| No. 1439 (Skelmersdale) Sqn | |
|---|---|
Crest: Ashurst Beacon over a Canadian Maple Leaf |
|
| Active | 1 April 1941 |
| Role | Training |
| Motto | Semper Ad Optima Latin: "Strive for the Best" |
| Commanders | |
| Commanding Officer | Flight Lieutenant J Henderson |
| Notable commanders |
Flight Lieutenant A Maggs BA BSc Flight Lieutenant A Melvin |
1439 (Skelmersdale) Squadron is an element of the Air Training Corps. It serves Skelmersdale and the surrounding area. A large number of former cadets have gone on to join the Royal Air Force and this has enabled the Sqn to have good working links with the parent service. The Sqn is particularly noted for its strong community work and fund-raising endeavours.
Contents |
1439 (Beacon) Squadron Air Training Corps was formed at Upholland Grammar School in 1941.The school units were organised with the assistance of the headmaster concerned and the instruction was given by school masters on the staff willing to take up commissions for the purpose. Commissioned in the training branch of the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, for part time unpaid service. [1]. the then headmaster, Alfred Maggs BA BSc was the first Commanding Officer (Flight Lieutenant). Other staff members including; Mr F.S Wrigglesworth B.Sc was commissioned as a Pilot Officer. Parents and local standing members of the community formed the civilian committee. Mr Maurice Baxter, who owned 'Baxters' Stores in Upholland was the first Chairman and his son, Lawrence Thomas Baxter was a founding cadet.
Receiving the Royal Warrant on 5 February 1941, the squadron was soon flourishing with "a strong body of instructors in mathematics, navigation, Morse Code, engineering and physical training and having a complement of 80 cadets." [2]. Air Cadets and those awaiting call-up to the RAF, having already been accepted for Aircrew training, were required to attend ATC training whilst awaiting their formal call-up papers and they were identified by wearing a white 'flash' on their forage caps. The ATC provided airmanship training for young men and those about to join the RAF in time for the Battle of Britain. Sometime after World War II, the squadron was disbanded.
In 1971; 2275 (Walton) Sqn operated a Detached Flight, 2275 (Skelmersdale) DF, at Glenburn High School's Point Six Youth Centre. In 1977, the Detached Flight was stood up as 1439 (Skelmersdale) Squadron and provided with a Headquarters at Daniels Lane.
Between 1982 and 1984 Flt Lt Alan Melvin RAFVR(T) begins exchange visits with 845 (Mississauga) Sqn in Canada.
After a spate of arson attacks, in the mid 80s the two spooner huts were replaced by the first brick built Squadron building and formally opened by Air Commodore P G Naz on the 23 Sept 1988.
In 1995 Cdt Leah Alderson was killed whilst gliding at RAF Sealand. Her glider was struck by another aircraft due to poor visibility. Following this, all training aircraft were given high visibility markings. The building at Daniels Lane is named in her honour.
In 2008 the College of Arms formally registered the Squadron Crest. The College of Arms is the official repository of the coats of arms and pedigrees of English, Welsh, Northern Irish and Commonwealth families and their descendants and is part of the Royal Household. The badge embraces one of the oldest and most revered symbols of the region as the centrepiece of its visual identity and has been super imposed onto a Maple Leaf. Ashurst Beacon is an old signal tower used in the past as a rapid means of communication especially for warning of danger or celebrations. Used on the squadron crest, it identifies the origins of the squadron as Beacon Squadron and symbolises the region. The Maple Leaf represents the friendship forged with Canadian Air Cadets during 1982-1984 and the motto 'SEMPER AD OPTIMA' translates as 'Strive for the Best'.
On Saturday 12 March 2011 the squadron planted 451 trees on Ashurst Beacon, including a maple tree, celebrating 70 years since the formation of the Air Cadets and the squadron.