RAF Halton News

STATION ARCHIVIST JOINS 'BUCKS IN 100 OBJECTS'

Buckinghamshire has a rich collection of artefacts dating back over 300,000 years held in Museums, stores, archives, National Trust properties, stately homes, landscapes and gardens across the county.  Taken together these objects tell the story of Buckinghamshire.  And there are even more objects which help to define us and tell our story – many of these might be sitting in our high streets, riverbanks or in people’s work places – or even hospitals.

Station Archivist, Min Larkin
Image by: RAF Halton Photographics Section

Buckinghamshire Culture has created an online campaign in response to Covid-19 that feeds into a larger project idea to develop the story of ‘Bucks in 100 Objects’. Residents have been asked to nominate objects they would like to see included in the final 100 and will be sharing them with Social Media.  Eventually the public will be asked to vote for the final 100 objects that define the County.

Station archivist, Min Larkin has joined the competition and nominated The Halton Aircraft Apprentice Scheme, of which he was one. 

Min said: “Queen Elizabeth II visited Royal Air Force Halton on 25th July 1952. This was possibly Her first visit to Buckinghamshire since becoming our Monarch. The purpose of Her visit was to present a Queens Colour to No 1 School of Technical Training, the home of the Halton Aircraft Apprentices, for its outstanding contribution to the Nation in war and peace. The first Entry of boys was in January 1922 and between 15 and 16 of age with a of good secondary education. They were recruited for a three year apprenticeship in aircraft engineering together technical and general education. When the Scheme closed in 1993, 40,000 Apprentices had graduated. Seventeen had subsequently won the Sword of Honour at the Cadet College Cranwell. Of the 12,000 Apprentices commissioned, 120 achieved very high rank, with several serving on the Air Force Board. Thirteen were Knighted and countless others awarded State Honours”.

You can see more on the Bucks Herald Online where you can view the contributions and vote.

 

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