|
The 209
Squadron was originally a Naval Squadron called the 9th Naval
Squadron. Formed at St Pol, France in February 1917, the 9th
Naval Squadron began its existence with a mixture of Sopwith
Pups, Sopwith Triplanes, and Nieuport Scouts.
By June
of 1917, it was equipped exclusively with Sopwith Triplanes, and
that same month it was attached to the RFC. By September of
1917, it was finally re-equipped with Sopwith Camels, and it
operated over the Channel area until March 1918 when it was sent
back to France.
The Royal
Air Force was formed on April 1, 1918, and the 9th Squadron
became the 209th Squadron, RAF. On the 21st of the month Captain
Roy Brown of the squadron was involved in the fight, which
ultimately led to the death of the highest scoring pilot of WWI,
Baron Manfred von Richthofen, although there is still much
debate as to whether he delivered the fatal shot or it was
delivered by ground troops. However, whatever is the case, the
event is commemorated in the squadron's badge. The emblem of the
209th is an eagle volant recursant descendant in pale, wings
overture. The motto reads: "Might and Main". The eagle
falling represents the death of von Richtofen.
After the
war the squadron remained on the continent until February 1919,
when it moved to Scopwick , where it disbanded as an RAF
Squadron on 24 June 1919.
209
ATC Squadron later reformed as an Air Cadets Corps Squadron, first
commanded by a FIt Lt Hales, who was a former Royal Flying Corps
pilot. The number 209 was first used on an incomplete flight
linked to the 138 and 139 Squadrons situated in Trent Lane, and
became fully independent in September, 1941, eventually using
Berridge Road and Whitemoor Schools as its bases.
After
a while 209 and 1469 Squadron ran jointly having a combined
strength of 500 cadets, and boasting a recruiting flight and a
band. In 1943 the squadron moved into a factory in Basford,
which served as its HQ but parades continued every Sunday at
Whitemoor School.
When
the war ended many squadrons disbanded due to the reduced needs
for RAF recruits, but the 209 ATC Squadron ensured its survival by
taking on the Arnold, Eastwood, 1469, and 412 Scouts Squadrons.
Battle
dress was the common uniform during the 1950s and 6Os and was
often referred to as Hairy Mary's because of the thick woollen
material.
Between
1950 and 1960 the 209 Squadron's home was Upnah House in Forest
Fjelds, a building shared with 504 auxiliary air force.
In
1961 the squadron, now commanded by FIt Lt Allen, was adopted by
the Arnold branch of the Royal British Legion and a year later
moved to its current headquarters in Wilford Lane, West
Bridgford.
Ten
years later, Flt Lt Bill Cass assumed the role of commanding
officer and in 1972 an East Midlands Wing was formed out of what
was the North and Derby Wing.
Uniforms
have continually changed over the years and opportunities for
cadets knew no bounds. Night exercises, adventure training,
overseas camps, and flying tuition becoming popular.
In
1978 the 209 ATC Squadron was adopted by the German Air Force's
Richtofen wing, due to significant links with 209 Squadron RAF,
who claim to have shot down and killed the famous Red Baron
during World War I.
Presentation
evenings at the Civil Service Club in Wilford Lane and Wing Camp
at Proteus began. Annual camps included trips to RAF Thorney
Island, RAF Conningsby and RAF Macrahanish.
The
1980s saw a major change at the ATC when females were allowed to
join the 209. This move was brought about by a decline in
numbers. FIt Lt Bill Cass moved on to take command of the 2418
Sherwood Squadron in 1983 and FIt Lt Graham Ward took over, he
in turn being succeeded by FIt Lt Richard Quinton.
In
1990 the first girl cadets joined the West Bridgford Squadron,
which was commanded until 1994 by FIt Lt Terry Croft, who handed
over the reins to FIt Lt Stuart McNeill.
During
the 90s, 36 members attended overseas camps, FIt Sgt Dale Sharp
represented the Wing on an international Air Cadet Exchange to
Canada, eight cadets received Duke of Edinburgh gold awards, and
CWO Tom Hammond was the Lord Lieutenant's Cadet for
Nottinghamshire in 1999.
The
squadron was adopted by the West Bridgford Royal British Legion
and continues to offer support with Poppy Day collections and in
providing guards of honour.
In
1999 the West Bridgford squadron won the coveted Nijmegen medal,
12 members led by Stuart McNeill beating all-comers in a
100-mile marching challenge -in full military kit.
Additional
History by kind permission of ex-cadet Bill Bishop (author)
The
Air Defence Cadet Corps was started by the Air League of the
British Empire in (Approx) 1938 and by 1941 when it became the
foundation of the Air Training Corps had expanded to 208
Squadrons.
List
of Nottingham City Wing ATC Squadrons.
