Squadron ATC
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42F (King’s Lynn) Squadron ATC 2015 42F (King’s Lynn) Squadron ATC Freedom of the Borough ! The evening of 2nd October saw the cadets of42F (King’s Lynn) Squadron, Air Train- ing Corps march through the rows of assembled guests into the regal splendour of the King’s Lynn Town Hall having been preceded by mace bearers with the civic regalia and the Mayor of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk, Councillor Barry Ayres. The occasion was the presentation to the squadron of the Honorary Freedom of the Borough. Following the Mayor’s welcome speech, the Leader of the Council, Councillor Nick Daubney addressed the assembly explaining the significance of the honour being bestowed upon the squadron. He spoke of the Borough’s pride in the unbroken 75 year existence of 42F and of the commitment, dedication and wish to serve of its members throughout that long existence. He concluded by saying, “We demonstrate our pride with this ancient ceremony, and to give some measure to this I remind colleagues and inform guests that this Borough has only twice before bestowed this Freedom, the last time over 30 years ago to The Royal Anglian Regiment and prior to that to RAF Marham. Prior to the Borough’s formation and since 1901 King’s Lynn granted the freedom just 17 times on some 12 occasions.” The Borough Chief Executive, Ray Harding, then read out the citation after which the Mayor presented the framed scroll to 42F’s Commanding Officer Flight Lieutenant Pauline Petch. In response Flight Lieutenant Petch said “It is a real privilege to receive this prestigious honour and the cadets, the rest of the staff and myself will continue to do all we can in the future to prove that we deserve this.” She added “It is what the Squadron has consistently done over the past 75 years that has been recognised. I am truly humbled that it fell upon me (its 16th CO) to be the one to accept this accolade.” After the formal ceremony the Squadron’s Honorary President, Sir Michael Oswald, presented the Squadron with framed prints of Her Majesty the Queen and HRH the Prince Phillip who is Air Commodore-In –Chief of the Air Training Corps. 42F (King’s Lynn) Squadron ATC Annual Awards & Dinner The annual Presentation of Awards & Dining-In Night of 42F (King’s Lynn) Squadron Air Training Corps was held in King’s Lynn Town Hall on Monday 17th November. A gathering of 112 people comprising cadets, staff, civilian committee, parents, past members and other guests, initially mingled with complimentary drinks in the buildings historic Stone Hall. At 7.15pm they made their way into the Assembly Room for an excellent dinner supplied by the aptly named ‘West Norfolk Flying Chef’. Following the Loyal Toast to ‘The Queen’, and a short comfort break, the Squadron’s ‘Boss’, Flight Lieutenant Pauline Petch, gave an address covering the numerous activities that the cadets had participated in over the preceding year. This was followed by an after dinner speech by Group Captain Harvey Smyth the Officer Commanding RAF Marham. The presentation of the 2014 awards then followed, Best Cadet, Cdt G. Kieselius- presented by Mr. Michael Forster. (RAFA). Best NCO, Cpl T. Richardson- presented by Cllr Mr. Barry Ayres. (Mayor). Best New Recruit, Cdt E. Simpson- presented by Flt Lt Pauline Petch. (Comm Officer 42F). George Cole Community Award. Joint winners, Cpl C. Whisker & Cdt D. Whisker- presented by Mike Lister (Chairman 42F Civilian Committee). Harry King Trophy for Flying, Joint Winners, Cpl T. Brown & Cpl T. Richardson - presented by Group Captain Harvey Smyth. (OC RAF Marham). Sports Award, Joint winners, Cdt C. Sinclair & Cdt B. Hardy, presented by Flying Officer Chris Barrett. (42F Sqn).Sgt Harden Award (for Endeavour), Cdt H. Williamson. presented by Sir Michael (Hon President of 42F). Most Improved Cadet, Cdt B. Bunkle. presented by Flt Lt Gary Walker. (RAF Marham). Then finally came a not so new award, last presented in 1941..!!!! In that year a silver cup was given to the Squadron by O. R. Jermyn Esq to be presented to the winners of the Inter Flight Competition. It was won that year by ‘B’ Flight and having been presented, never seen again. The cup was anonymously returned to the squadron some months ago and has now been presented again after 73 years. Fittingly it was the 2014 ‘B’ Flight that won it yet again and it was presented to Cdt Sgt Bentley by the Squadrons civilian instructor Jenny Metcalfe. 