1440 SQUADRON SHOREHAM AND DISTRICT

AIR TRAINING CORPS

1941 2011

1440 SQUADRON HEADQUARTERS

Formed Middle Road School in on 24 April 1941

Moved to the north side of Shoreham Airport

Relocated to the TA Centre in Eastern Avenue

Moved into new building in Eastern Avenue when the TA Centre is sold for housing

Site of Squadron HQ from 1948 till 195???

Article in Air Cadet Review in 1948 announcing the official opening of the new HQ

The full text appears on the next slide.

Air Cadet Review Volume 10 1948

No 1440 (Shoreham Southwick) Squadron

The new headquarters of the Shoreham and Southwick Squadron at Shoreham Airport were officially opened on Monday 30 August by Air Commodore Sir Harry Broadhurst K.B.E C.B D.S.O D.F.C A.F.C , Air Officer Commanding No 61 (Eastern Reserve) Group , to which the squadron belongs.

Amongst the spectators at the opening in addition to local councillors and representatives of many organisations were many senior RAF officers.

The large building on the left is 1440’s Headquarters at the TA Centre in Eastern Avenue . This picture shows a Squadron inspection in the mid 1960’s

Day of the official opening of the 4th Squadron HQ following the sale and redevelopment of the TA centre

Percy Holland CO 1440 and Cadet Chris Harland

1440 Squadron HQ in 2010

1941 - 1950 Unknown at this time- 1953 Flt Lt H S Coleman1953 - 1959 Flt Lt D Goldfinch1959 - 1962 Flt Lt N Finch1962 - 1962 Flt Lt J Pullar1962 - 1968 Flt Lt K Winstone1968 - 1973 Flt Lt K E Guest1973 - 1974 Flt Lt P L Johnson1974 - 1987 Flt Lt P W Holland1887 - 1993 Flt Lt W Hancox1993 - ???? Flt Lt C Nutland???? - ???? Flt Lt M G P Grinstead???? - 2009 Flt Lt C M Groves2009 - Present WO S J Rogers

Squadron Commanding Officers

CAN YOU FILL IN THE BLANKS?

Alan Morgan

WO Alan Morgan F/O Wilf Stephenson F/LT Ken Winstone F/O Alan Moore , Cadets include Tilley , Rob Vangeen, Brian Churcher and Nigel Tannerhill

Squadron Staff Warrant Officers Officers Civilian Instructors

Alan MorganMike Jefferies

Wilf StephensonKen WinstoneNorman FinchDon GoldfinchDon MooreBrian Sneed Gordon LynnRay StaleyBloke from London

Tom PollingtonPeter RoseDough TerryChris HarlandGerry WhiteNorman Standing

The squadron as formed at Middle Road Secondary School during the war. The unit had a drum and Bugle band, buglers sounded General salute when the flag was hoisted . Last post was sounded at sunset, when the flag was taken down. Band practice always took place on Sunday mornings.

The Squadron moved to Shoreham Airport and the new HQ was opened in 1948.

Site of Squadron HQ at Airport taken in 2010

From Gerry White Cadet and Civilian Instructor

In 1951, at the age of 13 years, I was recruited by Michael Dunstall, to join The ATC, the meetings then, were held in the Dome, at Shoreham Airport, a penny bus ride from the Red lion, to Withy Patch.

The Commanding Officer was Sqd/Ldr Nash, flight commanders were Flt/lt Sidney Coleman, Flt/Lt Kenneth Winstone, deputies were F/off Ken Guest, and F/off Norman Finch. Flt/Lt Donald Goldfinch DFC was the Adjutant. Adult Warrant Officers were Wilfred Stephenson, and Alan Morgan, Civilian Instruction on engineering was given by Worthy Tom Pollington. Douglas Terry accompanied Cadets on Flying experience .

Gerry White Cadet and Civilian Instructor

The Dome had unusual acoustics, and was great for rehearsals. Rifle drill was taught and range practice, with the Cadet rifle was given on the 25 yard range, in the corner of Shoreham Airport opposite Ricardo Works.

My first Air experience flight was in an RAF Avro Anson, which flew in to Shoreham, we took off from the Apron, and flew a circular route passing over Brighton and Arundel.

I was hooked on flying. The Sqdn had three flights Shoreham, Lancing, and Steyning. My first Summer Camp a week in duration, was at RAF Thorney Island, accommodation, was under Canvas, I remember hearing the Curlews at night.

Cadets went for a flight in RAF Piston Provost, fired on the .303 rifle, and enjoyed swimming in the pool.

Gerry White Cadet and Civilian Instructor

Cadets showing the typical uniform of the time.

Subsequent, Summer camps were held in RAF Detling, RAF West Malling, and RAF Biggin Hill. The unit moved to Eastern Avenue, and I left in 1958 to join the RAF.

