A Trip Down Memory Lane

Cadets from 248 (Letchworth) Squadron had a trip down memory lane as they listened intently to 3 ex members of the Squadron give a talk on what it was like to be an Air Cadet during and after World War 2.

Gordon Collinson who served as the Commanding Officer of 248 (Letchworth) Squadron was joined by Ex Warrant Officer Gordon Overton and Ex LAC Frank Spary. All 3 gentlemen served on 248 (Letchworth) Squadron both as cadets and staff between 1941 and 1959, with Gordon Collinson going on to join the Civilian Committee until 1972.

Gordon Overton initiated contact with 248 Squadron in January when he dropped into the Sqn in the hope of the cadets helping out with a fund raising event later in the year. Frank Spary bought along with him some of his old photographs and documents that he has had since 1942 to give the cadets a comparison to what the ATC use today.

The cadets took a huge interest in the tales that were told and thoroughly enjoyed the talk given by the 3 gentlemen, it was the perfect opportunity for the cadets and in particular Sgt Wesley Tierney to get a real insight into what is was like ‘back in the day’.

Sgt Tierney takes a very active interet and hopes one day to write a book on the history of 248. He has been a member of the Squadron for nearly 3½ years, and has collected all sorts of memorabilia since starting his project.

A current member of Sqn staff commented “The visit by the Ex-members of 248 was a real inspiration to the cadets and staff and has certainly given all of us an appreciation of how the Corps has evolved over last 65 years, it is so nice that they still have enough of an interest and have such good memories of the ATC that they want to come down and share them with us ”.


The cadets pictured with Gordon Overton, Gordon Collinson and Frank Spary.