42F (King’s Lynn) Squadron ATC King’s Lynn Cadets Remember Gallipoli Campaign th Saturday 20 September 2014 cadets from 42F (King’s Lynn) Squadron Air Training Corps attended the annual service at St. Nicholas Church Dersingham to commemorate the disastrous 1915 Gallipoli campaign of WWI. Organised by John Crowe whose father fought at Gallipoli, the service is to remember the Norfolk men involved in the campaign which saw over 200,000 allied troops killed, mainly from Britain, France, Australia and New Zealand. On arrival the cadets were requested to assist with the proceedings by handing the congregation hymn books and sprigs of the herb Rosemary. This herb grows wild on the slopes of Turkey’s Gallipoli peninsular and has become a symbol of remembrance. They also assisted with the collection during the service which saw 16 standards paraded into church. Readings were given by the Mayor of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk Councillor Barry Ayres and Mr. Robert Hunter the Great Grandson of Capt. Frank Beck of ‘C’ Company, Norfolk Regiment who, along with many men from the Royal Estate at Sandringham, perished and were never found. Twenty one poppy wreaths were laid in their memory. RAF Marham commends King’s Lynn Cadets On Monday 13th October RAF Marham’s Station Commander, Group Captain Harvey Smyth OBE DFC ADC MA RAF, paid a low key visit to the Headquarters of 42F (King’s Lynn) Squadron Air Cadets. Surprised by this impromptu visit everybody, cadets and staff alike, were then overwhelmed when the Group Captain presented the Squadron with a coveted Station Commanders Commendation. The citation accompanying the certificate referred to RAF Marham’s recent Friends & Families Day and the invaluable support that 42F had given marshalling the off site car parking for the estimated 6,500 visitors attending the event. It stated that they had been “vital to the success of the day” It continued that their task had been “a significant undertaking to successfully regulate the flow of traffic, minimising danger to the public. Requiring no external support the professionally effective team brought with them high visibility clothing, communication equipment and risk assessments. The cadets, some as young as 14, were unswerving in the execution of their duties, delivering a highly professional, courteous and effective service, a customer experience that could not have been bettered by a regular Service team. 42F (King’s Lynn) Squadron ATC Spitfire Arts Trail and Freedom Parade Last year 42F King’s Lynn squadron ATC, was extremely fortunate to receive the Freedom of The Borough for work in the community. This year -2015 they exercise that freedom with a parade and with the launch of an arts trail. Many major cities have put on art trails, where animal models are painted up and put on show. th With 2015 also being the 75 anniversary of the Battle of Britain and with King’s Lynn being in such close proximity to RAF Marham, a ‘Festival Flight Path of the Spitfire ‘ is being designed . Fibreglass spitfires with a wing span of 1 metre, will be fixed in strategic places around the old Town making up a walk - Flight Path-that visitors and locals can then visit. Each aircraft will hopefully be painted up in the sponsors colours or in a design of choice either by the sponsor or possibly by the local schools. A booklet of the trail is being written up, giving a brief history of the building or area that the aircraft has been placed and the information about the aircraft and sponsor and this will be available from shops and the Tourist Information Centre. A competition will also be included in the Flight Path Book regarding the aircraft. After the event the aircraft will be taken down and will be auctioned off, possibly at 42F Kings Lynn ATC 75th Anniversary Dinner & Presentation night in November for charity. The Borough Council and local businesses including Palm Paper, Consents Solutions, Sandles Cars, Norfolk Green, KLFM, and Vancouver Quarter, are among the supporters of the event and currently 15 aircraft are ordered. Each of the sponsors will have advertising in the Flight Path booklet as well as having an aircraft with their own logo on in a prominent part of King’s Lynn ,it is hoped the Spitfire Flight Path will boost tourism and raise the profile of Kings Lynn and would also give the Festival visitors something different to do while encouraging them to look at the old parts of Lynn. 42F (King’s Lynn) Squadron ATC Alex reaches the top of his ladder On a recent parade night at the headquarters of 42F (King’s Lynn) Squadron Air Training Corps newly promoted Cadet Warrant Officer (CWO) Alex Stapleton was formally presented with his rank insignia and certificate of appointment. 18 year old Alex had progressed over his years with the Squadron up through all the ranks consistently showing his team spirit and, importantly, his leadership skills. Squadron Commander, Flight Lieutenant Pauline Petch said “As a Flight Sergeant Alex was noticeably very proactive in organising activities and my staff and I had no hesitation in recommending him to Wing Headquarters for this promotion Following this recommendation Alex was interviewed by Norfolk & Suffolk Wing Staff Officer Squadron Leader Gail Jupe.