My association with the ATC and the RAF began when, in the spring of 1955, I joined a large ATC unit, No. 473 (Hartlepool) squadron; we paraded every Friday night and were based in some of the old wooden buildings on West Hartlepool airport. The activities and training subjects were similar to modern day ATC training and included Airmanship, Principles of Flight, Map Reading, Basic Communications (consisting of sending and receiving Morse Code at various speeds), Aircraft Recognition (based on silhouette cards of WW2 RAF, US Air Forces and Luftwaffe aircraft), Weapons Training was stripping and re-assembling the .303 Lee-Enfield rifle, the Sten gun and the .303 Browning machine gun (as fitted to Spitfire and Lancaster aircraft), Drill and Sports including football, boxing and fencing. The squadron was fortunate enough to have an old Link 3 trainer that we were occasionally allowed to switch on and ‘fly’ within the limitations of its serviceability.

Although my Cadet Log Book is long gone I recall my air experience flights as 2 hours in Varsity aircraft, 1 hour in an Anson and an accumulated 2 hours in Chipmunks. Through a misunderstanding on my part I agreed to become the Drum Major in the Squadron band, I thought that they wanted me to bash the big bass drum. I was taught the signals given by the Drum Major in controlling the band as well as some fancy mace work. To protect the best mace from damage one of the officers made one in plain wood for me to practice with, good move. I practised at home in the back garden and up at the squadron and soon felt confident enough to throw the mace around a bit whilst marching with the band. We paraded through the streets of West Hartlepool on several occasions. (See photo) and went to the Wing Band Competition in 1957, finishing 3^rd.

The band marching-off.

During my time with the Squadron I attended summer camps, at RAF Lindholme in 1955, RAF Hawarden in 1956 and finally RAF Kenley in 1957. In those days Summer Camp meant the whole squadron going to an RAF station and living under canvas for the duration.

In September 1957 I left the squadron and joined the RAF as an Aircraft Apprentice and began three years of training at RAF Locking to become a Ground Radar Fitter. There just isn’t enough space here to tell the story as written in my Service History, suffice to say that I served at a good few radar stations and Missile bases in the Home Nations, Germany, Cyprus, Jordan and the Falkland Islands. As an ex-apprentice I was given timed promotion through the ranks to Chief Technician then “dead men’s shoes” until in October 1987 I was promoted to the best rank in the RAF, that of Warrant Officer and six months later received my Royal Warrant. I was also pleased to receiver the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal with clasp, for “not getting caught,” the British Empire Medal for sticking my neck out during my time as a Training Supervisor at RAF Locking, and the Meritorious Service Medal for a very fulfilling and pleasant tour as OC Electronic Support Flight on No.144 Signals Unit RAF Wattisham. The RAF has always has always provided the opportunity to enjoy social events and Marie and I certainly enjoyed social functions in the Sergeants’ Mess, especially the formal functions during my terms as Chairman of the Mess Committee; the last major function we attended was the 1993 Summer Ball at RAF Buchan where we hosted the Northern Sector Engineer and his wife.

RAF Buchan Sgts’Mess Summer Ball 1993

After 38 years of service I retired from the RAF in November 1995 and returned to our home in Parcllyn. Sometime in 1998 I began my association with 1429 Sqn teaching Basic Communications and Map Reading in the old RAF Aberporth Thrift Shop, (How many people can remember that building?) and was finally appointed to Honorary Civilian Instructor in May 1999. The Squadron has seen many changes since then not least the move from the “hut” on the airfield to the present excellent D4 building; cadet membership has increased along with much higher squadron esprit de corps, commitment and participation in squadron activities. In May 2007 my contract terminated and I retired as a Civilian Instructor to make way for younger volunteers to make their contribution to the Squadron. My best wishes go to the staff and especially to the cadets and hope that they benefit from their experiences as members of the Air Training Corps as much as I have done.