1440 sqdn

1941
2011
1440 SQUADRON SHOREHAM AND DISTRICT
AIR TRAINING CORPS

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

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

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
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

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

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.

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.

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.

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 Camp
1941
1942
1943
1944
1945
1946
1947
1948
1949
1950
1951 Thorny Island
1952
1953
1953
1955 Biggin Hill
1956
1957
1958
1959 Chivenor
1960 SthCerney
1961 Wittering
1962 Lindholm
1963 St Athens
1964 Wattersham
1965 C ottersmore
1966 Lt Rissington
1967
1968 Coltishall
1969 Scampton
1970 Shawbury
1971
1972 Hereford
1973
1974
1975
1976 Finningly
1977
1978
1979
1980
1981 Honnington
1982
1983
1984
1985
1986
1987
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010

Possibly Shoreham or Newhaven Squadron

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 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

DuxfordImperial War museum

Shoreham Air Port Anniversary Canadian Air Force

Unveiling of the Cecil Pashley plaque at Shoreham Airport. 1993

Range practice RAF Oakington

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

Andy Skinner RAF Oakington 1975

Scott TuppinOakinton 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

1980
Alan Morgan displays his 20 year clasp to his long service medal
Mike Jeffery displays his 12 year long service medal

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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
ATC Marksman
Staff Cadet
Senior Cadet

5 rounds in your own time – carry on

1440 sqdn

by Ray Staley

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