A 202nd entry paver has been installed at the Halton Grove at the National Memorial Aboretum at Alrewas. Pavers have been laid in memory of Sgt Bill Robertson and J/T Pat Hurst, who both died in service.
The 202nd entry was the second of the Craft Apprentice
entries. 201 entry
had arrived at No 1 School of Technical Training RAF Halton in September
1964. The 90 plus young men, who would
become 202 entry, arrived at Wendover station, near
Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire on
The craft apprentice scheme was designed to provide skilled craftsmen to service and maintain the TSR2 and the new generation of aircraft. The technician apprentice scheme was similarly designed to provide more highly qualified technicians to work
alongside the craftsmen. Both schemes
were to replace the aircraft apprentice schemes, which had been introduced in
the nineteen twenties by The Lord Trenchard. The apprentices of the Trenchard scheme are affectionately known as
brats. Both craft and technician apprentice
schemes were worthy successors of the aircraft apprentices.
The TSR2 never went into service as the
Click on the photo below to enlarge it.
A
Flt 202 Entry January 1965 B Flt 202 Entry January 1965
The Entry Commander was Flt Lt Brian Carter and his Adjutant was Fg Off Ambler. Brian Carter was last seen by Stuart Morgan in the Running Horse bar at the RAF Club in about 1985. At that time, Brian was working for a commercial airline as a pilot.
Many of the Entry went on to become commissioned officers, SNCOs, and warrant officers in the Royal Air Force. Of those who left the RAF at the end of their original term, many have had distinguished careers in civilian life.
One of the Cpl Aircraft Apprentices (CAA) from 104 Entry Aircraft Apprentices, who was the floor CAA in A Flt on our arrival, was Cliff
Spink. Cliff reached the rank of Air Marshal. He retired from the service in November 2002, although by all accounts he still flies with the RAF Reserve, and he flies Hunters out of RAF Scampton. Frank Dixon and Stuart Morgan chatted with Cliff at the AGM of the RAF Halton Apprentices Association on 30 July 2011. Subsequently in 2012 Stuart and his wife chatted with Cliff during the reception hosted by the CAS in London in March 2012. Cliff has fond memories of 202nd entry.
Less than three weeks after 20 entry joined the RAF, Sir Winston Churchill, died on
Regretably, Pat Hurst lost his life on 27 September 1968 (aged 19), early into his post Halton career. Details of his death are recorded on the Roll of Honour kept by the Royal British Legion.
Mac Pile visited the grave in October 09 and placed the cross of remembrance in front of the grave “From 202nd Halton Brats”. Thanks from all of us Mac.
Robin Ling, Mick Meehan, Dennis Wherry and Stuart were in the air scouts when they were brats. Mick, Stuart and Robin earned the Queens Award and we went to
The 202 association includes approximately 45 active members.
Stuart Morgan, who was for three years until 2013 Editor of the Haltonian magazine, has email contact with many other ex-brats, particularly in 102, 104, 106, 201, 203 and 204 entries (over 60 ex-colleagues). A list of known e-mail addresses for members of 202 entry is kept by Stuart Morgan and Jim Voss. Jim is the Branch representative to the RAF Halton Apprentices Association [RAFHAA].
Membership of the RAF Halton Apprentices Association is another good way to keep in touch with ex-brats and the alma mater.
Details of all events and membership subscriptions are available from the RAFHAA, The RAFHAA Office. Sadly, RAF Halton is scheduled to close by the end of 2022.
A 202 entry stain glass window has been endowed by members of the association and placed in St George's church at RAF Halton.
Several entry members attended the 2004, 2007, 2010, 2013 and 2016 Triennial reunions of RAFHAA at Halton. The next and the last Triennial reunion is scheduled for 20 August 22.
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RAF Halton Apprentices Association web site
A list of e-mail addresses of ex-202 entry brats is kept by Stuart Morgan and Jim Voss.
David Abbott lives near Lincoln.
David Burgin is the secretary of 24 Sqn.
Dr Peter Burke PhD retired in Jan 2011 from his post as a senior lecturer at Hull University. He lives in Beverley.
Roderick Campbell lives in Binbrook village.
Brian Carrington.
Pete Claydon lives in Norfolk.
Frank Dixon lives in Southend on Sea.
Danny Elliott lives in
Eddie Edwards (A Fitt (E)) who lived in Peterborough died, aged 63 years, on 30 June 2011.
Matt Ellis lived in Cirencester until emigrating to Australia in 2011.
Andrew Ferguson lives near Swindon.
Dave (Brickwood) Figgins lives in USA.
Tom Fortune died of Covid in 2020.
Richie Goddard lives in Cornwall.
Keith Grant.
Dave Greenfield (deceased).
Paul Hicks lives in Looe, Cornwall.
Eddie Hughes (deceased).
Ken Isaac.
Allen Jackson.
Jimmy Jobson.
Terence Lacey was Wg Ad O for the Herts and Bucks Wing of the Air Training Corps before retiring to Spain in 2006.
Stewart Lanham.
Rob Ling is living in Lincoln.
John Manson.
John Maroney lives in Manchester.
Dave Massey.
Jim McKee, our ex-sergeant apprentice, is living in Bridlington.
Mick Meehan lives in Nelson, Lancs.
Anthony Millis.
Paul Moore is living in Australia.
Terry "The Vicar" Moore lives in the Algarve.
Stuart Morgan lives in Swansea.
John Norman lives in Beverley, East Yorkshire.
Keith Parkin lives in Norfolk.
Mike Pay lives in Norfolk.
Raymond Malcolm (Mac) Pile lives in Royal Wooton Bassett.
Dave Pewter.
Stephen Pryde lives in Perth, Western Australia.
John Robinson lives in Lincoln.
Dave Stirling died in 2017.
Keith Stuart died in 2017.
Roger Tunsley lives in USA.
Jim Voss lives in Cottingham, West Yorkshire.
Gareth Walters died of cancer on 26 July 2014.
Nick Watts.
Dennis Wherry lives in Guernsey, Channel Islands.
Dave Whiting died in late May 2018.
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