1. 1941 2011 1440 SQUADRON SHOREHAM AND DISTRICT AIR TRAINING CORPS
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3. 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
5. Article in Air Cadet Review in 1948 announcing the official opening of the new HQ The full text appears on the next slide.
6. 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.
7. 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
8. Day of the official opening of the 4th Squadron HQ following the sale and redevelopment of the TA centre
12. Squadron Commanding Officers CAN YOU FILL IN THE BLANKS? 1941 - 1950 Unknown at this time - 1953 Flt Lt H S Coleman 1953 - 1959 Flt Lt D Goldfinch 1959 - 1962 Flt Lt N Finch 1962 - 1962 Flt Lt J Pullar 1962 - 1968 Flt Lt K Winstone 1968 - 1973 Flt Lt K E Guest 1973 - 1974 Flt Lt P L Johnson 1974 - 1987 Flt Lt P W Holland 1887 - 1993 Flt Lt W Hancox 1993 - ???? Flt Lt C Nutland ???? - ???? Flt Lt M G P Grinstead ???? - 2009 Flt Lt C M Groves 2009 - Present WO S J Rogers
13. 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
14. Squadron Staff WarrantOfficers Officers Civilian Instructors Alan Morgan Mike Jefferies Wilf Stephenson Ken Winstone Norman Finch Don Goldfinch Don Moore Brian Sneed Gordon Lynn Ray Staley Bloke from London Tom Pollington Peter Rose Dough Terry Chris Harland Gerry White Norman Standing
15. From Gerry White Cadet and Civilian Instructor 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
16. 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 . 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.
17. Gerry White Cadet and Civilian Instructor 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.
18. Gerry White Cadet and Civilian Instructor 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. Cadets showing the typical uniform of the time.
19. 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.
79. John Dransfield Joined the Royal Navy and went on to become a pilot flying helicopters including Sea King’s at RNAS Culdrose.
80. Dave Baker Over came his stutter to become a first officer flying with BOAC and BA
81. Robin Vangeen 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.
82. Richard Cook Joined the RAF and served as a Load Master on various helicopters including a spell in Belfast during the “troubles”.
83. Nelson McCloud Another 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.
84. Richard Coward 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.
85. Chris Harland 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.
86. BrianSmeed Brian Sneed , seen here with the Squadron Standard went on to have a long career with the Brighton Police.
87. 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.