At the end of the Second World war Officers from RAF
30 (BB) Group decided to meet annually for a dinner in London.
These reunions continued for some years until
officers from other Balloon Groups and Squadrons asked to be allowed to attend.
Eventually in 1959 the Balloon Barrage Reunion Club
was formed with a committee, then headed by Wing Commander C-L de Beaumont, OBE
and it was decided to extend membership to ALL officers who had served in the
Command.
Wing Commander de Beaumont died in 1972, and the
chairmanship was accepted by Wing Commander Cyril Gadney, MBE and in that year,
the club membership was extended to ALL ranks of the Command. So membership was
extended to all individuals (officers and other ranks) who had served in Balloon
Command.
These reunions took the form of a dinner each
October, but in 1981 members met for a luncheon which was more beneficial to
those who had travelled some distance.
In 1982 the membership stood at 120. At that time
the committee comprised of Mrs Pat Taylor Holden (Hon Sec) and Norman S Prince
(Hon Treasurer). Pat Taylor was one of the original W.A.A.F. officers on the first
committee and coped admirably with improving membership and organising reunions
every year.
In 1982 Fl. Lt A. Solomons took the chair and with
Wing Commander Henry F. Tiarks, Sqn.Ldr E.W. Josephs OBE, Sqn.Ldr Edgar Mann and
S.O. Pat Taylor, comprised the original members of 30 (BB) Group from its
inception.
The Club has continued to meet on an annual basis
for a luncheon in London every September and members travel from all over the country and abroad
for this special event.
The
Club, which was founded in 1945, exists to unite former serving members of
Balloon Command and its associated units in the Second World War.
We
issue three newsletters each year with letters, pictures and anecdotes from
contributors.
Membership is open to individuals interested in Balloon Command and those who have or have had family members serve with
Balloon Command or are
Barrage Balloon enthusiasts.
If
you did not serve but have an interest in the seldom mentioned work of Balloon
Command then consider joining us.
Many
families have been able to use the club network to make contact with former
comrades who had served with their family members.
We
encourage membership from all interested persons.
We
also ask for any information, documentation, or memorabilia relating to Balloon
Command for our archives.
The
Secretary can help with enquiries from the media, the public or for individuals
researching Balloon Command.
The
Club’s aim is to provide the opportunity for exchanging reminiscences,
correspondence and for organised visits to places of interest.
With the help of
members we hope to provide this site as a continuously updated source of history
for Balloon Command.
Many families have been
able to use the club network to make contact with former comrades who had served
with their family members.
We encourage membership
from all interested persons. The Club’s aim is to provide the opportunity for
exchanging reminiscences,
correspondence and for
organised visits to places of interest.
With the help of members we hope to
provide this site as a continuously updated source of history for Balloon
Command.
Where families are
researching the history of a relative who served in Balloon Command we are
always happy to help and advise where we can.
If you have any queries or wish to join us
Contact the secretary:
Peter
Garwood
pgarwood@globalnet.co.uk
Telephone him on
Mobile 07412
869027
Or write:
15 Highmeadow,
Wyesham,
Monmouth,
Monmouthshire,
NP25 3TB
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