top cx logo
cx logo
Explorearrow down
search icon

Association gives air cover to Spain

DESPITE being a “virtual” branch the RAF Association Sud-Ouest covers an area that stretches to the Spanish border.

DESPITE being a “virtual” branch the RAF Association Sud-Ouest covers an area that stretches from the Loire Valley to the Spanish border and as far east as Limoges.

It is one of the five French branches of the British charity that helps and supports RAF and ex-RAF personnel as well as their dependents, families, supporters and wellwishers and has been operating for more than 25 years.

Serving both English and French RAF officers, the branch is bilingual and nearly half the 140 members are French. Association secretary Terry Dennett said: “We’re a virtual branch because we don’t have a clubhouse or a headquarters.”

He and wife Beryl were in the RAF and after they retiring to France 10 years ago began running the association as the previous organisers had been recalled to the UK. “So Beryl became the chairman, and I became the secretary.”

Virtual or not, they hold a monthly lunch in Bordeaux for retired RAF people and for associate members who ascribe to the association’s values. “Mainly they tend to have RAF or flying connections, they’re cabin crew or air traffic control or people with relations in the service.”

Guest speakers also keep them in touch with modernday events and last year an expert from the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company in Toulouse introduced them to the new A400M transport aircraft.

However, there is one guest they still haven’t managed to track down: “We’d love to invite Commandant Virginie Guyot to lunch! She was the first female pilot to get into the Patrouille Acrobatique de France (PAF) which is the French equivalent of the British Red Arrows team.

“She went on to become it’s first female team leader, so we’d love to hear her story. But we’ve never managed to get hold of her.”

Away from the social side, Terry said their main task was to maintain the 900 airmen’s Second World War graves in the region.

“It’s the really major thing we do. Over the year, we go to about 40 ceremonial events throughout the area to lay wreaths and parade the standard. There are a lot of graves because the Nazi submarine pens in La Rochelle were major targets, plus two Nazi warships there as well.”

It’s not all sombre nostalgia, though: “You know the French. Once they’ve done the serious business of the day, there’s usually a good lunch afterwards!”

Funds come from member subscriptions plus other money-making schemes at lunches and events and while some of the profits are kept and spent locally, some is sent to the UK to help fund three retirement homes.

Terry said: “We’re both also welfare officers, which means we help all ex-RAF people, whether they are members of the association or not.

“We visit people, keep in touch, help them with things like healthcare and funeral costs, and fund essentials like central heating. We recently we installed a stair-lift for someone to enable them to go on living at home.”

Funding for such work comes from the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund in Portland Place, London.

“So if any Connexion readers in France know of any deserving cases, they should get in touch, and we’ll help or put them on to the right people. There are branches all over France, although there’s a gap in Normandy and Brittany, which are covered by the Paris branch. So if anyone wants to set something up in those areas...!

“Also, if they know of any untended graves they should get in touch.”

Not that Terry thinks there are any untended graves. The French attitude to the Second World War dead is different from the UK approach, he says. Possibly because they remember the invasion, so they really haven’t taken the sacrifice for granted.

Perhaps in the past we had a tendency in the UK to overlook the sacrifices made by the armed forces, although now, with Iraq and Afghanistan, perhaps people are beginning to understand the armed forces are putting their lives on the line for their country.”

At heart, Terry and Beryl remain devoted to flying. “We’re still badly bitten,” says Terry. “So it’s lucky there are four French Air Force bases in the area.

“They’re very generous and welcoming to us. And they let us fly now and again.

“Cargo aircraft, that sort of thing. You never get the smell of kerosene out of your nostrils; it gets into your blood and stays there.

“Both of us, we still both look up the minute we hear aircraft overhead.”

To get in touch with Terry Dennett and RAF Association Sud-Ouest, email rafasof@orange.fr or telephone 05 46 95 38 89

Resident or second-home owner in France?
Benefit from our daily digest of headlines and how-to's to help you make the most of life in France
By joining the newsletter, you agree to our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy
See more popular articles
The Connexion Help Guides
featured helpguide
Healthcare in France*
Featured Help Guide
- Understand the French healthcare system, how you access it and how you are reimbursed - Useful if you are new to the French healthcare system or want a more in-depth understanding - Reader question and answer section Aimed at non-French nationals living here, the guide gives an overview of what you are (and are not) covered for. There is also information for second-home owners and regular visitors.
Get news, views and information from France