Reading Air
Cadets
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Reading Air
Cadets
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Squadron History
381 (Reading) Squadron was formed in February 1941 at E P Collier School, as part of the Reading Wing, which comprised four squadrons; 381, 1116, 1836 and 2068. At that time 381 had six flights!
381 Sqn EP Collier School, Caversham Road
Little is known about Reading Wing except that each squadron was based at a local school. 381 was at EP Collier and 2068 was at Palmer, but we are unsure of 1116 & 1836. In 1945, at the end of WWII, a combined headquarters was created at Southern Hill, Redlands Road. In the latter part of 1945, Reading Wing was disbanded with 381 and 1836 squadrons merging together to become 381 (Reading) Sqn. 1116 later became 1116 (Woodley) Sqn but nothing is known of what happened to 2068.
Reading Wing 1944
Following the disbanding of Reading Wing, the squadron moved to a house on the Bath Road until 1948 where it moved to the RAFVR Centre in Berkeley Avenue.
In the early days Air Experience Flying took place at Woodley Aerodrome in De Haviland Tiger Moths.
In 1963 the squadron moved to Brock Barracks, which has been its home ever since. The Headquarters was formally opened by the then Commandant of the Corps Air Commodore J B Coward AFC. The plaque commemorating this is displayed in the entrance hall of the squadron together with the original warrant from His Majesty King George VI. At first the squadron was accommodated in part of the old wartime hutments, and for some years boasted a Hawker Hunter. Sadly through maintenance difficulties this had to be withdrawn. In the late 1970's the squadron moved into Block 5 of the barracks, and despite minor moves within the block, we are still there today – and with a recently completed refurbishment, it looks as good as ever!
On 13 September 1965 the squadron was presented with a banner by the then Pilot Officer R M J Whyte, a former 'old boy'. The presentation was in commemoration of the former cadets who had served in the squadron since 1941, and also as a token of his own thanks to the unit.
One of the squadron's proudest moments was in 1978 when Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II opened the new Civic Centre in Reading. On this memorable occasion the squadron formed part of the Guard of Honour receiving the Queen. It seems fitting that the cadet carrying the banner in the picture at the Squadron is in fact our current Wing Commander, Chris Fisher - an ex Reading cadet! In 1991, the Corps and 381 celebrated the 50th anniversary of their foundation. A number of events took place, the most noteworthy being a presentation of a squadron plaque to the oldest surviving squadron officer - Flying Officer Walters, whose 91st birthday fell at that time; a squadron dinner for 110 past and present members of the squadron, and an anniversary review when the squadron banner was rededicated, the reviewing officer being Air Vice Marshal A D Dick (who at the time was the squadron president). The review was a particularly grand occasion, as the 2nd Battalion the Wessex Regiment was kind enough to accompany the parade. In December 1992 during an inspection of the banner, it was discovered that it was deteriorating, and could no longer be used. A decision was therefore taken to lay it up, and seek a replacement. Accordingly, in May 1994 the old banner was laid up in the station church at RAF Benson at a very moving ceremony, when due respect was also paid to it's donor Flying Officer Whizz Whyte who had sadly died at an early age some years previously.
Over the years many cadets have gone on to serve in the armed forces, especially during the years of the Second World War. In more recent times ex cadets have served in the Falklands Conflict, Northern Ireland, Gulf War and in the Balkans. Sadly, one ex cadet (Fergus Rennie) was killed in Bosnia in 1994 whilst serving with the SAS. On the 31st August 1997, another former cadet (Flt Lt Mark Powell, who was serving at RAF Uxbridge with the Queens Colour Squadron) commanded the bearer party receiving the body of Diana, Princess of Wales when she was brought back to RAF Northolt in the presence of HRH The Prince of Wales. It is also worthy of note that over the years former squadron staff and cadets have gone on to become members of Wing staff. Flt Lt John Hibbitt RAFVR(T) & Flt Lt Richard Andrews RAFVR(T) both Wg PEdO’s, Wg Cdr Gerry Matthews RAFVR(T) and Wg Cdr Chris Fisher RAFVR(T) both Wing Commanding Officers. This in itself is quite an achievement for one Squadron.
In the past, the squadron was very active in long distance marching including the Nijmegen Marches. It is still very active with cadets representing the Squadron, Wing, Region and Corps in sports, Tri-Service competitions and shooting. The cadets are also active in adventure training, and continue to work with the local community.
In recent years the squadron has had cadets attend UK and overseas camps in Gibraltar, Germany and Cyprus. The squadron has also had cadets represent the UK on the International Air Cadet Exchange to the USA in 2000 and 2005.
It was with great sadness that we lost Flt Lt Keith Tipping RAFVR(T) Ret’d in 2005. Keith had been involved with the squadron for many years, recently being our President and before that Chairman.
To conclude on a light historical note, the original squadron stamp has recently been retired after seeing some 64 years service. It currently resides in the squadron display cabinet for all to see, along with the original book of 381 Officers and Instructors dating from November 1944 and various photos and memorabilia. The Visitors book dating from the1960’s has been resurrected and is now being used again.
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©381 (Reading) Sqn ATC, 2008 V2007.002
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The
Squadron
