Foggy Graduation Day
Recruits from Thompson Intake, Flight No. 563, Graduated from Recruit Training Squadron at RAF Halton this week. The weather was foggy and cool as the intakes marched on to the Henderson Parade Square in front of family and friends with no fly past due to the fog.
The Reviewing Officer was Air Commodore Peter Squires, Commandant of Royal Air Force College Cranwell, and musical accompaniment was from The Band Of The Royal Air Force Regiment under the direction of Flying Officer Rodda.
From 80 graduating recruits, seven were awarded trophies, they were:
Back row left to right they are:
AC Adriana Motriuc – The Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund Trophy.
AC Paul Martin – The Station Commander’s Cup.
AC Samuel Garvin-Elliott – The Halton Aircraft Apprentice Trophy.
LAC Joseph Draper – The Dusty Miller Memorial Trophy.
AC Maximus Trulocke – The Rothschild Trophy
AC Luke Prior – The Mayor Of Aylesbury Trophy and The Halton Aircraft Apprentice Shield.
AC Abbey Goodchild – The Lord Lieutenant Of Buckinghamshire’s Trophy.
The Lord Trenchard Trophy was awarded to No. 10 Flight and collected on their behalf by AC Pell.
The trophy and award winners are pictured with Air Commodore Squires after the Parade.
Thompson Intake is named after Flight Sergeant George Thompson who was awarded the Victoria Cross at age 24. He was a wireless operator in a Lancaster aircraft which was hit by a heavy shell in front of the mid-upper turret. Without any thought to his own safety he fought to save the lives of two colleagues, braving the flames and carrying them clear.
Three weeks later he died of his injuries. One of the gunners he saved also died but the other one owed his life to the superb gallantry of Flight Sergeant Thompson, whose courage and self-sacrifice will ever be an inspiration to the Service.
Born October 1920 – Died January 1945 – aged 24 when awarded.