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. The Trenchard Museum aims to preserve and display items that relate to the history of Royal Air Force Halton. Their adult status was recognised by the discontinuance of the apprentice NCO ranks and the removal of all apprentice insignia from uniforms. If you have a general question please post it on our Facebook page. Among them were Sqn Ldr Ben Bennions, Wg Cdr Taffy Higginson, Flt Lt Geoffrey Sammy Alford and Gp Capt Frank Carey. 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. 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. Indeed some AETs were married during training, had children and lived in MQs. He commanded the whole apprentice population and also enjoyed the privilege of commanding his Entrys graduation parade, and parades for visiting VIPs and Royalty. The majority of these pilots became aircraft captains, two making notable contributions to the introduction of the Blind Landing System. This element of the course was replaced in 1977 by the Ordinary Diploma and for most the Higher Certificate awarded by the newly formed Business and Technician Education Council (BTEC). You can help us achieve lasting recognition for ex-Halton brats by making a gift to RAFHAA in your will. It is the responsibility They were the true heroes of the piece, becoming SNCOs and warrant officers whose training taught them never to accept second best in keeping our aircraft serviceable and safe. Supply Drops - again very small targets often just a map reference in the middle of a wood. Bombing - apart from the first two, our bombing missions were confined mainly to the near coast of France. A world-class RAF hospital on the doorstep ensured their medical 20 and dental care were second to none, and spiritual needs were more than well looked after; but few enjoyed the compulsory church parades every other Sunday! The CA Scheme lasted ten years, ending with the 231st entry in 1974. When RAF Halton closes (circa 2025), the Association wants to create a Heritage centre in St George's Church where the contents of the . To ascertain we had the right spot, we had to look for a small light (mainly small electric hand torches) flashing a previously agreed letter or letters, which we had to recognise immediately or we were instructed to fly on and bring the load back. We are interested in the apprentice scheme run at RAF Halton No1 Technical Training School from 1922 until closure in 1993. If you were a 'Trenchard Brat' and not already a member, why not join this elite . Captain Eric Poole was the first pilot to land an aircraft using the system while carrying passengers and Captain Charles Owens was the first to land an aircraft using it with Her Majesty the Queen on board. Printed from https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/records_of_raf_halton_apprentice on May 01, 2023 15:11. Joining the RAF as an aircraft apprentice at RAF Halton, Buckinghamshire. A high proportion of TAs were commissioned in the engineering branch. This very deliberate commissioning from the ranks was an outstanding example of social mobility, uncommon for the time. The RAFs previous reliance on maintenance by repair was being superseded by a new concept of repair by component change. A large minority of the boys joining the RAF as apprentices saw it as a route via which they might achieve their true ambition, which was to become pilots. Some became top surgeons and a few served on the Crown Court circuit. Engine running was done on the airfield. Your help would be gratefully received. The popularity of the site means that it is far exceeding available resources. We also have our Entry Window in St. George's Church at RAF Halton. 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. For these reasons and others, Trenchard instituted the Aircraft Apprentice Scheme to be based at RAF Halton No. 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. He had laid firm ground on which Trenchard was able to build his aircraft apprentice scheme. D. Bell made this Freedom of Information request to Ministry of Defence We all owe a debt of gratitude for the apprentice training we received at Halton. Having passed this course I was sent to 90 squadron of 3 Group, Bomber Command, then stationed at Tuddenham, Nr Mildenhall in Suffolk. AET Prevett, the Parade Commander, was so chuffed, he wore a wheel on both arms. 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. Why Forces War Records? AIR CHIEF MARSHAL SIR MICHAEL ARMITAGE, who has died aged 92, began his long RAF career as a Halton Apprentice, one of "Trenchard's Brats" under the scheme established by Lord Trenchard in 1920 which saw apprentices trained at RAF Halton. Thank you. In February 1920, still known as Boy Mechanics, the first intake of 235 was accepted at Cranwell for a three-year apprenticeship. Although the government took options on the purchase of the American F-111 this never came about. Catalogue description Records of the Royal Air Force. Contact us if you think it should be reopened. CORPORAL Served from 1959 - 1973 Served in RAF Apprentices. This e-mail and any files transmitted with it are confidential and Although thousands of former apprentices had very successful careers in the RAF, many did not reach their full potential until life beyond the Service. This request has been closed to new correspondence. is the Royal Air Force's aircraft engineering school. Following a visit by members of a Parliamentary Select Committee in 1923, they reported that they were; [] of the opinion that the management and training of these boys is conducted in a very efficient manner; they were much struck with the discipline, with the order which was kept, and the arrangement by which they were efficiently taught a trade [and they] receive a payment of 10s. Until 1951, this mark also governed the rank at which an apprentice graduated. Are you the owner of any commercial copyright on this page? However, because of its heavier build, the Sterling did not have the performance of the Lancaster and were eventually replaced by them on Main Force targets. John Rogers succeeded Richard Martin (6th . 