Soham Grammarian Autumn 1942
ATC CAMP
We completed a very successful year's work by attending our second annual camp at the parent RAF Station. Each of the two Flights spent a happy week in charge of the officers F/O S Stubbs and P/O's CC Copland and CW Crouch, and many of us were able to renew old friendships and make new ones.
The programme was very similar to the one carried out last year. The Cadets lived the life of airmen in excellently appointed living quarters, and after breakfast and early morning PT and Squad Drill, work consisted of visits to various sections in small groups under the command of cadet NCO's and included practical instruction in the Station Armoury, Turret Trainer, Bombing Trainer, Link Trainer, the Wireless, Parachute, Photography, Meteorological and Film Sections, and in the inspection of different types of aircraft. About 100 hours flying experience was greatly enjoyed by the cadets during the fortnight.
In the evening a wide choice of entertainments was available-indoor and outdoor games, a sports meeting, cinema, Ensa Concert, the NAAFI and Social Centre, while volunteers were readily found to help in the Cookhouse.
Church parades were held during the time, one with No.1124 Squadron, and a special parade was inspected by the Station Commander who spoke to each cadet and gave an informal talk on life and ideals in the RAF, during which he congratulated the squadron on its work and appearance.
On Operations nights, we were allowed in the Control Tower to watch the departure of our aircraft for raids on the enemy, and later were present for their return and were thrilled with everything we saw and heard. The end of the camp came all too quickly, and the thanks of all are due to the ATC Liaison Officer for his personal interest and to the Station Commander for making such a happy and instructive time possible.
Flt/Sgt
Soham Grammarian Spring 1943
ATC NOTES
As they were squeezed out of the last magazine, these ATC Notes will have to cover two term's work.
After the summer holidays, and a stimulating week in camp at our parent aerodrome, parades have been continued regularly for both flights during the last two terms and we have also had a lantern lecture. Most cadets, who previously had not qualified for uniforms because of their age, have now been issued with them, and this has removed their one source of complaint. There has also been an increase in numbers amongst the fraternity, notably in the school flight, and all the new members are now progressing well.
Work has been continued for the second proficiency examination, which contains such diverse subjects as the Theory of Flight, Law, Meteorology, Hygiene, Navigation and Engines. This Proficiency Two course is considerably more advanced than the previous one and is equivalent to the ITW Syllabus.
There has also been some "shooting" with an intriguing piece of apparatus known as the Swift Training Rifle.
The other cadets have continued with the first proficiency examination syllabus which consists of two phases, for there is a new preliminary part which includes Mathematics, Morse, English and Aircraft Recognition. We hope to add to the total of fifty-one cadets who have obtained the Proficiency One Certificate on a further examination at the end of term.
A canteen was started last term and now all cadets can get something to eat and a hot drink before they go home. This is especially appreciated by all those boys who have to travel long distances to attend parade.
One soccer match was played last term; this was against the Army Cadets and resulted in a 9-2 win for the ATC.
There have been several matches this term, results so far being as follows:
Newmarket 4-ATC 0 ; Newmarket 2-ATC 0 ; Isleham ATC 2-ATC 3; Army Cadets 1-ATC 6; Ely ATC 0-ATC 4; Mildenhall ATC 2-ATC 4.Mothersole, Bishop, Palmer and Talbot are to be congratulated on their performances. It is hoped that, in the near future, other soccer fixtures will be arranged with neighbouring ATC teams. We entered a team for an Inter-ATC Cross Country at our parent aerodrome this term and were placed fifth. In the individual placings HB Walton came seventeenth; Walton, Sgt GS White, and Cadets 1st Class Bedford and Cranwell were our best runners. We are now looking forward to our Annual Sports at the beginning of the next term.
There was a full parade on Armistice Sunday and we marched to the Parish Church with other junior organizations and various civil defence forces; this was our only public appearance last term and we were congratulated on the smart turn out. The second anniversary of the squadron's formation was duly celebrated with a social evening, complete with tea and some amusing inter-flight competitions, most of the latter being won by No.2 Flight. We especially enjoyed P/O Crouch's fine playing of the Warsaw Concerto, so popular with the RAF and ended the evening with some hearty community singing.
The following promotions were made last term:
No.1 Flight
No.2 Flight
Sgt RG Neal to be Flt-Sergeant
L/C AJ Cook to beCorporal
Cpl GS White to be Sergeant
L/C NJ Sneesby to be Corporal
L/C GP Brown to be Corporal
L/C EW Cox to be Corporal.SERGEANT
Soham Grammarian Summer 1943
EASTER ATC COURSE
During the Easter Holidays I was privileged to attend an ATC NCO's course at a training station in Eastern England. I travelled down from Manchester with cadets from Lancashire, Scotland and N Ireland, and we were joined en route by members from all over the country. On arrival at the nearest station we were paraded, arrival forms were filled in, and a flight sergeant was picked to file us out to the waiting RAF transport.
At the barrack block we were met by the two RAF Sergeant PTI's who were to be in charge of us for the next ten days. They took us to our rooms, one of which contained 50 beds and the other 25, and then gave us a short talk on discipline and deportment, mentioning that the previous course had set a very high standard, and that we were expected to maintain it.
