|
|
 |
|
|
|
2499 (Wokingham) Squadron, Air Training Corps...
|
| |
2499 (Wokingham) Squadron was formed on the 1st September 1971 and inaugurated on the 12th November 1971,
after several years of ATC presence in the town under the guise of a detached flight from 2211 (Bracknell)
Squadron. However rumours exist of an ATC unit in Wokingham during the mid to late 1940's, but no evidence
has been found so far.
Flt Lt John Harper, an ex-Empire Test Pilot was the first Officer Commanding (OC) the Squadron and
successfully led it through its early days.
By the summer of 1973 the Squadron had an enrolled strength of 40 cadets and through their achievements was
selected to represent Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Berkshire Wing ("The Oh Bee Bee") in the Lees Trophy
for 1974. The Lees Trophy is presented to the best all-round ATC Squadron in the country. The Squadron was
again selected for the Lees in 1975, 2499 coming 5th out of 8 finalists.
In 1976, 30 members of the Squadron enjoyed a Christmas Dinner at the Old Rose in Wokingham. This became a
2499 tradition, sadly ended when the resturant was re-fitted by new management. On some years it was known
for cadets and staff to actually eat the food rather than just throw it at each other. Happy days, long gone.
1978 brought the Squadron a new home in the shape of the current HQ on the old Carnival Field. The Squadron
left its old home in the old Drill Hall which stood on the current Plaza site and moved into the Spooner Hut
on the 5th February. The Cadet Centre is still shared with our collegues, 10 (Wokingham) Platoon, Army Cadet Force.
It was decided in February 1981 to purchase a VHF radio for R/T training. An aerial was donated and 2499 has not
been off the air since!
Also in 1981 AWO Tony Insley was presented with the Lord Lieutenant's Certificate of Merit. AWO Insley was to
eventually retire after 25 years unbroken service to the ATC. He presented the Insley Cup to be awarded annually
to the cadet with the best attendance which soon became a hotly contested award.
Finally for 1981 the Oxon, Bucks and Berks Wing became Thames Valley Wing after saying goodbye to its Buckinghamshire
Squadrons who joined those in Hertfordshire to form the Herts and Bucks Wing (Thereafter known as Herts and F^&ts!).
During March 1983 a request was made to the OC, Flt Lt Vic Webb, to form a Detached Flight to be based at Maiden Erleigh
School. Fg Off Dave Middleton was to take command of the Flight which paraded for the first time on 14th February 1984
with 10 cadets. Six cadets had transferred from the Squadron, while the other four were new recruits. Not bad for a first
night! 2499 (Earley) Detached Flight continued through until 1996 when it was awarded Squadron status. 1996 (Earley) Squadron
now parades in Whiteknights School in Earley with Flt Lt Nick Foy in command.
1985 was another busy year with 2499 coming 3rd in Wing Athletics, overflying the Squadron Headquarters, visiting RAF Chivenor
for annual camp and RAF Lyneham for C-130 Hercules flying. Flt Lt Webb was presented with the Cadet Force Medal at the
annual open evening by the Guest of Honour, Air Marshall Sir Ivor Broom. Flt Lt Martin Lines, the current OC, took command in
1999 after 15 years service on the Squadron in various roles.
The Squadron was formally adopted by former members of 249 (Gold Coast) Fighter Squadron, Royal Air Force in May 1986. 2499 was
presented with a print of John Nicolson winning his Battle of Britain VC, signed by seven members of 249, six of them being
former commanding officers of 249. The print still proudly hangs in the Squadron Headquarters. Click
here for a short history of the RAF's highest scoring Squadron in World War II.
CWO Brain Sutton was selected as the Lord Lieutenant of Berkshire's Cadet in 1987 and carried out his duties for the next 12
months. At the Wing Field Day the Squadron excelled and took away the Field Day Trophy. Rumour has it the winners are still
looking for it!
On 6th June 1989, after 20 years service, Flt Lt Vic Webb retired from command of the Squadron having been involved for all of
its formative years.
In fact it is interesting to note that our Squadron History fizzles out with Flt Lt Webb's retirement. If you have any dates,
facts, or indeed unreturned Wing Trophies, please email AWO Lambert.
With over 30 years history behind it 2499 has trained hundreds of cadets in all aspects of the ATC syllabus and many have moved
on to successful careers in the Armed Forces, including Flt Lt Dunc Mason who flies with the Red Arrows as Red 3.
2499 Squadron continues to thrive in recent years. In 2004 the Squadron was shortlisted to be Thames Valley Wing's representative for the Lees Trophy,
the ATC's award for the best Squadron in the country. Also in 2004, Flt Lt Martin Lines was awarded the
Cadet Forces Medal in recognition of his long service to the ATC and the Squadron made a clean sweep of the full-bore shooting
awards at the Wing Competition for the second year running.
2499 Squadron is parented by Royal Air Force Station Odiham, which is located in Hampshire. RAF Odiham supplies equipment and
uniforms for the cadets, and also provides training facilities and other support. For the RAF Odiham website please visit the
Links page.
|
|
