AATS Permanent Staff
Where would we have been without those delightful characters who taught us, chased us around and generally made men out of boys? The permanent staff
members who served at the various AATS training units were probably the most important people to influence us during our training. Some were hated, some were
cartoon characters but most did a damn good job. This page is dedicated to them. We must all have memories of those we came into contact with and some are
certainly alive and kicking and probably still known to some of you. If you have any information whether historical or up to date, then do let us have it. For further
advice contact
members who served at the various AATS training units were probably the most important people to influence us during our training. Some were hated, some were
cartoon characters but most did a damn good job. This page is dedicated to them. We must all have memories of those we came into contact with and some are
certainly alive and kicking and probably still known to some of you. If you have any information whether historical or up to date, then do let us have it. For further
advice contact
| A Recent Article Which Appeared In the Gloucester Citizen Newspaper About Ex-Corporal Reg Drinkwater Known To Hundreds Of Ex-Admin Apprentices As A Razor Smart Drill Instructor At RAF Hereford In The 1950s |
| Reg Drinkwater in 1986 |
| Reg Drinkwater in his heyday at Hereford in the '50s |
| Group Captain Cartwright Terry CO AATS Hereford greets the Commander- in- Chief at RAF Hereford in 1963 |
| Centre : AATS Warrant Officer Ben Harbourne During C-in-C'sVisit to Hereford in 1963 |
| Left to Right Joe Kelly , Pete Gillings,Harry Marsden and Derek Bower. Photo taken at RAF Hereford where they were on a Clk Sec Course in 1961 . Joe, Harry and Derek later became Instructors at Bircham Newton with 44th and 46th Entries. Derek later returned to Hereford in 1963 |
| Sgt Wally Prior Ex-DI At RAF Bircham Newton (Centre) with (Left) Roland Brade (41st) and (Right) John Featherstone (38th) Photo Taken in 2007 |
The Chief Instructor in the Supply Trade was Flt Lt Godfrey.
The following were Supply Trade Instructors at RAF Bircham Newton sometime between September 1959 and March 1961:
1) Chief Tech Strong.
2) Sergeant Alec Walker.
3) Sergeant Pat Foley (eventually attained the rank of Warrant Officer). Last known to have been living in South Kilworth, Leicestershire. (Sadly Pat passed away in
2009)
I last spoke to him when I took him to a 38th Entry re-union, I think near Huntingdon some few years ago. Last seen on a dining train on the preserved Great Central
Railway celebrating his 80th birthday with his family. I was with my father, also ex RAF, who was the same age as Pat so he would have been born around 1921. I
was told only recently that Pat is still alive and living at South Kilworth but I cannot confirm this.
Di's were:
1) Sgt Prior (Wally to we brats). I was told, again very recently, that Wally Prior is still with us and living in Kent.
2) Corporal Wallington
3) Corporal Jimmy Stewart
4) Corporal McGillivray
5) Corporal Target
There was also a Sergeant Mahoney who I believe was an ex Admin Apprentice. (Clerk Sec?)
The School Warrant Officer was Master Pilot Kijak - I think he was Polish and a pilot in WWII.
The Bandmaster was Sergeant Bloomfield
Flt Lt Holland, Flying Officer Bysouth and Flying Officer M W J Reid Officer were Education Officers
The GDT Section was commanded by Flight Lieutenant Keeling and Instructors were Sergeant Slater and Sgt Fisher assisted by Corporal Ruff.
