Officer Commanding's Message

Flying Officer Graham Barre RAFVR(T)

Submitted 07/06/2005.

Fg Off Graham Barre

Welcome, once again to the Website of 1119(Shrewsbury) squadron.

It has been a turbulent first half of 2005, losing the squadron web server has been major heartache for all those involved. Now that has been resolved we can look forward to keeping everyone up to date with the squadron activities.

Firstly I would like to Welcome Flt Lt John Smith and Steve Jones to the squadron. John is a former WSO in charge of adventure training within Herts and Bucks wing.

His knowledge and experience will be of immense value to the cadets and staff at 1119.

Steve is a former bugle Major with the Light Infantry Band and has already made great strides to build up our emerging band. Once again his wealth of experience from his time in the Army and the TA will be an asset to both the squadron and the Corps.

Unfortunately we say good bye to two Civilian instructors on the squadron who have both decided to call it a day. Glyn Shaw started As a Civilian instructor in 1979 (dare I say that even I was a cadet at the time). Glyn returned to the squadron again in 1997 when his eldest son joined as a cadet. He has turned his hand to most activities within the squadron and mainly taught all levels of the Navigation syllabus. Glyn also took on the responsibility for Media relations for the squadron until he stepped into the Health and Safety breech, this he continued until he decided to Stand down. Glyn was particularly influential in transporting cadets to RAF Shawbury to assist in the Restoration of the Horsa Glider.

Brian Collins is also standing down, Brian transferred to the squadron when he moved to the area in 1984 and has used his RAF experience to teach the airmanship syllabus from the basics up to operational Flying. However it was Brians love of Aircraft recognition that set him apart from many others. In his time with 1119 the squadron has won the Wing aircraft recognition trophy no less than 14 times, the Regional title 6 times and the Corps title twice. His teams have also taken the Air Britain title 4 times and in the last two years managed a clean sweep of ALL the aircraft recognition titles. Brian became an Adult Warrant Officer in 1986 and retiring from the post in 1998, receiving his cadet forces medal in 1999.

I would like to put on record my personal admiration for both Glyn and Brians dedication to the squadron and the ATC and wish them well for what ever they choose to do in the future.

Flying Officer Graham Barre RAFVR(T).

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