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. With over 620 million military records, . It is not just about the quality and depth of professional training but the development of personal qualities and friendships that have shaped the whole of our lives. 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. 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. The arrival of the first RAF Commandant, Air Cdre F R Scarlett CB DSO, in December 1919 heralded many improvements to all aspects of boy training, in particular the tightening of disciplinary standards which had been allowed to drift downwards after the armistice. Your donations keep this site and others like it running. He set an RAF record for the 120 yards High Hurdles in his first race, and represented his country at the High Jump whilst serving as an aircraft apprentice. Sgt. attached) from your system. Rowland James George Bazell B Flight 90 Squadron. They spent most of their first year at Halton and Cranwell settling into their new country and learning English. In 2007 he created the Station Archives. The Royal Air Force Apprentice scheme began in 1920, having been devised by Chief of the Air Staff Hugh Trenchard and approved by Winston Churchill. This payment, An Apprentice on a familiarisation flight in a Hawker Hart 1936, seems to the Committee to be unnecessary. - RAF Malton, in A Squadron initially. 1 The curriculum was a mix of traditional schooling and technical apprenticeship in the various air force trades such as engine maintenance and repair, and airframe rigging. mySociety Recipients should note that e-mail traffic on MOD systems is subject to Coincidentally with the arrival of this large entry, as a war emergency measure the 50 duration of training was gradually shortened, initially to 2 then to 2 years. What courage! 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. Unfortunately these . My first flight was in an Avro Tutor 2 seat biplane at Halton airfield. We are the largest and fastest growing community of UK forces veterans on the web with over 500,000 members! I was up in the NAAFI listening to the wireless. If you have any unwanted Dennis died in 1942, in an aircraft accident. The brass wheel badge, introduced in April 1919 and subsequently worn by apprentices on the upper left sleeve. 1 School of Technical Training. By the early 1970s, RAF apprentice training had reached a crossroads. The Queen Inspecting the Escort Squadron, the 63rd Entry, escorted by Group Captain Don Finlay the parade commander. Given that, at the end of the war, only some 20,000 apprentices had graduated from Halton, it is clear that their contribution to WW II had been impressive and this was acknowledged by many senior commanders. Our Association details are provided on the rear page of the Haltonian and are sufficient for most lawyer's needs. This site uses cookies. I passed out AC1. The January 1973 Entry, the 123rd, was the first to undertake AET training. Download This new school was under the 2 direct control of the War Office and commanded by Lt-Col Ian Bonham Carter. 3rd June 1935. Mine Laying - it may not be generally known but at least three quarters of all mines laid within enemy waters were dropped by the RAF. Most post-1951 AAs were corporals within a year of graduation. The reduction of training time reached its nadir with the early graduation of the 39th entry in April 1940 after only 21 months. 1 Squadron (Engines and Instruments) 78th. While serving as a squadron leader in Germany in 1945 he ran the British Forces Network in Hamburgh. Whilst the TA scheme took care of engineering support for future aircraft and equipment coming into service, there was a continuing need for single-skill fitters. Halton Apprentice Roll of Honour This is now on the net www.oldhaltonians.co.uk then look in the Tribute section. CHIEF TECHNICIAN Served from 1969 - 1993 Served in RAF Apprentices. We did not charge him with being improperly dressed, recalled Air Cdre M J Evans, one of five former Halton apprentices who returned to command the station. He was flying in Catalina VA713.Coded L for Leather. The types of missions which my squadron undertook while I was with them are described below: For more information, please see our Privacy Policy, Please enter a password with 6 characters or more. Did she survive? They were woken with Reveille at 0630hrs, called on colour hoisting 18 parade at 0730hrs and sent to bed at 2145hrs. 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. 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. 