Royal Air Force Cranwell Apprentices' Association

20/9/2013

Posted on the Guild of One Name Studies Forum

Anyone researching an RAF radio/wireless/radar tradesman who enlisted as an apprentice may find something of interest on [http://www.rafcaa.org.uk/]

This the site of the ROYAL AIR FORCE CRANWELL APPRENTICES' ASSOCIATION which was formed for Aircraft Apprentices who completed at least part of their apprentice training at either the Electrical & Wireless School 'RAF Flowerdown' between 1922 and 1929, or at 'RAF Cranwell' between 1920 and 1952.

At the top of the Home page is a radio button labelled 'Apprentice Entries' - click this and just under the title is a link to the Master Name Index. Detail listed include service number, surname, initials etc.

The Remarks column may give a date of death.

There is a possibility that the web page might be dismantled. The association is closing down, and the final AGM takes place this weekend. Like the old soldiers in the song, we old ex-brats don't die we just fade away, as will our web-site.

27 Comments

John (Jimmy) Green 585449

13/5/2014 06:20:35 am

Ex 2M6 Entry. I am self publishing an autobiography (about 200 books) and am seeking permission of Brian Tichener 3M5 Entry to include his picture of a typical Flight in my book

Webmaster

12/6/2014 01:11:22 am

Can I suggest you contact the RAF or the owner of the picture!

Brian Jones Ex 65th (3M5) Entry 586021 link

8/10/2014 03:21:08 am

Hi Jimmy, I don't know if you were able to contact Brian Titchener but if not here is address:- 92a Lower Northern Rd, Edge End, Southampton SO30 4FT Tel No 01489 783699. Regards Brian. PS I'd be interested in reading your biography.
See website for more details of Cranwell Apprentices.

Peter Gamble (585398)

10/8/2017 04:49:24 am

I hope you are still around - I've only just come across your comments written in 2014. You may recall that I was in 2M6 entry as you were. I have never come across any other chaps from our entry. I left the RAF in '63 having spent the last few years working on the Thor balistic missile at RAF Driffield. I am still pretty fit as I hope you are. It would be good to hear from you.

Ron Sherwin link

10/8/2017 08:44:37 am

Thanks for your e mail. There seems to be a mistaken identity.I was 36 entry OM7 and am now 96 years of age.
My blog was in response to an request from a John Hobby about his father David. You will note that I never received a reply, although there seems to have been some attempt.

John Hobby

29/1/2015 11:08:35 pm

My Father, ex F/Sgt David Ernest Hobby, died 17.07.14, was at Cranwell as an apprentice in Jan 1936.
If anybody can give me any further info please respond.

John Hobby

RON SHERWIN

2/4/2015 11:34:24 pm

Your father Dave was a contemporary of mine at Cranwell although an entry earlier. We served together in Egypt in the Canal Zone and,together with our wives, had apartments in Port Tewfik. Joy was Dave's wife and Stella the daughter.
We were both overseas together. He serving in Malaya and myself in India and Burma before doing our second tours in Egypt.

John Hobby

3/4/2015 12:02:02 am

Alison Cowley

16/6/2015 05:56:55 am

My father BOB WHYTE trained at Cranwell. He was born in 1930 and joined up when he was around 15, so I guess he was there 1945-48. He went on to become a Squadron Leader. If anyone remembers him can they please contact me. Thank you.

Jeff Gledhill

3/11/2017 06:11:45 am

My father Squadron Leader John Gledhill died on 29/10/2017.

Anyone who would like to contact me please email gledhilljj@ gmail.com.

Jeff Gledhill

Mark

5/6/2021 05:06:09 am

582292. Rankine. G S. George was my Grandad Stationed there in the late 50s early 60s sadly passed too early in life.

TERRY FOWLER

28/8/2022 06:36:41 am

Are there any ex 61st Entry Cranwell Radio apprentices out there?

Terry Fowler

8/9/2022 10:32:43 am

ex Cranwell 2M1 61st entry

Michael H Caplan 586097

12/5/2023 03:09:56 pm

Crikey, Thought I must be last of Cranwell. I remember the 61st Entry OK.

I live in Chingford London.

Jack crowther 66 (3M9)

6/7/2024 11:08:25 am

Hello Mike , sorry it has taken me a while to reply , getting to grips with technology!!!!
Wonderful to hear back from you . I live in Shipley west York but moving near my son near Kettering in the very near future . Hope you are keeping well

TERRY FOWLER

13/5/2023 05:33:14 am

Ex 2M1 61st.

TERRY FOWLER

14/5/2023 01:36:11 am

Anyone from 2M1 ENTRY out there?

David Cottrell

31/5/2023 03:55:41 am

Raymond Edward Cottrell "Squeak" 582578

Dear RAF Apprentices Association,

I am writing to you to inform you of the passing of dad. I am David Cottrell his eldest son. My dad was Mr Raymond Edward Cottrell born 29th Sept 1928. Dad was I believe a member of your association and was a Trenchard Bratt joining the RAF as an apprentice around about the 17th of August 1945, around VJ day? He was at Cranwell as an apprentice radio technician. In his intake he was in Group L.

