Soham Grammarians
No. 773 Soham Grammar School Squadron, Air Training Corps
School Year 1941-42

Soham Grammarian Autumn 1941

[from the Headmaster's talk at Speech Day Nov 1 1941]

For I must now pass on to what has been an outstanding new feature of this year - the formation of the SGS No.773 Flight of the Air Training Corps.

As I wrote in the Magazine at the time, 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 I had been asked by senior boys whether it would be possible to have some form of Cadet Corps, and this news was better than anything they had conceived. The youth of the country is undoubtedly airminded ; 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 our age-old command of the sea; this School has had a keen peace time entry to the RAF, and consequently the response to the appeal was immediate and enthusiastic.

As we are fortunate enough this afternoon to have so distinguished a visitor as the Director of Pre-Entry Training at the Air Ministry to talk to us, I will confine my remarks to details of our unit, except to say that I am confident that the work of the ATC in School life is not only of great national importance at the present time, but provides a character training and new interests and activities, of great value to each individual boy.

Half the total strength of approximately 100 consists of present boys, and the remainder is made up of Old Boys and boys outside the School, who by the way are heartily welcomed. Cadets are not required to attest, and membership does not involve the taking up of national service at an earlier age, nor does the work interfere with that of the Secondary School course. I myself am in command, and Mr Copland and Mr Crouch also hold RAFVR commissions.

Civilian instructors have given excellent service and include Mrs D Fyson, the Divisional Civil Defence Officer, and Mr AH Trinder. The Vicar of Soham, the Rev PF Boughey, a School Governor, is Honorary Chaplain, and Dr HC Nickson, Honorary Medical Officer. Parades and lectures take place on two week-days in separate Flights (School and non-School), while the whole Squadron attends on Sunday mornings, when lectures are preceded by a short service.

We have been very fortunate in our 'parent' RAF Station, and are grateful for the interest, support and personal help of the Station Commander, the ATC Liaison Officer, and the Officers, NCO's and other ranks who come voluntarily to give instruction. A very happy and instructive week was spent in Camp at the aerodrome during August, by 44 cadets with their Officers. Already ten cadets have obtained the Proficiency Certificate - the examination was taken in July on the first possible occasion - one cadet has gone up to the University to train for a commission, and five have passed into the RAF.

It is with great pleasure that I welcome the Headmaster of Uppingham, who has so kindly consented to give away the prizes today. He is not only a scholar but also a great sportsman, with University and International Hockey reputation. His gift of organisation was recognised when he was asked by the Air Ministry to undertake the tremendous task of organising the ATC about a year ago, and I know what a busy and successful year it has been. I made the acquaintance of Mr Wolfenden a few years ago when I heard him preach in the Chapel of a Public School, and in telling you that I still remember well his sermon and its text, I am sure that his words today will make an equally lasting impression upon you.

Last year I spoke to you of our aims, ideals and our hopes for the future in education. In the motto of the Air Training Corps we see a symbol of the spirit in which we must go about that work - "Venture adventure"- the spirit of boldness, determination and initiative. And harnessed to that great power - again I quote from what has been said of the ATC - we must have that of vision. "A task without vision is drudgery; vision without a task remains a dream; a task with vision means achievement and success." The power of education in framing the future is enormous - for good or for evil.

No one who saw German schools before the war could fail to be appalled at its power. It is for us to show equally tremendous results in the other direction, by training our youth to face, to form, and to make the world we want to see. It cannot be achieved by high-sounding phrases or by Acts of Parliament alone, if the will and demand are lacking. There has been far too much taking and far too little giving in the lives of all of us; the demand for rights has come more readily than the recognition of responsibilities. All this must be changed through education - an education based, as the prayer says, on godliness and good learning, and flexible enough to meet the needs and aspirations of individual schools and districts. The child's roots must be in good soil, to give stability and true growth, for him to blossom into the good citizen of the new world.

Mr WOLFENDEN reflected in his opening remarks that it was a pleasure for him to return to the 'atmosphere' of the school, and he at once went on to congratulate the Headmaster on the report he had given. "I have experienced myself what it is like to run a school in wartime, with its problems of staffing and feeding, but considering the material effects of the war it must be recognised how much the progress of the school is due to the Headmaster and his colleagues."