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. We had lunch on airfield from field kitchens, on 3rd Sept 1939 I heard Mr Chamberlain say we were at war with Germany. He was in Egypt by June 1941. This kind of improvisation could not provide all of the men the RFC needed and rationalisation of the training machine became an urgent requirement. The Imperial War Museum holds all of his documents including his flying log, photographs of his funeral & personal potographs letters etc. Super Moderator. Come with us to discover more about Trenchards Brats as we hear first hand accounts of their stories, see how life was for these young men and marvel at the legacy they left. The idea was to create future leaders of the technical branch with an appreciation 51 of the challenges faced by aircrew. Under these circumstances it would appear that, if any payment is to be made, it should be made by the parents of the boys, and not by the State.. Dennison Pierce Broomfield 209 Squadron (d.8th Sep 1942). On 5th January 1942 she moved to RAF Tain near Thurso, a Fighter Station, she was Appointed Section Officer on 21st of June 1942. In 1919, Air Marshal Lord Trenchard foresaw the need to produce a pool of skilled aircraft engineers for the RAF. Records of the Royal Air Force relating to the operations of the air component of the armed forces. Due to Peters expertise, our crew were given many specialist operations. Below are just some of our members who have served at RAF Apprentices. Library contains an ever growing number diary entries, personal letters and other documents, most transcribed into plain text. concurrently with the TA scheme. Established in 2008. Serious consideration was given to terminating it altogether, but after considerable debate in the upper echelons of the Engineer Branch. This custom continues at RAF Cosford today, 75 the current home of No 1 School of Technical Training, where young men and women are trained as aircraft engineering technicians on a modern apprenticeship course. and a limited company (03277032). provided through resource and initiative training, field exercises at summer camps and the Apprentice NCO scheme. You have only to look at the promotions and honours gained. Manage receipt and storage of medical supplies and pharmaceuticals in medical stores, issuing of medications. 20th Apr 2023 - Please note we currently have a huge backlog of submitted material, our volunteers are working through this as quickly as possible and all names, stories and photos will be added to the site. The heavy losses sustained by Bomber Command are reflected in the 2,000 casualties listed in the Apprentices Roll of Honour in St Georges Church at Halton. His reason for this was to ensure that boys committing offences both on and off the station could be dealt with expeditiously by the appropriate authority. Included in the syllabus was English and general studies which covered, in some depth, the history of the RAF. 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. Get up and make beds, all blankets and sheets folded to make a neat sandwich. The 74th Entry Graduation Invitation. On 25th October 1942 she moved to RAF Hurn near Bournemouth, Hants. They eventually found their true vocations with the advent of the Nimrod and the Tornado in the early 1970s. 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. monitoring, recording and auditing to secure the effective operation of He ew in Shackletons with 224, 205 and 201 Sqns, and Nimrods with 201 Sqn as Air Electronics Leader and aircraft captain. 2nd May 2009, . As a result, the single-skill Aircraft Apprentice was replaced by a new breed, the Technician Apprentice (TA), who trained in the four trades of airframe, propulsion, electrical and weapons. For many years this sign was displayed in a prominent place in each of the Workshops Bays. We never failed to drop our load. She was brought out to our aircraft just as we were about to take off. His name is Ian Henderson cairms and joined the 81st RAF Halton apprentice. The TA course, although relatively short-lived, offered unprecedented career opportunities for those apprentices who completed it. Recent discoveries include six George Cross and thirteen George Medal winners among the former apprentice fraternity. intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom it is Notable among them was Sgt Gray of the 20th Entry, an observer, who was, along with his pilot Fg Off Garland, awarded one of the first two air VCs of WW II. to help with the costs of keeping the site running. No.1 Parachutists School. Journey through our timeline to discover more. The Oath of Allegiance. Watermead 12-08-2021, 8:00 PM. The RAF Medic is able to handle ambiguity . Many friends were made, lost and extremely difficult times were had. WhatDoTheyKnow also publishes and archives requests and responses, building a massive archive of information. The brass wheel badge, worn by all RAF boy recruits for some 75 years, to distinguish them from men, had been introduced in April 1919. With an average of 2,000 boys in residence at any one time, the establishment of RAF Police at Halton, known as Snoops to apprentices, was higher than normal. Many were soon commissioned rising quickly to executive positions on operational squadrons. Aylesbury These boys moved to Halton in the late summer of 1917 where, by the end of the 4 year, 2,000 boys were under training as air mechanics living in Spartan conditions in dilapidated wooden huts previously occupied by infantry troops. The move to Halton coincided with the 5th Entry in January 1922 when the rank of Aircraft . These rules are necessary for your own benefit, apprentices were often told by their superiors. The site has grown as people send in old photos of those days . 