2477 (Britwell) Squadron Air Training Corps (Air Cadets)

Britwell Squadron started life on the 24th March 1964 as a detached flight of 153 (Slough) Squadron, with Flying Officer John Mills as the Officer Commanding. The first year was spent based in the grounds of Britwell Community Association, which saw the start of a long and fruitful relationship between the Association and the Squadron. Flying Officer Mills was distinguished as having served as a Senior Non-Commissioned Officer in all three services and later of course as an Officer in the Volunteer Reserves.

In 1965 the Flight moved to Farnham Royal Village Hall, with Plt Off Barry Smith taking command. The final move to the Squadron's present site in Long Readings Lane came in 1967 and was accompanied by a change in status from Flight to Squadron; 2477 (Britwell) Squadron had emerged. Flight Lieutenant Chris Quin then commanded until he retired in 1973. 

Between 1973 and 1978 Flight Lieutenant David Hancock, and then Flight Lieutenant Magro, commanded the Squadron. During this time the Squadron also suffered extensive fire damage, gutting the rear end of the building. A great amount of equipment was unfortunately lost.

In 1978 Flight Lieutenant Derek Williams, an ex-cadet from the Squadron's early days, took command. Under Williams' command the relationship between the Squadron and the Community Association grew to its strongest with funds being released by the Association for the purchase of a Squadron minibus and other equipment and the Squadron actively participating in the annual carnivals. This included arena displays of round the pole model flying and a fire control exercise using an ignited mock glider. During this time Cdt SNCO Colin Dick gained a trip to America with the International Air Cadet Exchange.

In 1986, Flight Lieutenant Paul Riley took command. During this period the Squadron focused its attention on shooting and examinations. Because of staff shortages the Squadron numbers declined to below full strength.  But a hardened core of staff and cadets remained and later played a major part in the Squadron's re-expansion.

In August 1989  Flight Lieutenant Neil Parramore took command, 1989 and 1990 saw the reactivation of the Civilian Committee, the appointment of a Squadron Chaplin and a significant increase in both the numbers of staff and cadets.  As well as continuing the Squadron's success in shooting this period also saw a change in focus to include the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme, high technology projects and an active involvement in Wing activities.

During  Flight Lieutenant Parramore's time the Squadron badge was designed.  Liam Meehan, later to be Officer Commanding, worked at a sign company and was able to have a sign professionally produced.  It was drawn by the daughter of Steve Herbert, one of the Squadron's Civilian Instructors.

Flight Lieutenant Liam Meehan explains the reason for the rhino picture: "We sat around as a Squadron at the time and decided that 2477 was 'Unstoppable' and then considered what we could use to represent that. A rhino seemed fairly fitting for the motto. We even had t-shirts printed with the crest on. Britwell has had a chequered past and has been down as low as three cadets but has always bounced back and come back stronger."

After Flight Lieutenant Parramore left in 1992. Flight Lieutenant Chris Johnson took over for four years. He left to take command of 153 (Slough) Squadron.  

In 1996 Flight Lieutenant Liam Meehan took command, leaving in 2001 when he transferred to Middlesex Wing. His adjutant was Flying Officer James Barrett, formerly a cadet at Britwell. Flying Officer Barrett left in 2001 to take command of 459 (Windsor) Squadron, with 2477 being commanded by Cadet Warrant Officer Alex Bradshaw, under the supervision of Squadron Leader Stephen Senft. CWO Bradshaw was commissioned in March 2002 in the rank of Pilot Officer.

The cadet strength was good between then and March 2003 with a recruitment drive pushing the numbers over 30. In 2003, when the water was accidentally cut off, cadet numbers trailed off.

In April 2004, Flight Lieutenant Bradshaw moved away from the area and Pilot Officer Paul Bennett was seconded from 155 (Maidenhead) Squadron for what became a year and a half detachment before moving back to take command of 155.

Flying Officer Matthew Collantine joined the Squadron in November 2004, having previously been on the staff of 2410 (Didcot) Squadron.  He took command in May 2005 and was promoted to  Flight Lieutenant. Flying Officer Barrett also returned to 2477 in 2005.

With Flight Lieutenant Collantine moving away from the area in 2007, Flight Lieutenant Chris Johnson was seconded from Wing Staff to take command from the unit. After a period of ten years since his last term at 2477, Flight Lieutenant Johnson was heard to say more than once than he felt he was living an episode of "Life on Mars"!

With his duties for the 27 units of Thames Valley Wing taking a priority, Flight Lieutenant Johnson handed over command of the Squadron to Warrant Officer Gary Rawlings, the present Officer Commanding, in 2008.

 Below: The current Commanding Officer, WO Gary Rawlings meets Prince Philip.