After the ceremony Mr Wolfenden saw the march past of No.773 Flight on the school lawn. The School Governors, members of the staff and their wives were then entertained to tea by the Headmaster and Mrs Stubbs in the Library.

ATC NOTES

In the examination held at the end of last term, ten cadets gained their proficiency badge by passing in the required syllabus. More candidates are taking the examination in December, and we hope for good results after the longer period of training.

At the beginning of this term the uniforms were issued and stripes were "put up" by the NCO's, and the boys, greatly encouraged, presented a very smart appearance on parade. Ordinary routine work and drill have been carried on throughout the term with the help of NCO's from our "parent" station and we have been particularly pleased to welcome operational personnel and the RAF Padre.

A soccer team picked from the ATC met one from the RAF one Saturday afternoon, and we were only just defeated by 3 goals to 1.

The high spot of the term was on Speech Day, when Mr JF Wolfenden, Director of Pre-entry Training at the Air Ministry and Headmaster of Uppingham, inspected the squadron and presented the proficiency certificates. On the following Sunday he came to the ordinary parade to see the cadets at their routine work, and gave an inspiring address at our service.

There was a full parade on Remembrance Sunday, November 9th, when we marched to the Parish Church with the Home Guard, British Legion, and Civil Defence Units. The parade started from the School and was headed by the Comrades Band.

On Saturday, November 15th, the ATC spent a social evening after an InterFlight soccer match in the afternoon. Games and competitions were organised between the two Flights, and No.2 Flight eventually won by 142 points to 62. They won the soccer match, the aircraft recognition and the celebrities, but lost the whist drive! Music was supplied by Flight Sergeant Dann and Cadet Murfitt on piano-accordions. All thoroughly enjoyed themselves, and credit must be given to the NCO's under P/O Crouch for all the arrangements. Several NCO's are becoming very efficient lecturers on aircraft identification with the help of the School epidiascope.

New recruits are settling down well. Several older boys on deferred service have attended parades, and six of our number have now entered the RAF Soccer matches have been played against Kings' School, Ely, ATC (drawn 4-4), and the Soham Church Boys' Club (lost 2-4), but we have not been able to get any rugger fixtures at present.

A dramatic performance of a thriller - " Rope "- is being prepared by members, and will be given at the end of term to our Flight and to our parent station. We have also made some magazine covers for the Airmen's Mess there. Altogether it has been a very good term for work and other activities. The following promotions have been made this term:

No.1 Flight

No.2 Flight
Cadet H Eyet to be Corporal
Cadet RG Neal to be Corporal
Cpl RD Harding to be Flt Sergeant
Cadet A Benjamin to be Corporal
Cadet AJ Thompson to be Corporal
Cadet WC Allen to be Corporal
Cadet GS White to be Corporal
16/9/41
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16/9/41

R.D HARDING, Flt/Sergt

ATC CAMP

On Saturday, August 2nd, 44 Cadets of No.773 Soham Grammar School Squadron, ATC set out for a week's Camp at the RAF Station to which the Squadron is attached under the command of The Headmaster, A/F/O S Stubbs and A/P/O CC Copland. Unfortunately, there were no complete uniforms for issue, but we had a Field Service Cap for each boy, and overalls were very kindly lent to us by the Equipment Officer when we arrived, and this made a convenient uniform. The boys were housed in a Block, and lived the life of Airmen under the supervision of regular RAF NCO's living in the same building. The Block comprises dormitories, wash-basins, shower-baths, lavatories, etc., and the boys found the living accommodation very comfortable. The Officers lived in the Officers' Mess.

A very full programme was arranged for the cadets, and a separate one for the Officers who were joined at the Station by two other ATC Officers - A/F/O Robinson of Peterborough and A/P/O Jackson of Oundle School, who very kindly gave their assistance with the contingent.

The day's programme began at 6.30 a.m. with washing, cleaning, bed-making, and an inspection was carried out by one of the officers.

After breakfast, the first parade was Squad Drill at 9.30, followed by PT.

