SAC Peter Goldsmith was a member of the International Motor
Pool from October 1955 until April 1958. After returning from Fontainebleau
Peter worked in a photographic studio sitting his City & Guilds
examinations in photography after which he ran a commercial studio for a number
of years. A mid-life change of direction found Peter selling heavy goods
trucks. He worked his way up to Sales Director with a Renault Main Truck
Dealer. Early retirement in 1995 has given Peter and his very patient wife
Sarah time to finish restoring their cottage in Bassingbourne, Near Royston,
Herts on which he has been working for the last 30 years.
Here is a true and colourful Veteran. Sgt
Ron Pole, BEM arrived AAFCE in May 1956 as Chauffeur to
the Chief of Staff, Air Vice Marshall Sir Theodore McEvoy. (Prior to joining
the RAF in 1950 Ron spent 11 years in the Army.) In August 1959 Ron followed
Sir Theodore McEvoy to his new post as Air Secretary at the Air Ministry. When
Sir Theodore retired in 1962 Ron was employed to drive VIP’s on their visits to
RAF Establishments and he had the pleasure of Driving H. M. The Queen, H. M.
The Queen Mother and other members of the Royal Family. After a spell with HQ
Fighter Command Ron reached retirement age and left the RAF in 1966 to take an
appointment as driver/guardian to a large Greek Shipping family ~ this gave him
an opportunity to travel the world. At the age of 65 Ron retired in 1988 and
was invited to join the Corps of Commissionaires as Sergeant Major. In this
post Ron was posted to Windsor Castle to show the public round the State
apartments before moving to the Royal Mews at Buckingham Palace as supervising
Sergeant Major. Ron retired for third time in 1996 after a hip replacement
operation and is now settled in Clacton-on-Sea to rest and remember “the good
old days.”
LAC Ken Harriman spent only 8 months at Fontainebleau from
July 1954 where he was a Ward Assistant in the hospital. After demob Ken
returned to his previous job as a mechanic in the Hosiery Industry.
Disenchanted with his job he made a career change into driving Heavy Goods
lorries all over the UK, an occupation he thoroughly enjoyed. However after
being involved in a multiple pile up his better half “persuaded” him to change
direction and Harry went into Engineering for several years and faced
redundancy on three occasions. Harry’s last post was with Leicester University
Sports and Recreation Department becoming the University’s Qualified Cycle
Racing Coach to the University Racing Team. Always interested in cycling Harry
was still racing at the age of 60 until a mild heart attack put paid to this
activity. Harry lives with his wife Patricia in Wigston Magna, Leicestershire
and they are keen on caravanning. With 3 children and 9 grandchildren Harry
tells me that he has an overdrawn bank account, weeds in the garden, rats in the
shed, and wasps in the attic.
Cpl Mike Woolton
(RAF Police) arrived at Camp Guynemer in Jan 1958 and left in Jan 1960. After
Fontainebleau Mike tried his hand at several jobs before settling to work at a
local laundry where he spent many happy years meeting interesting and famous
people during his 30 years service there. Mike who lives in Kingston-upon-Thames
will join the list of retirees shortly although he has been unable to work for
over two years due to hip problems and a final replacement.
