RAF Katunyaka was my father's posting 1954-1956. The photographs bring back many happy memories as an 8-10 year old boy. I remember Mr. Bell, an ex-grammar schoolteacher I think, he arrived just before I left - I also think that Mr. Hill was the previous headmaster. I also remember a bus trip to the beach at Negombo becoming stuck in the sand and a comical Christmas day football match in front of the hospital where the losing team despatched their goal posts in an ambulance for a few minutes. If anyone wants to get in touch my email is brian.bryan@gmail.com.

said Brianbryan 10 months 13 days ago

my wife was born at raf negombo, feb 1956, dad was THOMAS McEVOY (MAC) corporal chef in officers mess greatfull for info, please email.

said unifitter 2008.10.26 at 14:06:21 PDT

I just had look at log books, arrived on posting on troop ship Dunera in Aug 58 & left Kat by Comet on 3oth Jan 60, back to Lyneham (17hours in 1960 staging through ElAdem, lots flying at Kat in the Pembroke (750), Valetta (VX555& 498) Twin Pioneer (970), Dove (403) to Jaffna, China Bay

said johncare 2007.07.22 at 23:23:40 PDT

John Care Jnr .. My Idol was Sgt Silk, he ran Cinema, we sneaked in every night & sometimes he drove the 3 Tonner _ Garri into Columbo straight down in middle of the road

said johncare 2007.07.22 at 13:12:46 PDT

OC Flying in last two years as RAF Negombo, plus final few months as CO before handover to Ceylon Air Force www.john-care.co.uk Pilot log books for this era will be uploaded soon, work in progress. Sqn Ldr John Care DFC

said johncare 2007.07.22 at 12:59:58 PDT

Only just found this site but my dad (Sgt Raby)served at Katunayake 1953-1956,(I was 14 when we came home)and in 2005 I re-visited the camp (and got permission to see the school, the cinema, swimming pool and our bungalow (still standing) and still occupied. No change !!! We had drinks in the Sgts mess, S.L. Air Force were wonderful hosts. Anyone interested can contact me at minster.developm@btconnec t.com. I saw a reference to headmaster "Bell" 1957-59 - I left in '56 and headmaster was Mr. Hill (I think). said yesterlady 2 hours ago

said yesterlady 2007.06.17 at 10:12:36 PDT

Great site.. made me really nostalgic seeing some of the pictures of where I was born ..beautiful Sri Lanka. I worked in Katunayake as a young lad straight after high school in 1985-86 when Air Lanka (now Srilankan Airlines) were in its early ages. Your pictures were taken before I was born (I was born in 1965) but it is a gem of a collection, which Sri Lankan aviation historians and Sri Lanka as nation should be very greatful for. Thank you and keep up the good work... Cheers, Chanaka

said ckan747 2007.02.09 at 15:16:59 PST

I had visited before John but never signed your book....how remiss of me. Still great seeing those photos of "our time" in the RAF. I have been adding some more pics mainly of West Kirby to my Air Movements site. Perhaps some of your readers (lookers?) may get a touch of nostagia there too. I might upload those photos one day to my albums on Webshots. With your indulgence I will list my site URL for those who may be interested...... http://www.air-movements.ex-raf.org.uk/ Hooroo mate Jim Aitken

said aqueenslander 2004.10.06 at 00:04:32 PDT

Hi I have just found your webb page, and boy does it bring back memories. I was at Negombo/Katunayake 1957 to 1959, but not the same trade as you, I had a white hat, and a dog, so I am sure ours paths didn't cross!! Thanks for the memories. KWNeedham@aol.com

said needham117 2004.07.19 at 07:42:02 PDT

Thanks for the memories! As a boy I flew from NYC to Heathrow on a BOAC Britannica Never thought I'd see one again. Loved you Site – lots of work there. :^) Cheers Jamie Jdodson_303@hot.com

said jdodson_303 2003.01.31 at 13:00:26 PST

Gary, you're doing a great job rounding up all those ex-SASF guys who were at Katunayake 1956-1959. But...where is Jim Griffin??? and doesn't ANYONE remember the skiffle group???

said 2003.01.03 at 09:40:01 PST

If either Russ Sharples or Donald Lovegrove ex Kat guys 1958 read these guest books, I cannot seem to contact you via your e.mail addresses. john@cooper286.fsnet.co.u k

said 2003.01.01 at 01:13:12 PST

My late husband Jim, was based here in the late 1950's, he always spoke with affection about Negombo, there are a few photographs of his time there but they are not in very good condition, so it is refreshing to see a lot of different ones. Jim played a lot of golf and worked I think as a signalman.

said 2002.10.16 at 00:26:09 PDT

Staged through Kat many times, you have certainly brought back some memories through these pages, the aircraft on the pan all look too familiar, nice ones of the Valiants.

said 2002.10.06 at 12:28:06 PDT

Small boy in Kat from '57 - '59. Regularly beaten by headmaster Bell. Live in the RCyAF quarter nearest to the airfield, and delighted when Ratmalana closed and all the civvy planes came in. Thanks for the photos.

said 2002.10.05 at 08:04:10 PDT

Great site,great pics,great- but crazy- people, keep up the good work. (Ex Kat airframe mech 1956-1959)

said 2002.09.04 at 14:48:05 PDT

Sorry error in e-mail address should be vulcan558@btopenworld.com

said 2002.08.31 at 12:42:29 PDT

Last entry Russ Sharples, can you please contact me via my e.mail address, I cannot contact you from the address given, am in touch with other SASF bods from that period

said 2002.08.25 at 14:21:30 PDT

Stationed at RAF Negombo,in SASF as Elect Fitter Aircraft,billetted in 222,these photos excellent bring back many memories. To Contact:-Vulcan558@btopen world.co.uk

said 2002.08.25 at 13:11:58 PDT

Stationed at Koggala and Colombo Harbour from 1947 to 1949, later at Felixstowe and Falmouth. Please get in touch if you were stationed at these places at al(at)kings72.fsnet.co.uk

said 2002.07.31 at 23:25:54 PDT

Reference the last entry from Chris Hacker, Edgar Cooray from Sri Lanka has resolved the problem of the Dove accident within 48 hours, many thanks to all concerned.

said 2002.07.18 at 01:36:56 PDT

What an evocative sight! Great shots of the times--even the nature of the images themselves reminded me of photos in our family albums. I was 8 years old in 1959, and our family was living in Ceylon, my dad in the R.E. attached Ceylon Engineers. If anyone coming to this site knows anything of him (Major Andrew J. Hacker) or the aircraft accident in which he was killed (RCyAF de Havilland Dove, crashed on take-off at China Bay, near Trincomalee December 1958) do let me know at chrishacker@sympatico.ca

said 2002.07.16 at 03:19:03 PDT

Superb I have put this site onto my files Thanks again Mike.

said 2002.07.13 at 14:26:23 PDT

Hi to all who might remember me, Geoff Kimberly ,Jamie Duncan,Xmas Bar Heartbreak Hotel

said 2002.07.01 at 11:21:54 PDT

Hi Gary, I thought you told me that you couldn't get your head around this site? Its a good freebee and saves a lot of hard drive space. Your pictures are great - brings home a host of pleasant memories. Keep adding the photos. Kind regards, Dave Bloomfield

said dyffryn 2002.04.21 at 01:53:07 PDT

It's great to see these shots of Katunayake. When I was there c 1957/58 I was but a 'nipper'. If anyone remembers my Dad, Sgt. Peter Lennon, I'd be very pleased to hear from them. My email is bob.lennon@lineone.net Thanks to John for the shots.

said 2002.04.20 at 08:52:44 PDT