But, for me and several more who worked security duty in the 78th TFS Aircraft Alert Area during the summer of 1963, we discovered that East End Charlie was not only real, but also real fast.

For several months in 63 there were several trailers parked just south of the 78th Tactical Fighter Squadron Alert Aircraft Area at Woodbridge (just a few hundred yards west of the East Gate which led through the forest to RAF Bentwaters). These trailers were parked about 50 yards from the Alert Area and about the same distance from the base perimeter fence.

On several occasions we would see movement around the trailers late at night and also see cigarettes being flicked out the windows of the trailers. We would call for mobile patrols and K-9 teams to respond to check out these sightings. But each time the intruder (later dubbed East End Charlie) would beat the responders to the perimeter fence, scale the fence with catlike lightning speed and evade apprehension. Each time we would hear a motorcycle leaving the area a short time later.

We figured we had either a spy or a very brave and determined Ban the Bomber on our hands. After several failed attempts to catch Charlie, we enlisted the help of the local police who set up nightly stake outs in the woods outside our base fence.

Then one night as the usual scenario played out, East End Charlie scaled the fence and as he departed the area, he ran smack dab into the outstretched arms of two waiting local English Constables.

To the best of my memory, East End Charlie turned out to be a young local boy who was a member of an English Aircraft Tail Spotter Club. He wore spiked toed shoes, motorcycle gloves and pants. That is how he was able to get over the fence so fast and not get hurt. He would park his motorcycle in the woods, away from the base in the late evening, and would walk the rest of the way and climb the fence after it got dark.

Legend has it that he came back once each summer for several years, and did the same thing, until they moved the trailers. That was probably his way of having fun and to just say hi. I cannot attest to that as I never personally saw him again after the night he got caught.