1048 (Royal Leamington Spa) Squadron Air Training Corps
1048 Squadron was founded in February 1941 by Royal Warrant and by a committee with the Mayor of Royal Leamington Spa as Chairman. Dr R Andra Fegan was appointed Secretary and Captain J A E Durnham Treasurer with additional committee members: Colonel R J Cash, Colonel Erskine-Murray and a representative of the local branch of the National Union of Teachers. Wing Commander Lord Willoughby de Broke DFC the Lord Lieutenant of Warwickshire accepted the Presidency and committee meetings were held in Room 18 of the Town Hall in Leamington Spa.
The unit was initially based at Leamington Spa College for Boys in Beauchamp Avenue. It was comprised of three flights ~ A and B Flight from the town and C Flight from the College. A Detached Flight was raised in Kenilworth but there is some doubt as to whether it may have been a DF of 1368 (Warwick) Squadron; in any event it was apparently disbanded in 1945.
The first Commanding Officer of the Squadron was Flight Lieutenant Charles Burgis RAF VR(T) who in civilian life was the Managing Director of Burgis & Colbourne a large department store in the centre of town. Among his staff were Flight Lieutenant Foster RAF VR(T), who was responsible for navigation, a very impressive disciplinary officer in Warrant Officer Waters and a Bandmaster Corporal Welch.
The Commanding Officers of the unit were:
Flight Lieutenant Charles Burgis RAF VR(T)
Squadron Leader McIntyre RAF VR(T) – Head of Leamington Art School
Flt Lt Arthur Pratt RAF VR(T)
Flight Lieutenant S Graham RAF VR(T)
Flight Lieutenant Arthur Faulkner RAF VR(T) 1949-54. (A Schoolmaster and former RAF ‘Y’ Service entrant who joined as Adjutant in 1949 and almost immediately took over as CO).
Flight Lieutenant Eric William Burden MBE RAF VR(T) 1954-1969. (Later Wing Staff Officer & Wing Chairman).
Flight Lieutenant Ewart Percival James RAF VR(T) 1969-1971 (Later Wing Staff Officer).
Flight Lieutenant Michael Dymock Harrison RAF VR(T) 1971-1977
Flight Lieutenant David P Cole RAF VR(T) 1978-1981
Flying Officer Ian Noble RAF VR(T) 1981 (Temporary appointment)
Flight Lieutenant Roy Gardner RAF VR(T) 1981-1984 (Later Wing Chairman).
Flight Lieutenant David Brierley RAF VR(T) 1984-85 (Killed in a walking accident)
The squadron held its parades on a Monday and Wednesday evening from 1930h – 2130h and on a Sunday for band practice. At some time they also paraded on a Friday evening.
When Flt Lt Faulkner became OC in 1949 the Civilian Committee Chairman was Alderman O R Davidson JP, his committee included Lieutenant Colonel the Reverend D V Gibson as Secretary, Mr P J Luke a deputy Manager of Lloyds Bank as Treasurer together with Lieutenant Colonel Masterson MC TD and Mr R Pullen a local stonemason as members. The medical officer was Dr De Courcey. In 1952 Alderman Davidson resigned and replaced with Lieutenant Colonel G L Moss MC TD.
During 1949 Flt Lt Faulkner requested instructional help from RAF Wellesbourne Mountford, the station obliged providing a pilot and navigator who remained with the unit for about 12 months.
Flt Lt Faulkner took a post at Campion Boys School as a metalwork teacher and a number of pupils from the school joined the unit, including cadets Hudson & Wheeler who both later became Schoolboy National Sports Representatives.
The unit was affiliated to RAF Wellesbourne Mountford for Air Experience Flying and cadets flew in Avro Ansons from the RAF School of Photography who were co residents of the OTU. Cadets also flew in Airspeed Oxfords, Tiger Moths, Sunderland Flying Boats, Miles Magisters amongst others. Gliding regularly took place at RAF Honiley and many cadets qualified for their gliding wings. Wellesbourne Mounford was also used for full bore shooting and the range at Lockheed Brake Company for small bore with cadets competing in competitions at Bisley.
