The 97 (Straits Settlements) Squadron Association

The Association is for all those who have served with 97 Squadron and is open to their relatives and friends as well. For the small cost of a one off payment of £10 you can be registered as a member or associate member of the Squadron Association, which entitles you to newsletters which are sent out periodically, and to attend the annual reunion. Please feel free to contact the Association secretary or chairman with any query you may have about the Squadron Association.

If you want to buy a 97 Squadron blazer badge, these are available at the price of £16.50 (including postage and packing). Squadron ties cost £6.50. Please contact the Hon Secretary at the address shown below.

Contacts:

Chairman: Wing Commander K.H.H. Cook DFC RAF (Retd)
1 Montague House, 5 Moorlands Rd, Budleigh Salterton, EX9 6AG.
Tel: 01395-445098

Hon. Secretary: Mrs Ann Savage
79 Willoughby Road, Boston, Lincolnshire, PE21 9HN
Tel: 01205-361334

Hon. Treasurer: Mr. R.L.C. Lasham DFC & Bar
5 Racecourse Park, Wilmslow, Cheshire SK9 5LU
Tel: 01625 532750

Hon. Historian (and Webmaster): Mr Kevin Bending

email Kb64uk@aol.com

For all enquiries regarding this website or information required about 97 Squadron, please contact the webmaster at Kb64uk@aol.com

In July 2002 a 97 Squadron website was conceived by the dedication of Heather Birch and Des Evans. A lot of hard work and research was put into building up the site. In 2003, owing to pressure of work, Heather had to leave us but the Squadron Association would like to put on record our appreciation to Heather for her hard work and dedication to the site.

The website was taken over in March 2003 by Des Evans (ex LAC Flight Mechanic) who served with 97 Squadron from 1943 to 1945, after which he was posted overseas to Malta before finally getting demobbed in February 1947. Des had previously assisted on other RAF sites before he linked up with Heather Birch in 2002. Sadly, Des developed eye problems and was advised by doctors to give up his regular use of the computer. As a result, Des has now stood down. He has done a fantastic job with the website over a number of years and he will be a very hard act to follow.

LAC Des Evans (above)

A brief record of Des Evans' service

Des volunteered for the RAF at the end of 1942 and was a member of 490 ATC in Weoley Castle, Birmingham at the time. He went to Cardington first and then had a very short spell at Castle Donington before going to Skegness for 6 weeks "Square bashing". Des then had A very short spell of a couple of weeks at Wymswold before going to Squires Gate for his Flight Mechanic (Engines) Course. He was fortunate enough to pass out AC1 and was posted immediately to Bourn in Cambridgeshire to join up with 97 Squadron in October 1943. Promotion to LAC came through automatically while at Bourn, before 97 Squadron was transferred to Coningsby in April 44. Des remained with the Squadron until January 45 when (with his friend Den Mooney) he volunteered for an overseas posting. Den went on to Udine in North Italy while Des finished up at 64 Staging Post (216 Transport Command) at Luqa in Malta until being demobbed in February 1947.

Thanks also to "Brom" Evans (seen above in wartime) who is Des's brother. "Brom" has done some terrific work for the Association in carrying out enquiries that have arisen from contact with this website. Like Des, "Brom" has had to step down.

Useful Addresses

These addresses below are useful for enquiries regarding service records, citations and medals. A fee is sometimes required (£25) but there is usually no charge for close relatives.

For inidvidual RAF service records:

PMA (Sec) IM16, Room 5, Building 248a, RAF Innsworth, Gloucester, GL3 1EZ. Tel 01452 712612

For record of decorations and citations:

Ministry of Defence Medal Office
Armed Forces Personnel Administration Agency
Building 250
RA Innsworth
Gloucester
GL3 1HW
The MOD Medal Office Enquiry Line is: Tel: 01452 712612 ext 8149