The 13 year old became a University lecturer with a PhD. caused as a result of any virus being passed on. Join | The Old Haltonians He argued that the best way to ensure that, . Sadly, he would also become one the RAFs youngest casualties when he was killed in an accident while a member of a team salvaging a Dornier shot down at Eaton Socon in the closing days of the Battle of Britain, a month short of his 17th birthday. after leaving RAF Halton, but whilst stll serving in the Royal Air Force, click here. Bombing - apart from the first two, our bombing missions were confined mainly to the near coast of France. The RAFs previous reliance on maintenance by repair was being superseded by a new concept of repair by component change. To meet the immediate need for these 61 skills, volunteers were invited from the 35th, 36th and 37th Entries to transfer to the Royal Navy, and 160 of Haltons apprentices answered the call. Here is the appropriate extract, Some of your Lordships will remember that after the last war we set up in the Air Force a very large training School at Halton. His role was to assist the pilot to manage the complicated systems in these more advanced aircraft. Cliff Michelmore, ultimately became the anchor man for BBC TV news and current affairs programmes. By creating an account you agree to us emailing you with newsletters and discounts, which you can switch off in your account at any time. By the end of 1919, 26,000 of the 27,000 serving RAF officers had been discharged, and it is largely their service details which are held in this series. In 1919 Lord Trenchard established the No. Many were soon commissioned rising quickly to executive positions on operational squadrons. It was clear that Trenchard wanted highly skilled men at a price the Service could afford from its very meagre budget, and men who would foster an Air Force spirit. Other tours included, Apprentice Flight Commander at Locking, avionics development at the Royal Aircraft Establishment, Farnborough, and Deputy OC Brawdy. it gained a reprieve with the introduction of the Apprentice Engineering Technician (AET) scheme. 1 School of Technical Training at Halton in southern England. Passing out parades were always impressive. With many apprentices now older than direct entry airmen, there was no need for any of the rules which governed the lives of their predecessors. These targets were mainly coastal gun emplacements and launching sites for the V-weapons. Finlay arrived at RAF Halton as an Apprentice in 1925. recording and preserving recollections, documents, photographs and small items. When the expansion of the RAF began in the mid-1930s, ex-apprentices, as Trenchard had planned, formed about 50% of the trained strength of the Service. It was on one of these drops, I think the one dated 29th April, that we took a passenger with us. Despite the harsh standards of discipline, most ex-apprentices are only too willing to tell you about the occasions when they broke bounds, climbed in and out through windows stealthily in the dead of night, to avoid being caught by patrolling RAF Police. Medically fit potential recruits were offered training in the trade of their 12 choice, or one the selectors thought more appropriate for them. the training of our mechanics in the multiplicity of trades necessitated by a highly technical Service is to enlist the bulk of our skilled ranks as boys, and train them ourselves. I will happily attempt to copy some of the photos if needed. The Halton trained men provided the nucleus on which the great expansion of the Air Force was centred surely the efficient maintenance of aircraft has also been one of the outstanding features of the war, and that has been made possible by the Halton training of our men. Neville Lee. viruses. The end of an era. Journey through our timeline to discover more. The reduction of training time reached its nadir with the early graduation of the 39th entry in April 1940 after only 21 months. The trust was set up to commemorate the centenary of the inception of one of the most fore-sighted and innovative schemes in British military history. Activities of 38 Group were towing of gliders and dropping of parachutists. My thoughts on the Stirling - being a very robust aircraft and fitted with Hercules air-cooled engines, it was much the safer aircraft in which to fly. While ex-Halton apprentices who became high achievers contributed much to its legacy, Trenchards original aim in founding the apprentice scheme was to produce a cadre of wellmotivated, highly trained airmen capable of becoming competent supervisors in the direction of work and control of men. They have records for every single engineering apprentice that went through RAF Halton. Now with some 4,000 boys on strength Scarlett wanted an additional distinguishing feature on their uniforms to facilitate immediate recognition of the sections (later wings) to which they belonged. Uniquely, at the moment (2016) two former Halton Craft Apprentices hold high executive 69 positions in the two principal RAF Charities: Air Mshl Sir Dusty Miller 210th, is President of the Royal Air Forces Association, and Mr Lawrie Haynes 216th, CEO of Rolls Royce Nuclear and Marine, is Chairman of the Trustees of the RAF Benevolent Fund. Photos - 78th Entry Royal Air Force Aircraft Apprentices On airfield, we did engine running on a Blenheim, prop swinging on Tiger Moth. a week. Military Unit - Unit - Forces War Records The Boys were signed on for 12 years' service from the age of 18 and . Applicants for Friend Membership must supply details of their relationship with the deceased (wife, brother, sister, etc) together with their service details (Service Number, Apprentice Entry and Rank) if . Why Forces War Records? On 25 July 1952, No 1 School of Technical Training, RAF Halton received the highest accolade that any unit in the RAF can receive the award of a Queens Colour. However, following a concerted campaign led by the RAF Halton and RAF Cranwell Apprentices Associations, supported by some prominent ex-apprentices serving at air rank, NCO apprentice ranks and the wearing of the iconic wheel badge were reinstated in 1982. From 1919 to 1993, the No 1 SoTT was based at RAF Halton and from 1920 until 1993 the School was the home of the Aircraft Apprentice Scheme. Surely the efcient maintenance of aircraft has also been one of the outstanding features of the war and that has been made possible by the Halton training of our men.. The official contact address for the RAFHAA is as follows: 2021 The Old Haltonians | All Rights Reserved. The maximum age of recruitment of apprentices was raised to 18 and, exceptionally, 21. Oct 2004. The rigorous selection procedure 13 ensured that recruits would be of the highest quality, and because of their resourcefulness and intelligence, they could be expected to complete their apprenticeships in three years rather than the five normally served by civilian engineering apprentices. For the many who were selected for promotion it gave greater responsibility as they progressed through the ranks. RAF Halton in the Second World War 1939-1945 - The Wartime Memories Royal Air Force Administrative Apprentices Association The museum also records the background to Apprentice training at the Halton camp through examples of the tools, work and test pieces completed by Apprentices. World War 2 Two II WW2 WWII 1939 1945. With the rapidly growing numbers now joining the Service, thousands of ex-apprentices ,who had been corporals for years, suddenly found themselves racing through the ranks to SNCO and warrant officer, providing a vital source of experienced technical supervisors on front line squadrons, maintenance units and as instructors for the increasing number of technical training schools. Craft Apprentices graduated as junior technicians but without formal academic qualifications, unless taken ex-curriculum. Sometimes rifle drill or PT before breakfast, later march to workshops with our own band with bugles, bagpipes, trumpets and drums. At the end of 2017, only 45 ex-AETs were still serving, of whom some twenty were holding commissions, with several at senior officer level and seven at air rank. Some of the rules were reasonable for boys below the age of 18, such as Apprentices are to take a bath twice a week and Apprentices are prohibited from visiting public houses and consuming alcohol. One of the oddest rules was, Females are not to attend the monthly Apprentice dances. This reflects contemporary societys deeply conservative approach to sex before marriage. The whole estate was purchased by the British Government for the nascent Royal Air Force at the end of the First World War for ?112,000. Some who graduated as LACs 33 in the 1920s were given immediate further training at Henlow and took up their first appointments as corporals. Recreational facilities were available in abundance, including a debating society, aircraft modelling and playing in one of the several apprentice bands, in addition a wide variety of sporting facilities was available. However, certain aspects of the original scheme were retained such as the apprentice entry numbering system and AETs were accommodated separately from airmen. The oldest living member of the Association is awarded the honorary title "King Brat" as a mark of respect. Most pre-war apprentices soon attained LAC rank but, following the Great Depression, from the late 1920s to the start of WW II, many did not advance beyond corporal, unless selected for flying training. Records of RAF Halton apprentice scheme - WhatDoTheyKnow Our navigator, Peter Ashford, was excellent; throughout every flight, even when he knew fairly certainly where we were, he continually checked his calculations. We are interested in the apprentice scheme run at RAF Halton No1 Technical Training School from 1922 until closure in 1993. CHIEF TECHNICIAN Served from 1969 - 1993 Served in RAF Apprentices. In March 1920 No 1 School of Technical Training was established at Halton, the future home of aircraft apprentice training. addressed. Two hundred of these Polish boys, 14/15 year olds and one only 13, were selected to train at Halton as aircraft apprentices, and another 100 at Cranwell. Welcome to Forces Reunited the place where you can find information and friends from RAF Apprentices. We had a station church, swimming pool, workshops and school buildings. This scheme ended in 1972. Halton made us the people we are today. On 25th October 1942 she moved to RAF Hurn near Bournemouth, Hants. One of these, MRAF Sir Keith Williamson, a Cranwell 67 apprentice, became CAS, and several others served on the Air Force Board, including Air Chf Mshl Sir Michael Armitage who was AMSO in the early 1980s and has been the Patron of the RAF Halton Apprentices Association since its foundation in 1980. Dennison Pierce Broomfield 209 Squadron (d.8th Sep 1942). Our Heritage plans are extensive and likely costly. Initially, aircraft apprentices graduated as an Aircraftman Second Class (AC2), an Aircraftman First Class (AC1), or a Leading Aircraftman, (LAC), depending on their final trade test results. On the few occasions she spoke about her war service she expressed that they were some of the best times of her life. The original