On Saturday 6 August, RAF Halton were proud to host the Halton Apprentices’ Association Centenary event. (The event was delayed due to COVID-19).
The Royal Air Force Apprentice scheme began in 1920, having been devised by Chief of the Air Staff Hugh Trenchard and approved by Winston Churchill. Boys from the age of 15 took a series of highly competitive exams and tests, and the select few were invited to join the most exclusive boarding school of its time. RAF apprentices were an elite band who went on to hold some of the highest ranks in the Royal Air Force and made huge contributions to their country and the wider world.
With over 700 in attendance on Saturday, veterans and their guests were able to attend a service at The Church of St George before gathering at the Henderson Parade Square where they could visit the Trenchard Museum and enjoy being back among the buildings they knew so well.
Visitors, including VIP’s Viscount Trenchard, Rob Butler MP and Sir ‘Dusty’ Millar KBE were treated to a display by the world premier parachute team, the RAF Falcons, and also a flypast from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight who swooped over the square in a Lancaster.
The most significant part of the day was the parade where entries lined up in order and marched once more around the parade square where the Station Commander took the salute accompanied by Viscount Trenchard who addressed the parade and expressed how proud his grandfather Lord Trenchard would have been.
Viscount Trenchard said: “I am honoured to be your guest today. RAF Halton is the spiritual home of the Apprentices, and I am delighted my grandfather’s legacy is still so strong”.
In the last 100 years, the apprenticeships on offer from the RAF have changed dramatically but the award-winning scheme still offers many opportunities and numerous roles.
Discussing the changes, Sir Dusty Millar KBE said: “The only constant in life is change – but what remains unchanged is the high value characteristics and personal attributes of those that join the Royal Air Force, and I am very proud to be here today and to continue to support the next generation RAF”.
