During 1955:
Flt.Lt. Lucas took over as C.O during 1955 after the
resigination of Flt.Lt.S.Brotherton.
Great efforts were made by Flt.Lt.Lucas to
obtain a Link Trainer
.
Once it was fully operational Officers,Cadets and
Cadets from local squadrons spent many an hour learning the intricacies
of solo flying and navigation. The Link Trainer was shown at a number
of exhibitions in Bolton and as well as being a great source of interest
was also an incentive to join the A.T.C. for many a young man. This
proved to be a great asset to the Squadron.
During 1956:
Mr.J.Jenkins who had served the Squadron since
1942 left the squadron as Civilian Instructor due to ill health.
Mr.M.Payne. and Mr.M Staley joined the Squadron
as Civilian Instuctors. Mr M.Staley previously served in the 1st. Battalion
The Kings Own Royal Regiment (Infantry) in the Far East and specialized
in small arms training, target shooting and drill.
A detached flight was formed at the Isis
School and things were beginning to improve in terms of cadet strength.
The Squadron was once again threatened with eviction as the Council
were negotiating to buy the Drill Hall for use as the Towns Yard.
The Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme was inaugurated
and the Squadron got involved in many outside activities such as climbing,
in the Lake District The weekend camps and manoeuvres on the local moors
and around Rivington. These activities were organised by Mr.M.Staley.
During this year relations between the Squadron and
De Havilland Propellers (now British Aerospace) at Lostock reached
an all time high, due to the help and assistance given by Mr.J Critchley.
Mr Critchley was also Chairman of the Civilian Committee. Rifle Range
facilities were provided, which had a direct bearing on the number of
Marksmanship badges obtained on annual camps and numerous trips
were arranged to their Lostock & Hawarden factories where planes
coming off the production line were tested by test pilots such as cats
eyes Cunningham.
Another organisation the Squadron formed close ties
with was the St.Johns Ambulance brigade who provided all the
First Aid training.The squadron could also boast about their honary
Medical Officer, Dr.Choudary,an RAFVR Officer, who looked
after our welfare and provided us with many an interesting lecture.
The Annual camp was held at RAF
Abingdon
During 1957 the following changes took place:
Plt.Off K.Yates was promoted to Flg.Off.
Mr.M.Staley was commisioned as Plt.Off. and attended the Officer
Training Course at RAF
Booker
Mr W.Rae joined the squadron as Civilian Instructor from
the RAF where he was a Drill Instructor.
Mr.F.Simms, an ex Army Signals NCO. was appointed as
Civilian Instructor.
Warrant Officer A.Davis left the Squadron.
Mr.J. Douglas, who was a Cadet in the Squadron from 1949-1951
and did service in the R.A.F from 1951-1957, in the Equipment Branch,
was appointed a Civilian Instructor, and before the year ended
to a Warrant Officcer.
Mr.F.Simms, an ex Army Signals NCO. was appointed a Civilian
Instructor responsible for all signals training.
Cadet R.Pickstock joined the Squadron, he later
became CO. of both Wigan Detached Flight and CO.of
1471 Horwich Squadron.
The Squadron continued to maintain it's outside activities
such as orienteering climbing, in the Lake District, weekend camps and
manouvres and hikes on the local moors around Rivington. The activities
were run by Plt.Off.M.Staley and Mr.W.Rae, both outdoor
fanatics.
Flt.Sgt. J.Fleming and Sgt.J.Dickens took a gliding course
at RAF Hawkhinge and
obtained their International Gliding Certificates.
Acording to one Cadet, L.Kineally, the link trainer
was still a big incentive but he said, "we still continued to have
training in the Link but it would always breaking down just when you
were aching to get into it and “fly” and having so many
cadets your turn was ever so slow coming round but when it did we enjoyed
the short times we could use it very much".
The purchase of the Drill Hall, by Horwich
Council was approved and the Squadron was on the move again.
One site considered by the Council at this time was the old church in
Iron St. Chorley New Road, the original home of the Squadron but finally
approval was given to build another Hut on the same land, that had been
purchased for housing and in the same location, in Arkwright Street.
This hut was a single hut and therefore more restrictive in terms of
space than the Drill Hall. The same Hut has been the HQ of the
ATC fom this date to the Year 2002.
The Squadron acquired a 60 ft. telescopic aerial and
the signals activity increased dramatically, many a contact being made
with other Squadrons as well a Amateur radio hams throughout the U.K.
and this was of great benefit to the Cadets.
The move took place, but the Link Trainer had to be transferred to the
Isis School and it was located in the unused swimming pool. 1471
Squadron headquarters has remained on this same site to date.
The Annual Camp was held at R.A.F
Cosford
During 1958:
Flt.Lt.W.Lucas transferred to Isis detached
Flight, Bolton.
1471 Squadron remained under the command of Flt.Lt.W.Lucas until the
detached flight at the Isis School became a Squadron in its own right
when he transferred and assumed command of the new Squadron.
Flg.Off E.Howarth was promoted to Flt.Lt.and took over
the Squadron as Commanding Officer.
Mr.K.Wilkinson an ex RAF officer joined the squadron as a Flg.Officer.
Plt.Off, Staley was promoted to Flg.Officer..
Mr W.Rae was commisioned as Plt.Off.
Mr A.Clare joined the the Squadron and was commisioned as a
Plt.Off.
Mr.F Simms left the Squadron as his work took him away from Horwich.
Mr H.Taylor joined the Squadron as Warrant Officer.
A detached flight was opened in Wigan.
This remained as a detached flight for approx. 2 years until it became
a Squadron in it's own right.
In February 1958 the Winter Hill Air Disaster took
place when a plane of businessmen on their way from the Isle of Man
to manchester crashed in thick fog.Although the Squadron was not officially
involved in the rescue operation some Cadets did help along with the
A.T.C Mountain Rescue team based at Royton.
The Victoria Methodist Church (on Church Street, now demolished), was
used as a mortuary for the 35 victims out of 42 who died.
Corporal L.Kineally, an apprentice electrician with
a local Horwich business, helped to rewire the original Link Trainer
as a mortuary.
The increased radio activity, possibly because of
the telescopic radio aerial, caused problems locally and in April a
petition was submitted to the Council, by 24 residents of Arkwright
St., to try to get the Squadron resited. This was not approved but the
matter of radio interference was referred to the appropriate authority.
This resulted in a forced curtailment of this popular activity much
to the disappointment of both Officers and Cadets.
Flying at RAF Woodvale was a regular occurrence,
and one or two notable experiences occurred, such as the day the Squadron
took St.Johns Ambulance Brigade Officer J. Bragg for his first
flight. He certainly remembers it to this day. Another notable experience
was the time an Anson aircraft, with a full complement of 1471 Cadets,
lost a door flying over Southport. We still do not know who was the
most frightened that day, the Cadets or the Officers.
In all this was a very interesting year and the cadet
strength reflected the efforts put in to make the Squadron attractive
to boys, without the incentive of a potential war,such as the Korea
War which had just finished.
