Your help would be gratefully received. Suitable adults proved difficult to recruit after WW1, but he persuaded Mr Winston Churchill, then Secretary of State for Air, that boys between the ages of 15 and 17 years should be recruited to be trained at Halton; and the Halton Apprentice was born. We never failed to drop our load. Passing out you had to average 80% on all subjects to pass out LAC (Leading Aircraftsman), 60% average to be AC1 (Aircraftsman 1st class), 40% to be AC2. Serious consideration was given to terminating it altogether, but after considerable debate in the upper echelons of the Engineer Branch. Catalogue description Records of the Royal Air Force. Staff appointments involved operations, search and rescue, training and personnel management. He commanded the whole apprentice population and also enjoyed the privilege of commanding his Entrys graduation parade, and parades for visiting VIPs and Royalty. In January 1920, the 1st Entry of 235 recruits began their three-year apprenticeship at Cranwell, whilst permanent accommodation was being completed at Halton. 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 . Are you the owner of any commercial copyright on this page? With over 620 million military records, . 6d. She was on a on-way trip, we at least had a chance of getting home! Workshops entailed basic fitting, lectures on metallurgy, heat treatments etc. It was on one of these drops, I think the one dated 29th April, that we took a passenger with us. To see photographs of our reunions and of ex 78th entry members . The oldest living member of the RAF Halton Apprentices Association (Old Haltonians) is John Rogers, who was born in October 1908, and who became a member of the 12th entry of apprentices in 1925. and on 5th June 1943 was posted to RAF Hurn and transferred to 38 Group Airborne Forces. These publications are free to members and assist in keeping us all in touch. We are now on Facebook. Block 3. The Wartime Memories Project will give them a good home and ensure that they are used for educational purposes. Location. it gained a reprieve with the introduction of the Apprentice Engineering Technician (AET) scheme. Its trainees graduated as LAC with many of them still less than 17 years of age. 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. 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. Printed from https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/records_of_raf_halton_apprentice on May 01, 2023 15:11. Monica was one of the first residents there. 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 are a daily record of events in each Command or Force entered on form 540, often with appendices which contain documents illustrating and expanding the record. Of the Halton apprentices who achieved air rank, thirteen were knighted. 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. 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. 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. 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. By the mid 1920s Halton apprentices were serving on aircraft carriers, then under the control of the Royal Air Force. 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. Activities of 38 Group were towing of gliders and dropping of parachutists. It withstood crash landings better and, whereas the Rolls-Royce Merlin engines with which the Lancaster were fitted were magnificent engines, they were liquid cooled and just a bullet or two in the cooling system would rapidly put the engine out of action; whereas I have known air-cooled Hercules engines still give out some power even with a cylinder shot away. Interestingly, apprentices were the only people who continued to join the wartime RAF; from September 1939 until 1945. Sgt. One or two of the photos, have all the names on the back, a group, with names, is dated 28th Aug. Cosford. You can help us achieve lasting recognition for ex-Halton brats by making a gift to RAFHAA in your will. The oldest living member of the Association is awarded the honorary title "King Brat" as a mark of respect. While many of their colleagues were fighting in the air, thousands of former apprentices were working tirelessly on the ground to ensure their aircraft were in fighting condition. We are interested in the apprentice scheme run at RAF Halton No1 Technical Training School from 1922 until closure in 1993. Whittle initially applied to join the 7th Entry at Halton in January 1923 but failed the medical owing to his lack of height. It was, I believe, the largest of its kind in the world. Like this page to receive our updates. The MOD has taken steps to keep this e-mail and any attachments free from The 13 year old became a University lecturer with a PhD. Two entries a year were planned. The names on this list have been submitted by relatives, friends, neighbours and others who wish to remember them, if you have any names to add or any recollections or photos of those listed, If you have a general question please post it on our Facebook page. The statements expressed in this e-mail are personal and do not Then on 25th November 1943 she moved to RAF Ringway near Manchester, 38 Group. I have moved your post to a thread of its own in the Military - Royal Air Force forum where it will get more attention. This was a new air-crew category specifically for the four-engined bombers then coming into service. When RAF Halton closes (circa 2025), the Association wants to create a Heritage centre in St George's Church where the contents of the . On the few occasions she spoke about her war service she expressed that they were some of the best times of her life. Ironically, many of the apprentices serving at this time were keen to see these symbols of their past heritage restored. . Most exapprentices did exactly that. Some former apprentices ended up as BBC TV stars. I applied for this and was successful, so instead of being sent out to a squadron at the end of this flight-mechanic training, I had to stay on at Halton for a Fitter course and then onto St. Athen for a Flight-Engineers course specific to the aircraft I would eventually fly on, namely the Stirling. recording and preserving recollections, documents, photographs and small items. Below are just some of our members who have served at RAF Apprentices. 