Soham Grammarians
No. 773 Soham Grammar School Squadron, Air Training Corps
School Year 1940-41

Soham Grammarian Spring 1941

THE AIR TRAINING CORPS

It is no exaggeration to say that Sir Archibald Sinclair's announcement of the formation of the ATC caused a thrill of pleasure and satisfaction to run through the School. Several times during the last fifteen months I have been asked by senior boys whether there was not something more they could do in the war effort. They realised the importance of their education in this respect, the National Savings Group, Digging for Victory, Salvage and work in ARP, but were looking ahead to the time when they will be called upon to enter the Services and hoped it would be possible to prepare in some form of Cadet Corps in the School. Consequently, the response was immediate and enthusiastic and the Soham Grammar School Flight No.773, official date of formation February 10th, 1941, is now just over 100 strong and holding regular parades and lectures. Half the strength consists of present boys and the remainder is made up of Old Boys and boys outside the School in approximately equal numbers.

The events of 1940 have given us a clear realisation that the future defence of our country demands supremacy in the air as well as command of the sea and the brilliant deeds of the RAF have proved that our Air Arm can match the high traditions of the older Services. Youth today is undoubtedly air-minded and now the opportunity is given for all boys over 15 to prepare themselves to serve in the RAF or FAA when their time for national service comes. The scheme is nation-wide, open to all boys without regard to previous education or financial circumstances and is thus a practical expression of the unity and common purpose of our country.

Briefly the object of the ATC is to gather together the best of the youth of this country and to equip them in character, body and mind for entry into the RAF. It will ensure a steady stream of keen partially trained cadets, graded into the various branches of the service, whether as air crews or ground staff, according to ability and physical fitness. The instruction given is that of the Initial Training Wings and for the most successful members there will be the possibility of training for commissions at one of the University Air Squadrons as members of the University with courses taken by its teaching staff. Boys are not required to attest and membership of the ATC will not involve the taking up of national service at an earlier age than would otherwise have been the case.

The officers of our unit are masters at the School who will hold commissions in the Training Branch of the RAFVR. At present, Mr Crouch, Mr Copland and myself have made application while other members of the staff will give their help in various subjects as required. In addition to help from a local RAF station, voluntary civilian instructors have been enrolled and we are most fortunate in having the services of fully qualified instructors in Mrs D Fyson, ARPS (Special), Divisional Gas Officer, for Anti-Gas training and Mr AH Trinder who for many years has given complete instruction in Signals and Morse Code.

The Rev PF Boughey, Vicar of Soham and Governor of the School, and Dr HC Nickson have very kindly consented to fill the positions of Honorary Chaplain and Honorary Medical Officer respectively. We are very grateful to them all for their interest and support as well as to local units of the Regular Army and the Home Guard who have given or promised their help. Finally it is a very pleasing duty to thank those Old Boys in the RAF who have been to see us this term and have so willingly spent several hours of their precious leave in giving us practical assistance.

The work of the ATC in the School will not only be of real national importance at the present time, but will also provide new interests and activities of value to each individual boy.

THE HEADMASTER


Soham Grammarian Summer 1941

EDITORIAL

Interest in our Air Training Corps has not waned at all, but increased if anything, and now that the number of parades has grown, and we are receiving regular instruction from active members of the RAF, even more enthusiasm has been aroused. Already much of the dull preliminary work is but a memory, and we have reached the stage at which our lectures, although possibly more difficult, are certainly more appealing to the average boy.

ATC LIBRARY

The following have been kindly presented by Mr RFA Clark.

The RAF at War
Flight Handbook
Flight Handbook, Aeronautics
Flying Simply Explained
Aeroplane Simply Explained
Glossary of Aeronautical Terms
Ground Engineer's Manual


Manning
Logan
Rogar
Nelson
AC Robinson
Pilot Press
Flight Publishing Co.
Flight Publishing Co.
Pitman
Pitman
Newnes
Newnes

ATC NOTES

The ATC has held parades and lectures as usual this term. As the squadron has now been officially attached to a neighbouring aerodrome, we have had numerous visits by fully-experienced personnel from that station. These have proved to be extremely interesting and highly instructive. A Wireless-Operator has helped Mr Trinder with Morse instruction, and two Sergeant Air-Gunners have lectured on guns, whilst all three have given us talks of general interest.

On the "square," Flying Officer Ware, assisted by Sergeant Ford and a Corporal, have given us squad drill, whilst valuable PT instruction has been rendered by Pilot Officer O'Neill and NCOs.

The School Flight now attends parades regularly on Sunday mornings, when a service, conducted by our Honorary Chaplain, the Rev PF Boughey, precedes lectures. Our Honorary Medical Officer, Dr Nickson, has examined every cadet.

Great optimism was experienced when our CO was informed that a parcel of clothing had been despatched. Eventually it arrived, and on being opened, displayed 12 pairs of trousers ! Nevertheless, every cadet now possesses an ATC Badge. Some valuable equipment has also been received in connection with Navigation, the lectures for which are proceeding very well, greatly helped by Sergeant-Pilot Gibb of New Zealand.

Every qualified cadet is now looking forward to the examination which takes place shortly, and upon which the Certificate of Proficiency is awarded.

It was a great pleasure to welcome Group Captain FJ Fogarty, DFC, AFC; Squadron Leader Ellis, our Liaison Officer, with officers and other ranks on the occasion of the School Play.

The following promotions have been announced:
A/Pilot Officer S Stubbs, to A/Flying Officer, Feb 19th, 1941.
Mr CC Copland, to A/Pilot Officer, Feb 19th, 1941.

No.1 Flight



No.2 Flight
Cadet G Dann to Acting Flt/Sgt
Cadet JH Peacock to Acting Corporal
Cadet K Serjeant to Acting Corporal
Cadet G Scott to Acting Corporal
Cadet PF Foreman to Acting Flt/Sgt
Cadet JWJ Leggett to Acting Corporal
Cadet RD Harding to Acting Corporal
April 29th, 1941
April 29th, 1941
April 29th, 1941
April 29th, 1941
April 29th, 1941
April 29th, 1941
April 29th, 1941

ACTING FLT-SGT