1941 to 1945
138
& 139
Trent Lane Squadrons
209
& 1469
West Nottingham Squadron
Arnold Squadron
1902
Co-op Squadron
Mundella School Squadron
412
Scout Squadron
High Pavement Squadron
Boys Brigade Squadron
Henry Mellish School Squadron
Sherwood Squadron
Beeston Squadron
Charlton Squadron
The
Nottingham City was commanded by Sqd Ldr C. Ball
History
of 209 Squadron
138/139
Squadrons at Trent Lane formed a third Squadron which was
designated 209, but having insufficient Officers to run 3
Squadrons, they relinquished the 209 Number and certain stores
to 1469 Squadron who started a new Squadron which became 209
(West Nottingham) about September 1941.
The
C/O was Flying Officer C.B. BHALES RFC who was to command the
squadron from 1941 to about 1947, was appointed to Wing Staff
and eventually became Deputy Wing Commander to Wing Commander
Gibson.
The
Squadron quickly grew to 4 Flights of 50 cadets and together
with 1469 shared a Flight of Recruits and a large band.
Together
they were the largest Squadrons in the Wing and were pretty
efficient in training, winning the Wing Efficiency Trophy,
fielding winning teams in football, cricket, aircraft
recognition, Morse and producing a large number of proficient
cadets who served in the Air Force, Navy , Army, Palestine
Police and sadly in the Coal Mines as ‘Bevin Boys’.
Staff
1941 to 1945
C.O.
Flt Lt.
C.B Hales
ADJ.
F/O
J.F. Pink
E.
Flight
F/O
E. Meads (Rolls Royce)
F.
Flight
F/O
Llewelyn
G.
Flight
F/O
Wibberley
H.
Flight
F/O
Gillot
Squadron
P.E. Instructor
Mr F Smeeton
Squadron
Boxing Instructor
Mr Moffatt
Equipment
& Stores
Mr Gospel
Squadron
Morse Instructor
F/O Hunter
Assistant
F Newbutt
Headquarters
were at Newell House, High Street, Basford and 2 schools were
used, Berridge Road and Whitemoor
At
the end of 1944 entry into the Air force was practically stopped
and Squadrons started to lose cadets and Officers
1469
Squadron closed down and cadets and equipment were taken over by
209.
The
trend of contraction was to continue over the years
Squadrons
taken over by 209
1945/6
1469 and Sherwood
1946/7
Arnold, Sutton in Ashby became Hucknall (209 Detach Flt)
Ripley,
Heanor and Kimberly merged to become Eastwood (209 Detach Flt)
1960
412
Stores
and inventories of other Squadrons also taken in care of W/O R.
J. C. Ward
At the end of 1945, Flt Lt C. B. Hales and F/O Gent were the
only two officers left. Squadron strength was forty Cadets.
At a
meeting with the following it was decided to strive to keep the
Squadron alive
Flt
Lt. C. B. hales
F/O
Gent
Flt
Sgnt Willabond (1st Squadron Cadet to become and
Officer of the Squadron
Sgnt W.
Smith
Sgnt.
A Sillitoe (Author)
Sgnt A.
Holt
Cpl.
E. A. F. Bishop
During
the latter half of 1946, the Squadron was on Parade at the
Council House on the occasion of the Presentation of the Freedom
of the City to 504 Auxiliary Air Force Squadron, whom we shared
their H.Q. at UPNAH House on Forest Road.
During
the period one of the cadets was chosen to accompany the Royal
family on their tour of South Africa, Tanganyika, Kenya and
Rhodesia. He acted as a member of the Kings Flight RAF.
Shortly
after transferring top Upnah House (1947), Flt Lt. Hales was
promoted to Wing Staff Officer, later as Squadron Leader.
Command
of the Squadron was taken by Flt. Lt/ ‘Jake’ Waltno who
amalgamated his Arnold Squadron with 209
The
Squadron grew to about 150 strong with detached flights at Red
Hill Lodge Hucknal and Eastwood.
At
the same time Flt. Sgnt D. Willbond was commissioned as an
officer and the Squadron gained from the Arnold Squadron W/O R.
T. C. Ward, who fought a long and trying battle to clear the
administration of the many stores inventories the Squadron had
inherited.
Squadron
Staff
C.O.
Flt Waltho
Adj.
F.O. Maris, F/O C.
Hattfield, F/O G. Taylor
P. O.
M. Broughton
P. O.
F. Smith
P. O.
D. Willbond
P. O.
F. Winnatt
W. O.
R. J. C. Ward
W. O.
A. E. F. Bishop
C/I. W
Smith
C/I. M.
Penistome
The
Squadron continued to be a leader in the Wing taking part in
many sports and representing the Wing and Group in swimming,
football, shooting etc and holding a high position in
examination passes and general efficiency.
When
Flt. Lt. Waltho retired, Flt. Lt. Parkinson took over and on his
demise the squadron amalgamated with 412 scout squadron under
Flt. Lt. Allen and F/O J.Gill.
A
few months later owing to the impending sale of Upnah House, the
squadron moved to a hut on Wilford lane, West Bridgford to start
a new chapter in its life.
| 
