History Archives

At 1224 we have discovered a large number of photographs and newspaper cuttings from the Squadrons history from 1941 through to the 1980's!

FS Sam White is currently scanning a number of items into the Squadrons gallery so please keep checking back there and if you can add any information to them please don't hesitate to leave a comment or contact us!

Thank you

1224 Annual Dinner

To all Staff, Cadets and Friends of 1224 (Wharfedale) Sqn

Last night (Saturday 19th March 2011) we held our annual presentation evening and celebrated the 70th anniversary of the Air Training Corps at the Kings Hall, Ilkley.

It was a fantasitc evening. The cadets as always were a credit to our Squadron and to the Air Training Corps. Congratulations to everyone for making the evening so special.

Sue Leighton

Flt Lt

OC 1224 (Wharfedale) Sqn

More details to come in a futher article.

Communication is the Secret of Success for 12 Wharfedale Air Cadets

Cadets from 1224 (Wharfedale) ATC squadron took part in a 2 day UHF/VHF Radio Operators Course at the Squadron Headquarters on Ashlands Road, Ilkley last weekend.

All the cadets on the course successfully passed the written and practical examinations, with Cadet Corporal Danny Harm achieving distinction.

The instructor was Mr Alan Fowles, the Central and East Yorkshire Wing Communications Officer. He travelled down from 2394 (East Cleveland) Squadron to deliver the training programme to the cadets and was supported by two cadets from the East Cleveland Squadron; Cadet Sergeant Luke Rogan and Corporal Jason Wears.

Warrant Officer Bob Pratt co-ordinated the event and said " the cadets really enjoyed the weekend and were given lots of opportunities to put the theory into practice. I am really pleased with their exam results".

In the photograph

Front row - left to right....Cdt Raabe, Cpl Cavaliere, Cdt Collier & Cdt Todd

Middle row - left to right .....Cdt Verspyck, Cdt Parker, Cdt Martin & Cdt Kraft

Back row - left to right......Cpl Harm, Cdt Wingate, Cdt J Moore & Cdt Croft

In the working blues - left to right.....Cpl Wears and Sgt Rogan

Central & East Yorkshire Wing 70th Anniversary Parade

by WO (ATC) David Wood

After days of heavy rain and gales, Sunday 6^th February 2011 dawned little better. Cadets and staff made their way to Squadron Headquarters in Ashlands Road in heavy drizzle to collect equipment and board Steels coach, which was to take them to York to join the other 27 Squadrons from Central and East Yorkshire Wing ATC for the Parade to celebrate the 70^th Anniversary of the formation of the Air Training Corps. As we travelled towards York the weather improved and on arrival we found it to be fine, overcast and somewhat blustery.

Over 700 cadets plus staff assembled at the Eye of York adjacent to Clifford’s Tower and were formed into three Squadrons. Numbers 1 and 2 Squadrons had about 200 cadets each but Number 3 Squadron, under the command of Squadron Leader John Hitchen led by 1224 (Wharfedale) Squadron’s Band had about 220 cadets in three flights plus a flight containing the Banners of each of the 28 Squadrons in the Wing.

At 1238 the Parade marched off through the streets of York to the Minster for a service to celebrate 70 years of The Air Training Corps. Our Squadron Band had the honour of playing as all the cadets and Staff from the Wing filed past into the Minster and again at the end of the service as everyone including the dignitaries left.

The day was ended by the customary stop at McDonalds on the way home where the cadets got some well earned food and drink.

To sum up, it was an excellent day for Central and East Yorkshire Wing, an even better one for 1224 (Wharfedale) Squadron.

I must not forget to mention our two stowaways in the band, Chris and Dave Pagdin from 23(South Elmsall) Squadron, both honorary members of 1224 who also smuggled their Squadron’s Banner into the parade!!!

To all of 1224 who took part, be very proud of yourselves for a job extremely well done!

Videos of the parade and of the 1224 band can be seen at http://www.youtube.com/user/1224Wharfedale

More pictures can be seen at http://ceyorks.net/wordpress/?p=556

Cross Country Success for 1224

On Sunday 30th January, a team of 14 cadets along with WO (ATC) Pratt and Sqn Ldr Hitchen travelled to RAF Linton-on-Ouse to take part in the Central and East Yorkshire Wing Cross Country event.

Cadets entered in almost every category, coming second in the Under 15 boys and winning the Junior Men races with Cpl Danny Harm placing third to get through to the Regional finals.

At the end of the day, after the standard FOD Plod, the winning teams were revealed with 1224 eventually placing second overall.

Overall it turned out to be a good day and 1224 will be back next year for sure aiming for the top prize!

The 1224 Cross Country team

Flying

Sector 5 Cadets become Young Life Savers

Cadets from Sector 5 started the new year learning important life saving skills. 13 cadets from Wharfedale, Yeadon and Lawnswood completed a 2 day course to pass the Young Life Savers Award. In addition to theory, the cadets were given lots of opportunity to practice and presented with different scenarios to test their new skills. Flt Lt Carrington and WO Yeadon assessed the cadets new skills in three different exercises.

The two days training was organised and run by the Officer Commanding 1224 (Wharfedale) Sqn Pilot Officer Sue Leighton. She said " This has been a fantastic two days with lots of hard word and commitment by the cadets. I would like to thank Cadet Flt Sgt Fran Cunningham who has assisted over the two days and Cadet Cpl Ben Connor and Rhys Leighton who assisted with the practical exercises and the scenarios".


In the photograph

Rear row left to right... Cdt Kjersti Moore, Sgt Tom Smith, Cpl Partovi, Sgt Chambers, Cdt Kieran Olsen,Cpl Alister Robson, Cdt Will Simpson

Front row left to right, Cpl Chris Cavaliere, Cdt Jorgen Moore, Cdt Oren Chew, Cdt Karl Verspyck, Sgt Ben Bilbrough and Cdt James Crosbie