A brief history
of the Squadron 1938-1943
In 1938, 80(Bolton) Squadron was formed
and along with 3 other Squadrons in Bolton,782 (Bolton Municipal), 1077 (Bolton
Rec. College), 1558 (Bolton School), comprised the Bolton and District
Wing of the Air Defence Cadet Corps under the command of Squadron Leader Ballard
and the auspices of one Civilian Committee.
A number of detached flights were opened by 80 (Bolton)
Squadron in Horwich (1939), Atherton, Westhoughton,
Farnworth Tydsley, and Edgeworth Homes. Senior NCOs from Bolton squadron visited
detached flights on a regular basis.
These squadrons were the nucleus of the Bolton and
District Wing Air Defence Cadet Corps
As far as it is known Horwich detached flight was called the
Mechanics Institute flight of the Bolton & District Air Defence Cadet
Corps.
Horwich remained a detached Flight of Bolton 80 ADCC Squadron
during 1939,1940, and early 1941.
It was decided that Bolton flight of the Air
Defence Cadet Corps, of which Horwich was a detached flight, would
be incorporated into the new Air Training Scheme, to be known as the
Air Training Corps and a new Crest (see below) was introduced.
In Horwich a public meeting was held to consider the formation
of a Horwich Squdron in it's own right under the new Air Traing
Corps.This was agreed and the Horwich detached flight became:
1471 (Horwich) Squadron Air Training Corps.
Captain F.Blakemore, a Territorial Army Officer was
placed in Command
with Mr.R.Wood as Civilian Instuctor and Mr.H.Calderbank,
an ex Army Officer as Warrant Officer.
Mememories growing shorter with the years, it is known that the founder
Cadets of this flight were: W. Hilditch. C.Hicks. S.Evans. J.Wood. J.Tomkinson.
M.R.Wright. R.McGregor. R.Jackson B.Miller. J.Almond. T.Ashcroft F.Church.
K.Kirby W.England. J.Jenkins. P.Cudworth.
The selection procedure for NCO,s was rather unique and definitely
different from later years, as Cadets were taken to the Horwich R.M.I football
ground, and individually positioned in one goalmouth, from where they had
to shout orders to Captain F.Blakemore, and the recently promoted,
Plt.Off. R.Wood who were in the opposite goalmouth parallel to Church
Street. Those with the clearest, loudest and best presentation were selected.
The first NCO's were Flt.Sgt W.Hilditch, Sgt.
J.Jenkins, and Cpls. C.Hicks and J.Jerams
In May the Cadets attended R.A.F.Burtonwood
(before it was handed over to the USAF) with Flg.Off Wood in charge.
Mr H.Calderbank was promoted to Warrant Officer.
In June the first Bolton & District Wing
Annual Sports were held and Leading Cadets F.Church and S.Boydell
won medals
Captain F.Blakemore left the ATC, with his commission,
and joined the regular Army.
Mr.S.Bannister was promoted to Flt.Lt.and as Commanding
Officer.
In October the Cadet strength was over 60 Cadets and in November
the Squadron took part in their first Rememberance Anniverary Parade.
On the 11th December the First Headqurters of the Horwich ATC were
opened by Air Commodore W.J.Y. Guilfoyle M.C. O.B.E. Commandant of the North
Western ATC in the old Chorley New Road, Methodist Church, the cadet stength
at this time was over 100 and growing rapidly with the continuation of the
War,even though at this time neither Officers or Cadets had uniforms.
The first drill parades were given by Sgt.G.France of Bolton(80)
squadron who was later commissioned in the R.A.F. as a Flg.Off and was
a Pilot in Bomber Command. In January 1945 he was reported killed in action
but thankfully this was incorrect. Although severely wounded he was taken
prisoner after being shot down and after his release, returned to Bolton squadron
as Adjutant, later to join the Ministry and as Cannon G.France is now the
President of the Bolton Air Training Corps Association.
During 1942
The Officer Strength was increased with the appointment
of:
Plt.Off T.Wagg, as Adjutant , who was employed
at this time as a designer draughtsman at A.V.Roe Chadderton and worked under
Mr.R Dobson assistant on the design of the Lancaster bomber, from Plt.Off.