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. These had to be accurately placed and this called for very accurate navigation. In the third year of training, all apprentices were required to produce a dissertation of 5,000 words on a subject of their choice. Halton was arguably one of the first aeronautical engineering colleges in the world and certainly the first in any air force. We would overfly the target, not circle around, to ensure we did not attract attention. The aim of the two studies was to match the growing complexity of aircraft and their systems, particularly those associated with the projected TSR2, with ground crew who had the ability to diagnose faults in systems which cut across the traditional trade boundaries. These targets were mainly coastal gun emplacements and launching sites for the V-weapons. Nevertheless, I feel justified in saying that the experiment has richly justified itself. At the navigators order to go, I pushed the package out and she immediately followed. Bucks HP19 0GF. Halton apprentice pay account sample sheet. It was in the earliest days of the aircraft apprentice scheme that the term Trenchard (or Halton) Brat came into vogue, initially as a term of derision used by old sweats who took a rather jaundiced view of these clever young upstarts who were destined for rapid promotion to corporal. In 1919 Lord Trenchard established the No. If the information here has been helpful or you have enjoyed reaching the stories please conside making a donation, no matter how small, would be much appreciated, annually we need to raise enough funds to pay for our web hosting or this site will vanish from the web. Join Date. Other tours included, Apprentice Flight Commander at Locking, avionics development at the Royal Aircraft Establishment, Farnborough, and Deputy OC Brawdy. Top 10 most popular library books since 2016. We wish to have access to records, manuals, policy statements, annual reports, developments, evolution. especially with respect to the care and education of the apprentices. However, as time passed and the brats were able to prove their worth, it became a title which all ex-apprentices are proud to claim, even those who attained air rank. it gained a reprieve with the introduction of the Apprentice Engineering Technician (AET) scheme. By the mid 1920s Halton apprentices were serving on aircraft carriers, then under the control of the Royal Air Force. 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. Want to find out more about your relative's service? Our Heritage plans are extensive and likely costly. The first four intakes trained at Cranwell, and it was not until January 1922 15 that the first cohort arrived at Halton to become the 5th Entry. One of the main difficulties facing the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) from its foundation in 1912 was a shortage of air mechanics. Through this website, exhibitions and the media, the story of the boys who were propelled to excellence is relived by those who are proud to call themselves Trenchards Brats. There was a lot of sport I did swimming, cross-country running and athletics. The Apprenticeship Scheme was launched in October 1919, when selection examinations were held around the country. He argued that the best way to ensure that, . Of the five ex-apprentice flight engineers who flew in the Dams Raid, only one returned. We had to polish all our floors, clean bathrooms. Initial trade training was carried out in the workshops and later in a mix of workshops and on redundant aircraft positioned on the airfield. 29th June 1941 she joined HQ 14 Group. In the late 1950s, a study was initiated into the RAFs youth training requirements. This was, in effect, a direct replacement for AA training, but required lower academic qualifications on entry. The limiting factor to this huge expansion turned out to be not a shortage of aircrew, nor of aircraft manufacturing capacity, but rather a lack of skilled groundcrew of which more than a dozen were needed to maintain each front-line aircraft. Sometimes rifle drill or PT before breakfast, later march to workshops with our own band with bugles, bagpipes, trumpets and drums. 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. recording and preserving recollections, documents, photographs and small items. Our navigator, Peter Ashford, was excellent; throughout every flight, even when he knew fairly certainly where we were, he continually checked his calculations. I will happily attempt to copy some of the photos if needed. Cliff Michelmore as an apprentice. 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. Your help would be gratefully received. Need more information, contact the General Secretary by email to. The Halton trained men have provided the nucleus on which the great expansion of the air force was centred. Many former apprentices who trained as pilots and flight engineers continued to fly with civil airlines. To see photographs of our reunions and of ex 78th entry members . a week. 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. AC1. Apprentices were not allowed time to dwell too much on 19 their personal thoughts, as evenings and most of the weekends were taken up with room cleaning, inspections and parades. Gp Capt Min Larkin CBE MRAeS Min joined the RAF as an aircraft apprentice in 1949. During our time HRH Duke of Kent (Prince George) came round workshops to inspect our work. 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. One or two of the photos, have all the names on the back, a group, with names, is dated 28th Aug. Cosford. The RAF Police could often be seen patrolling local towns, especially on Saturday evenings when their chances of nabbing a few apprentices in the local pubs or dance halls were high. Maintain the electronic and paper medical records, monitoring the occupational health of Defence personnel. Patron - Air Chief Marshal Sir Michael Armitage - ObituaryClick here. In 1943 hundreds of boys, many orphans, were driven out of Poland by Hitler and, after a tortuous journey through the Middle East, ended up in the UK.
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