Finally Retired And Wrote About It – John Grimwood

I finally retired a few weeks ago after thirty nine years in the RAF and twenty years as a Military History Tour Guide. I have been writing a book for the past few years and finally had it published on Kindle, having been badly let down by a major publisher

The title is ‘See You Down the Route Roger’ by John L Grimwood. It covers my early years in London and Folkestone before I joined the RAF. Bircham Newton has a large chapter of stories. Then tales of RAF Stafford and RAF Salalah. After three happy years at Northolt I decided to try aircrew as an AQM and later an ALM. Training was done at Topcliffe, Abingdon, Thorney Island and Hereford. I did two tours on 99Sqn Britannia’s followed by 230 Pumas, 70 Hercules, JATE, 10Sqn VC10s and the Helicopter Support Sqn at Benson. Sixteen months in the air, travelling round the World with a great bunch of people!

When I finally left I did not want to travel anymore, but then got a job as a Military History tour guide in Europe and America. This second career was challenging but very satisfying. The book contains many tales of RAF life and being a Tour Guide. stories of the Middle East, Hong Kong, Kathmandu, Belize and the USA Also every RAF route stop that was still operating the 60’s and 70’s.

I don’t have many contacts from the old days and am now happily settled in Swindon. I well remember the 42nd Entry 50th Anniversary at Bircham in 2011. There was less hair about than in 1960 and the Elvis lookalikes weren’t anymore! We even had a go on the Parade Square and Graham Ash still had two left feet. Wally prior would not have been impressed. Happy times.

A good read for £2-99. See You Down the Route Roger’. It won’t make any money, but will bring back some memories!