The unit also excelled in sports and were runners up in the first County of Warwick inter-Squadron sports held
on the playing fields of Warwick School and won the Captain Black Swimming Trophy.
In 1950 the unit moved to new headquarters in Bury Road, Leamington. The HQ consisted of two well sized wooden buildings and large parade / car parking area. To celebrate becoming owner-occupiers of their own accommodation a Grand Ball was held in the Town Hall. The guests were the Mayor, Alderman W Walsgrove, the Civilian Committee, officers and cadets from the Girls Nautical Training Corps.
Unfortunately the chosen location was close to a local council estate and a large playing field in what was then a not particularly salubrious district and the squadron was plagued with vandalism. Despite this the unit continued to recruit good numbers and maintain a healthy range of activities to educate the cadets. Arthur Faulkner handed over command to Flt Lt Eric Burden, he to Flt Lt Ewart James and he to Flt Lt Mike Harrison in about 1971.
Shortly after Flt Lt Harrison had taken over, the council advised that they needed the land the unit was located on to build a primary school. The HQ was therefore re-located some distance down the road, close to garages and the open playing fields. One of the original buildings was transferred and a brand new one erected, again with a good sized parade and parking area. However the boundary was linked directly to the flat garage roofs and despite a high fence allowed vandals to enter the site on a regular basis. All the unit windows remained boarded up for a number of years until the early 1980s when wire cages were placed over them allowing natural light to enter. However the Squadron remained healthy and vibrant, undertaking all Corps activities and attending their annual camps each year including RAF Stations Valley, West Raynham, Odiham Brize Norton.
Whilst in command Flt Lt Harrison formed a marching band on the Squadron with the help of the RAF Central Band who provided assistance regarding the purchase of instruments. At that time, unlike today, a band was frowned upon as it was considered to interfere with academic studies. The band became a great success and linked up with the local Army Cadet Force, under the command of Captain David Franklin and the Sea Cadet Corps, under Lieutenant Commander Adrian Griffith-Roberts to form a massed band of some 60 cadets. It was the largest band in the district and became much in demand for local events and carnivals. Warrant Officer Ron Everett was the Bandmaster, but he retired in 1979 and formed the Warwick Corps of Drums.
Flt Lt David Cole took over command in 1978 and during this period the squadron had an active and very popular radio section that became one of the biggest in the Wing and entered many local amateur radio competitions. In 1981 Fg Off Ian Noble took over followed by Flt Lt Roy Gardner, a local Motor dealer, later the same year.
During Flt Lt Gardners tenure as OC WO Ray Boden, the Squadron’s Adjutant was Commissioned and went on to command 2028 (Southam) Squadron and later became Wing Treasurer. Also Commissioned was Cadet Warrant Officer Martin Harrison who later commanded 163 (Coventry-Phoenix) Squadron, became a Wing Staff Officer and Deputy Wing Commander. Flt Lt Gardner also opened a Detached Flight at the Heart of England School in Balsall Common. It started with 14 enthusiastic cadets but the running of the DF was passed to 492 (Solihull) Squadron who had more staff to cope with the additional administrative burden; and it later became 496 (Balsall Common) Squadron located at the school for a number of years before eventually re-locating to its own HQ in Kenilworth.
Flt Lt Gardner handed over command to Flt Lt David Brierley, but in October 1985 whilst the cadets were away on a weekend exercise the older, original hut was broken into and set alight by vandals. The wooden structure burnt quickly and was almost totally destroyed. Reluctantly it was decided to close 1048 and amalgamate it with 1368 (Warwick) Squadron to form 1368 (Warwick & Royal Leamington Spa) Squadron which exists to this day.