Gerry White Cadet and Civilian Instructor

Norman Finch –

Just after he turned 17 he went along to the inaugural meeting of the 3rd Hove & Brighton spin off at Middle Road School on St George's Day 23.04.41. As they had sufficient numbers to form a squadron, 1440 Sqn ATC was formed a month later in May 41

Norman went to the RAF Halton camp later that year in 1941 or 1942. After serving in the RAF he re-joined the Sqn in 1947 where he helped build it up to some 84 cadets when they were at Withy Patch and after at Eastern Avenue.

Norman served as C.O from 1959 to 1962.

Annual Camp19411942194319441945194619471948194919501951 Thorny Island1952195319531955 Biggin Hill1956195719581959 Chivenor1960 Sth Cerney

1961 Wittering1962 Lindholm1963 St Athens1964 Wattersham1965 C ottersmore1966 Lt Rissington1967 1968 Coltishall1969 Scampton 1970 Shawbury19711972 Hereford1973197419751976 Finningly1977197819791980

1981 Honnington1982198319841985198619871988198919901991199219931994199519961997199819992000

2001200220032004200520062007200820092010

Possibly Shoreham or Newhaven Squadron

1440 at unknown camp in 1940’s

1440 at unknown camp in 1940’s

RAF THORNEY ISLAND 1951

RAF BIGGIN HILL 1955

RAF CHIVENOR 1959

RAF SOUTH CERNEY 1960

RAF SWINDERBY

RAF WITTERING -1961

RAF LINDHOLM 1962

RAF St ATHENS 1963

RAF WATTISHAM

RAF WATTISHAM 1964

RAF COTTESMORE 1965

RAF LITTLE RISSINGTON 1966

RAF COLTISHALL - 1968

RAF SCAMPTON 1969

RAF SCAMPTON 1969

RAF SHAWBURY 1970

RAF HEREFORD 1972

FINNINGLY 1976

RAF BRAWDY

RAF HONNINGTON 1981

RAF ODIHAM

RAF BRIZE NORTON 197?

Air Cadets always take pride in their appearance

Are always keen and alert

Deplore violence

Is iNtelL -agent

And always respect authority

GIRLS VENTURE CORPS BUCKINGHAM PARK AUG 1966

AEF Chipmunks at Shoreham Airport

Duxford Imperial War museum

Shoreham Air Port Anniversary Canadian Air Force

Unveiling of the Cecil Pashley plaque at Shoreham Airport. 1993

Range practice RAF Oakington

Range practice RAF Oakington

Trevor Stuart & Rob Finch fire .303 Enfield rifles RAF Scampton 1969

Andy Skinner RAF Oakington 1975

Scott Tuppin Oakinton 1975

Cadet Hay working on a Varsity RAF Oakington 1975

Mick Unstead in cockpit Varsity RAF Oakington 1975

Ken Guest and Tom (Pop squeeze bang blow) Pollington

H Block billet room

Alan Morgan displays his 20 year clasp to his long service medal

Mike Jeffery displays his 12 year long service medal

1980

Robin Vangeen & Dave Baker RAF Little Rissington 1964

At the Windermere Adventure Training Centre

Rouges Gallery Of

Past Members

John Dransfield

Joined the Royal Navy and went on to become a pilot flying helicopters including Sea King’s at RNAS Culdrose.

Over came his stutter to become a first officer flying with BOAC and BA

Dave Baker

Met his future wife Linda when she was a GVC cadet in the Squadron.

He won a Flying Scholarship and leant to fly on Chipmunks.

Robin joined the RAF and has a successful career in Air Traffic Control.

Robin Vangeen

Joined the RAF and served as a Load Master on various helicopters including a spell in Belfast during the “troubles”.

Richard Cook

Nelson McCloudAnother young ATC cadet in the 1982 era , was Cpl Nelson Mcleod, who played the bugle in the Drum and pipe band.

Nelson was a Shoreham lad, he joined the Royal Green Jacket Regiment as a regular in the Light Brigade band, following many years of service, Nelson was promoted to Bugle Major, seen here alongside a bronze statute of a former Bugle Major at Winchester Barracks.

Nelson as a young Bugler sounded last Post in the Festival of Remembrance at the Albert Hall. Nelsons service in the Light Brigade Corps of Drums, was on several occasions, recognized byQueen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother.

Richard Coward became an airline pilot and is a first officer on various Air Bus types.

Currently working in Saudi Arabia

He now lives in Worthing with his wife and family.

Richard Coward

Chris was a cadet with 1440 and later became a Civilian Instructor.

He is now a CI with Steyning Squadron where he wrote the history of that unit.

Chris Harland

Brian Sneed , seen here with the Squadron Standard went on to have a long career with the Brighton Police.

Brian Smeed

Rob Finch, Mike Jeffery ,Ray Staley Gordon Lynn and Bill Stephens

Gordon was a pilot for Federal Express and now lives in America.

Bill has been a pilot with various airlines and has regularly flown to Port Stanley.

The “Barge” at RAF Kenley

Kirby Cadet Mk III “the brick”

Air Experience Flight DH Chipmunk

First class cadet

Leading Cadet

Senior Cadet

ATC MarksmanStaff Cadet

5 rounds in your own time – carry on