Aircraft Apprentice (AA) training started in 1920 and continued until December 1966, with the graduation of the 106th Entry. After leaving the RAF, many ex-apprentices turned away from engineering altogether and forged successful second careers in other professions including medicine and the law. The brass wheel badge, introduced in April 1919 and subsequently worn by apprentices on the upper left sleeve. Their success in the air and on the ground pays a finer tribute than any words of mine to the standard of Haltons achievements., One thing is absolutely true, the air battles of Burma were won in the classrooms and workshops at Halton; won not just by knowledge and skill of your maintenance crews, it was won by the spirit that Halton produced., Halton has given the Royal Air Force not only its hard core of efficient technical NCOs and airmen but also a magnificent core of officers many of whom are in high rank in all branches of the Service., 2021 The Old Haltonians | All Rights Reserved. Some became top surgeons and a few served on the Crown Court circuit. Our Association details are provided on the rear page of the Haltonian and are sufficient for most lawyer's needs. A squadron. A group of dedicated retired service personnel and proud ex-Brats came together to ensure that the story was told of how thousands of boys were trained to levels of excellence which led to them to make huge contributions to the Royal Air Force, to science, and to Great Britain. Over 1,000 other 65 gallantry awards went to former aircraft apprentices and some 3000 were Mentioned in Dispatches. Catalogue description Records of the Royal Air Force. Flight Engineers accounted for more than 400 of these names. This has the added advantage that it will undoubtedly foster the Air Force spirit on which so much depends. Later in the paper, he continues, The training of all these boys will eventually be carried out at Halton Park. Halton Apprentices - The State Awards and Honours, Wing Commander Taffy Holdens inadvertent flight in Lightning XM135, The Stained Glass Windows of St. George's Church (Part 2), The Stained Glass Windows of St. George's Church (Part 1), The Halton Grove at the National Arboretum, The Halton Tribute to the Apprentice Scheme, The official contact address for the RAFHAA is as follows: RAF apprentices were an elite band who went on to hold some of the highest ranks in the Royal Air Force, and make huge contributions to their country and the wider world. Sgt Samuel Butterfield destroyed eight enemy aircraft in 14 days of intensive operations in May 1940 accounting for four EA on a single day before being shot down himself over the Channel. He had always intended that the best of each Entry should be awarded cadetships at Cranwell, but were he alive today he would be amazed to discover that well-over 20% were commissioned, with 110 attaining air rank. Once you have catered for your loved ones, a generous bequest would help us achieve our Heritage plans. His recommendation to the Air Ministry of distinctive coloured hatbands was approved in 1920 and this too became a permanent feature of an apprentices uniform. A.C.I/LAC Donald George Porritt MU/MEF 107 B Squadron. He died in 1950, polio, having left the RAF in approx.1949. But the cost issue resurfaced in a Commons debate in 1926 when MP, Sir Frank Nelson, pointed out that 230, which was estimated to be the cost of training an apprentice, is probably more than it costs a parent to send a boy to any of the four or five leading public schools of England. He went on to complain that, these apprentices at Halton get 1s a day pocket money, which, when they number 3,000, will cost the country 55,000 a year, and even now it costs between 30,000 and 35,000 a year. But, once again, the point was not pursued. I was up in the NAAFI listening to the wireless. In January 1917, following the impressive part played by the RFC in the great battles in the previous year, the Army Council authorised its expansion to a total of 106 squadrons (86 to be in France) and in July this was almost doubled to 200. The information was collated from graduation records, confirmed by research at the PMA. RM 2D2Y83F - The Queen inclines her head in acknowledgement of the new colour (the flag), one of only nine held by the Royal Air Force, which she presented to RAF Halton this afternoon (Friday). We are interested in the apprentice scheme run at RAF Halton No1 Technical Training School from 1922 until closure in 1993. The standards of behaviour expected of AETs when off duty was similar to that required from all RAF personnel. The first TA intake (the 107th Entry) started training in October 1964 but, along with many others in the Service, they were dismayed in April 1965 when the Wilson government scrapped the TSR2 programme. The Halton trained men have provided the nucleus on which the great expansion of the air force was centred. We can reunite you with your friends who served at RAF Apprentices and we have a wealth of information on different units, bases and ships in the site. However, many apprentices believe that this antiestablishment activity contributed as much to the development of the famous Halton Spirit as did all of the communal living, sporting activities, marching with bands and discipline. The RAF apprentice and flight cadet training schemes were the backbone of the Royal Air Force in the years leading up to, and during and immediately after, the Second World War, and I'm sure Min Larkin (Halton Apprentices Archivist) will give a good account of the huge contribution Halton's ex- apprentices made to our service, both on the . Engine