As a coincidental footnote, Warrant Officer Ron Everett (pictured below and unit Bandmaster in the 1970s sadly passed away on Thursday 28th March 2019. His death was followed the very next day, Friday 29th March 2019 by Flight Lieutenants Ewart James aged 100 and Mike Harrison aged 85.
The unit was initially based at Leamington Spa College for Boys in Beauchamp Avenue. It was comprised of three flights ~ A and B Flight from the town and C Flight from the College. A Detached Flight was raised in Kenilworth but there is some doubt as to whether it may have been a DF of 1368 (Warwick) Squadron; in any event it was apparently disbanded in 1945.
The first Commanding Officer of the Squadron was Flight Lieutenant Charles Burgis RAF VR(T) who in civilian life was the Managing Director of Burgis & Colbourne a large department store in the centre of town. Among his staff were Flight Lieutenant Foster RAF VR(T), who was responsible for navigation, a very impressive disciplinary officer in Warrant Officer Waters and a Bandmaster Corporal Welch.
The Commanding Officers of the unit were:
Flight Lieutenant Charles Burgis RAF VR(T)
Squadron Leader McIntyre RAF VR(T) – Head of Leamington Art School
Flt Lt Arthur Pratt RAF VR(T)
Flight Lieutenant S Graham RAF VR(T)
Flight Lieutenant Arthur Faulkner RAF VR(T) 1949-54. (A Schoolmaster and former RAF ‘Y’ Service entrant who joined as Adjutant in 1949 and almost immediately took over as CO).
Flight Lieutenant Eric William Burden MBE RAF VR(T) 1954-1969. (Later Wing Staff Officer & Wing Chairman).
Flight Lieutenant Ewart Percival James RAF VR(T) 1969-1971 (Later Wing Staff Officer).
Flight Lieutenant Michael Dymock Harrison RAF VR(T) 1971-1977
Flight Lieutenant David P Cole RAF VR(T) 1978-1981
Flying Officer Ian Noble RAF VR(T) 1981 (Temporary appointment)
Flight Lieutenant Roy Gardner RAF VR(T) 1981-1984 (Later Wing Chairman).
Flight Lieutenant David Brierley RAF VR(T) 1984-85 (Killed in a walking accident)
The squadron held its parades on a Monday and Wednesday evening from 1930h – 2130h and on a Sunday for band practice. At some time they also paraded on a Friday evening.
When Flt Lt Faulkner became OC in 1949 the Civilian Committee Chairman was Alderman O R Davidson JP, his committee included Lieutenant Colonel the Reverend D V Gibson as Secretary, Mr P J Luke a deputy Manager of Lloyds Bank as Treasurer together with Lieutenant Colonel Masterson MC TD and Mr R Pullen a local stonemason as members. The medical officer was Dr De Courcey. In 1952 Alderman Davidson resigned and replaced with Lieutenant Colonel G L Moss MC TD.
During 1949 Flt Lt Faulkner requested instructional help from RAF Wellesbourne Mountford, the station obliged providing a pilot and navigator who remained with the unit for about 12 months.
Flt Lt Faulkner took a post at Campion Boys School as a metalwork teacher and a number of pupils from the school joined the unit, including cadets Hudson & Wheeler who both later became Schoolboy National Sports Representatives.
The unit was affiliated to RAF Wellesbourne Mountford for Air Experience Flying and cadets flew in Avro Ansons from the RAF School of Photography who were co residents of the OTU. Cadets also flew in Airspeed Oxfords, Tiger Moths, Sunderland Flying Boats, Miles Magisters amongst others. Gliding regularly took place at RAF Honiley and many cadets qualified for their gliding wings. Wellesbourne Mounford was also used for full bore shooting and the range at Lockheed Brake Company for small bore with cadets competing in competitions at Bisley.
The unit also excelled in sports and were runners up in the first County of Warwick inter-Squadron sports held
on the playing fields of Warwick School and won the Captain Black Swimming Trophy.
