1861 Squadron History
1861 Squadron History
The Squadron was formed on the last day of 1941.
At this time, the Squadron paraded every weeknight and also on Sunday mornings for Route Marches, Church Parades, and inspections by Senior RAF Officers. The weekly programme of training comprised of 4 nights dedicated training and one night for recreation, which included darts, table tennis, playing records, etc. The Squadron also participated in football matches against the Army Cadet Force on the recreation nights.
Located at the old Garston Lane Council School, within the school building, and then moving to its own self-funded Headquarters in the School Grounds in 1943, the Squadron Paraded under the command of Flt Lt Thurston with Fg Off Culley and WO Austin. The Squadron was supported by numerous Civilian Instructors and Service Helpers from RAF Harwell, including a Drill Instructor who put fear into the hearts of Cadets.
Previous prestigious ex-cadets from Wantage Squadron include Air Marshall Sir Roger Austin RAF Ret’d, David Pain (who flies for Virgin Atlantic Airways), Sqn Ldr Arthur Symonds MBE RAFVR(T) (Ex Cadet, CO of 1861 Sqn and ex Wing Staff Officer with Berkshire Wing, Oxon, Bucks & Berks Wing and Thames Valley Wing (with as total service to the Corps of 35 years) and John Gardner, the current author of the James Bond Thrillers.
Wantage Squadron is now located at the Cadet Forces Centre, which was built in the 1960s for the Air Training Corps, at Icknield Lane in Wantage under the command of Flt Lt Nigel Furlong, the 18th to serve this unit.
There have been 18 Commanding Officers of 1861 (Wantage) Sqn since its formation on the 31st December 1941. These include:
Flt Lt D Friend RAFVR(T) ? - ?
Flt Lt Arthur Symonds RAFVR(T) 1954 - 1967
Flt Lt S Redford RAFVR(T) ? - ?
Flt Lt Thurston RAFVR(T) 1941 - ?
Flt Lt D Horton-Rackshaw RAFVR(T) ? - 1984
Flt Lt R Green RAFVR(T) 1984 – 1986
Flt Lt D Campbell RAFVR(T) 1986 - 1990
Flt Lt Kieran Soughton RAFVR(T) 1990 – 1997
Flt Lt John Endean RAFVR(T) 1997 – 1999
Fg Off M Taylor RAFVR(T) 1999 – 2001
Flt Lt John Taylor RAFVR(T) 2001 – 2004
Flt Lt Peter D Murphy RAFVR(T) 2004 – 2007
Fg Off T Rowan RAFVR(T) 2007 - 2008
Flt Lt Peter D Murphy RAFVR(T) 2008
Flt Lt Nigel Furlong RAFVR(T) 2008 – Present