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. 2 Squadron (Airframes) 78th. after leaving RAF Halton, but whilst stll serving in the Royal Air Force, click here. On 25th October 1942 she moved to RAF Hurn near Bournemouth, Hants. What are the limitations? services through our wholly owned subsidiary Cliff Michelmore, ultimately became the anchor man for BBC TV news and current affairs programmes. 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. 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. Also in 1919, Halton House - a French style mansion built by Lionel de Rothschild . 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. Run by Volunteers and powered by Alaveteli. 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. Because of lack of accommodation at Halton, the school was originally located at RAF Cranwell in 1920. 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. The population expanded and by the end of 1917 some 14,000 air mechanics were trained. 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. Royal Air Force HAA The rear gunner reported seeing both parachutes open but as we were very low and had to fly straight on, that was all we saw. He argued that the best way to ensure that, . Other tours included, Apprentice Flight Commander at Locking, avionics development at the Royal Aircraft Establishment, Farnborough, and Deputy OC Brawdy. AETs were trained as dual-trade airframe and propulsion technicians and initially followed the National Certificate curriculum in their academic training as their predecessors had done. This very deliberate commissioning from the ranks was an outstanding example of social mobility, uncommon for the time. 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. Our 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: 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. 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. However, they soon proved capable of taking on trade supervisory roles. This move coincided with the adoption of the rank of Aircraft Apprentice. The Trenchard Museum aims to preserve and display items that relate to the history of Royal Air Force Halton. 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. Their adult status was recognised by the discontinuance of the apprentice NCO ranks and the removal of all apprentice insignia from uniforms. D. Bell made this Freedom of Information request to Ministry of Defence Promoted to substantive Corporals on graduation, after two years satisfactory productive service they could look forward to being promoted to Sergeant. The two views shown are the front and reverse faces of 'The Tribute'; a sculpture which is located in front of Kermode Hall, previously Patron - Air Chief Marshal Sir Michael Armitage - Obituary, The Royal Air Force Apprentices' Association (RAFHAA), the Old Haltonians, was. Included in the syllabus was English and general studies which covered, in some depth, the history of the RAF. The move to Halton coincided with the 5th Entry in January 1922 when the rank of Aircraft . Under the guidance of his Flight Commander and the NCO instructors, he was taught drill, physical training and Air Force Law. 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. The Royal Air Force Halton Apprentices' Association is a registered charity (No 292523) and operates within the rules of the Charity Commission., As a member you will have access to the Association membership database (subject to GDPR restrictions) which may well be able to assist you in renewing your friendships with past colleagues of your entry or your time at Halton. Indeed some AETs were married during training, had children and lived in MQs. Another short-lived course training medical admin apprentices for one year starting with the 301st Entry in 1964 ended in 1969. Of course, it is vital that advice is taken from a qualified lawyer; but dealing with these matters is not expensive and gives one peace of mind. For the first 50 years of the scheme apprentices were classified as minors and their officers and SNCOs acted in loco parentis. For these reasons and others, Trenchard instituted the Aircraft Apprentice Scheme to be based at RAF Halton No. 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. In 2007 he created the Station Archives. 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. . 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. Entry, September 1954. intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom it is Supply Drops - again very small targets often just a map reference in the middle of a wood. The Association magazine, 'The Haltonian', is published twice yearly and additional Newsletters are electronically mailed out four or five times a year. So be careful when telling your RN friends this 62 snippet as they can get very upset to learn that the junior Service, in the form of Halton apprentices, provided an important element of the foundations on which the carrier force developed into a vital arm of the nations capability in WW II and beyond. By the early 1970s, RAF apprentice training had reached a crossroads. Every November we organise the annual Apprentices Service of Remembrance at the Halton Tribute. There is a RAF plaque to remember the Halton apprentices, at the National Memorial Arboretum, in Staffordshire. Halton Apprentice Roll of Honour This is now on the net www.oldhaltonians.co.uk then look in the Tribute section. 