In 1950 the unit moved to new headquarters in Bury Road, Leamington. The HQ consisted of two well sized wooden buildings and large parade / car parking area. To celebrate becoming owner-occupiers of their own accommodation a Grand Ball was held in the Town Hall. The guests were the Mayor, Alderman W Walsgrove, the Civilian Committee, officers and cadets from the Girls Nautical Training Corps.
Unfortunately the chosen location was close to a local council estate and a large playing field in what was then a not particularly salubrious district and the squadron was plagued with vandalism. Despite this the unit continued to recruit good numbers and maintain a healthy range of activities to educate the cadets. Arthur Faulkner handed over command to Flt Lt Eric Burden, he to Flt Lt Ewart James and he to Flt Lt Mike Harrison in about 1971.
Shortly after Flt Lt Harrison had taken over, the council advised that they needed the land the unit was located on to build a primary school. The HQ was therefore re-located some distance down the road, close to garages and the open playing fields. One of the original buildings was transferred and a brand new one erected, again with a good sized parade and parking area. However the boundary was linked directly to the flat garage roofs and despite a high fence allowed vandals to enter the site on a regular basis. All the unit windows remained boarded up for a number of years until the early 1980s when wire cages were placed over them allowing natural light to enter. However the Squadron remained healthy and vibrant, undertaking all Corps activities and attending their annual camps each year including RAF Stations Valley, West Raynham, Odiham Brize Norton.
Whilst in command Flt Lt Harrison formed a marching band on the Squadron with the help of the RAF Central Band who provided assistance regarding the purchase of instruments. At that time, unlike today, a band was frowned upon as it was considered to interfere with academic studies. The band became a great success and linked up with the local Army Cadet Force, under the command of Captain David Franklin and the Sea Cadet Corps, under Lieutenant Commander Adrian Griffith-Roberts to form a massed band of some 60 cadets. It was the largest band in the district and became much in demand for local events and carnivals. Warrant Officer Ron Everett was the Bandmaster, but he retired in 1979 and formed the Warwick Corps of Drums.
Flt Lt David Cole took over command in 1978 and during this period the squadron had an active and very popular radio section that became one of the biggest in the Wing and entered many local amateur radio competitions. In 1981 Fg Off Ian Noble took over followed by Flt Lt Roy Gardner, a local Motor dealer, later the same year.
During Flt Lt Gardners tenure as OC WO Ray Boden, the Squadron’s Adjutant was Commissioned and went on to command 2028 (Southam) Squadron and later became Wing Treasurer. Also Commissioned was Cadet Warrant Officer Martin Harrison who later commanded 163 (Coventry-Phoenix) Squadron, became a Wing Staff Officer and Deputy Wing Commander. Flt Lt Gardner also opened a Detached Flight at the Heart of England School in Balsall Common. It started with 14 enthusiastic cadets but the running of the DF was passed to 492 (Solihull) Squadron who had more staff to cope with the additional administrative burden; and it later became 496 (Balsall Common) Squadron located at the school for a number of years before eventually re-locating to its own HQ in Kenilworth.
Flt Lt Gardner handed over command to Flt Lt David Brierley, but in October 1985 whilst the cadets were away on a weekend exercise the older, original hut was broken into and set alight by vandals. The wooden structure burnt quickly and was almost totally destroyed. Reluctantly it was decided to close 1048 and amalgamate it with 1368 (Warwick) Squadron to form 1368 (Warwick & Royal Leamington Spa) Squadron which exists to this day.
As a coincidental footnote, Warrant Officer Ron Everett (pictured below and unit Bandmaster in the 1970s sadly passed away on Thursday 28th March 2019. His death was followed the very next day, Friday 29th March 2019 by Flight Lieutenants Ewart James aged 100 and Mike Harrison aged 85.
Key players in 1048 Squadron's history