| The following information giving details of permanent staff at RAF Bircham Newton between 1959 - 1961 was kindly provided by Ron Muggleton 38th Entry In August 2007 |
| Sgt Wally Prior (Centre) One Time Drill Instructor At Bircham Newton. On His Left Roland Brade (41st Entry) And John Featherstone 38th Entry. Details Of This Encounter Can Be Seen By Clicking Here |
| Mr Smokey Ralph Who Was A Clerk Secretarial Trade Instructor At RAF Hereford. Photo Courtesy Of Bill Cooper 330th Entry (Sept '72 - Aug '73 |
| Administrator Note: We Understand That Mr Ralph Passed Away In 2002. If Any Ex-Admin Apprentices Has Any Further Information Concerning His Duties As A Member Of Permanent Staff Please Let Me Know administrator@rafadappassn.org |
| Left: At DI School Front Right A Very Young Reg Drinkwater Above Centre: Reg Subsequently Remustered To The RAF Police |
| Station Sports Day Bircham Newton 1961 - Photo Courtesy Of John Nash (38th Entry) Shows Permanent Staff At Play. The first "puller" is Jim Alan 11th entry and a member of the Association. Second is FS West. Also on this photo as the “team trainer” is Ch Tech Pat Foley who was one of the 38th Bowler House Trade Instructors. The others were Sgt Alex Walker and Sgt Steve Deacon, and who could ever forget Ch Tech Strong (of RAF Painthorpe fame; the fictitious RAF Station for training purposes!) who took one class of the 38th Bowler House prior to Pat Foley. The third one is Bob Wise then an instructor to the Accounts 41st an 44th entry at Bircham and "helper" for the 45th at Hereford. Fourth is Denis Gibson |
| Reg Drinkwater (Front Centre) With Harry Trumbell (29th 10th Left To Right Standing) |
| Above: DI Reg Beale Left (Certainly At Hereford 1957) |
| My thanks To Reg Drinkwater former drill instructor AATS RAF Hereford for agreeing to talk to me at his home in Gloucester in June 2008 and for providing the above series of photographs |
| Above & Left Alan Bell (29th) With Reg Drinkwater July 2008 |
| Have You Kept In Touch With Any Of Your Instructors Or Can You Name Them? If So Please Contact Me With Any Details, Photos Etc administrator@rafadappassn.org |
 | |  | |  | |  |
| I left the Air Force in 1974 and settled in Darlington (last tour at Catterick). An immediate neighbour was FS Brian Fisher who left the Service at the same time. He was a Sergeant GDT instructor at Bircham. He later bought a small grocery shop in Hurworth Place near Darlington. A burglary made him quit the Cpl Pete Ruff was commissioned in the RAF Regiment and I last saw him doing his Regiment Officer Course at Catterick. |
| Flight Sergeant Brian Fisher One Time GDT Instructor RAF Bircham Newton - Information Courtesy Of Harry Gilbert 42nd Entry |
| I had the privilege and pleasure of being a Clk Sec Trade Instructor (Shorthand/Typing) at AATS Hereford the Bircham Newton from Apr 1958 to Apr 1961 or thereabouts. My particular flocks were 33rd, 34th 35th (half) and 38th (half). There were many of us at that time probably specially recoursed for further training because we were not up to snuff. Names that spring to mind - Secretarial: Jumbo James; Brian Mahoney; Denis Gibson Accts: Roy Shingler; Jimmy Alan Supply: Scotty Irvine (dec) Steve Deacon (dec). |
| 2nd October 2008 - From John Summers Clk Sec Instructor 1958-1961 |
I joined AATS, St. Athan in September, 1949 as a Clerk Sec and passed out as a Junior Technician in May, 1951. Then on to RAF Hemswell and became a local
curiosiity with the upside down stripe! After a year I was posted to St. Athan as a potential instructor - the Chief Clerk at Hemswell was disgusted with the new
assignment, not because of my talents but rather the difficulty of getting replacements - we had a rather difficult farewell, especially as I had also been annointed as
a runner for his betting franchise!
