photo 1955
8 - 9 This Parachute Course photo is from 1953 and was sent in by Ken Rose - He did his training with Captain Paul / Sgt Evelyn stick sergeant at Abingdon. Ken was was with 13th Battalion Parachute Reg; RASC Para Field Ambulance Liverpool.
On the front row 2nd from left seated, is Fred Feast of Coronation St next to him right. is my trainer & stick Sgt Evelyn. Ken is 4th from right back row. Note the Parachute training harness in background left
And here is a Photo of Fred Feast with Alan Ladd, taken when the Film 'The Red Beret' was being filmed ! Fred was the Technical Advisor in the making of this film, Fred made over 200 Jumps during his 6 year Career with the RAF, Training Parachutists - us lot !!
Many thanks to Ken Rose for sending the Newspaper cutting with this info.
10 Photo sent in by Eddie McNulty who tells us : This was taken in 1963 I was with 131 Para Eng. Regt.TA I'm on the Extreme right big blonde haired guy in the middle is Pete Owen my best mate
On our first jump the winch jammed at 500ft and we were stuck there for ten minutes. They brought us back down again and we had to wait for another half hour before we went up again,by which time all the enthusiasm had gone,just had to grit the teeth and get on with it. There were all sorts on our course Saudi's, Gurkha's etc it was a great time in my life.
I used to drive past Weston on the Green occasionally and watch them jump brought back great memories. I am an active member of the Airborne Engineers Association click for images page
Please send any photographs you have taken at either RAF Abingdon or RNAS Culham to me and I will add them to the site. Any taken at Weston on the Green would be most welcome !!
