| Royal Air Force Administrative Apprentice Association |
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Multam A Parvo - Much From Little
The idea of forming an Association of ex-Administrative Apprentices was first considered in 1957 and again in
1960, but it was not until the occasion of the 50th anniversary reunion of the 1st and 2nd Entries in 1997 that
positive steps to form the Association were taken. The Association was finally formed in 1998 at an inaugural
meeting at RAF Innsworth, which followed a positive reaction to an advertisement placed in The RAF News
It was therefore, with pleasure but not without some trepidation, that I accepted a request from our Chairman
Jim Wilcox and the Committee in June 2005, that I might attempt the task of creating this the official site
representing the Royal Air Force Administrative Apprentice Association . With no experience of designing
websites it was indeed a daunting prospect. My thanks to all those who have helped with practical advice and
information and apologies to all those I have constantly badgered for that information. Their forbearance has
been most appreciated. I offer no No apologies for any perceived lack of technical professionalism, factual
inaccuracies (which I am sure will be drawn to my attention and subsequently corrected), or the fact that the
colour scheme used in the site ( where practicable ), embodies the cap band colours used to differentiate the
three trade training groups, Red (Secretarial), Blue (Supply) and Green (Accounting) in use at Hereford in the mid
50's.
As a former member of the 29th Entry I trained as an apprentice Clerk Secretarial at Royal Air Force Hereford,
between 1956 and 1958. I know only too well, the inescapable and enduring bond that is created between service
men and women who trained together, shared the same experiences, the hardships the laughter and sometimes
the tears. This was particularly true for those of us who were as young as 15 or 16 at the time we first met. In my
own case some 50 years on, I still have regular and rewarding contact with many of my ex-entry members and
with members of other entries many of whom I had never met before the advent of the Association. I am sure
that I am just one of many more of the thousands of us who passed through the portals of the various training
units, that share the same enduring friendships.
Alan Bell
This site is therefore, dedicated to all those who trained as an RAF Administrative Apprentice or served with the
Royal Air Force Administrative Apprentice Training Scheme between 1947 and 1973. The site provides as much
historical background information concerning the Air Ministry decision to begin an RAF Administrative
Apprentice training scheme, as has been possible, as well as briefly outlining the training structure, the training
units and the progress of the scheme until the programme was terminated in 1973. Through our Memory Lane
page you can navigate to our album which contains a varied selection of photographic memorabilia which, in as
far as possible, depicts ex-apprentices, other personnel involved in some way with them and the various Units at
which Administrative Apprentices trained. The site will continue to develop and I hope improve, as more
contributions add to the information we already have available.
Equally important, the site has two other main aims:
To encourage non-member ex-administrative apprentices to join the Association
A means whereby ex-Administrative Apprentices can make contact and thereafter keep in touch
We continue to develop the site and hopefully improve it's content as time goes by. You are welcome to use the
material contained in the site for any non-profit making purpose. However, if you can help us with any relevant
additional information that you consider would be useful to the site,we would be grateful if you would please let
us know.
On behalf of the Chairman and Committee we hope that you enjoy your visit.
1960, but it was not until the occasion of the 50th anniversary reunion of the 1st and 2nd Entries in 1997 that
positive steps to form the Association were taken. The Association was finally formed in 1998 at an inaugural
meeting at RAF Innsworth, which followed a positive reaction to an advertisement placed in The RAF News
It was therefore, with pleasure but not without some trepidation, that I accepted a request from our Chairman
Jim Wilcox and the Committee in June 2005, that I might attempt the task of creating this the official site
representing the Royal Air Force Administrative Apprentice Association . With no experience of designing
websites it was indeed a daunting prospect. My thanks to all those who have helped with practical advice and
information and apologies to all those I have constantly badgered for that information. Their forbearance has
been most appreciated. I offer no No apologies for any perceived lack of technical professionalism, factual
inaccuracies (which I am sure will be drawn to my attention and subsequently corrected), or the fact that the
colour scheme used in the site ( where practicable ), embodies the cap band colours used to differentiate the
three trade training groups, Red (Secretarial), Blue (Supply) and Green (Accounting) in use at Hereford in the mid
50's.