I arrived at St. Athan as a Cpl. and immediately met the Clerk GD instructors, which included those who had instructed me and remembered all my weaknesses -
however, since I was then 18 years of age I had changed them for more challenging and satisfying character flaws. They were all Sgts. and F.Ss. and as I
remember a couple also had wings - many were awaiting demob but were all helpful and encouraging. My first assignment was attending a 2 week course at the
School of Technique, Organisation and Method and again my very junior rank and age made me somewhat of an outsider. Bit I managed to get an acceptable grade
and was appointed as a Shorthand/Typing instructor. Unfortunately I don't remember many of my fellow instructors, but the did include: FS Dick, FS O'Christie, FS
Davies, Sgt. Freddie Joyce. My tour included the transfer of AATS from St. Athan to Hereford where my last class was the 17th Entry.
After that I had two tours on the RAF Staff in Washington, DC and in between a tour at 90 Group/Signals Command. I left the RAF at the end of my 12 years and
remained in the States since that time. Bill Huggins introduced me to the Association some years ago and happily I took his advice and became a member.
As a postscript - I believe I was the first post-war admin apprentice to serve as an instructor.
curiosiity with the upside down stripe! After a year I was posted to St. Athan as a potential instructor - the Chief Clerk at Hemswell was disgusted with the new
assignment, not because of my talents but rather the difficulty of getting replacements - we had a rather difficult farewell, especially as I had also been annointed as
a runner for his betting franchise!
I arrived at St. Athan as a Cpl. and immediately met the Clerk GD instructors, which included those who had instructed me and remembered all my weaknesses -
however, since I was then 18 years of age I had changed them for more challenging and satisfying character flaws. They were all Sgts. and F.Ss. and as I
remember a couple also had wings - many were awaiting demob but were all helpful and encouraging. My first assignment was attending a 2 week course at the
School of Technique, Organisation and Method and again my very junior rank and age made me somewhat of an outsider. Bit I managed to get an acceptable grade
and was appointed as a Shorthand/Typing instructor. Unfortunately I don't remember many of my fellow instructors, but the did include: FS Dick, FS O'Christie, FS
Davies, Sgt. Freddie Joyce. My tour included the transfer of AATS from St. Athan to Hereford where my last class was the 17th Entry.
After that I had two tours on the RAF Staff in Washington, DC and in between a tour at 90 Group/Signals Command. I left the RAF at the end of my 12 years and
remained in the States since that time. Bill Huggins introduced me to the Association some years ago and happily I took his advice and became a member.
As a postscript - I believe I was the first post-war admin apprentice to serve as an instructor.
| Below: Courtesy Of Roy Higgins - 8th Entry Clk Sec Instructor St Athan 1952 |
| Above Courtesy Of Jim Butcher 44th Entry - Supp Instructor Hereford 1968-1972 |
| I enrolled in the RAF at RAF Birchem Newton as an Admin Apprentice (44th Entry Supplier 1) on 19 sep 1961. Served there until it closed 0n 21st Dec 1962. We then transferred to RAF Hereford to finish our training and eventually graduated on 5th April 1963. After serving for just over 5 years I ended up as a Trade Instructor back at RAF Hereford and served as such from January 1968 until posted abroad in June 1972. |
| The following are believed to have served as Permanent Staff at RAF Bircham Newton at the time 311 Entry was under training: A Flight Lieutenant Williams - CO Cpl Hubber (a trade instructor?) Sgt Mc Conochie and Cpl Bryant the RAF Regiment drill instructors. Information supplied by Stewart McArthur 311 Entry |
Cpl Gwendoline Macintosh was an instructor at RAF Hereford between 1947 and 1951 in the school of Admin: Trades. I understand from her that RAF Hereford was at Credenhill in those days. Gwen is now aged 87 and still mentally alert Thought you might be interested in the attached photo, she is Cpl Macintosh Instructor. I think she has other similar photo’s if they are of interest. She thinks the photo would be dated around 1948.Gwen met and married Flt Sgt B McGarry at Hereford in 1951. I think he was an instructor too for a while.
