LONG HAIR IN R.A.F.

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32077, 27 August 1969, Page 10

LONG HAIR IN R.A.F.

Fines Threat At Camp (N.Z. Press Assn.—GopgrighiJ LONDON, Aug. 25. Airmen on a V-bomber base have been told by their commanding officer: “Get your hair cut or be fined.” The blast comes from Group Captain Terence Gledhill, of Finningley R.A.F. camp, near Doncaster, who says in his station routine orders: “We have a lunatic minority who seem to want to be taken for poets, musicians or actors rather than airmen in the world’s finest air force. Or perhaps they seek to compensate for their lack of virility. “In any event they grow their hair and wear their sideboards excessively long. This brings the whole station into disrepute and is intolerable.”

The order says that there is no room in the R.A.F, for civilians in uniform and adds: “Any airman found having long hair or wearing sideboards below the level of the upper root of the ear will be charged. “If he is found guilty he will be liable to be fined a sum which would have kept him in haircuts for several months.”