Neil Cromarty

Busily retired ex-Royal Air Force. VP RAF Servicing Commando & Tactical Supply Wing Assoc. Founder member JHSU. Woodland volunteer. Grandad. Orkney and Aviation

[Neil Cromarty @NeilCromarty]

The old Naval Cinema on #Flotta in #Orkney. Built in 1943 is was the largest military cinema in Europe seating about 1400 people. Another reminder of the scale of activity supporting the WW2 effort which required 40K service personnel to operate and defend these islands.

[Neil Cromarty @NeilCromarty]

The longest day - Orkney keeps on giving.(looking over Scapa Flow and midnight at KirbisterLoch

[Neil Cromarty @NeilCromarty]

@garygreenobe 🫡

[Neil Cromarty @NeilCromarty]

By myself - except for Ruby - in the woods to do some light chores this lunchtime. Sunshine, showers, loads of birdsong and a few deer. Bliss

[Neil Cromarty @NeilCromarty]

As I sit with my G&T in the evenjng sun a steady stream (or is it 2 taking turns) of #solitarybees go into my drilled out old log. They buzz in and then there’s a gentle cracking and creaking from inside before they buzz off. They’re not carrying anything so what’s going on?

[Neil Cromarty @NeilCromarty]

@morningwatson Sun and sea - can’t beat it😎

[Neil Cromarty @NeilCromarty]

@BootneckStuff @VeteranIrish 👍🫡

[Neil Cromarty @NeilCromarty]

Visited Silloth in Cumbria today and found it once had a large RAF Stn 🤷‍♂️ Home to 22MU and Coastal Cmd Hudson trg units it was defended by Pickett-Hamilton forts. With 2-4 men they rose up when needed so maintaining the element of surprise & not interfering with air ops! 😃

[Neil Cromarty @NeilCromarty]

With so much vitriol on this X - a story of true integrity,heroism & loyalty. In1969 the crew of the Longhope Lifeboat in the Orkney Islands were all lost in huge seas whilst on a rescue. This tiny community still maintains a volunteer lifeboat service.🫡https://t.co/Kka6CyYHIH

[Neil Cromarty @NeilCromarty]

Entertaining….phew😅🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[Neil Cromarty @NeilCromarty]

So, last day in Italy gave us the chance to visit the CWGC Cemetery at Salerno. A few interesting headstones - a poignant “An Airman - Known Unto God” & Gp Capt Walter Donald Butler, OC 285 Wg that undertook tac recce. Not sure how he died, something to research later. Remember.

[Neil Cromarty @NeilCromarty]

I’ve been to the CWGC Cemetery & Monastry at Montecassino before but, til today, never into the Polish Cemetery. Beautiful & peaceful just over 1000 Polish men lie here as they finally took the hill after the hard & destructive assault. Thankfully it’s all rebuilt now. Remember.

[Veterans’ Foundation @VeteransFdn]

🎉 Happy 108th Birthday to Flt Lt Harry Richardson DFC, a WW2 RAF Bomber Command pilot, who celebrated alongside his daughter, aged 82.

After losing his original logbook in a house move, Harry was presented with a beautifully detailed record of his service history by the International Bomber Command Centre — recognising his outstanding contribution to the RAF and aviation.

His reaction says it all:
💬 “What an emotional evening… I couldn’t be happier.”

A true reminder of the sacrifices made by the wartime generation — and the stories we must never forget. 🇬🇧❤️

https://t.co/wEFyiUwKoE

[Neil Cromarty @NeilCromarty]

Bayernweld Wood, a system of German trenches & 30m deep shafts to listen for Brit miners digging under them near Ypres. Then to pay respects at Tyne Cot, the largest CWGC cemetery. Driving off to the port we saw 12 more cemeteries and signs for so many more.

[Neil Cromarty @NeilCromarty]

Saw the Menin Gate Last Post Ceremony tonight. Done by the Ypres Fire Brigade at 8 every evening since 1928 (except during WW2) this is a poignant & truly humbling experience. The Gate lists 54000 soldiers of no known grave, Tyne Cot cemetery nearby lists another 35000!Remember

[Neil Cromarty @NeilCromarty]

@morningwatson And here’s to 2026🥃👍

[Neil Cromarty @NeilCromarty]

Merry Christmas

[Neil Cromarty @NeilCromarty]

Another great year from the @RAFSC_TSWAssn Committee - thank you one and all as what you do means so much to many. Including, of course, the deployed personnel of @TacticalSupWing ….to them and all in the “Bund of Brothers” Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year🫡

[Neil Cromarty @NeilCromarty]

Happy St Andrew’s Day

[Neil Cromarty @NeilCromarty]

Visited Nothe Fort Weymouth to see the excellent #StandingWithGiants display remembering the 255 British Servicemen and 3 civilians lost in the Falklands Campaign. Poignant that RFA Sir Tristram is alongside in the background, herself badly damaged at Fitzroy.