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. It was a great experiment and was bitterly criticised at the time. The site has grown as people send in old photos of those days . WhatDoTheyKnow also publishes and archives requests and responses, building a massive archive of information. In 1917 there was an expansion of technical training in the Royal Flying Corps (RFC), and Halton became the main training unit for aircraft mechanics. 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. Finlay was one of 116 former apprentices who flew as pilots in the Battle; several of them became aces, some destroying more than 12 enemy aircraft. Academic training was comparable with that of a good technical college and was to National Certificate level. Under the continuing pressure on manpower another very important decision for the future of the RFC was taken; it was decided to recruit boys. 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.. 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. Below are just some of our members who have served at RAF Apprentices. However it accepts no liability for any loss or damage howsoever 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. 1 School of Technical Training at RAF Halton (see aircraft apprentice) which remained at the Station until it moved to RAF Cosford in the early 1990s. RAF Halton. The January 1973 Entry, the 123rd, was the first to undertake AET training. 12-08-2021, 8:00 PM #2. christanel. This meant contending with masses of search lights, flak, fighters, shot and shell. Helping people find out more about their relatives wartime experiences since 1999 by One of the main difficulties facing the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) from its foundation in 1912 was a shortage of air mechanics. Manage receipt and storage of medical supplies and pharmaceuticals in medical stores, issuing of medications. We had lunch on airfield from field kitchens, on 3rd Sept 1939 I heard Mr Chamberlain say we were at war with Germany. the system and for other lawful purposes. Many of the latter 64 forged very successful careers in industry and academia. We also have our Entry Window in St. George's Church at RAF Halton. The brass wheel badge, introduced in April 1919 and subsequently worn by apprentices on the upper left sleeve. They were woken with Reveille at 0630hrs, called on colour hoisting 18 parade at 0730hrs and sent to bed at 2145hrs. 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. The Oath of Allegiance. In June 1917 Maj Gen Sefton Brancker, Deputy Director-General of Military Aeronautics, submitted proposals to centralise the technical training of men, women and boys in a new large school to be located at Halton. We would overfly the target, not circle around, to ensure we did not attract attention. Several hundred ex-apprentices serving on these engagements at the start of hostilities were, however, retained in flying posts. concurrently with the TA scheme. Thousands of former apprentices made senior officer rank and many more Flight Lieutenant. If you can provide any additional information, please add it here. Over 1,000 other 65 gallantry awards went to former aircraft apprentices and some 3000 were Mentioned in Dispatches. 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. 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. Public opinion over the recent scandals of child sexual abuse in institutions is now demanding that full Inquiries be carried out. Serving and retired RAF personnel should ensure the boxes, Service No, Rank, Entry, Joining Date, Trade and Current Occupation are completed. This site uses cookies. 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. We are interested in the apprentice scheme run at RAF Halton No1 Technical Training School from 1922 until closure in 1993. 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. Recipients should note that e-mail traffic on MOD systems is subject to He was flying in Catalina VA713.Coded L for Leather. These grew out of early artillery and engineers' experiments and manoeuvres with balloons as described concisely by Swinnerton in Family Tree Magazine (2000). 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 Imperial War Museum holds all of his documents including his flying log, photographs of his funeral & personal potographs letters etc. We couldnt load the mail server logs for this message. Thirty-eight years later he was promoted to Air Chief Marshal to be a member of the Air Force . Aylesbury Thank you. and a limited company (03277032). In his memorandum, Permanent Organization of the Royal Air Force, which was presented to the House of Commons as a White Paper by Secretary of State Winston Churchill in December 1919, Trenchard placed great emphasis on the importance of training, particularly of skilled ground crew. Dennison Pierce Broomfield 209 Squadron (d.8th Sep 1942). We had a station church, swimming pool, workshops and school buildings. Donate and support our work. These boys are not only extremely well lodged, fed, and clothed, but are taught trades which will be useful to them in after-life. There was a lot of sport I did swimming, cross-country running and athletics. Records Search now. Initial trade training was carried out in the workshops and later in a mix of workshops and on redundant aircraft positioned on the airfield. please notify the sender and then delete the e-mail (and file(s) if He remustered to aircrew as an Air Signaller/Air Gunner in 1953 and was commissioned as an Air Electronics Ofcer in 1959. Considering they were the two professions most apprentices had spent three years avoiding at Halton and Cranwell, a surprising number became vicars and policemen. I think he may have joined up in Jan 1940? 