photos, nevertheless an interesting part of RAF Hereford history. My thanks to Mr Phil Dixon for supplying the photos and information |
| Below: These Images Featuring Flt Lt I Vaughan Who Was An Eduction Officer At RAF St Athan Between 1948-1954. A Keen Rugby Player, Flight Lieutenant Vaughan Was Also Involved In The Training Of Admin Apprentices. Photos Courtesy Of Mr Rob Evans Grandson Of Flt Lt Vaughan |
| Photos Featuring Chief/Tech Fry. He is seated in the second row from the front, immediately on the right hand side of the officer wearing the peaked cap. |
| H. C. Fry - One time Supply Instructor RAF Hereford The Operations Record Book of No. 1 R.A.F. Beach Squadron records that the Landing Section of 101 Beach Flight, consisting of a Landing Officer and eight men, touched down at H plus 210 minutes on Queen Red beach on D-Day 6th June 1944. Acting Flight Sergeant H. C. Fry was one of those eight men. The record states that, “The Landing Section under F/Lt G. McBride RAAF was fully occupied in assisting to restore order on the beaches and assisting the Army Beach Companies in clearing the beaches. F/Lt G. McBride and No. 644472 A/F/Sgt Fry H.C. being examples to all.” F/Lt McBride was subsequently Mentioned in Despatches and it seems that H C Fry received the Croix de Guerre. Charles James (22nd Entry) has been in touch and he recalls, “I joined the RAF in 1954 as an RAF Admin Apprentice (Supply). My instructor was a Sergeant Fry. He had been awarded the "Croix de Guerre" in WW2. He was quite a character and highly thought of in RAF Supply Circles. Last time I was with him was at RAF Hereford in 1956 when he was a Chief / Technician. Last I heard of him I believe he was a W/O at St Athan.” |
| Above: Sgt Dave John (30th Entry) pictured when an instructor with 305 Entry Clk Secs In 1966 |
| Left: Permanent Staff RAF St Athan Photo Courtesy Of 'Jumbo' James 7/10th Entries Note: The WO on right is of Bill Shakesby and not Jim Sowerby |
| Right: Sgt Fisher With Colin Stevens and Brad Bradley (10th Entry) Standard Bearers For 9th Entry Pass Out Parade (Photo Courtesy Of 'Jumbo' James) |
Letter No 2. To All Members Of No 1 Flight .
Hello Again My Friends ,
It pleases me to write to you all ,sorry I wasn’t able to attend the annual bash I’m sure it would have been the thrill of a life time, and so many memories could have
been shared ,of which since corresponding with most of you many have been brought to light through the cobweb years when E.Mailing me thank you all .
At present aged now 79yrs I find the legs aren’t able to do what they did when I was chasing you lot around on and off the parade ground ,I often wonder how many
of you would go through it again ,I know as hard it was at Cardington 1948, I would do it again ,be honest how many of you would ,come on let me know it’s a good
talking point .
Bringing us all together, unknown, complete strangers ,and something we would never have had ,had we all stayed as civilians, the service as far as I’m concerned
made us including me ,being just as green behind the ears made Men out of boys ,during all those years we had a wide and varied lives to live some more
successful than others but I don’t honestly think any of us begrudged those who did succeed higher.
In fact those of you who did achieve their goal, whom I learned of years later, didn’t surprise me but gave me a sense of pride in playing a minute part of that
success .
I myself got as far as I ever would do ,maybe who knows had I stayed in a bit longer ?.
Any of you who would like to share your past with me I’m sure some of you could have some interest experiences of life in the R.A.F. ,after meeting each other
Please E.Mail or write to me . REG (R.S.K)
Hello Again My Friends ,
It pleases me to write to you all ,sorry I wasn’t able to attend the annual bash I’m sure it would have been the thrill of a life time, and so many memories could have
been shared ,of which since corresponding with most of you many have been brought to light through the cobweb years when E.Mailing me thank you all .
