No. 614 (LYDNEY GRAMMAR SCHOOL) SQUADRON A.T.C.

On 5th February 1941 King George V1 signed an Order in Council authorising the formations of the Air Training Corps and Mr. J. C. Burch, M.A., Headmaster immediately took over and seventy cadets were enrolled in No. 614 [L.G.S.] Flight A.T.C. as it was then designated. Cadet No. 1 was the school secretary E. J. Nash, later tragically to be killed whilst ad Instructor Pilot in Canada.

Flying Officer J. C. Burch was the Commanding Officer, the other officers were Pilot Officers C. Born (Navigation) and R. Matthews (Signals) The instructors were Mr. E. Reissner (Theory of Flight) and Mr. W. G. McOwan (Weapons).
From the beginning the Flight was noted for its efficiency, the County inter-squadron Perkins Cup being won on a number of occasions.
Early camps were at R. A. F. stations at Staverton and Little Rissington.
Cadets from the unit later served in all branches of the Services and in all theatres of war. Sergeant Air Gunner D. C. R. Smith lost his life while serving in Coastal Command.

The tempo slowed after the war and numbers dropped though the Flight was raised to Squadron status. The keenly anticipated flights perched on the occasional seat of an Anson or on the “step” of an Oxford and the odd accidental transgression over prohibited areas with its alarming response gave way to more sedate passenger flying. The introduction later of the Chipmunk with its individual tuition and increased gliding facilities maintained interest.
Camps were held further afield; stations attended have ranged from Aldergrove, Ireland, to West Raynham, Norfolk, and from Kinloss, North Scotland, to St. Mawgan, Cornwall. Selected cadets have camped in Germany, visited Norway and flown to Malta.

An outstanding cadet F/Sgt Terence Adcock at present commanding an R.A.F. Lightning fighter Squadron was the firs 614 cadet to be awarded a Flying Scholarship and obtain his pilot’s licence while still at school. Another cadet to achieve this distinction was cadet Sgt. Adrian Morgan.
Over fifty “A” and “B” Gliding certificates have been obtained by cadets and two prized “C” certificates by T. Adcock, and Julian D’Aubyn now an R. A. F. helicopter pilot. Many Wing and Regional colours have been won for types of sport. Last year the present Warrant officer cadet Lawrence Clark was awarded the A.O.C ‘s Commendation for outstanding service to the A. T. C.
Mr. E. F. Davis, D.F.C. succeeded Mr. Burch as C. O. in 1946. In 1948 Mr. D.A.L. Thomas, after instruction, warrant and commissioned service in the unit assumed command handing over to Mr. A. McOwan in 1971.

The continuity and efficiency of the squadron owes much to the help over the years of former old boys and cadets: Messrs. E.W. Pritchard, V. Wilks, G. Neale, D. Hughes, M. Morris, A. D’Aubyn, M. Slee, J. Buss and R. Price. Now under former cadet H. McOwan and Messrs. F. James and P. Brown it continues to offer great scope to the air-minded youth of the district whose predecessors as former members of the squadron now number over five hundred and ninety.

D.A.L. Thomas