One of the apprentice sergeants took us round the camp to get our bearings. He was rather annoyed, as it was his last night before going on leave and he wanted to make better use of it!
After a somewhat sleepless night, we were paraded in our three flights, Ground Defence, Navigation, and Officer Duties and Staff Work, and marched to HQ where we received an address from the "Groupie" and the Chaplain. Lectures then started. For me there were two sections, Air Strategy and RAF Law and Administration, with some drill and PT to remind us that it was not a rest cure we were on. The Officers' Duties Course included visits to the stores where we were shown around by a WAAF sergeant, and the labs (radio) where the corporal instructors showed us the various aircraft sets.
Two days had been allotted to, first, a practical exercise in catering, and the other to "A Day in the Life of an RAF Officer." On the Catering Exercise we had to draw and prepare our own rations, and cook them on home-made field kitchens. For the second day out we were divided into fives, and each party was allotted an officer to accompany throughout the day, except at meals. However, my party, after waiting from 08.30 hrs to 11.00 hrs was sent by a troubled WO to the flying field where we were taken into the instructions room. Two F/O Instructors, on hearing what we had to do, said that we could accompany them for the day.
We were very pleased as they insisted on our experiencing lunch in the mess and an instructional flight with a pupil. The very same evening our turn for an official flight came round. Despite the fact that a huge tea came between the two, I felt perfectly all right the whole two hours I was up.
The next day was our passing out inspection. We had no officers on parade at all, the squadron commander and the flight commanders being chosen from the cadets. The Inspector of the ATC, Air Commodore Chamier, took the salute and spoke to us afterwards, asking for criticisms of the course.
We were up at five the next morning and by 06.00 hrs were filing into transports. At the station there was a hurried exchange of addresses and then the train pulled out to the accompaniment of "She'll be Coming Round the Mountain." So ended a very enjoyable experience of RAF life.
Cpl BN WEBSTER
ATC NOTES
No.773 Squadron has completed its most successful and full term since it was formed, over two years ago.
On the Part 1 Proficiency Examination taken at the end of last term, eleven candidates were successful. They were as follows: Aircrew-Cpl K Serjeant, Cadets E.W Fordham, IW Howlett, EJ Martin, M Simons, BH Warren, BN Webster, ER West; Flight Mechanics-Cadets DW Boyce, K Burlingham, ACJ Stubbins. The total number of cadets who have passed this examination now stands at sixty-two.
We congratulate Sgt AJ Thompson and L/C RA Bailey on their success in the Proficiency Part 2 Examination - a distinct achievement. Last April Cpls EW Cox and BN Webster attended a 'special Instructors' Course with the RAF.
The first of our ceremonial parades was held early in the term, on Youth Sunday, with other Youth Organisations. Led by the Soham Comrades Band we marched to the Parish Church where the Service was conducted by the Vicar and Squadron Padre, the Rev PF Boughey. The sermon was preached by Canon Stallard and the lessons read by the CO's of the ATC and ACF.
On the evening of Tuesday, May 25th, an ATC film show was held at school. The films included "Malta Convoy" and "Target for To-night." On Saturday, June 5th, we joined with four other local units in a journey to Mildenhall, where we were inspected by Mr WW Wakefield, MP, Director of the ATC who spoke to many cadets and showed great interest in their work, progress, and aspirations. He was accompanied by the Commandant of Eastern Region, Air Marshal Sir PHL Playfair, KBE, CB, CVO, MC, and staff. Mr. Wakefield later gave the combined assembly a most invigorating talk, in which he spoke of the high standard of the RAF and the tradition which it built up during the Battle of Britain. The ATC was playing an important part in the national scheme of things, and doing well the job it set out to do.
On the following day we took part in the parade to open Soham's "Wings for Victory" Week. The salute was taken by Air Vice-Marshal NDK MacEwan, CB, CMG, DSO. Unfortunately, rain prevented an inspection, and we were glad to march in mackintosh capes, but the Air Vice-Marshal honoured us with a short but inspiring address before we moved off. The open-air ceremony after the march had to cancelled, and a Service was held in the Parish Church. It was conducted by the Vicar. The sermon was preached by the Air Vice-Marshal and our CO read the Lesson.
A promising Sports Meeting, RAF v ATC in June, had to be cancelled "owing to the exigencies of the service." On successive Sundays later in the term, the two Flights spent a most enjoyable day at an East Anglian Fighter Station. We inspected hangars, aircraft, the armoury, the range, parachute, photography and wireless sections, and made a tour of the flying field where we saw much to interest us. Perhaps the most interesting part of our programme was "flying" in the Link Trainer. The writer made an unsuccessful first sortie, finding himself flying several feet underground and finally stepping out at 3,000 feet! Our sincere thanks are due to all the Officers and NCO's who arranged such a pleasant and instructive trip.
Throughout the term we have had our customary schemes of training and work, most interesting talks by serving Old Boys, and some of our number are hoping to take Proficiency 1 before we end the school year with the annual camp. It has been a great pleasure to be visited by so many Old Cadets now in the RAF - at least six of them now wear their brevets and two of these are Pilot Officers.
CORPORAL