1300 Squadron ATC: Ex-Cadets

An interiew with a 1941 cadet

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 18:52:45 GMT

On Monday 21^st April 2008, I met one of the first cadets of 1300 (Sutton-in-Ashfield) Squadron.

John Pemblington joined 1300 Squadron in 1941, it was then located on Reform Street, Sutton-in-Ashfield. 1300 Squadron started when the Air Defence Cadet Corps became the Air Training Corps on 5^th February 1941.

John went through the usual ATC training of Foot Drill and Morse Code before joining the Royal Air Force in 1942 at the age of 19. He had 17 weeks training at Blackpool, to be a wireless operator, where he had to learn to use Morse Code at 10 words per minute (wpm). But because of his training in the ATC he could do 12wpm.

After his training he went via Liverpool to Egypt for 3 months on then onto Aden, and then back again to Egypt. Overall he spent 2 years in Egypt. He then served in Italy and then back to the UK at RAF Church Fenton.

John was demobbed from the Royal Air Force 1947.

John Pemblington was interviewed by AWO Amanda Coleman

A Thank You from an ex-cadet

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 18:46:56 GMT

dear 1300 squadron,

I want to congratulate all the cadets and N.C.O's and the staff for everything they've put into the sqn, you’re all a credit to the ATC.

I'd also like to say hey to the boys and girls that were around when I was, Tucker, Jones who looks good with the lanyard! Mr Shed, and the tall guy I never remember, probably now a member of staff, and thankyou to any staff that are still there, I’ve just applied for the RAF and passed all my tests easily and have a very high chance of getting in, but the thing they told me in the interview that made me stand out was that I was a member of 1300 squadron Sutton-in-Ashfield a highly reliable group according to the guys at the AFCO, and the progress I have made so far is down to the discipline and other skills that I had drilled into me by the 'N.C.O's and staff, and moral values that were encouraged by my peers.

Thanks again for everything, I wouldn't be the person I am today without everybody,

kind regards

ex-cdt Kyle green

A Letter from a Rocket Scientist

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 18:05:48 GMT

Hi

My mum passed a copy of the article Memories of Yesteryear, that appeared in the Chad last November. It' has been sitting waiting for me to respond. I can't offer anything related to the photo, but thought you may be interested in a 1300 Old Boy, many years on.

I still have my 3822, which says I was enrolled on 23 August 1972, at the tender age of 14. I passed my Leading in Feb 1973 and my Senior in November the same year. As I recall I left sometime in 1974. I'm still in contact with a couple of people who were in the Squadron at the same time – Russ Baker, who was a Flight Sergeant, and whose father was an officer in the Squadron I believe. Sadly, his father died before I arrived, and his mother sponsored a trophy in his memory. The other was Rob Hilton, who lasted a short time as I did, but later joined the RAF. When he left the Service, he settled in Holland, just over the border from Laarbruch, where he still lives with his wife and their two children.

Russ Baker taught me to fly a control-line model aircraft, and we later teamed up and flew in competitions - our best result was fourth in the National Championships sometime around 1976, in control-line Mini-Goodyear racing. I was the pilot and Russ the pit man. My first ever flight was on the Lammas, and we spent many hours flying over a tiny concrete patch in the far corner, below the church. The secret was to avoid the bump before banging the model onto the ground in time for Russ to catch it for refuelling.

Later, I went to Loughborough University, graduating in 1980 with a degree in Aeronautical Engineering, and joined BAe Dynamics at Hatfield, Hertfordshire.

I left BAe and joined the RAF for a short spell, but left during training, moving to Hatfield Polytechnic as a lecturer. The Poly then became the University of Hertfordshire, where I still teach. I teach Aircraft Design, Reliability and Rocket Propulsion. (You could say 1300 produced a rocket scientist.)

In my spare time, I tried to give back what my short spell in the ATC gave to me - I became a CI, then an officer in the VR(T), at 2465 (Icknield) Squadron, Luton, before taking over as CO at 10F (Luton) Squadron, then 2492 (Luton Airport) Squadron. When I moved to the University, I joined Hatfield Squadron as a CI for a short time, but found I had too little time.

Whilst at the University, I re-wrote the ACP on Airframes for HQAC, and you will find picture credits to me in there, as well as a thank-you to the University. I later extended and adapted the ACP, which then became a book, Aircraft Structures and Systems (MechAero Publishing, www.mechaero.co.uk), which I use in my teaching.

My career as a rocket scientist was re-vitalised when I began teaching Rocket Propulsion at the University, and also flying high-power rockets with students. I have just received a video from one of my project students, showing the firing of his own-built rocket motor. My own exploits can be seen at www.rockets.herts.ac.uk, including the largest rocket to date, which is over 12 feet long and 7.5 inches in diameter, and will reach over 8000 feet and 500 miles per hour.

Although this story doesn't relate to the article in the Chad, I hope you will find it interesting. Good luck with the Squadron in the future.

Regards
___________________________________________________________

Eur Ing Ray Wilkinson

Senior Lecturer and Rocket Scientist

University of Hertfordshire

1300 Sqn in 1960's

Tue, 29 Jan 2008 18:29:43 GMT

A photograph of 1300 (Sutton-in-Ashfield) Squadron from 1964 was given to us from an ex-cadet, Alwyn Brettall (now in Rainworth). It shows cadets and staff on an Annual Camp at RAF Watton in 1964. Alwyn Brettall is on the rear rank, 3^rd from the left.

Are you in the photo? Then please get in touch with the Squadron.

We have a correction for this article, B Maxie Gascoigne states that this photo is from 1966 and at RAF Euston in Northumberland.

Do you agree? Please get in touch!

A Letter from an ex-cadet - Ron Wain

Thu, 08 Nov 2007 18:21:16 GMT

Hi there,

Thought you may like to hear from an old member of the ATC.

I was in the Squadron from about 1946 until I joined the RAF for two years (undistinguished) national service in 1950. It is so nice to see you still very active.

The facilities during my time were somewhat different........Our premises were a disused factory in Reform St (which was still largely in the same state the last time I visited town.)

There were usually around 20 cadets. Our CO was an ex RAF pilot Flt Lt G Wright.

He was from the family who had Simpson Wright and Lowe - a hoisery factory on Huthwaite Road. The Equipment Officer was a certain F.O. Marsh. (He had a tailors shop at the top of the market on I think King St.)

My memories are becoming vague: in part because of age but also as I moved away from SinA back in 1964 and now live in Sussex.

I had some wonderful times with the ATC. We used to have regular visits to the local RAF Stations - Hucknall - Newton - Syerston. Also we had summer camps at RAF Dishforth (where I flew in a Lancaster!) - RAF Locking and many more.

During those times - just after the war years I was able to fly in many of the old WW2 aircraft..........Those I remember are - Harvards - Ansons - Dominees - Wellington - Halifax and of course the good old Tiger Moths.

Unfortunately I was not bright enough to be considered for air crew..........if only I had not messed around so much at school.............

Good Luck to everyone at 1300 and congratulations to all who help to keep it alive.

I have a photo taken outside of the HQ and at summer camps which I shall endeavour to attach it. It is named 'Redhill' plse ignore that. (I'm the Sgt!).

Best Wishes, Ron Wain

I still have wonderful memories of so many happy times there.