During 1946
There was no Annual Camp due to the decline in the
number of Cadets
During 1947 the following changes took place
Warrant Officer. P(eter) Riley promoted to
Plt.Off.
N.Kempster joined the Sqdn as Plt.Off.
Warrant Officer P(hilip) Riley was promoted to Plt.Off.
Flt Sgt T.Stones promoted to Plt. Off.
Fortunes changed in that better accommodation was
obtained in Captain St. Horwich in an upstairs room. Although
this was far from suitable in the longer term all efforts were concentrated
in attracting new cadets.
As new cadets began to join the Squadron and because the accommodation
in Captain Street was rather cramped, concerted efforts were then made
by the Squadron Officers and Civilian Committee to persuade Wing to
supply them with a permanent home on a permanent site. Plans were submitted
to the Council.
Gliding Courses were still taking place at Salmesbury,
near Preston.
Rifle Shooting (.303) was held at RAF Padgate
and at RAF Warton a mockup of a Lincoln bomber was used to fire at fire
at Messerschmitt 109's. on a large screen at the end of a hangar, which
were attacking your aircraft.
The annual Camp was held at R.A.F......
During 1948
The "new building" plans,submitted in 1947,
were eventually approved by the Council in February.
These were for the provision of a hut, on land belonging to the Railway
Authority, behind the Victoria Hotel Chorley New Road in Arkwright
Street. This Hut was in fact 2 Huts in an L shaped configuration
and approval was given for a period of 3 years only.
The Squadron Headquarters were transferred
from Captain Street to the new hut.
Gliding Courses were still taking place at
Salmesbury, near Preston.
The Annual Camp was held at RAF
St Athan where Cadets saw their first Meteor Jet in a polished aluminium
livery with RAF roundels.
During 1949 the following changes took place:
Plt. Officers T. Stones and P(eter Riley) were promoted to Flg.Officers.
Mr.K Yates re-joined the squadron, as a Civilian Instructor,
after demobilisation from the R.A.F.
Warrant Officer J.Jenkins left the Squadron to join the Merchant
Navy.
Mr. J.Douglas was appointed Warrant Officer.
Corporal K.Bridges completed his Gliding Course
and was awarded his Gliding Certificate by the Royal Flying Club.
As the new Headquarters hut was situated on an open
site and as the building was the only one on the field, an application
was made to the Council for fencing to be erected around the site in
February 1949. This was approved and completed later that year.
The annual camp was held at R.A.F. Wig Bay.
Cadets enjoyed flights in Sunderland
Flying boats.
During 1950:
Horwich Council began negotiations, in June, with
the Railway Authority for the purchase of the whole of the site between
Victoria Road and Chorley New Road and bounded by Arkwright St. and
Telford St. as it was required it for housing purposes.
This included the Headquarters site which meant that the Squadron was
once again going to be forced to move, although no one knew where or
when at this time.
The acquisition of the above site was approved in August.
New negotiations were started to find a new headquarters
site.
The annual camp was held at R.A.F
Valley
during which Cadets were fortunate to get trips in the R.A.F Air
Sea Rescue Helicopters.
During 1951:
Warrant Officer P(hilip) Riley was promoted to the rank
of Plt.Officer.
Warrant Officer J.Douglas left to join the RAF.
Mr. J.Jenkins re-joined the Squadron from the Merchant Navy as Civilian
Instructor.
Negotiations continued with the Council for alternative accomodation.
The Annual Camp was held at R.A.F
Dishforth. Transport Command where Cadets flew in Dakotas and
Hastings.
During 1952:
The annual camp was held at
R.A.F. Halton which was the home of the R.A.F Apprentice Training
School.
During 1953:
Flg.Off.Peter Riley left the Squadron to take up employment with the
Atomic Energy Commision at Risley.
Mr.E.Howarth, an ex Royal Navy Pilot joined the Squadron and was commisioned
as a Pilot Officer.
Plt.Off. P(hilip) Riley was promoted to Flg.Off.
Mr.R.Brooks joined the Squadron as Pilot Officer.
The annual Camp was held at R.A.F
Valley.
During 1954
Mr.W.Lucas, an ex R.A.F. pilot, joined the
squadron and was commisioned as a Flg.Off.
He was employed as a teacher at the Isis School,Sharples near Bolton.
Flg.Off T.Stones left after the annual camp
as his work took him to Aldermaston.
Mr.A.Davies was Commisioned as Plt.Off.
Plt.Officers E.Howarth, R.Brooks and A.Davies attended RAF
Detling on an OTC. course.
Also during this year the negotiations which started
in late 1950 with the Council and continued in 1951, came to fruition
and permission was eventually given to transfer bag and baggage to the
Drill Hall in Horwich. This was originally the Headquarters of
the now defunct Army Cadet Force.
To coincide with the opening of their New Headquarters the squadron
held a recruitment parade in November. An R.A.F band provided the music
and the salute was taken on the steps of the Council Offices by Group
Captain Powell and the Chairman of Horwich Council.
Although the Drill Hall premises were badly in need of decoration, the
accommodation was superb with it's own inside drill square, Cadets Mess
and common room, Sergeants\Corporals Mess, large Canteen, Admin Offices
and Engineering Workshop\Stores at the rear of the building and a Rifle
Range.
The combination of the recruitment drive and the new headquarters resulted
in an influx of Cadets and as space was available a number of different
activities could be catered for at the same time. The increase in the
Officer strength was ensured that this was achieved.
The annual camp was held at RAF
Llandow and it was here that Flg.Off. T.Stones had the dubious
pleasure of being the passenger in a Chipmunk
which made a forced landing,due to engine failure, in a cornfield.
During 1955:
Flt.Lt.S. Brotherton the Commanding Officer
for the past 8 years was forced to resign due to ill health.
He was a holder of the Cadet Forces Medal and had been responsible for
a number of significant and impotant changes during his term of office
and the recruitment of a number of Officers between 1947 and 1954 who
were to serve the Squadron well in the years to come. He was well respected
by all who knew him and would be sorely missed by his friends and colleagues.
Flg.Off W. Lucas was promoted to Flt.Lt
asCommanding Officer succeeding Flt.Lt.S.Brotherton.
Plt.Off E.Howarth was promoted to Flg.Off.
Flg.Off..P(hilip) Riley left the Squadron.
Mr.K Yates, Civilian Instructor was commissioned as Plt.Off.
The Annual Camp was held at RAF
Binbrook after Flt Lt. W.Lucas was appointed C.O.
