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On Saturday 29th July, 65 (Bridgwater & Dist) Squadron, Air Training Corps, held a recruiting day at The Cadet Training Centre, Friarn Meadow.
The Welfare Committee, Staff and Cadets presented a cheque for £200 pounds to The Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance representative Judy Carroll.
The cheque was presented on behalf of the Squadron by Cadet Corporal Chris Davis. Also in attendance was the Commanding Officer Flight Lieutenant Ross Hendry RAFVR(T).
On the 16th August 2006 cadets from 2469 (Exeter St Thomas), 13 (City of Exeter) and 1064 (Honiton) Squadrons embarked on a journey to North Wales organised by Fg Off Cohen from 2469 Sqn. On arrival they were greeted with rain, rain and more rain. Snowdon was the first mountain on the list which was conquered with no problems by all, even a view was seen for a few brief moments.
On return to the camp site rock climbing was planned on Little Tryfan. As soon as a climb was set up the theme of the trip of rain soon developed into a thunder storm with flashes of lightening being far too close. Deciding that being on top of a rock with numerous metal items hanging off waists wasn’t the place to be in a storm, that plan got cancelled rather rapidly and a mass rapid exodus to the campsite ensued.
The following day the summit bid was for that of Tryfan. This was again successfully accomplished by all via the classic North Ridge which was a scramble from start to finish. A classic mountain by a classic route and a good day had by all. So far rain didn’t stop play but on day 3 defeat by torrential rain was admitted. All in all though a good few days and a trip which will happen again, hopefully in the sunshine. Crib Goch watch out....
Cadets from across Devon and Somerset Wing came together in Exeter to remember the few as they were described by the then Prime Minster Sir Winston Churchill.
The service of thanksgiving was held at Southernhay United Reform Church in Exeter, and was attended by The Deputy Lord Lieutenant for Devon Sir John Evans, The Lord Mayor of Exeter Councillor Norman Shilel, members of The Royal Air Force Association including some who had actually served during the Battle of Britain as pilots and aircrew. Plus over hundred cadets and staff from Devon and Somerset Wing Air Training Corps.
The service was followed with a parade through the City centre with the salute being taken at The Guildhall, this was followed by a wreath laying service at The County War memorial.
Parades such as this gives a real opportunity for today’s young people to mix and chat to the last generation’s young people and hear how they lived and how many of them didn’t come back many of them not much older than our current Cadets, but also reminding us that a new generation continue to serve this Country all over the world for peace and freedom.
Air Cadets from Nos. 1955 (Wells), 1182 (Shepton Mallet), 2277 (Castle Cary and District) and 2282 (Somer) Squadrons of the Devon and Somerset Wing of the Air Training Corps took part in a recent parade to mark 800 years since the inauguration of the first Bishop at Wells Cathedral. The occasion also provided an opportunity for a review of the County’s volunteer services including the St. Johns Ambulance and various support organisations.
The parade was led by the Somerset Army Cadet Force band. Contingents of Sea Cadets and Scouts also participated.
Having formed up at the west front of Wells Cathedral the parade was inspected jointly by Lady Elizabeth Gass, the Lord Lieutenant of Somerset and the present Bishop of Bath and Wells Bishop Peter.
Following a service held in the Cathedral the Cadets attended a reception in the grounds of the Bishop’s Palace.
Wing Staff Officer Squadron Leader John Parsons said, "Our Cadets were very smart, they are a credit to the Wing and I was very proud to lead them on the parade."
15 Staff and Cadets from 13 (City of Exeter) Squadron Air Training Corps have visited their Cities’ adopted warship, the Type 42 Destroyer HMS Exeter, at Devonport Dockyard, Plymouth.
The Wyvern barrack based unit travelled to Plymouth to accept an invite from the vessel, the oldest warship in the Royal Navy, which saw active service in the 1982 Falklands conflict and 1991 Gulf war. The trip was originally part of HMS Exeter’s visit to Torbay (as part of her association with the City of Exeter) but this was cancelled due to a technical problem, resulting in the ship putting into Plymouth for maintenance.
After the cadets arrived at Devonport they were give a brief on the HMS Exeter’s’ equipment and roles, followed by a 2 hour guided tour of the ship which including her operations room, bridge, galley and weapons systems.
The Cadets really enjoyed their trip to HMS Exeter, It was particularly good of the Ships Company to allow us onboard after the cancellation of her visit to Torbay this weekend said 13 Sqn’s Deputy Commanding Officer Flying Officer Chris Power, who presented a Squadron crest to the ship. The visit was particularly poignant for Chris as his Great Uncle, Norman Power was a Sub Lieutenant who survived the sinking of the 4th HMS Exeter in the Sunda Strait by Japanese forces in 1942 and was subsequently held as a prisoner of war.
HMS EXETER is a Type 42 Destroyer launched in 1978. Her weapons systems include the Sea Dart Anti Aircraft Missiles, Stingray torpedoes, a 4.5-inch gun and Phalanx close in weapon system, she also carries a Westland Lynx helicopter. Exeter has a maximum speed of approximately 28 knots, displaces 4,500 tons, and has a length of 133 metres. She has a complement of 26 officers and 214 sailors.
Honorary President 722 (Chivenor) Squadron ATC
Flt Lt Edward (Ted) Newman RAFVR(T) Ret’d passed peacefully during the morning of Saturday, 23rd September 2006.
Ted was born in 1925 and gave a lifetime of service to his country and the Air Cadet organisation.
In 1939 at the age of thirteen, Ted joined the forerunner of the Air Training Corps, the Air Defence Cadet Corps, with 16 (Woodgreen) Squadron later to become 16F Squadron. His time in North London ended in 1942 with 1159 (Edmonton) Squadron when he was drafted and joined Bomber Command of the Royal Air Force.
Ted served as a Tail Gunner in Lancaster Bombers flying from Scampton with 153 Squadron and was later posted to 120 Squadron (Coastal Command) that was equipped with Liberators.
Flying from Bally Kelly in Northern Ireland, his Squadron had the distinction of achieving a top scoring fourteen U-boat kills.
Leaving the RAF in 1947, it was not long before Ted found himself back with the ATC on 85 (Enfield and Southgate) Squadron as a CI. He took a commission in 1961 and became the Squadron Commander at 1113 (Berkhamstead) Squadron.
Throughout the early 60s and 70s, Flt Lt Newman was also an instructor at 613 Halton Gliding School, teaching many Cadets to fly including one who later became a Wing Commander and the CO of the central flying school at Syerston.
Upon moving to Devon, Ted spent a short time with the Royal Observer Corps before joining 1146 (Barnstaple) Squadron as a CI. During this time he also was an instructor with 624 Venture Gliding School at RAF Chivenor where he was re-commissioned. Ted went on to form the 1146 Squadron detached flight at Chivenor in 1978. In later years, he became Flight Commander before resigning his commission and becoming a CI again, and eventually the Chairman of the Civilian Welfare Committee.
Ted was an active member of the Royal Air Force Association and Air Gunners Association, maintaining a strong bond with his comrades from the war years. This culminated in a fiftieth anniversary gathering in Canada last year where he met up with some of his old RAF friends from 120 and 153 Squadrons and more importantly his crew members from 120 Squadron.
Ted was well known throughout the Wing and regarded by all as a true gentleman, a friend and source of inspiration to many - he will be sadly missed.
‘Venture Adventure’
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