Logan Cudby

Chairman

5 Squadron Association

A short history by Terry

Joined the RNZAF as A Boy Entrant in 1956. Spent 12 months at Woodbourne. Posted to RNZAF Tairei for Fire Crew training. Posted to RNZAF Whenuapai July 1957. Posted to RNZAF Laucala Bay 1959. Enjoyed the thrill of being kicked out of our barracks to enable the off base married families to stay in an safe environment, whilst the Fijians rioted. Issued with a rifle and three rounds to protect the top and bottom camps. Did a Trip to Tonga to inspect the mooring buoy swivels and chain/block connections. I had become an experienced SCUBA diver and instructor, under the tutorial of Brim Brimblecombe. Also did work with other members of the RNZAF SCUBA Club for the Port of Suva marking out(Underwater) the profile for the sheet piling for the New slipway at Walu Bay. Posted back to Whenuapai 1961. Attached to Hobsonville for a short period , then back to Whenuapai. Was a member of the Airborne Rescue team. (Great experience with a group of dedicated people ).When Hobsonville became part of Base Auckland was rostered there for several years. Posted to Singapore 1973, based at Tengah. Posted to Wigram as a Flt Sgt 1975 as Deputy Fire Master to Les York. Posted to RNZAF Base Auckland as Deputy Fire master under W/O Bill Spence. Posted to Ohakea as W/O Fire master. 18 months there, then back to Base Auckland as Fire Master left the RNZAF in July 1984.( Awarded the MBE in New Year Honours) Became a Fire Protection Officer for MOW. Made redundant from MOW by the then Labour Govt. Applied for, and was successful for a position with Northland Health as Fire Safety Officer. This entailed visiting  all the Northland Hospitals, giving Fire Safety lectures,Health and safety lectures etc. Was lured back to WORKS Consultancy as Fire Protection Consultant. Was medically retired in 2000 due to a work accident. Volunteered  as a member of the Crippled Children's Society. ( CCS Disability) was on the Local Executive Council for for 17 years, Secretary for the Northland branch of the RNZAFA. since 2001. Have been the Treasurer for the last few years.

I lost my lovely Wife. Elaine who was know to many of the old brigade, in February 2016 to Cancer. Still boating/ Game fishing from Tutukaka in our launch Le Bateau.

Thanks for accepting me as a member of  5 Squadron RNZAF.

 

Terry Healey