Dad passed away peacefully at home in Kenfig Hill, South Wales. The family home were he had lived happily with his wife Pamela and us three kids Pauline, David (me) and Peter. Dad served in the RAF from 1945 to 1968, leaving as a Chief Technician. He kept his connection with the RAF becoming commissioned as a Pilot Officer VR(T) with the ATC attached to 2117 Squadron Kenfig Hill. Which incidentally and by a totally unconnected coincidence, was founded in 1942 by one Percy Mocket from Kenfig Hill, who was its first CO, who incidentally was much later my dad’s father in law. Dad eventually resigned his commission from the RAF VR(T) Leaving after many years as the CO and as a Flight Lieutenant. He then went on to serve on the ATC committee of 2117 Squadron up until 2002 aged 73 years.

Dad loved being a Trenchard Bratt, he loved his time in the RAF as well as in the ATC and on the committee. All in all he dedicated 23 years full time regular service to the RAF and then another 34 years volunteer service through the RAF VR(T) and then the committee member. In between this he held down a fulltime job with BP before retiring, as well as reporting for the local paper the Glamorgan Gazette for well over 30 years all well running along side his ATC commitments.

Dad served with many people who were Bratts in his intake who went on to become Air Marshalls and other high ranks. I thought I would write to you so you could put something out about dad in any news bulletins or online messages.

Raymond Edward Cottrell 582578
Born 29/9/28
Joined RAF 17/8/45 (believed)
Left RAF 1968 as a Chief Technician
Associated with RAF VR(T) 2117 Squadron ATC Kenfig Hill up until 2002

Please let me know if anything is printed or said about dad please.

Thank you

David Cottrell (Son)
28, Ongar Rd, Dunmow, Essex, CM6 1EX
07747456853

TERRY FOWLER

31/5/2023 12:23:45 pm

ex 61st, 2M1
Anyone out there from this Cranwell entry?

Brian Titchener

27/6/2023 08:51:18 am

Ex-65th Entry. Just found this site and saw reference to me in an earlier posting (a bit late!). I am still in contact with Ray Collingbourn, ex-55/56th. Are you there, Brian Jones?

Stan (Paddy) Roulston

20/2/2024 10:17:51 pm

586821 ex 68th Cranwell
Now living in Gawler, South Australia
Gawler is about 42kms north of Adelaide.
Been here since 1960's

Michael H Caplan

21/2/2024 04:55:06 am

Wow, thought I must be near the last surviving never having heard of anyone else. Had long forgotten this site even existed. My memory lets me down these days. Had my 90th last month. Living in Chingford London UK. 586097 A/A Caplan M H. 66 Entry.

Sara Cass

21/2/2024 08:50:30 am

Raymond Patrick Cass 579734 (or 579743) - Pat

Dear RAF Cranwell Apprentices Association,

As the formal website does seem to have closed down, I am writing here to inform you of the passing of my father. I am his daughter, Sara Cass.
I do not have exact details of his Entry at Cranwell, but I know he was apprenticed there in I believe the mid-late 1940s.
Dad went on to obtain a degree in Electrical Engineering from Leeds University, under the sponsorship of the Royal Air Force.
He was commissioned in the early 1950s, and served until 1983, retiring with the rank of Wing Commander.
He, my mother Patricia and my sister Luise were active in amateur dramatics wherever there was a club where Dad was stationed, notably RAF Hendon, and RAF Akrotiri/Episkopi where the club mounted a Shakespeare production in the ancient Greek amphitheatre at Curium every summer.
He attended most of the RAFCAA reunions until they were wound up in 2013.
If anyone knew him, please take a moment to remember him.
Thank you,
Sara

John (Jack) Crowther

9/6/2024 06:52:42 am

Hi just found this site. I'm just past 90 and about to move house to Thrapston, Northants. I was in the 66th entry at Cranwell and was wondering if anyone's still around?

All the best,
Jack

Michael H Caplan

24/6/2024 10:33:14 am

I have also just past 90 years of age. Jack Crowther? the names very familiar, I am 66 Entry and you must be that or close. Was wondering if there could possibly be anyone else still on the go.
I live in Chingford London. Hope to hear something from you.
586097 A/A Caplan M H.

Michael H Caplan

15/7/2024 11:00:14 am

Am not any better at handling emails myself. Suddenly remembered I had received a reply from you. I live in North East London, on the rim, Chingford. It was was a kind of spiritual experience to hear from you and to learn I were not the last alone of the 66 to survive. Here is my email which is easier to use. [email protected] the very best,

Michael Caplan.

Terri Cavanagh

10/6/2024 06:22:17 pm

Kia Ora, hello from Auckland New Zealand.
I would like to register the death of John Roberts who was a member of ther Cranwell Apprentices group. John was my father and sadly passed away after a long battle with firstly dementia, and secondly prostrate cancer, on 17th March 2024.
Going through my Dad’s papers and trying to sort out the files on his long-forgotten and un-used laptop, I found a 2015 list of current members of the group so I thought I would reach out to let you know so you could possibly inform others. Nine years is a long time, however, so I would imagine that the group roll is now a lot slimmer than it was back then.
Dad loved being part of the Cranwell Apprentices and travelled to the UK several times for re-unions (the last being 2011 for the 60th I think). Having read some of the personal histories from members which he had saved to his laptop, as well as his own memories of a lifetime in the RAF/RNZAF, I feel that the camaraderie of the apprentices is something to be admired and hopefully continue.
John Roberts (586971) went to Cranwell in 1951 aged 15. He was 88 when he died.
Yours sincerely,
Terri Cavanagh (daughter)

Royal Air Force Cranwell Apprentices' Association

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