485 Sqn ATC

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Home 485 Squadron History

Squadron History

The Squadron was formed early in 1941 and based its headquarters at the High Street School in Harborne.
The first Commanding Officer was Flt Lt A H Dutton RAFVR(T). His Adjutant was Fg Off K Jackson RAFVR(T).

When the time came for reorganization of the units in the Wing the Squadron was amalgamated with No 486(Quinton)
Squadron and was re-designated as No 485(Harborne & Quinton) Squadron. In 1962 the Squadron moved to the T A Centre, at Tennal Grange, Tennal Road, Harborne.

In later years the Squadron secured the services of an excellent radio officer in WO P Short and it was only natural that
they should become heavily involved in Radio. They still have an extremely good communication `set-up' as well as a new Flight simulator, which has replaced the old simulator of a Canberra.

Unit activities included the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme, sport in which they have several `Blues' at both Wing and Regional level and shooting. They won the Collins Trophy three years running - 1988 to 1990. Support was always given to the local community, helping the Central Branch of the Royal Air Forces Association and the Royal British Legion. They have also taken part in a sponsored twenty four hour drill competition to raise money for charity.
During 1990 they helped the local police to clean the War Memorial in Harborne as part of this community support.

The present accommodation comprises a `Spooner' hut for administration and classroom work which was extended in May 2001, now also contains the radio room and simulator room. In the main building there is a wooden propeller (origin unknown) and a plaque dedicated to the memory of past members of Nos 485 and 486 Squadrons who gave their lives in the Second World War.

There is a further plaque dedicated to the memory of a former cadet CWO Mark Drewell. He was killed in a car accident in 1986 when serving with the Royal Air Force Regiment.

The motto of the Squadron is "Non Sine Pulvere Palma, which translated means :-

"No success without effort"

Present Commanding Officer 2004 - Flt Lt P Coates RAFVR(T),
 

Update to History

Update to our history

thanks to Ex Flt/Sgt Roger.J.Burgess 485 Sqn a member of the Sqn from 1956 until 1959.

485 Squadron HQ was at Tennal Grange in two long old wooden huts raised from the ground by masonry bricks - some considerable time before I joined it in 1956.

      Hut 1 was the main parade hut,and contained a small canteen at the far end,with a small uniform store next to it. There was also a three quarter length snooker table positioned in front of the same, on which many a good break was made by myself and Cadet David A.JONES. (15years) David was tragically killed whilst cycling down Mucklows Hill on his way to School.  The whole Sqdn turned out for his funeral,to take David on his final journey.(He really was a very popular young chap - liked by all on the Sqdn)

        Hut 2 contained two class rooms, the C,O's office, a 'Morse Signal/operation room. and at the far end a Link Trainer room.  I remember a Summer Camp 27th July to 3rd August 1957 at R.A.F. Hendon. The C.O.'s name - I cannot recall.  A second Summer Camp 1958 at R.A.F.Chivenor. Our C.O. at this time was Flt Lt Tony WICKHAM.

 

Update number two

1958 Camp Photo
 
 

This Photo taken in 1958, appeared in the Birmingham Evening Mail newspaper in 2005.  It was seen by John Brindley's grandson who instantly recognised his grandad in the photo.  The photograph was sent into the newspaper by Vic Cobden another ex cadet of 485 squadron. From the article the two ex cadets got back in touch with each by phone.  "It was 45 years since they had last spoken and lost contact". 

In 2006 the squadron held a sponsored 24 hour drill fundraising event which was published in the Birmingham Evening Mail newspaper from this Vic Cobden contacted the squadron and also let us know about John Brindley.  We arranged for the two ex cadets to meet at the squadron Headquarters, where they first met each other many years early, this was the first time that they had seen each other in person in 45 years. 

They commented on how much the Squadron building had changed and glad to see two items which have remained in the HQ for a number of years, a large propeller in the Cadets Mess which is of unknown origin and the retired 485 Standard which was replaced in 1998.