Bradford Air Cadets Celebrate their 70th Anniversary

Friday the 23rd of January marked the Official Launch for 44F (City of Bradford) Squadron - 70th Anniversary 1939 - 2009. Invited distinguished guest include serving RAFVR(T) Officers, past Officers, Staff & Cadets.

The evening was hosted by CI Carl Symmonds (Training Officer) and launched by Squadron Leader Mike Wadsworth representing Group Captain John Middleton - Regional Commandant North, RAF Linton on Ouse. Also present were Sqn Ldr Andy Blaikie, Sqn Ldr Roger Kirby and the Officer Commanding 44F (City of Bradford) Squadron Flight Lieutenant John Seed, Officer Cadet Sarah Louise Knowles and Acting Pilot Officer Ron Pratley representing the Yorkshire University Air Squadron based at RAF Church Fenton 9AEF.



houwdrey Rangzeb an ex cadet from 44F (City of Bradford) Squadron and ex Lord Mayor of Bradford brought along his F3822 Record of Service Book and spoke about his experiences in the ATC. He said, "It was a pleasure to be invited and to talk about the best Squadron ever".


Ex Squadron Leader Hutchinson now 85 and an ex cadet from 44F (City of Bradford) Squadron was delighted to have been tracked down and invited to mark the 70th Anniversary as was Geoffery Wilde 82, who found his name included on the original 44F (City of Bradford) Squadron roll call dating back to 1939. Articles from the local paper the Telegraph & Argus were researched by Michael Longsdale the outgoing treasurer 44F and handed to Sqn Ldr Wadsworth to read out, again dating back to 1939.



The cake cutting ceremony was done with a Ceremonial Sword presented to South & West Yorkshire Wing by Wing Commander Roger Moss OBE RAFVR(T) upon his retirement as OC Wing.
It was important for 44F (City of Bradford) Squadron to include as many of the Distinguished guest for the actual cutting of the cake and consisted of Cpl Bostock 44F, Officer Cadet Sarah Louise Knowles - YUAS, OC 44F, Flt Lt John Seed, Sqn Ldr Andy Blaikie, Sqn Ldr Mike Wadsworth, Sqn Ldr Roger Kirby and Cpl Rahman 44F.



The SNCO's and JNCO's performed the Magic Circle Drill, a drill put together and rehearsed in a matter of weeks, and the first time the Squadron had performed a Drill in Public.

44F (City of Bradford) Squadron having launched the 70th Anniversary Celebrations will be having a 70th Anniversary Annual Dinner in June so watch this space for details. The Squadron has also planned many many events throughout the year, 2009 will be a year the World will know that 44F (City of Bradford) Squadron is 70 years old and the only surviving "F" Founder Squadron in the South & West Yorkshire Wing and the North Region.

The event was supported by, South & West Yorkshire Wing ATC, North Region ATC, Royal Air Force, Yorkshire University Air Squadron, Seafresh Wholesale Distributers, Space Connection, KCB, Royds Community Association, Midnight Connection, Action for Business Limited, BD3 4ALL, WOW Academy and Yorkshire Foreword. 44F (City of Bradford) Squadron are very grateful for their support.

Oc 44F Flt Lt John Seed said " It was nice to see so many Past Officers, Staff and Cadets attend the 70th Anniversary Celebration, and for the Squadron to meet and share experiences in the ATC dating back to 1939". Events Officer CI Ahmed and ex cadet himself, was delighted that so many Past Officers, Staff and Cadets enjoyed the evening" MCO 44F Yaseen Rahman said " Taking the back seat and ensuring everything was in place and at the right time, the evening was about the 44F Squadron and our 70th Anniversary, the sleepless nights and all the running around with CI Ahmed was worth the effort, what a night".

Our old squadron’s ready for lift-off!

Since its formation 70 years ago, an air cadet squadron in Bradford has had a rich tradition of developing and training youngsters, helping them into a range of careers and vocations. The 44F (City of Bradford) Squadron is not only the last remaining ‘founder’ squadron in the West Yorkshire and South Yorkshire Wing, but in the entire northern region.To celebrate its 70th anniversary old boys and current cadets gathered last night at the squadron’s Belle Vue Barracks, off Manningham Lane. Formed on January 21, 1939, under the Air Defence Cadet Corps, it received founder status as one of the first 50 squadrons to form, although it received its Royal Warrant in 1941.

Geoffrey Wild, of Thornbridge Mews, Bolton, Bradford, believes he was the seventh person to sign up to the squadron 70 years ago.
Now, at 85, Mr Wild remembers joining the squadron in the hope it would lead to serving in the Royal Air Force – in which he was called up to serve in 1941.

Mr Wild remembers rushing home from working on the railway throughout the day and having a quick meal before leaving to go and meet the squadron at a new building in Drewton Street. He said: “The war started in 1939 and the squadron taught the discipline of the services, so when I did go into the services I was ready for it – it prepared you.

“I think it’s great that it’s still going and I’m surprised that there aren’t more boys in it, to be honest, because I think it is very worthwhile.”
Another old boy is the former Lord Mayor of Bradford, Choudhary Rangzeb, who joined the squadron in 1970 at the age of 16 and stayed for four years.
He said: “As far as I can remember it was one of the best squadrons in the region. “We did a lot of work, going out camping and shooting, we went to the RAF and we did a lot of community work. I think it generally helps young people to learn more about life in general and how to behave in society.”
Current cadets have the opportunity to take part in a range of activities, often leading to good careers later in life. Most aim to leave with a BTEC in aviation study, or music, and some even leave with a pilot’s licence.

The squadron also has a tradition of developing the 13 to 17-year-olds to achieve Duke of Edinburgh awards. Yaseen Rahman, media and communications officer, said: “The whole ethos is for cadets to come along and to have fun. “And in the process of having fun we hope to develop and nurture their ambitions and skills.” Cadets nowadays are taken to the RAF in Church Fenton where they learn to fly a Grob Tutor, a two-seater aircraft the air force use to train pilots. While Bradford remains the only founder squadron in the north, the unit could lose its founder status if numbers dwindle too far below the current 30 members. Mr Rahman said: “We are hoping to build it up to between 60 and 100 by the summer, or at the very latest Christmas this year.”