running was done on the airfield. This request has been closed to new correspondence. Interestingly, apprentices were the only people who continued to join the wartime RAF; from September 1939 until 1945. On 14th October 1945 she resigned her Commission and left WAAF Service. Our barrack room had 30 boys in it. These certificates were awarded for achievement in all aspects of trade and academic training. Other tours included, Apprentice Flight Commander at Locking . The Imperial War Museum holds all of his documents including his flying log, photographs of his funeral & personal potographs letters etc. If you have already submitted a story to the site and your UID reference number is higher than 261373 your information is still in the queue, please do not resubmit, we are working through them as quickly as possible. They eventually found their true vocations with the advent of the Nimrod and the Tornado in the early 1970s. Menu RAF Halton Apprentice Christmas Dinner 1954. Trenchard Museum - Visit Buckinghamshire Block 3. A pass mark in all aspects of his trade training was an absolute for an apprentice to graduate. To meet this requirement a two-year Craft Apprentice (CA) Scheme, with a new numbering series starting with the 201st Entry, was introduced, Hunters, and the occasional Sea Hawk, in Haltons workshops. RAF and Halton Apprentice Documents Archive! - 74th.co.uk When control of the Fleet Air Arm passed to the Royal Navy in January 1937 it lacked the facilities for training its own aircraft engineering apprentices. In 1919 Lord Trenchard established the No. We are now on Facebook. Did she survive? 24 This contained a myriad of rules which severely restricted an apprentices freedom to spend what precious spare time he was allowed as he might wish. Above, a Wallace, 605M (previously K3664) and, To keep abreast of technical developments Halton had state-of-the-art Blenheims to work on as early as 1937. The BBC soon recognised his talent as a broadcaster and he later co-hosted, with Jean Metcalfe, Two-Way Family Favourites, a radio programme much loved in the UK and those serving in Germany. 2nd May 2009, . Sqn Ldr Donald Finlay, of the 12th Entry, a triple Olympian well known to the public as one of the countrys top athletes, commanded Nos 41 and 54 Sqns in the Battle of Britain shooting down four enemy aircraft and winning a DFC. Gp Capt Min Larkin CBE MRAeS Min joined the RAF as an aircraft apprentice in 1949. Monica was one of the first residents there. D. Bell made this Freedom of Information request to Ministry of Defence I have moved your post to a thread of its own in the Military - Royal Air Force forum where it will get more attention. The introduction of the four-engined bombers in 1941 brought an urgent need for an additional crew member, a flight engineer. WhatDoTheyKnow also publishes and archives requests and responses, building a massive archive of information. Schools', as it was known by apprentices, was held in a purpose-built college building which had a well-stocked library and excellent engineering science laboratories. They gave of their best in the inter-war years, during WW II, throughout the Cold War and in peacetime, in all theatres, in all circumstances and rightly earned the sobriquet, The Backbone of the Royal Air Force. It is as an apprentice engineering school that Halton is best remembered, and indeed revered, not only in this country but across the industrial world. He was flying in Catalina VA713.Coded L for Leather. My first flight was in an Avro Tutor 2 seat biplane at Halton airfield. The Princess Mary's Royal Air Force Hospital Halton, was the first Royal Air Force hospital to be built that was dedicated to air force personnel.Located on what was then the largest of the RAF camps at RAF Halton in Buckinghamshire, England, the hospital treated over 20,000 patients during the Second World War and was the first place in the world to use penicillin on a large-scale. A high proportion of TAs were commissioned in the engineering branch. Dear Air CmdSecCS-RAFParliBusiness (MULTIUSER). . The Royal Air Force Apprentices' Association (RAFHAA), the Old Haltonians, was formed in 1980 to meet the need for a point of focus for all those young persons who as 'Trenchard Brats' went through the 'Halton Grinder' and emerged at the other end as fully-fledged tradesmen to support the needs of the RAF.. Top 10 most popular library books since 2016. SocietyWorks Ltd Helping people find out more about their relatives wartime experiences since 1999 by The museum is named in honour of Marshal of the Royal Air Force Viscount Trenchard, who is regarded as the Founding Father of the Royal Air Force, who also launched the Aircraft Apprentice scheme which brought worldwide recognition to RAF Halton. Royal Air Force personnel - The National Archives We also have our Entry Window in St. George's Church at RAF Halton. It was opened by his grandson on the 26 June 1999. Duty RAF Medics provide airfield medical crash cover and pre-hospital emergency care. He ew in Shackletons with 224, 205 and 201 Sqns, and Nimrods with 201 Sqn as Air Electronics Leader and aircraft captain. Although many boys were later transferred to 5 Cranwell, where permanent accommodation was available, several thousand remained at Halton undergoing in equal measure, drill, physical training, fatigues and technical training for which only basic facilities were available. Thus in late 1919 the Halton Apprentice Scheme was promulgated to Local Education Authorities, and entrance examinations were held in London and the provinces.
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