BELOW
is a poem compiled by an unknown author during World War II
in England, recognising ground staff – “Erks”
– which may be of interest to Air Force Personnel.
Note:
An “Erk” was RAF/RAAF slang for aircraft maintainers
of all categories. It is believed to have originated from
the Cockney pronunciation of Aircraftman; “Ercraftman”,
hence “Erk”.
K.
Glendon
Ex-Air
Force (WW2)
Three
Cheers for the Man on the Ground
Wherever
you walk, you will hear people talk,
Of the men who go up in the air.
Of the dare-devil way they go into the fray;
Facing death without turning a hair.
They’ll
raise a big cheer and buy lots of beer,
For a pilot who’s home on leave.
But they don’t give a jigger
For the flight mech or rigger
With nothing but “props” on his sleeve.
They
just say “nice day” and then turn away,
With never a mention of praise.
And the poor bloody erk who does all the work,
Just orders his own beer,
And pays!
They’ve
never been told of the hours in the cold,
That he spends sealing Germany’s fate.
How he works on a kite, till all hours of the night,
And then turns up next morning at eight.
He
gets no rake-off for working till “take off”,
Or helping the aircrew prepare.
But whenever there’s trouble, it’s “quick,
on the double”,
The man on the ground must be there.
Each
flying crew could tell it to you,
They know what this man’s really worth.
They know he’s a part of the RAAF’s heart,
Although he stays close to the earth.
He
doesn’t want glory, but please tell his story,
Spread a little of his fame around.
He’s one of a few, so give him his due,
Three cheers for the man on the ground.
Hearing
is too valuable a risk
AS
A recipient of Air Force News, I was pleased to read your
words “lend me your ears” in Volume 47, No. 14 issue,
August 14.
I joined the Air Force on March 5, 1951, at the commencement
of jet aircraft (i.e. Vampires and Meteors) but sadly no ear
protectors. The introduction and enforcement of wearing ear
protection did not commence until approximately 1962, too
late for this little Vegemite as hearing damage had already
commenced.
I retired as a Warrant Officer Engineer from Air Force service
in April 1976 and I must admit occasionally ventured out on
to aircraft dispersal areas without ear protection; what an
idiot.
Please wear your ear protectors at all times when you are
in the vicinity of operating aircraft. Failure to do so will
result in being almost deaf in both ears, having to wear bulky
hearing aids and, at age 70, not enjoying your retirement
to the fullest.
A word of advice to all senior NCOs, wear ear protectors when
involved with operating aircraft and tell your subordinates
this story.
Warrant Officer
Brian Herriott (Retired)