Wood
Plt.Off. S. Brotherton who was employed by the Electricity Board in Bolton.
Captain J Entwistwistle who had just been released from the Royal Engineers
8th Army where he served on General Mongomery's staff, joined the Squadron.
H.Calderbank, who was granted a commission in the newly
formed R.A.F.V.R. (Training Branch).
Officers were now provided with a Uniform Allowance, which was barely sufficient
to purchase their working battledress and a greatcoat. Peak caps ,No.1 Uniforms
or raincoats, were not mandatory but if desired had to be purchased from private
means.
Sgt. J.Jenkins was promoted to Flt.Sgt.
Cadets were provided with a uniform which consisted of a tunic,
buttoned up to the neck, a pair of slacks a greatcoat and later a cape.
Visits were made to a number of local airfields such as Ringway,
home of the paratroop regiment, and now Manchester International Airport,
Burscough, a Royal Naval Air Station with Swordfish aircraft at Burscough,
RAF Woodvale later to become a University Air Training Station flying Chipmunks
and RAF Hawarden, flying Rapides and Ansons.
The visit to Ringway was quite memorable as a tour of the Parachute Training
facilities was provided and some Cadets were allowed to carry out dummy drops
in the Hangars. It was also at Ringway that many Cadets were introduced to
the chest parachute and harness and told of the dire consequences of not correctly
tightening the under leg harness. Many went in fear of having to bail out,
all walked like a gaggle of geese to the waiting aircraft at that time a DH.Rapide.
Cadet strength remained high and a number of different activities
were setup including gymnastics, and Engine instruction. The latter activity
was run by cadet (diesel) Dootson who was well known for his ability to strip
down aircraft engines. Cadets Peter and Philip Riley and K.Yates joined the
Squadron. All were commissioned in the RAFVR(T) in later years.
Cpl. C.Hicks was the first Cadet to win the Taylor Trophy (click
here to see Trophy) which was presented to the Squadron by Mr.H.Taylor
for the best Cadet of the year.
No annual camp was held but three cadets, Sgt. C.Hicks, Flt.
Sgt.J.Jenkins and Cpl. S.Evans from 1471 Squadron joined other Cadets from
another Squadron (not known) at RAF
Blackpool (Stanley Park).
Cadet flights at this time were mainly in the DH Rapide, a
twin aircraft and the famous Avro Ansons.
During 1943
Plt.Off T.Wagg was promoted to Flg.Off.
Warrant Officer H.Calderbank left the squadron during 1943 and Flt.Sgt J.Jenkins
was promoted to Warrant Officer.
Founder Cadets S.Evans and R.McGregor left to join the R.A.F.
S. Evans passed out as a Pilot and R.Mcgregor as a Sgt.Air Gunner.
Cadet T.Stones,who was later commissioned as an Officer joined the squadron.
By the end of this year the cadet strength was beginning to decline, due to
the number of cadets joining the forces.
Other activities greatly enjoyed by Officers and Cadets
alike were rifle shooting using .22 rifles on the LMS, (which became British
Rail), rifle range located under their canteen in Brunel Street, Horwich.
Gymnastics were held most Sunday Mornings in the Mechanics Institute, ably
supervised at this time by Flt.Sgt H. Partridge, a man to strike terror in
the hearts of the more faint hearted cadets.
Gliding Courses were held at Salmesbury near Preston where many a cadet gained
their International Gliding Licenses.
In 1943 the Annual Camp was held at the
Royal Naval Air Squadron at Burscough with cadets from the
Queen Elizabeth boys school from St.Annes. This turned out to be quite a change
for the latter cadets as they were not used to having drill sessions with
an Army Captain (I think the language was quite different
from what they were used to) and they couldn't understand the accents of some
of the 1417 squadron cadets. However everyone eventually joined in and enjoyed
the experience.
Cadets flew in Fairey Swordfish aircaraft which turned out
to be quite an experience at RNAS
Burscough
