Public opinion over the recent scandals of child sexual abuse in institutions is now demanding that full Inquiries be carried out. 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. The Chairman advises: 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. Thus in late 1919 the Halton Apprentice Scheme was promulgated to Local Education Authorities, and entrance examinations were held in London and the provinces. 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. The aircraft industries were naturally the first port of call for many ex-apprentices where they made magnificent contributions on the shop floor, at all levels of management, and in the boardrooms. Passing out parades were always impressive. is the Royal Air Force's aircraft engineering school. Many former apprentices who trained as pilots and flight engineers continued to fly with civil airlines. Dear Royal Air Force, When will the RAF conduct a full investigation into the sexual abuse and cover up of such by staff at RAF Halton during the years of it's existence. However, as the TSR2 on which they were destined to work had not materialised, many after graduation found themselves posted to single-skill posts. Some became top surgeons and a few served on the Crown Court circuit. 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 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. We had 2 year course, not 3 as it was wartime. 81st RAF Halton apprentice - British Genealogy On the 21st of February 1945 she moved to RAF Rivenhall near Witham in Essex with 38 Group. The trades taught evolved with the ever developing advances in aeronautical engineering but they were principally engines, airframes, armaments, instruments, electrics and wireless. On 14th October 1945 she resigned her Commission and left WAAF Service. Our Thousands of former apprentices made senior officer rank and many more Flight Lieutenant. Members of RAF Apprentices | Forces Reunited 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. Hopefully this site will also be of interest to others who trained as Trenchard's "Brats", and to anyone with an interest in RAF Halton. Most notable of these was Cliff Michelmore who was an aircraft apprentice in the 32nd Entry which graduated from Halton in 1938. christanel. Only five of Haltons Polish contingent elected to return to Poland. Recipients should note that e-mail traffic on MOD systems is subject to . 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. One, Sir John McGregor, left the RAF as a sergeant after WW II, emigrated to Hong Kong where he joined the colonys Civil Service in a lowly position and made his way up the promotion ladder to become head of the Hong Kong Executive Council and adviser to the last Governor, Mr Chris Patten, during the negotiations leading to the transfer of the colony to China in 1997. An introduction to the Aircraft Apprentices Scheme at Halton 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. Having passed this course I was sent to 90 squadron of 3 Group, Bomber Command, then stationed at Tuddenham, Nr Mildenhall in Suffolk. Academic training was comparable with that of a good technical college and was to National Certificate level. Details of HLF award to RAF Museum Hendon. Royal Air Force HAA We also have our Entry Window in St. George's Church at RAF Halton. They spent most of their first year at Halton and Cranwell settling into their new country and learning English. Fortunately for thousands of apprentices yet to come, this point was not pursued. Routine. 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. One or two of the photos, have all the names on the back, a group, with names, is dated 28th Aug. Cosford. 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! Search the Royal Air Force officers' service records 1918-1919 ( charges apply) online for officers who served in the Royal Air Force during the First World War ( AIR 76 ). Perhaps our founder Lord Trenchard summed up his, and the legacy of Halton in a speech he gave in the House of Lords in December 1944 on the air campaign during the war. 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. I will happily attempt to copy some of the photos if needed. D. Bell made this Freedom of Information request to Ministry of Defence Many of the initial Halton transferees were killed in various sea battles during the war; fifteen went down with HMS Glorious at the end of the Norwegian campaign in 1940. The Trenchard Museum aims to preserve and display items that relate to the history of Royal Air Force Halton. intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom it is Since 1921, airmen had been able to volunteer for training as sergeant pilots and to serve as such for six years before returning to their ground trades, retaining their rank. 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. 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. On 25th October 1942 she moved to RAF Hurn near Bournemouth, Hants. If you have any unwanted Welcome to the Brit-Gen forums. Please send me copies of any RAF or Halton Apprentice certificates and other items you think may be of interest to other members or visitors to the Website. The first entry numbering 235 boys were accepted for three-year apprenticeships in January 1920 and began training at Cranwell, as accommodation at Halton had not been completed. With ever increasing numbers now volunteering for the RAF, the size of Halton intakes ballooned, in 1936 reaching over 1,000 boys per entry. On airfield, we did engine running on a Blenheim, prop swinging on Tiger Moth. This one marked the graduation of the 20th Entry in July 1932. more so than on Mondays when they were usually faced with a crop of charges resulting from apprentices enjoying themselves beyond lights out on Saturday nights. The oldest living member of the Association is awarded the honorary title "King Brat" as a mark of respect. She was on a on-way trip, we at least had a chance of getting home! Boys from the age of 15 took a series of highly competitive exams and tests, and the select few were invited to join the most exclusive boarding school of its time. Their adult status was recognised by the discontinuance of the apprentice NCO ranks and the removal of all apprentice insignia from uniforms. Wairarapa New Zealand. . By the mid 1920s Halton apprentices were serving on aircraft carriers, then under the control of the Royal Air Force. For the many who were selected for promotion it gave greater responsibility as they progressed through the ranks. Top 10 most popular library books since 2016. Former Halton apprentices were ideally suited to this new challenge and volunteered for it in their thousands. May be difficult to read. Photographs at RAF Halton 1954 - 1957 Official photographs. This Colour is unique in being the only one to be awarded to a youth training school in any of the armed forces and, having been received from Her Majesty by a sergeant apprentice, a unique custom was established that it may, on occasions, be carried by an NCO. 