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Description
Idris Jones was born in Tregaron where his parents kept a sheep farm. Idris retains vivid recollections of life in Tregaron during WW2, especially when the family farm was almost hit by bombs which had been dropped by an overflying bomber during a snow-storm in 1943; and of watching an RAF training aircraft making a forced-landing from the school classroom. He also recalled the preparations for D-Day with the Talbot Hotel being used as the troops HQ by General Wavell.
Enlisting in the RAF in 1950 as a ‘Regular’, Idris qualified as an armament mechanic responsible for the armament on the early jet fighters operated by the RAF during the first years of the 1950s. Posted to the Central Fighter Establishment based then at West Raynham, he served with 245 Squadron equipped with the Gloster Meteor engaged on ‘Cold War’ duties. Posted to Horsham St Faith Idris’ was actively involved in the rescue attempts of those civilians tragically affected by the breaches of sea defences along the eastern coast which resulted from the North Sea flood of 1953 causing massive loss of life.
Leaving the RAF in 1955 Idris then served for the next nine years on the Reserve. He returned to Tregaron, working as an engineer for Gloster aircraft and Dowty ROTOL based in Llanbadarn and therefore was able to continue his work in aviation in Llanbadarn making parts for the Meteor and Javelin. When the factory closed in the early 1980s (the site is now used by Ceredigion Council’s Highway dept) Idris became the school caretaker in Tregaron. Since retiring some 30years ago, Idris continues to live in Tregaron.
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