8F ATC Squadron, Frederick Bird School

See if anybody can recognise themselves. This is/was 8F Squadron from "Freddies". The first one is marching from Spencer park down to the War Memorial service on the 11th Nov 1962. The other two are taken outside and inside Coventry station on our way to R.A.F. Leuchars in Scotland for summer camp in August 1962. The powers that be even charged us 1/- (5np) a day for bed/food and train travel. My goodness what a bargain, even then, Happy

Lovely photos Mattash, and what a coincidence! Our Steven is in the 8F Air Cadets too, and I've got here a similar photo taken for Remembrance Day last year. Our Steve is the little'un in the middle! Not an old photo I know - but history of the future.

Hello Rob, nice to know Steve is a member of 8F, I know where they are, but when they moved, the Squadron lost all the records.They have no history of when it was based at "Freddies". So these might be of interest. As a Squadron, it was the largest one and could sport 120 cadets on a parade. This pic is taken next to an English Electric Lightning at R.A.F. Leuchars in 1962, you do not realise how big the Lightning is as it was a fighter aircraft.

Well the photos took my breath away, not sure but I think I am in all three photos of 8F Squadron. The first photo is lead by John Ward, officer commanding, to his right is pilot officer Lewis and on the far right is Clive Cartwright (not sure of rank at the time.) He did get a commission but it arrived on the day of his death (very sad day). Anyway again not too sure but I think I may have been on that march. As for the other photos I can just make out my face. I remember it well. So nice of you to post the photos. Love to see the originals . And just as a point I have a video compiled by myself of life in the ATC 8F, now copied onto cd. Some of the old footage was supplied by Dave Ball also passed on. Thanks again. Colin Walton (8f)

Hi Colin, Clive Cartwright rank was " Warrant Officer". Love to see your CD, I really enjoyed my few years in 8F, joined when I was 12 and left at 18. You could not join until 13 but done my training and got my uniform on my 13th birthday. Happy memories. Contact me if you like, see what we can do with the photos?

Hi, a new topic so Colin knows where to put his fantastic DVD. Not only is it about the A.T.C. but also Coventry and Frederick Birds School. First 2 pics (not good quality) is 8F Squadron at Cov train station en-route to summer camp at R.A.F Leuchars 1962 The Squadron photo next to an English Electric Lightning at Leuchars. This image supplied by Colin, I think R.A.F. Swinderby. Also supplied by Colin but later than the time I was in the Squadron. I am sure Colin will update the info for this helicopter photo? Up to you now Colin, I know Rob will be interested along with his children.

Cheers John and thanks for putting the photos on for me, I may have a few more but some are older but you never know someone may know who they are and when they were taken. I am glad you enjoyed the film and I have sent Rob an email in the hope he will request the vid, it sure takes you back.

Some more pics from the Radford Kid, Thanks Colin. See if anybody can date them or spot themselves in them. These photos are just getting better!! I know that the C/O is Mr Ward in the last one. Also that the uniform is changing to the one that is used today. Again I say many thanks to the Radford Kid for the pics.

Thanks to Rob and John, I needed a push to get the films put onto Youtube although the original compiled film had a beginning and an end but it's got a bit disjointed now but it is all ok. The first link is the introduction http://www.youtube.com/embed/o3rPW6uHMCQ The second link is a follow on http://www.youtube.com/embed/fV7DwETP-g8 The last film shows the drill team [of which I was a part] in action. The footage was taken from a programme called Midland Montage and was shown on television, the exhibition was in honour of the Lord Mayor, Mr Harry Weston. http://www.youtube.com/embed/vwHRljwpRKY I hope you all enjoy, I have seen it many times now and I can still pick out some new snippets.

Just to say love the old film, it is fab to see that sort of thing, well done

Well done Colin, Even if nobody is interested in the A.T.C they should watch these films just for the content.They are only an hour out of anyone's life, a drop in the ocean. Like you (the snippets) I have now watched the film about 6 times and pick out different things and people I used to know and also it is nice to see Freddies. The old classrooms, sports field, even the old dairy. I remember well being strapped into the parachute and all the cadets wishing for a good breeze so they could watch you being dragged along the field, which happened quite often. lol. Brilliant footage, Colin.

I am glad you liked the films that makes it worth while, thanks.

I cannot update the first photos but the picture taken of the cadets in front of a "Lanc" was 1952 at R.A.F Hemswell. The pic with C/O Mr Ward and cadets in front of a building (billets or admin block) was taken in July 1973 at R.A.F St Athan. Colin aka Radford Kid, has now turned up another beauty. This one was taken in the Hotel Leofric where they were a guard of honour for a dance group. Colin is the cadet trying to catch a fly, lol. The cadet on the end, one over from Colin, is Dave Johnson whose parents had a veggie stall on Cov market and on the front far left is Bob Parkes (not sure of first name but I think I am right). Anybody know any of the other faces?

I think I can name the first row (seated) from left to right, Bob Parks, Ivor Mohammed, Malcolm Gardener, Dave Ball, Tony Howard, Brown ? and Tone French. As for the back row I can only remember a few, the chap behind Ivor is Mick Mohammed, next to his right is Derek? And as you rightly said the Cadet catching flies is me. Hope this has helped. Colin

Can anyone help, my late father was a member of the ATC at Wyken, I have no contacts or info regarding this, his name was Walter Gould, any info or memories welcome. Cheers.