As a former member of the 29th Entry I trained as an apprentice Clerk Secretarial at Royal Air Force Hereford,
between 1956 and 1958. I know only too well, the inescapable and enduring bond that is created between service
men and women who trained together, shared the same experiences, the hardships the laughter and sometimes
the tears. This was particularly true for those of us who were as young as 15 or 16 at the time we first met. In my
own case some 50 years on, I still have regular and rewarding contact with many of my ex-entry members and
with members of other entries many of whom I had never met before the advent of the Association. I am sure
that I am just one of many more of the thousands of us who passed through the portals of the various training
units, that share the same enduring friendships.
Alan Bell
This site is therefore, dedicated to all those who trained as an RAF Administrative Apprentice or served with the
Royal Air Force Administrative Apprentice Training Scheme between 1947 and 1973. The site provides as much
historical background information concerning the Air Ministry decision to begin an RAF Administrative
Apprentice training scheme, as has been possible, as well as briefly outlining the training structure, the training
units and the progress of the scheme until the programme was terminated in 1973. Through our Memory Lane
page you can navigate to our album which contains a varied selection of photographic memorabilia which, in as
far as possible, depicts ex-apprentices, other personnel involved in some way with them and the various Units at
which Administrative Apprentices trained. The site will continue to develop and I hope improve, as more
contributions add to the information we already have available.
Equally important, the site has two other main aims:
To encourage non-member ex-administrative apprentices to join the Association
A means whereby ex-Administrative Apprentices can make contact and thereafter keep in touch
We continue to develop the site and hopefully improve it's content as time goes by. You are welcome to use the
material contained in the site for any non-profit making purpose. However, if you can help us with any relevant
additional information that you consider would be useful to the site,we would be grateful if you would please let
us know.
On behalf of the Chairman and Committee we hope that you enjoy your visit.
| Association Chairman Jim Wilcox - 5th Entry |
| Monty Inspects Admin Apprentices in 1949 |
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| Welcome To Our Home Page |
| Bob Warmington & John Marshall 56th & 60th Entries Ruislip Apprentices In June 2006 |
| Members Of 28th Entry RAF Hereford |
| Association Committee Members Prepare For The Annual General Meeting June 2008 |
A Warm Welcome To All Of Today's Visitors Start Your Tour With A Visit To Our Noticeboard Click The Spit Below |
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| This Week's Photo |
Those Applying For Membership Please Note Your Membership Cannot Be Confirmed Until Your Fee Has Been Received By The Treasurer For Details Of Eligibility, How To Apply And An Application Form Click The Wheel |
| DID YOU SERVE AS ADMIN APPRENTICE TRADE OR DRILL INSTRUCTOR BETWEEN 1947 - 1973 AT RAF ST ATHAN, HEREFORD OR BIRCHAM NEWTON? IF SO PLEASE GET IN TOUCH WITH ME AS OUR ASSOCIATION NEEDS YOUR HELP |
| SEEKING EX- PERMANENT AATS STAFF!! |
| If You Have A Story To Tell About Your Time As Editor Would Like To Hear From You. Contact Ken Cameron at: newslettered@rafadappassn.org To Read Existing Articles Click The Wheel |
Ex-Admin Apprentice? Why Not Join The Association? Annual Fee Just £10.00 Receive Our Quarterly Newsletter Meet Old Friends At Our Annual Reunion For Details And An Application Form Click Here |
Latest Posts Some Pics Of RAF Credenhill (Click Here) |
| This Site Last Updated 23rd August 2010 |
| The Original Gates Taken From RAF Hereford and Now Stand At The Entrance To Aylestone Park Hereford |
