Military History Tours          On Tour - RAAF in the UK 1 July 2011

Well today turned out to be very full indeed.

We left London and proceeded towards Runnymead where the Memorial is to those airmen of the Commonwealth who were lost and who have no known grave.

On the way we stopped off at the site of the signing of the Magna Carta which was in a beautiful location in a field.

When we arrived at the Memorial, after a general look around the site we conducted a small service in memory of those who were on the walls and specifically for two airman who were relatives of Alan Swan. Alan was on our tour with us.

As a few were really interested in viewing Dunsfold Airfield, where the show Top Gear is recorded. We headed in that direction. Upon arriving in the area, firstly we had lunch in a small 300 year old pub and then made our way to the front gate of the airfield.

We had not tried to pre-arrange a visit and we were told it was nearly impossible to gain access unless you were there on business.

Not to have that worry us we approached the main gate and Colonel Fleeton approached the security cabin to seek entry. He was told that the site was barred to visitors but he asked if he could speak to the head security person. The guard phoned some person and told us to wait in the coach.

Dave McAllister then appeared to discuss the request. Dave's fathers company owns the site. After a couple of minutes Dave climbed into the coach, welcomed all and announced that he was taking us for a personalised tour of the site. Excellent.

The site is a technology park with many inventive companies working there. There are a lot of films shot there, James Bond, Band of Brothers etc and also the Television Show, Top Gear. He showed us the planes on the runway and let us in to look at the Top Gear Studio hanger. The group were most impressed that they had been allowed to view such an important site.

We said our farewells to both Dave and his father who had addressed us in the company boardroom and went towards Salisbury where we will stay for 3 nights.

Dinner was very good indeed and the hotel set up our places in the individual dinning room with candelabras. The staff at Milford Hall are very professional and made everyone welcome.

After dinner Avon and I (Graham Fleeton) walked into town to check it out.

Tomorrow will be out first Museum visit.