Squadron history from 1970 to 1979

Overall 1970

Summer Camp (4/08/1970)

A civic reception to commemorate local World War 2 pilot Eric Lock DSO DFC was organised by the squadron along with the recruiting office. This was held in conjunction with the showing of “Battle of Britain” at the Granada cinema. Three of his surviving sisters were invited and cadets provided Guard of Honour. 14 cadets attended summer camp at RAF Lindholm during the first week of August.

Overall 1971

Portrait of Eric Lock D.S.O D.F.C presented to Shrewsbury Library. Entered local table tennis league. An adventure training weekend was held at Nesscliffe Army Training centre during May. In the last week of July 14 cadets attended summer camp at RAF Locking where Shrewsbury was awarded best squadron of all units attending Locking this year. A presentation evening was held at the drill hall to receive a shield recognising this achievement.

Overall 1972

22 cadets visited 27 MU and Air Traffic Control School at RAF Shawbury. Squadron wins the Local table tennis league championship. 3rd in Drill competition. Cdt Corfield 3rd in Dovey trophy. Squadron winners of Class ‘B’ athletics and were 4th overall in Wing athletics. Received gift from RAF Shawbury of a Trophy to be awarded to the best non NCO cadet of the Year. 16 cadets at RAF Catterick attended summer camp. F.O Reglar produces wing newsletter called ‘Wingspan’. 22 cadets attended Armictace day Parade. 6 Cadets played for the wing football team. 5 Cadets attended RAF Shawbury for AOC’s Visit to the Station. 3 cadets represented the Wing at the Regional Athletics Championship. 13 cadets attended the Royal British Legion annual reunion. 14 cadets attend Nesscliffe Army training Camp. Attended annual Wing parade held at RAF Cosford.

Overall 1973

Summer Camp (1/08/1973)

25 cadets attended ATC Sunday parade. Cadets attended RAF Shawbury to watch the competition for the De Havilland Trophy in May. Cadet Hobby 3rd in the Dovey Trophy. Squadron wins Wing Table Tennis Championship beating 1017 (Malvern) 5 – 2 in final. 6 cadets attended annual camp at RAF Aberporth and 10 cadets attended RAF St Mawgan where cadets all received flights in Nimrods. Cpl Burgwin attends overseas camp in Laarbruch.

Due to the national energy crisis attendances were reduced to 1 evening per week.

Visited ‘Red Arrows’ display team at RAF Shawbury.

17 cadets attended RAF museum at RAF Hendon.

Overall 1974

Shrewsbury were the winners of the Wilkins Bowl and winners of the squadron efficiency trophy. Summer camp was held at RAF St Athan and attended by 8 cadets. 20 cadets attended RAF Shawbury for a station visit. 24 cadets attended ‘Battle of Britain parade’ and 18 cadets attended Armictace day parade. 8 cadets attend seminar at the Grosvener museum, Chester on the Avro Lancaster. Annual dinner held at ‘Shropshire Lad’. 4th in wing drill competition and 3rd in wing orienteering. 2nd aircraft recognition with cadet A Williams coming equal 1st in individual competition. Cadets get regular flying at Sleap aerodrome on Wednesday evenings in exchange for washing aircraft. Attended Wing Review at RAF Cosford. Flt Sgts S D Jones and R Ruscoe Completed Flying Scholarships in this Year

Overall 1975

Summer Camp (4/08/1975)

10 cadets from the squadron attended annual camp at RAF Coltishall 2nd –9th August (the Battle of Britain Flight being stationed here at the time) and received best squadron on Camp. 3rd in wing drill competition. 8 cadets from the squadron were introduced to the Duke of Edinburgh at Sundorne Youth Centre during a visit to Shrewsbury in connection with D of E Award scheme. 25 cadets attended st Georges day Parade. Assisted on RAF stand at Shrewsbury Flower Show. Annual dinner held at Shropshire Lad. Winners of aircraft recognition competition and 5th at the Regional event. Flt.Lt. G Stringfellow retires as C.O. after 10 years the longest serving C.O. to date. Flt.Lt. S Reglar takes command. F/O Frost joins squadron. Attended Wing parade at RAF Cosford.

Overall 1976

Summer Camp (12/08/1976)

Numbers again increase and Squadron split into Red and Green Flights. A Pewter shield donated to squadron to be awarded to best flight of month. 15 cadets attended RAF Benson for annual camp, one cadet from each squadron being allowed to visit the Queens flight. The honour going to Cdt Glyn Price. Annual dinner held at Shropshire Lad. Squadron has its own crest of 4 red aircraft with smoke trails in the form of the squadron number. Ties and sweatshirts with crest available. 22 cadets and 2 staff Attended Wing parade at RAF Hereford.

Overall 1977

Flights renamed after ‘Harris’ and ‘Dowding’ who were commandants of Bomber and Fighter commands during the second world war. This being the Queens Silver jubilee year the squadron attended the Fly past at RAF Finningly. Assisted the careers information office at the flower show and air day at Sleap Airfield also provided guard duties for B17 (Sally B) flying fortress at the same show. Visited ‘Red Arrows’ display team whist at RAF Shawbury. Summer camp at RAF Rudloe Manor. Started work on the restoration of De Haviland DH89 Dragon Rapide at Chirk (see other history). Annual dinner held at Shropshire Lad. Hill walking exercises held in Snowdonia. Weekend training camp held at Nesscliffe Army Camp. Attended Wing parade at RAF Hereford. Flt Lt S Reglar attends IACE in USA.

Overall 1978

Winners of the Ffennell Shield (small bore shooting) for the first time. Summer camp at RAF Waddington. RAF Shawbury donated three wood and canvas canoes to the squadron. The Squadron started a continuity drill display team. Annual dinner held at Shropshire Lad.

F/O Pryce transferred to squadron from 1165(Oswestry). Weekend hill walking activities held in Snowdonia and Brecon Beacons. A Continuity rifle drill display team puts on demonstrations at local fetes during the summer. Weekend training camp held at Nesscliffe Army Camp. Attended Wing parade at RAF Cosford.

October 1978

G-AKOE (17/10/1978)

15 cadets and 3 staff attended the inaugural flight of G-AKOE at chirk.

Overall 1979

Winners of Ffennell Shield for the second year running. Winners of the community cup and winners of the Wilkins bowl as Best Squadron on parade. Summer camp held at RAF Binbrook attended by 8 cadets, taking best squadron. On camp sleeping accommodation at RAF North Coates. Weekend training camp held at Nesscliffe Army Camp. During a walking expedition in the Brecon Beacon National Park cadets attended an incident where a young girl fell whilst attempting to cross a waterfall and assisted in carrying the stretcher out of the valley to a waiting ambulance.12 cadets and 2 staff visit th RAE at Llanbedr. Rifle drill team continues to display at summer fetes (nominated by wing to go forward as ‘Sir Alan Lees Trophy’candidates.) Cdt Sgt A Williams attends IACE in USA. 20 cadets and 10 GVC cadets attended a visit to the Imperial War Museum. Assisted at RAF Shawbury Christmas fair. Wing review Held at RAF Cosford

October 1979

G-AKOE (27/10/1979)

4 cadets and 2 staff get flight from London to Manchester in Dragon Rapide G-AKOE.