After a short break, cadets were taken in small parties, under the command of their own NCO's to the various activities of the Station as laid down in the programme, and this was continued after lunch. Work for the day finished at about 4.30 p.m., and after high tea the boys were free to spend the evening in looking round, visiting the canteen and the Social Centre, while there was also the Camp Cinema to be visited. Cadets were indoors at 9.30 p.m., and "lights out" was at 10. This last half-hour was used by the Officers to visit and talk to the boys and make arrangements for the following day's programme.

On Sunday morning there was a special Church Parade for the ATC in the Station Church, conducted by one of the Padres, who gave an inspiring address, and the Lesson was read by A/F/O S. Stubbs.

On Monday morning one of the high-lights of the programme was reached when the contingent was inspected by the Station Commander, who showed the greatest interest throughout our stay. We were greatly honoured by the fact that he spent half-an-hour of his valuable time in inspecting us and speaking personally to every cadet. Another high-light of the programme was reached one evening when all the cadets were allowed in the Control Tower to watch the departure of aeroplanes for a raid on Germany, and they were particularly thrilled to be addressed by the Wing-Commander in charge of the Squadron.

The work during the day included demonstrations and practice in handling instruments and weapons in small groups, and some work was done in the Station Armoury. Activities consisted of close inspection of aircraft, working a power-operated gun-turret, preparations for night operations, bomb loading, workshops, engineering room, parachute room, photography room, bomb-aimer trainer and Link Trainer which many of the cadets were permitted to use. In addition every boy had instruction in the rifle, and was able to fire on the range.

The Officers' course was very similar but in greater detail, and in addition we were able to follow the complete operations' night, ending with the interrogation of crews on their return.


Soham Grammarian Spring 1942

ATC NOTES

On coming to School one morning, shortly after the Christmas holidays, we were surprised to see that an aeroplane had arrived during our absence. We were then invaded by a small section of the British Army, who had very kindly agreed to help us to unload it from its carrier. When the initial excitement had subsided the 'experts' set to work to identify the 'plane.

At last it was decided that the 'plane was a Hawker 'Hector' Army Co-operation aircraft, having a range of 400 miles at a cruising speed of 162 mph.

The engine is a Napier 'Dagger III,' developing 805 hp, which gives the plane a maximum speed of 191 mph. at 5,300 feet, a stalling speed of 65 mph and a service ceiling of 23,400 feet.

Flight riggers from our parent station kindly came to assemble it.

please click this image for a link to the 53 Squadron page on the RAF website
A Hawker Hector of No.53 Squadron - not the one at SGS

The arrival of the 'plane caused quite a sensation in the School and members of the ATC were the envy of everyone else. The enthusiasm for the ATC which was aroused in the lower school is shown by the fact that a large number of juniors sent a petition to our CO, to ask if a junior 'ATC.' could be formed! In spite of the intense cold, every member of the ATC had, within a very short time 'flown' Hector and put it through every conceivable type of manoeuvre, shooting down an amazing number of German planes in the process. 'Hector' is of especial interest to the flight mechanic members of the ATC, because they are now able to study their trade practically as well as theoretically.

At the end of January the results of the December examination was announced. The following members passed the proficiency examination, training as Pilot Observers: - Cpl JH Peacock, Cadets EG Fretwell, DG Palmer, RE Appleton, BA Collen, AJ Cook, JE Luddington, RV Hubbard, CH Mason, F Key. These bring our total to twenty.

Early in the term we were very pleased to hear that Mr JF Wolfenden had been awarded the CBE in the New Year's Honours. Members will remember that we were honoured by a visit of inspection from Mr Wolfenden last term.

The Flight has now been issued with its shoulder badges, and as last month we celebrated the anniversary of our formation, thirty-three Good Conduct stripes have now been awarded. We held a very happy birthday party one Saturday evening to celebrate and once again No.2 Flight beat No.1 in the Recognition test, but this time by a much narrower margin.

