Memorabilia 16
ATC Formation at Hemsworth Grammar School
Outline of training
The formation or a local squadron of the Air Training Corps was approved at a meeting convened by Mr. R. W. Hamilton, headmaster of Hemsworth Grammar School, held at the school last Thursday. Mr. Hamilton explained the scheme and said that already nearly 200 boys had applied for membership. Boys with elementary school and secondary school education were eligible.
With regard to training it was proposed that at first there should be drill, physical training, mathematics, morse code and lectures of general interest, and later training would probably be divided into two main categories - air crew, comprising mathematics, navigation, and morse code, aircraft identification and administration;
technical, comprising courses for wireless operators and mechanics, flight mechanics, instrument repairers, electricians and motor transport mechanics.
Approved cadets would receive free uniform of a similar pattern to that worn by the Air Defence Cadets. No cadet would be liable for service in HM. Forces at an earlier age than would have been the case if he had not enrolled.
Officials and members of a local committee in connection with the scheme were appointed as follows:
President, Captain L. Hallam, J.P.; chairman, County Coun. A. Flavell, J.P., chairman of the Grammar School Governors; vice-chairman, Rev. A. E. Duckett, Rector of Hemsworth; committee, Coun. D. Harper, chairman of Hemsworth Urban Council, Coun. H. Bamforth, chairman of Hemsworth Rural Council; Mr. Alva Wright, Clerk of Hemsworth Urban Council; commanding officer, Mr. R. W. Hamilton; treasurer, Mr. C. Alcock, manager of Barclays Bank, Hemsworth; secretary, Mr. Gwilym Price, Clerk of Hemsworth Rural Council; hon. medical officers Doctors M. S. Ross and F. W. Sullivan.
Pending receipt of definite information as to the authorised establishment of commissioned officers, the following members of the Grammar School Staff were recommended for appointment in order that training and lectures might commence immediately: Messrs. R. W. Hamilton (Officer Commanding), P. Crossland, L. N. Collette, L. T. Hyde and W. J. Leonard.
February 22nd. 1941
Newspaper Article submitted by Geoff Govier. Thank you, Geoff.
I suppose I got to know some of the staff outside normal school hours. In 1941 the ATC came into being and I was one of the founder members. Some of the male staff were appointed as officers. RWH was the C.O., Percy Crossland was the Adjutant, and Froggy Hyde taught Morse Code. Jimmy Nelson took us for P.E. in the gym, and we spent a lot of time playing "Pirates".
Stuart Walker, HGS 1935-41
I'm afraid I can't be of any help re the ATC - I don't recall much about it, though the names of many of the people in the article are familiar. Councillor Flavell (did he become an Alderman?) was the Chairman of the Governors and I regret to say that we used to be very naughty at the School Speech Day, waiting for him to drop his 'aitches' and being consumed with giggles. I think he was a very worthy man. The article was written in 1941 - I was in the 6th form from 1941 to 43 and we actually had very few boys in the 6th, so perhaps there was more activity lower down the school.
Jean Burton, HGS 1936-43
Forty members of the Hemsworth Squadron of the Air Training Corps visited the aerodrome to which they are affiliated on Sunday. The cadets were divided into three squads and escorted round the aerodrome in charge of R.A.F. personnel. The parachute inspecting and folding room was visited, where highly trained members of the W.A.A.F. inspect and re-fold the air crews' parachutes at regular intervals. The rubber dinghy room, where the portable rubber vessels carried by air crews in case of a forced landing in the sea, are inspected and folded for use, was also seen, followed by the highlight of the morning, a visit to Wellington, Hampden and Manchester bombers. The cadets took a keen interest in everything explained to them by the flight mechanics and spent considerable time in the aircraft before proceeding to the signal room, where a D.F.M. Sergeant Air-gunner was busy contacting an aeroplane on reconnaissance duties. Link trainer aircraft were next inspected, where pilots in the making spend their first hours "flying", and the tour rounded off with a visit to the armoury to see everything from an incendiary detonator to a 500 lb. armour-piercing bomb. The cadets had dinner in the canteen before returning.
This 1941 newspaper article and the images below come from Geoff Govier. Thank you, Geoff.