Mike Cole-Hamilton (H 54-57) was in the Close at Bradfield and in the Shooting team in 1957.  In 1962, after an apprenticeship in Ship Repair and Marine Engineering, he joined Britannia Royal Naval College as a Naval Air Cadet.  During his time in the College Shooting Eight, Mike was alongside Bradfieldians including Charles F Fuglesang (Captain), Michael D Joy, Colin 'Barry' Noakes, Nigel M Stoughton, Peter J Sworder, Michael S Noakes and David G Sunderland.  Mike was awarded his Shooting Colours in the summer of 1957 and noted in the Bradfield Chronicle for his “consistent shooting and reliability”. He was also awarded his Colours at Dartmouth.

Mike, who is now Ontario-based, recently contacted us in the Bradfield Society office regarding his time in the Royal Navy and most importantly flying with the Fleet Air Arm. Mike noted that this significant branch of the Royal Navy has remained largely unknown or misunderstood, until more recently.

A retired Royal Air Force engineer, Steve Bond, had already written a number of books many about specific aircraft types in the words of those who flew and maintained them alongside photos from contributors.   He has now turned his attentions to the Fleet Air Arm. Steve has collated stories from those who served in the air and on deck, covering the history of the FAA since the end of World War Two.  The first two volumes of “Fleet Air Arm Boys” are about the history, politics and the many types of fixed-wing aircraft while Volume 3 is devoted to the Navy’s helicopters.  Despite the title, the books also include contributions from Fleet Air Arm Girls as the reader progresses through the series.

Mike has contributed to volumes 1 & 2 of these books and is keen to share the link to the books with anyone else who indeed worked with the Fleet Air Arm or has a keen interest in aircraft.

The first volume is published and the second is being launched on 17 July with Volume 3 following next year.

Links to the books can be seen here on the Navy Wings website:

https://shop.navywings.org.uk/products/fleet-air-arm-boys-vol-1-fighter-aircraft-since-1945-author-steve-bond

Mike and the Bradfield Society would love to hear from any other Bradfieldians who have served with the Fleet Air Arm since leaving Bradfield and hear their memories.

Index to the photographs shared by Mike below:

Mike with Bradfield VIII, 1957.  Date thought to be July 1957.  Top row, Mike regrets he can't be sure who is who but Richard Joy has kindly assisted: Back Row - Michael Joy's younger brother Richard is on the left, someone known as "Drew" thought to be Anthony Drew, Bill Sworder.  Seated, Nigel Stoughton, Michael Joy, Charles Fugelsang, Barry Noakes, Mike Cole-Hamilton.  On ground, David Sunderland and Michael Noakes on the right.

Gannet Launch.  Mike is the pilot here.  Aboard HMS Hermes July 1966, about 1 second before the catapult fired.   I should explain photo captions, the Gannet was the Gannet Mk AEW3.   And this is the same Hermes that went to the Falklands.

Fairey Gannet AEW3 after launch.   2 seconds later.....you can see the launch bridle falling away.

AEW3 in flight.   Date uncertain, summer 1967.   That's Mike up front, 2 blokes with radar sets in the back.   The big bulge underneath houses a radar scanner.

Mike in the pilot seat.  Taken in early 1967 aboard HMS Hermes, the caption of "Grandad pilot" came a lot later!   Climbing into his Gannet, the cockpit was 14ft off the ground.