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. This tribute is situated in front of the old schools at RAF Halton, near to St. Georges Church (hyperlink) and was unveiled by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on 31st October 1997 . RAF Halton in the Second World War 1939-1945 - The Wartime Memories He commanded the whole apprentice population and also enjoyed the privilege of commanding his Entrys graduation parade, and parades for visiting VIPs and Royalty. This scheme ended in 1972. Aylesbury Watermead 12-08-2021, 8:00 PM #2. christanel. The Imperial War Museum holds all of his documents including his flying log, photographs of his funeral & personal potographs letters etc. Halton Apprentice - oldhaltonians.co.uk Reply 13th Jun 2019, 07:36 . RAF Apprentices Halton What courage! Royal Air Force Apprentices were a breed apart, a cut above, a group of boys who went on to become highly skilled craftsmen and airmen. Location. 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. These boys are not only extremely well lodged, fed, and clothed, but are taught trades which will be useful to them in after-life. About half way through this course an appeal was launched for training as Flight-Engineer. However it accepts no liability for any loss or damage howsoever The Operation was an Anti-submarine patrol, which took off from RAF Pamanzi, at 04:20 hrs on Tuesday 8 September 1942 but crashed minutes later, with the loss of all crew. The popularity of the site means that it is far exceeding available resources. My Grandmother always said that if she had her time all over again and had option to delete her war service, she most definitely would not and is rightly proud of her achievements. A shorter course meant a cheaper one, which no doubt pleased the Secretary of State for Air, Winston Churchill. To keep abreast of changes in RAF engineering practice, four different types of apprenticeships were introduced over the lifetime of the scheme. This Atlantic Star (1939-1945) was sent to the next of kin of Sergeant 570858 Dennison Pierce Broomfield, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, who was killed in action on 8 September 1942, aged 22 years, while serving with No 209 Squadron. Records of RAF Halton apprentice scheme - WhatDoTheyKnow This scheme produced single-skill fitters who maintained aircraft and associated equipment and could, if necessary, actually fashion small replacement parts themselves. and on 5th June 1943 was posted to RAF Hurn and transferred to 38 Group Airborne Forces. The information was collated from graduation records, confirmed by research at the PMA. please notify the sender and then delete the e-mail (and file(s) if To see photographs of our reunions and of ex 78th entry members . Join Date. The official contact address for the RAFHAA is as follows: 2021 The Old Haltonians | All Rights Reserved. 1 School of Technical Training. Until 1951, this mark also governed the rank at which an apprentice graduated. Some apprentices clocked up cricket type scores in days of Jankers, but someone had the good sense to rule that punishments awarded for youthful offences were to be erased from apprentice records on graduation. Its trainees graduated as LAC with many of them still less than 17 years of age. Help us protect your right to hold public authorities to account. Our barrack room had 30 boys in it. 1 Squadron (Engines and Instruments) 78th. 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. Below are just some of our members who have served at RAF Apprentices. Ironically, the TAs gradated in the rank of Junior Technicain but unsurprisingly, produced the highest number of commissioning candidates. In the late 1950s, a study was initiated into the RAFs youth training requirements. 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. Menu RAF Halton Apprentice Christmas Dinner 1954. With over 620 million military records, . Once you have catered for your loved ones, a generous bequest would help us achieve our Heritage plans. Gp Capt Min Larkin CBE MRAeS Min joined the RAF as an aircraft apprentice in 1949. There is no doubt at all in my opinion, that Halton and the Halton spirit have been a pillar of strength to the RAF all over the world. It's run by ex-apprentices mostly too, so some of them may have some personal knowledge. Every November we organise the annual Apprentices Service of Remembrance at the Halton Tribute. Subsequently the RN sent 400 directly recruited Fleet Air Arm apprentices to train with the 38th to 41st Entries. 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. We couldnt load the mail server logs for this message. 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. The RAFs previous reliance on maintenance by repair was being superseded by a new concept of repair by component change. concurrently with the TA scheme. On the 17th May 1945 they were married in St Nicholas Church in Witham, Essex. In order to find the thousands of skilled men demanded by the rapidly growing Service, the RFC expanded its training programmes, basing these new units wherever suitable sites could be found, an unavoidable but random process that scattered the schools across the country. Other tours included, Apprentice Flight Commander at Locking, avionics development at the Royal Aircraft Establishment, Farnborough, and Deputy OC Brawdy. Halton apprentice pay account sample sheet. A.C.I/LAC Donald George Porritt MU/MEF 107 B Squadron. He had left school in July 1964 and was headed off to join the Royal Air Force at RAF Hereford to enter a one-year Administrative Apprentice training course as part of the 301 st cohort known as an 'entry' (1) A week later, on the 2nd of September 1964, he took the Oath of Allegiance to Her Majesty the Queen. 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.