At present aged now 79yrs I find the legs aren’t able to do what they did when I was chasing you lot around on and off the parade ground ,I often wonder how many
of you would go through it again ,I know as hard it was at Cardington 1948, I would do it again ,be honest how many of you would ,come on let me know it’s a good
talking point .
Bringing us all together, unknown, complete strangers ,and something we would never have had ,had we all stayed as civilians, the service as far as I’m concerned
made us including me ,being just as green behind the ears made Men out of boys ,during all those years we had a wide and varied lives to live some more
successful than others but I don’t honestly think any of us begrudged those who did succeed higher.
In fact those of you who did achieve their goal, whom I learned of years later, didn’t surprise me but gave me a sense of pride in playing a minute part of that
success .
I myself got as far as I ever would do ,maybe who knows had I stayed in a bit longer ?.
Any of you who would like to share your past with me I’m sure some of you could have some interest experiences of life in the R.A.F. ,after meeting each other
Please E.Mail or write to me . REG (R.S.K)
| A Letter From Reg Drinkwater dated 2009. Reg has made it his number one project to get as many ex-apprentices as possible participating in what he calls his No 1 Flight group, via Skype. If you would like to join his group then he can be contacted on regdrinkwater@yahoo.co.uk At the age of 79 one can only admire his ability to have got to grips with the complexities of computing. Good on yer Reg - happy surfing!! |
I have received an e-mail from Dave Russell who says he was a drill instructor at RAF Cosford before moving onto Hereford on promotion to Sgt on 1st October
1970. Then posted to Salalah in 1973. Dave's last entry was 330. Anybody who remembers Dave and would like to contact him please e-mail him at
davidrussell@blueyonder.co.uk
1970. Then posted to Salalah in 1973. Dave's last entry was 330. Anybody who remembers Dave and would like to contact him please e-mail him at
davidrussell@blueyonder.co.uk
Dear Sir,
Re A picture of Reg Drinkwater that he sent you shows himself and four others in RAF Police Uniforms and one NCO in an unmarked ordinery RAF Uniform.
Administrators Note: This picture referred to is shown above and marked with a yellow square
If it is of any interest to anyone, I can identify all of them as I was at Hereford in the RAF Police 1992/64. The photo is taken outside the Police Office there. Left to
right :
Sgt Reg Drinkwaster, Cpl Vi Hyde, WRAF Police, Cpl Paul Stingemore RAF Police, His brother Derek Stingemore, a Drill Instructor there, Cpl Ray Bean, RAF Police,
and Cpl John Quick RAF Police. I must have been still on the Police Flight when the Photo was taken as Ray Bean arrived when I was there and John Quick left
before I did (Jan 1964) Don't know why I am not in photo! ( maybe I was sleeping off nights).
Regards
Jim MacARTHUR
Re A picture of Reg Drinkwater that he sent you shows himself and four others in RAF Police Uniforms and one NCO in an unmarked ordinery RAF Uniform.
Administrators Note: This picture referred to is shown above and marked with a yellow square
If it is of any interest to anyone, I can identify all of them as I was at Hereford in the RAF Police 1992/64. The photo is taken outside the Police Office there. Left to
right :
Sgt Reg Drinkwaster, Cpl Vi Hyde, WRAF Police, Cpl Paul Stingemore RAF Police, His brother Derek Stingemore, a Drill Instructor there, Cpl Ray Bean, RAF Police,
and Cpl John Quick RAF Police. I must have been still on the Police Flight when the Photo was taken as Ray Bean arrived when I was there and John Quick left
before I did (Jan 1964) Don't know why I am not in photo! ( maybe I was sleeping off nights).
Regards
Jim MacARTHUR
| Some Additional Information - Provided July 2010 |
| Royal Air Force Administrative Apprentice Association |
RAFAA
A
A
| Multam A Parvo |
| Drill Instructors Were Responsible For Ensuring Admin apprentices Kept Their Billets Clean And Tidy |