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. 2nd May 2009, . 1 School of Technical Training at RAF Halton (see aircraft apprentice) which remained at the Station until it moved to RAF Cosford in the early 1990s. In 1930 he won the first of his 8 Amateur Athletic Association titles and represented his country at the Empire Games. A site to help anyone submit a Freedom of Information request. May be difficult to read. In 1922 the school moved permanently to RAF Halton and was fully operational by 1926. Our Heritage plans are extensive and likely costly. In 1919, Air Marshal Lord Trenchard foresaw the need to produce a pool of skilled aircraft engineers for the RAF. The Boys were signed on for 12 years' service from the age of 18 and . Our Association details are provided on the rear page of the Haltonian and are sufficient for most lawyer's needs. He has also told us in Family . Thames Valley Police have concluded an investigation and agreed that such crimes did take . In February 1920, still known as Boy Mechanics, the first intake of 235 was accepted at Cranwell for a three-year apprenticeship. He ew in Shackletons with 224, 205 and 201 Sqns, and Nimrods with 201 Sqn as Air Electronics Leader and aircraft captain. The first 400 RFC boy mechanics enlisted at Farnborough in May 1917, shortly followed by further intakes at Blandford. They eventually found their true vocations with the advent of the Nimrod and the Tornado in the early 1970s. Contact us if you think it should be reopened. For more information, please see our Privacy Policy, Please enter a password with 6 characters or more. 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. If you were a 'Trenchard Brat' and not already a member, why not join this elite . 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. All of my Grandmother`s duties from now on were in Code & Cypher work. To help find them, these trips were always in full moonlight and at low level, generally 500ft, so that the parachutes were in the air for the shortest possible time to avoid detection. For example, a new training school was set up at Netheravon with 200 men, another was formed at Reading with 1,000, and one in a converted jam factory at nearby Coley with another 2,000, and there were many others, large and small. Dennis died in 1942, in an aircraft accident. Welcome to Forces Reunited the place where you can find information and friends from RAF Apprentices. 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. 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. 29th June 1941 she joined HQ 14 Group. Former Halton apprentices were ideally suited to this new challenge and volunteered for it in their thousands. please What and where may we have access to such information? SERGEANT Served from 1962 - 1975 Served in RAF Apprentices. Subsequently the RN sent 400 directly recruited Fleet Air Arm apprentices to train with the 38th to 41st Entries. 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. 1, Pipit Gardens These rules are necessary for your own benefit, apprentices were often told by their superiors. 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. 57K The RAF Medic is able to handle ambiguity . This scheme ended in 1972. Patron - Air Chief Marshal Sir Michael Armitage - ObituaryClick here. All other recruits were enlisted, or commissioned, into the RAFVR. Super Moderator. The maximum age of recruitment of apprentices was raised to 18 and, exceptionally, 21. Finlay arrived at RAF Halton as an Apprentice in 1925. About Us. CORPORAL Served from 1959 - 1973 Served in RAF Apprentices. Established in 2008. Our Heritage plans are extensive and likely costly. Just before reaching her destination, which had been given to our navigator verbally just before take off, he alerted me to go aft, open the rear bottom escape hatch, attach her package to the static line, get her in position to jump (after also attaching her parachute to the static line). 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. They have set and maintained an extraordinarily high standard of efciency. Passing out parades were always impressive. A high proportion of TAs were commissioned in the engineering branch. The Halton Apprentice label soon became synonymous with aeronautical engineering excellence, a reputation that rapidly gained international recognition particularly in the aircraft Industries. They have records for every single engineering apprentice that went through RAF Halton. 12-08-2021, 8:00 PM. 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. 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. The Main Force targets, mentioned above, were the well known bombing missions on German towns and industrial targets, involving many aircraft concentrated over as little time as possible, to saturate defences. To my mind, the future of this great Service depends largely upon Halton; the boy of today is the fellow who will man the RAF tomorrow. The standards of behaviour expected of AETs when off duty was similar to that required from all RAF personnel.

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