Squadron Leader Wilfred Palmer Redden BSc Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (Training)
The Man Wilfred Palmer Redden (Bill), was born on Monday 6th July 1908 in Uttoxeter, Derbyshire, son of Herbert, a Clerk and professional cricketer who played for Edgbaston, W H Laverton’s XI and W J Evan’s XI and Margaret Eliza. He had one sister, Mary 1909 – 1983 and was Baptised in Coleshill, Warwickshire on 20th September.
Bill attended Alleyne’s Grammar School in Uttoxeter, becoming its Captain before moving to Birmingham University gaining a Mathematics Physics II Degree in June 1927 followed by a BSC (Honours) in June 1929 aged 21.
Bill’s moved into teaching, his first job at Sheffield City Grammar School where he taught mathematics for 13 years. Whilst in the city he played rugby for Sheffield RC and cricket for the Sheffield Collegiate XI.
The 1939 census shows Bill living with the Low family at 27 Glendale Park Road, Sheffield and his occupation as Schoolmaster; this being a reserved occupation, Bill was not called up for service during World War II. He married Miriam Greaves in the last quarter of 1940 at Wortley, Sheffield and they had two sons Andrew W born on 4th April 1944 and Jonathan F, 1947.
On 28th April 1941 aged 32 Bill was Commissioned as a Pilot Officer into the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (Training Branch) for service the newly formed Air Training Corp. His service number was 100306, (from a block 100001 – 159999 allocated to the RAF Volunteer Reserve) and in 1942 he moved to King Edward VI Grammar School in Spilsby, Lincolnshire as their Senior Mathematician and continued playing cricket, now for the Skegness CC.
Bill attended Alleyne’s Grammar School in Uttoxeter, becoming its Captain before moving to Birmingham University gaining a Mathematics Physics II Degree in June 1927 followed by a BSC (Honours) in June 1929 aged 21.
Bill’s moved into teaching, his first job at Sheffield City Grammar School where he taught mathematics for 13 years. Whilst in the city he played rugby for Sheffield RC and cricket for the Sheffield Collegiate XI.
The 1939 census shows Bill living with the Low family at 27 Glendale Park Road, Sheffield and his occupation as Schoolmaster; this being a reserved occupation, Bill was not called up for service during World War II. He married Miriam Greaves in the last quarter of 1940 at Wortley, Sheffield and they had two sons Andrew W born on 4th April 1944 and Jonathan F, 1947.
On 28th April 1941 aged 32 Bill was Commissioned as a Pilot Officer into the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (Training Branch) for service the newly formed Air Training Corp. His service number was 100306, (from a block 100001 – 159999 allocated to the RAF Volunteer Reserve) and in 1942 he moved to King Edward VI Grammar School in Spilsby, Lincolnshire as their Senior Mathematician and continued playing cricket, now for the Skegness CC.
Bill moved to Loughborough Grammar School (LGS) in 1945 to take over the Mathematics Department and became Commanding Officer of 609 (Loughborough Grammar School) Squadron ATC as Acting Flight Lieutenant and building its strength to over 150 cadets at its peak. He was promoted to substantive Flying Officer on 1st April 1947 and took over command of the RAF Section of the Combined Cadet Force which replaced the ATC at LGS.
In December 1948 he was awarded his Cadet Forces Medal, appearing in Air Ministry Order N.428/1954 as Acting Squadron Leader, this indicating possible non-commissioned service in the Air Defence Cadet Corps.
In addition to being head Mathematician he form mastered at every level, was Housemaster of North, later Redden’s House and continued playing and coaching sport. He played football for Loughborough Town FC for 14 years and cricket with Loughborough town CC.
In 1953 Bill was awarded the coronation Medal 1953, followed by the clasp to his CFM on 20th December 1960, although as a Flight Lieutenant. In 1957 Bill and Miriam were living at Buckland, Burton Walks, Loughborough.
Bill retired from the VR(T) on 1st May 1965 aged 57 and in 1969 was made 2nd Master and Deputy Head of LGS. He was known for discipline and high standards which he apparently applied skillfully. He was also involved in the Loughborough European Friendship Committee as Chairman, assisting with the initial twinning of Loughborough with Epinal in France and Schwäbisch Hall in Germany.
Now living at the The Stablings, 238a Forest Road, Woodhouse Eaves, Bill retired from LGS in July 1975 aged 67 and received a glowing tribute in the Loughbourian of July 1975. He and Miriam moved to 1 Home Farm Close, Old Woodhouse Leicestershire and Bill took over the organisation of the McOuat Bursary Appeal, which sought funding for scholarships and bursaries for LGS after it had opted for independent status. He also began working with the Samaritans and during the late autumn of 1975 took a holiday to Yugoslavia, the first of what he hoped would be many such trips.
