Coastlands Local History Group [CLHG] HARRIER - Out of the Blue by Pamela Jean Haines
A wonderful and enlightening new book is being published and launched on Saturday 20 April 2023 called HARRIER - Out of the Blue. Commissioned by Coastlands Local History Group, based in Dale, Pembrokeshire, it contains untold stories and material centred around the former Royal Naval establishment, HMS Harrier, and is of unique and significant Naval as well as local historical interest.
Set in the period 1944 - 1961, the book records factual information about the Naval Air Station, its role and contribution, and narrates the most wonderful personal stories of those who lived and worked in HMS HARRIER. Pamela Haines has neatly interwoven historical facts with personal recollections, creating an entertaining, salty story capturing the essence of life on the edge.
Sitting high up on the windswept cliffs of Kete, on the Dale Peninsula, HMS HARRIER was the training school for RN Aircraft Direction Officers, Ships’ Radar Operators and RN Meteorology Officers, WRNS and Ratings. Its contribution to preparing military personnel for the demands of the new technologies emerging at the time was significant and their very presence touched the small Welsh village which HARRIER personnel came to call home.
Yvonne Evans, the Chair of Coastlands Local History Group said: “Coastlands Local History Group is pleased to see that the research in the early years of our foundation by the late Jean Thomas and Margaret Copley have enabled Pam to build and expand the story of the time
capsule known as Kete. Today you see flat, windswept fields on the St. Ann's Headland, Dale, little knowing the role they held in earlier years. This book explains the role Kete played in Brit-ish history, which Pam has further exemplified with insights from the people who experienced their training and service in this area.”
Olwyn Anne, a Radar Wren now living in Australia, described how she felt about Harrier: “I loved the whole experience, the camaraderie, the learning and the sea, which I saw every day and I could smell the salt in the air. I loved the work - I found it magical and I was doing a
worthwhile job serving my country.”
Greta, a Meteorology Wren, now living in Northumberland, encapsulated her Harrier life in a few sentences: “Everything was very joyful as war was over, although there was still food
rationing. We Wrens and Ratings were nearly all 18 year olds, not long out of school, wet behind the ears and away from home and parental regulations for the first time. In those days 18 year olds were unworldly - and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves!”
In his introductory words, Commodore Anthony Morrow RN Ret’d says: “The pleasure of being invited to write the Foreword to this book is shared greatly with my sister and brother who, with
me, enjoyed many happy times at Kete whilst our father was the Captain of HMS Harrier. The life and times of Harrier together with the people who served there are clearly a special part of our Naval history as modern techniques were developed, learned, and practiced here. The story that follows is a unique and special tribute to those who formed a part of this very important
Naval establishment and all that went on there throughout those special years”.
HARRIER - Out of the Blue will be launched on 20 April 2024 and thereafter copies will be available to purchase through Coastlands Local History Group.
Coastlands Local History Group [CLHG] HARRIER - Out of the Blue by Pamela Jean Haines
A wonderful and enlightening new book is being published and launched on Saturday 20 April 2023 called HARRIER - Out of the Blue. Commissioned by Coastlands Local History Group, based in Dale, Pembrokeshire, it contains untold stories and material centred around the former Royal Naval establishment, HMS Harrier, and is of unique and significant Naval as well as local historical interest.
Set in the period 1944 - 1961, the book records factual information about the Naval Air Station, its role and contribution, and narrates the most wonderful personal stories of those who lived and worked in HMS HARRIER. Pamela Haines has neatly interwoven historical facts with personal recollections, creating an entertaining, salty story capturing the essence of life on the edge.
Sitting high up on the windswept cliffs of Kete, on the Dale Peninsula, HMS HARRIER was the training school for RN Aircraft Direction Officers, Ships’ Radar Operators and RN Meteorology Officers, WRNS and Ratings. Its contribution to preparing military personnel for the demands of the new technologies emerging at the time was significant and their very presence touched the small Welsh village which HARRIER personnel came to call home.
Yvonne Evans, the Chair of Coastlands Local History Group said: “Coastlands Local History Group is pleased to see that the research in the early years of our foundation by the late Jean Thomas and Margaret Copley have enabled Pam to build and expand the story of the time
capsule known as Kete. Today you see flat, windswept fields on the St. Ann's Headland, Dale, little knowing the role they held in earlier years. This book explains the role Kete played in Brit-ish history, which Pam has further exemplified with insights from the people who experienced their training and service in this area.”
Olwyn Anne, a Radar Wren now living in Australia, described how she felt about Harrier: “I loved the whole experience, the camaraderie, the learning and the sea, which I saw every day and I could smell the salt in the air. I loved the work - I found it magical and I was doing a
worthwhile job serving my country.”
Greta, a Meteorology Wren, now living in Northumberland, encapsulated her Harrier life in a few sentences: “Everything was very joyful as war was over, although there was still food
rationing. We Wrens and Ratings were nearly all 18 year olds, not long out of school, wet behind the ears and away from home and parental regulations for the first time. In those days 18 year olds were unworldly - and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves!”
In his introductory words, Commodore Anthony Morrow RN Ret’d says: “The pleasure of being invited to write the Foreword to this book is shared greatly with my sister and brother who, with
me, enjoyed many happy times at Kete whilst our father was the Captain of HMS Harrier. The life and times of Harrier together with the people who served there are clearly a special part of our Naval history as modern techniques were developed, learned, and practiced here. The story that follows is a unique and special tribute to those who formed a part of this very important
Naval establishment and all that went on there throughout those special years”.
HARRIER - Out of the Blue will be launched on 20 April 2024 and thereafter copies will be available to purchase through Coastlands Local History Group.