Issue Number 9

November 2006

Graduation of the 81st Entry

With many thanks to Frank Shaw of the 97th/98th Entry.

The following extract is from an old (very old) Halton magazine.

The Graduation Parade of the 81st Entry of Aircraft Apprentices at Halton took place on the Henderson-Groves Parade Ground on 30th July 1958. The Reviewing Officer was Air Chief Marshal Sir Walter Dawson, K.C.B, C.B.E, D.S.O., Air Member for Supply and Organisation. He was accompanied by Air Marshal Sir Arthur McDonald, Air Officer Commanding -in- Chief Technical Training Command; Air Vice-Marshal H D Speckley, C.B. O.B.E; Air Officer Commanding No.24 Group; Air Commodore T N Coslett, O.B.E., Commandant of No 1 School of Technical Training; Group Captain A K Hunter OBE, Senior Training Officer; Group Captain E A Stockwell, Principal Education Officer and Wing Commander A A Pedder, Officer Commanding No 1 Apprentice Wing.

The parade was under the command of Warrant Officer Apprentice B H Martin of the 81st Entry.

The following Apprentices were subordinate commanders:

  • Parade Adjutant. S/A/A E T White
  • Parade Warrant Officer C/A/A J Plumbley
  • Colour Bearer F.S/A/A W P Verdin
  • Colour Warrant Officer S/A/A J H T Hathaway
  • Colour Escorts S/A/A P J Perry ; S/A/A A R Jackson
  • Colour Orderly A/A A R Thompson
  • Escort Squadron Commander F.S/A/A H W F Hutchinson
  • No 1 Flight Commander S/A/A M A A Mason
  • No 2 Flight Commander S/A/A M S Johnson
  • No 2 Squadron Commander S/A/A E F Stone
  • No 1 Flight Commander S/A/A D A Cooper
  • No 2 Flight Commander L/A/A R A Lucas
  • Standard Bearers C/A/A V. Avis; C/A/A D. Brooks
  • Apprentice i/c Supporting Entry F.S/A/A D K Pirie
  • Drum Major Pipe Band A/A J Squires

The Entries on parade were the 81st and 82nd ?

81st Grad

Bill Verdin(RIP) and friend.

81st Grad 2