Graduation Parade of the 65th Entry

From the Halton Magazine, May 1953

On 27th March, 1953, the Right Honourable the Lord de L'Isle and Dudley, VC, Secretary of State for Air, visited Halton to review the 65th Entry at their Graduation Parade. He was accompanied by Air Vice Marshal N. H. D'Aeth, C.B., C.B.E., representing the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Technical Training Command, who was prevented from attending by sickness; Air Vice Marshal J. G. Franks, C.B.E., Air Officer Commanding No. 24 Group; Air Commodore J. G. W. Weston, C.B., O.B.E., Commandant No. 1 School of Technical Training; Group Captain R. J. Carvell, Senior Training Officer, No. 1 School of Technical Training; and Wing Commander A. H. Patton, Officer Commanding No. 1(A) Wing. The Parade, held in fine weather on the Henderson-Groves Parade Ground, was under the command of F/S/A/A Garlick, 65th Entry. Entries on Parade were the 65th, supported by the 66th-72nd.

Later in the Burnett Gymnasium the Commandant read his Report to visiting officers, to the 65th Entry, and to their friends and parents. He began by welcoming the Secretary of State for Air and other visitors, especially Mrs. Quinton who had kindly consented to come to present for the first time the Quinton Trophy which is to be presented to the best ex-A.T.C. Apprentice in each Entry in memory of her late husband, Flight Lieutenant Quinton, G.C. Before proceeding to matters actually connected with the School, he referred to the alterations in the Parade which were due to Court Mourning for Her Late Majesty Queen Mary of gracious memory, and paid tribute to her example of devoted service which had stood through, out her long life.

On a happier note he then referred to the approaching Coronation. saying that the School's Queen's Colour, the Apprentice Military Band, and a number of officers, apprentices, airmen, and airwomen would be taking part in the ceremonies. This is a great honour for the School and the Station.

On the whole the 65th Entry had attained a technical standard which may be regarded as satisfactory, although for various reasons the wastage rate had been rather high. In all, 108 British and Pakistani Apprentices were graduating, of whom 30 had qualified for the Ordinary National Certificate in Engineering, a rather higher proportion than usual. In sport the Entry had done fairly well, and special mention should be made of S/A/A Eggleton in Athletics, C/A/A Pascoe in Rugby Football, and A/A Ryan in Swimming. The Commandant concluded by wishing the British Apprentices all good fortune in the Royal Air Force, and the Pakistani Apprentices all good fortune in the Royal Pakistan Air Force.

At this point Mrs. Quinton presented the ceremonial stick, which was given in memory of her husband, to F/S/A/A Garlick, and spoke briefly. She said she was grateful for the opportunity to present the Trophy in her husband's honour, and trusted that it would remain as an incentive for all apprentices at the School. The Commandant then asked the Secretary of State to present the prizes and address the Entry. Lord de L'Isle and Dudley began by thanking the Commandant for his invitation to review the 65th Entry's Graduation, and then congratulated the Entry on their Parade.

They ought, he said, to remember their Graduation Day and their time at Halton throughout their service, for through these they had come upon the immense opportunities which now lay before them. They had had the spirit and the foresight to offer themselves for three years' apprenticeship, and now was the time to justify the patience and skill of their instructors. In particular they must justify their own strength of purpose. "I would like," he said, "to emphasise this last phrase strength of purpose because you will have many ups and downs in your career. I hope there will be many more ups than downs, but when things look black they sometimes look very black — do not despair, for you will remember that you did not enter the Royal Air Force merely to make a career for yourselves, but to serve your Queen and Country."

Though the Royal Air Force is the youngest of the three Services, it already has its own high traditions, and with the march of events it has become of ever-growing importance, commanding the highest standards of knowledge, skill and efficiency. And so an apprentice's opportunities enlarge. But that is not all. "It must never be forgotten," he continued, "that nothing is being achieved in the march of Science that can or will replace the qualities of leadership, study, and forceful example which are essential on the ground as well as in the air."

It is to this end that Apprentices undergo General Service Training on which the Commandant places such proper emphasis. He went on to hope that the new Quinton. Trophy would be an inspiration to all apprentices, and concluded by saying, "And thus we place great faith in you young men who have great opportunities to prove yourselves, as no doubt you will, worthy of your trust a trust which was so well represented on today's parade by the Queen's Colour." And so there came a time for more fare-wells as yet another entry left Halton to carry the spirit and training of the School throughout the Royal Air Force.