Having richly earned his retirement, Bill sadly did not live long enough to fully appreciate it as he passed away barely six months later, on 8th February 1976 aged just 67. Miriam lived another 29 years passing away in 2005 at Woodhouse Eaves, Leicestershire.
In December 1948 he was awarded his Cadet Forces Medal, appearing in Air Ministry Order N.428/1954 as Acting Squadron Leader, this indicating possible non-commissioned service in the Air Defence Cadet Corps.
In addition to being head Mathematician he form mastered at every level, was Housemaster of North, later Redden’s House and continued playing and coaching sport. He played football for Loughborough Town FC for 14 years and cricket with Loughborough town CC.
In 1953 Bill was awarded the coronation Medal 1953, followed by the clasp to his CFM on 20th December 1960, although as a Flight Lieutenant. In 1957 Bill and Miriam were living at Buckland, Burton Walks, Loughborough.
Bill retired from the VR(T) on 1st May 1965 aged 57 and in 1969 was made 2nd Master and Deputy Head of LGS. He was known for discipline and high standards which he apparently applied skillfully. He was also involved in the Loughborough European Friendship Committee as Chairman, assisting with the initial twinning of Loughborough with Epinal in France and Schwäbisch Hall in Germany.
Now living at the The Stablings, 238a Forest Road, Woodhouse Eaves, Bill retired from LGS in July 1975 aged 67 and received a glowing tribute in the Loughbourian of July 1975. He and Miriam moved to 1 Home Farm Close, Old Woodhouse Leicestershire and Bill took over the organisation of the McOuat Bursary Appeal, which sought funding for scholarships and bursaries for LGS after it had opted for independent status. He also began working with the Samaritans and during the late autumn of 1975 took a holiday to Yugoslavia, the first of what he hoped would be many such trips.
Having richly earned his retirement, Bill sadly did not live long enough to fully appreciate it as he passed away barely six months later, on 8th February 1976 aged just 67. Miriam lived another 29 years passing away in 2005 at Woodhouse Eaves, Leicestershire.
The Story The medal pair awarded to Wilfred Palmer Redden were secured from Matthew Richardson, via Facebook whilst idly perusing FB on a coach travelling from Hua Hin to Pattaya in Thailand on 28th July 2023.
The group had been posted into one of the medal collecting pages asking for a valuation. Several members responded giving a guide price and Matthew had asked them if they were interested in purchasing the group.
There appeared to be no takers and contact was made with Matthew asking if they were still available and offering the guide price. He accepted and the medals paid for and acquired, of interest simply because of the combination. He explained they had been obtained in a local house clearance.
The Coronation Medal 1953 roll gave Wilfred’s first names and the ATC Squadron to which he was attached in Loughborough. With his unusual name and a town, Ancestry.UK, London Gazette and wills, provided basic biographical detail.
A cursory search of the British Newspaper archive however, revealed an obituary, but most importantly the fact Wilfred had been a master at Loughborough Grammar School. This led to a google search of the school with Wilfred’s name, revealing two editions of their journal, The Loughburian, from his retirement in 1975 and his obituary in 1976. The former gave a large amount of biographical detail, tying in precisely with the Ancestry entries, but most importantly contained a superb portrait picture of Wilfred at the time of his retirement.
From a relatively simple group of medals and cursory search of Facebook, the life of a man who had done so much for Loughborough Grammar School, the Air Training Corps and in other areas of life may now be remembered for posterity.
The group had been posted into one of the medal collecting pages asking for a valuation. Several members responded giving a guide price and Matthew had asked them if they were interested in purchasing the group.
There appeared to be no takers and contact was made with Matthew asking if they were still available and offering the guide price. He accepted and the medals paid for and acquired, of interest simply because of the combination. He explained they had been obtained in a local house clearance.
The Coronation Medal 1953 roll gave Wilfred’s first names and the ATC Squadron to which he was attached in Loughborough. With his unusual name and a town, Ancestry.UK, London Gazette and wills, provided basic biographical detail.
A cursory search of the British Newspaper archive however, revealed an obituary, but most importantly the fact Wilfred had been a master at Loughborough Grammar School. This led to a google search of the school with Wilfred’s name, revealing two editions of their journal, The Loughburian, from his retirement in 1975 and his obituary in 1976. The former gave a large amount of biographical detail, tying in precisely with the Ancestry entries, but most importantly contained a superb portrait picture of Wilfred at the time of his retirement.
From a relatively simple group of medals and cursory search of Facebook, the life of a man who had done so much for Loughborough Grammar School, the Air Training Corps and in other areas of life may now be remembered for posterity.
Medal Details:
- Coronation Medal 1953: Unnamed as awarded.
- Cadet Forces Medal: ACT. FLT.LT. W.P.REDDEN. R.A.F.V.R.(T).
Page last updated 20 Oct 23
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