This is a 'round robin' request for pictures of RAF seaplane tenders, fire floats etc at Saul, towards the end of WW11. My research into RAF Helensburgh led to Dumbarton and a first hand account by Eric Blackman of his posting from Dumbarton to Saul. 'We were sent to a little village called Saul on the Gloucester-Sharpness canal.' The pretty little boathouse became RAF Saul hq. Eric found lodgings at Mrs Honey's cottage just in time for dinner. Laid out on the table was a fabulous salad, with fresh Severn salmon, lettuce from the garden, tomatoes from the greenhouse, cucumber from the frame. Mrs Honey also had two cows supplying milk, cream and butter. Another RAF man from the marine section also stayed in the cottage and remarked 'this cannot last!' But it did. Gradually more ferry crews arrived bringing high speed launches and pinnaces which took up the disused Stroudwater canal . As I have friends living in Saul this story has a spin off as none of the present day villagers knew of a RAF Saul. An article for the parish magazine is in the writing and a photograph of RAF Saul and its vessels would be appreciated. So would any further accounts of RAF Saul where Eric and his colleagues spent some 'lazy easy going days.' Incidentally, there is now a memorial to RAF Helensburgh/Marine Aircraft Experimental Establishment on the banks of the Gareloch.
