Early in 1954, the Apprentice Wing at Locking was housed in an assortment of ancient wooden buildings grouped around a large sports field. This area was relatively remote from the rest of the camp, resulting in a 1/2 to 3/4 mile march to the "Tech Sheds" where App's were instructed. These were more substantial, resembling large brick built hangers.
The Wing was divided into 3 Squadrons, each containing 3 Entries. A Sqdn. Dark Blue hatbands & beret badge discs. (70th, 73rd & 76th) B Sqdn. Dark Green hatbands & beret badge discs. (69th, 71st & 74th) C Sqdn. Silver hatbands & beret badge discs. (68th, 72nd & 75th) (There were no sleeve wheel discs.)
Entry seniority was denoted
by good conduct chevrons (G.C.'s), worn upside down on the bottom
of the uniform left sleeve. (Not on greatcoats.)
1 chevron awarded after completing 3 terms.
2 chevrons awarded after completing 5 terms.
3 chevrons awarded after completing 7 terms.
The Wing was commanded by a Wing Commander. There was also a Wing W.O. Each Sqdn had a Sqdn Ldr. as C/O. Each Entry a Flight Commander. (F/O or F/Lt) Each Sqdn also had 3 D.I's. A F.Sgt., a Sgt., and a Cpl.
All training followed a common
basic electronics syllabus for the first 3 terms. At the start
of the 4th term, App's were split into their designated trade
groupings and received instruction and testing on a typical range
of equipment they might meet. (Only classes were split. On the
domestic site, the Entry remained billeted together. Huts would
contain a mixture of trades.)
Air Radio Fitters Scheduled to work on aircraft. Trained in both
Wireless & Radar. Ground Radar Fitters Scheduled to work on
airfield and remote Radar sites.
Ground Wireless Fitters Scheduled to work on airfield and remote
Wireless sites.
When allowed off camp, there was a radius restriction of 20 miles, beyond which App's must not travel without a F.295. Bristol was out of bounds. On initial entry, App's were not allowed off camp for 6 weeks. After that, they were allowed out, after duty, only on Saturday & Sunday until 2130. This time was raised progressively as more G.C's were obtained. By the start of the 8th term (3G.C's) it had risen to 2359. At this point they were also allowed out on Wednesday evenings to the same time limit. Each App. was issued with a Permanent Pass, indicating his degree of freedom. In the same P.P. was a certificate indicating that a parent had given their written permission for the App. to smoke.
In the 8th term up to 4 S.A.A.'s were appointed (depending upon Entry size) In the 9th term one of these would be elevated to F.S.A.A. and would command the passing out parade.
The Wing mascot was a Shetland Pony. (Hamish McCrackers) who joined the Wing on 25th Nov. 1953.
Entries were generally about
100 strong. Sept. ones tended to be larger, Jan and May ones smaller.
The 76th Entry arrived at Locking on the 20th Jan. 1954 and were
97 strong, including 3 Rhodesians. Service numbers ran from 589518
to 589609 inclusive. Two exceptions were 589262 who arrived early
and was attested at Halton and 680274 who was a late arrival from
Cosford. (ex B.E.) The Rhodesians were SR/662, SR/663 & SR/665.
The training plan was for 45% to be Air Radio, 29% Ground Wireless
and 26% Ground Radar. Over the three years, 58 others transferred
into the 76th from other Entries. 2 ex 73rd, 3 ex 74th and 53
ex 75th.
Of the 97 original Entry members, 43 passed out at the first time
of asking. (44%) Of the 58 who transferred in, 27 passed out with
the 76th. (47%)
The 76th's passing out parade was on 18th Dec. 1956. Reviewing
officer, Air Chief Marshal Sir Walter Dawson (Inspector General
of the R.A.F.)
The 76th were the 6th Entry to complete all their training at
Locking. Previous Entries had done all or part of their training
at Cranwell or Flowerdown.
Mike Collier 76th Locking