The RAFs previous reliance on maintenance by repair was being superseded by a new concept of repair by component change. 3rd June 1935. He had left school in July 1964 and was headed off to join the Royal Air Force at RAF Hereford to enter a one-year Administrative Apprentice training course as part of the 301 st cohort known as an 'entry' (1) A week later, on the 2nd of September 1964, he took the Oath of Allegiance to Her Majesty the Queen. The BBC soon recognised his talent as a broadcaster and he later co-hosted, with Jean Metcalfe, Two-Way Family Favourites, a radio programme much loved in the UK and those serving in Germany. Entry, September 1954. after leaving RAF Halton, but whilst stll serving in the Royal Air Force, click here. Maintain the electronic and paper medical records, monitoring the occupational health of Defence personnel. The Halton trained men provided the nucleus on which the great expansion of the Air Force was centred surely the efficient maintenance of aircraft has also been one of the outstanding features of the war, and that has been made possible by the Halton training of our men. While ex-Halton apprentices who became high achievers contributed much to its legacy, Trenchards original aim in founding the apprentice scheme was to produce a cadre of wellmotivated, highly trained airmen capable of becoming competent supervisors in the direction of work and control of men. Watermead For these reasons and others, Trenchard instituted the Aircraft Apprentice Scheme to be based at RAF Halton No. Your Association is determined that the role of ex Halton apprentices in the military history of our great nation is recognised by future generations. This e-mail and any files transmitted with it are confidential and Although offered a five year engagement in the RAF, most opted to leave the Service. . Cliff Michelmore as an apprentice. His role was to assist the pilot to manage the complicated systems in these more advanced aircraft. On 25th October 1942 she moved to RAF Hurn near Bournemouth, Hants. CHIEF TECHNICIAN Served from 1969 - 1993 Served in RAF Apprentices. Halton apprentice training gave many a boy from a humble background the chance to aspire to heights not normally expected of him. It was opened by his grandson on the 26 June 1999. Of those apprentices who became Cranwell cadets, thirteen won the Sword of Honour, giving credence to Trenchards vision that the new Service should base the selection of its future leaders on ability and merit, and not class and social background. I have moved your post to a thread of its own in the Military - Royal Air Force forum where it will get more attention. 1 School of Technical Training at Halton in southern England. Joining the RAF as an aircraft apprentice at RAF Halton, Buckinghamshire. . Technician apprentices were recruited with a minimum of four GCE O-levels and more emphasis was placed on their academic training to ensure that most graduated with a National Certificate. The oldest living member of the Association is awarded the honorary title "King Brat" as a mark of respect. Sgt Samuel Butterfield destroyed eight enemy aircraft in 14 days of intensive operations in May 1940 accounting for four EA on a single day before being shot down himself over the Channel. However, many apprentices believe that this antiestablishment activity contributed as much to the development of the famous Halton Spirit as did all of the communal living, sporting activities, marching with bands and discipline.