We have done a good term's work and have been particularly interested in the lectures. This term we have gained a number of recruits, thanks to the registration of boys. Many of the recruits joined the Flight Mechanics section, some of them have already reached the required standard in Morse, and the others are rapidly becoming more proficient. A number of Cadets have passed the proficiency examination in Morse and will sit for their final examination at the end of the term. Cadets who have already gained their star have continued their study of more advanced navigation, aircraft recognition and signalling with the Aldis lamp, in preparation for the next examination, and a number have been accepted as air crew by the Travelling Selection Board.

Owing to the bad weather, visits by personnel from our parent station have been curtailed. However, as the weather improves, it is hoped that such visits will increase. For the same reason we have been able to have no football this term. On February 25th, a talk, of special interest to the ATC Flight, was given to the School by a Sgt-Pilot Old Boy who has trained in America.

Soham Warships Week began on March 22nd, and we marched in the Parade with the RAF, Military, Home Guard, and Civil Defence Units.

The following promotions were announced this term: -

No.1 Flight


No.2 Flight
Cpl RG Neal to be Sergeant
Cadet EG Fretwell to be Corporal
Cadet RE Appleton to be Corporal
Cpl. WC Allen to be Flt-Sergeant
Cpl. A Benjamin to be Sergeant
Cpl. AJ Thompson to be Sergeant
Cadet F Key to be Corporal
2/2/42
2/2/42
2/2/42
2/2/42
2/2/42
2/2/42
2/2/42

Flt/Sergt


Soham Grammarian Summer 1942

ATC NOTES

Thanks to the excellent weather we have had this term, the ATC has been able to expand its out-of-doors activities. Early in the term the first ATC Athletic Sports were held. The Sports were on an inter-flight basis, but there was also an inter-services relay comprising an RAF team, two army teams and the ATC team. This relay resulted in a victory for the ATC.

The inter-flight events resulted in an easy win for No.2 Flight, with 85 points as against the 31 points of the No.1 Flight.

In the team events No.1 Flight won the Tug-o-war, but only after a terrific struggle, and No.2 Flight won the relay. The only other win for No.1 Flight was in Throwing the Cricket Ball. However, in spite of the marked advantage of No.2 Flight in having just completed their own School Sports, all events were keenly contested, especially the Obstacle race, which greatly amused the spectators. On behalf of the ATC I should like to thank the masters and boys, who by their willing co-operation helped to make the evening such a success.

This term the Squadron has been busily engaged in attaining proficiency standard in all types of athletics. The tests include sprinting, long-distance running and walking, weight-lifting and concentration tests. At present most boys have gained the full proficiency standard and many others are nearing it.

Apart from our out-of-doors activities, we have continued our regular work and lectures, and when transport has been available, personnel from our parent station have occasionally visited us, but we should like to see much more of them. Despite all our efforts to obtain transport, no visits to the aerodrome have yet been possible, but many of us are looking forward to the annual camp there next month.

On July 5th, the occasion of the National ATC day, the squadron held a church parade at the Parish Church. Before the parade, messages of congratulation and encouragement from the Secretary of State for Air and the Chief of Air Staff, were read out to the Squadron by the CO. The Squadron then marched to the church, where a special service was conducted by the Squadron Padre, the Rev PF Boughey. The sermon was preached by Major JM Lloyd, Senior Padre of an Armoured Division and the special lesson was read by the CO. After the service, the salute was taken by Sqd-Leader HC Ellis, liaison officer at our parent station. Also at the saluting base were the Squadron Padre, Major Lloyd and Ald S Moore, Chairman of the Governors. The whole Squadron was congratulated on an extremely smart parade.

The following proficiency results have been announced, bringing our total number of certificates gained to 41.

March
Air Crew:
No.1 Flight, Cpl G Scott.
Cadets FA Barton, RJ Turner.
No. 2 Flight, Cadets GP Brown, RJ Heywood, NJ Sneesby.
Flgt-Mechanic:
No.1 Flight. Cadet ESJ Smith.

June
Air Crew:
No.1 Flight, Cadet RA Bailey.
No.2 Flight, Cadets EJ Bond, EW Cox, DS Thorby. AH Talbot, HB Walton.
Flgt-Mechanics:
No.1 Flight, Cadet CV Murfitt.
No.2 Flight, Cadets JL Fyson, RT Peacock.

Flt/Sgt