No 1 School of Technical Training RAF Plaque

Another fine period plaque that formed part of a small collection we have purchased, that we understand were displayed in a now defunct service club. No. 1 School of Technical Training was the Royal Air Force aircraft engineering school, established by Lord Trenchard in 1919 at RAF Halton, where it operated from until 1993. The objective was to train young men in the mechanical trades for aircraft maintenance, the graduates of which were the best trained technicians in the RAF (if not the world) and would usually progress to Senior NCO ranks. Many graduates of the school went on to achieve great things in their service careers, with ninety-one ex-apprentices achieving Air Rank. In 1993 the school was transferred to the Defence College of Aeronautical Engineering, Cosford, where it remains today.

Those who successfully completed their course at Halton were affectionately know as 'Trenchard Brats' and more than a hundred ex Halton 'Boys' served as pilots in the Battle of Britain, with many more as airframe & engine fitters and armourers. An often-overlooked fact is the first VC awarded in WWII went to an ex Halton graduate. Thomas Gray joined the 20th Entry of aircraft apprentices at RAF Halton in 1929 and trained as an engine fitter, but on leaving Halton in August 1932, Tom volunteered for flying duties as an air gunner, On the 12th of May 1940, a bridge over the Albert Canal in Belgium was being used by the invading army and was bristling with anti-aircraft and machine guns. The RAF was ordered to demolish this vital bridge, and five Fairey Battle bombers of 12 Squadron were despatched to attack it, led by 21 year old Flying Officer Donald Garland as pilot and the navigation of 25 year-old Sergeant Tom Gray. As they approached the Veldwezelt bridge, they were attacked by enemy fighters and soon met a wall of anti-aircraft fire, they pressed home the attack and the bridge was hit; much of the success being due to the coolness of the pilot of the leading aircraft, 21-year-old Flying Officer Donald Garland, flying a Fairy Battle, assisted by Navigator 25-year-old Sergeant Tom Gray. As they approached the Veldwezelt bridge, they were attacked by enemy fighters and soon met a wall of anti-aircraft fire, yet they pressed home the attack and the bridge was hit; much of the success of the operation was due to the coolness of the pilot of the leading aircraft Flying Officer Garland. Sadly, Garland's aircraft and three others did not return; they died either crashing in the village of Lanaken or subsequently in the hospital in Maastricht, Netherlands. Flying Officer Donald Garland and Sergeant Thomas Gray were posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross for their bravery. Grays fine portrait, as well as his memorial window in Halton Church are detailed in the photo section opf this listing.

Our crest is a fine example, surmounted by a gilt Kings Crown, with the badge itself appearing to be hand painted and protected behind a slightly yellowed Perspex panel, displaying to the centre a beech tree, which is featured as Halton was overlooked by a Beech wood. Below the tree is the Latin motto reading "Crescentes Discimus" which translates to "Growing we learn". The crest was authorised by King George VI in June 1939. The badge is attached to an oak hardwood shield that incorporates a recessed brass wall hanger to the back, that also details a signature that seems to read L. R. Hay. The shield measures an impressive 10" x 7" (25 cm x 17.5 cm) and other than minor age related wear is in remarkably good original condition. A very fine plaque to a very famous but often overlooked Training Establishment -that also saw one Frank Whittle as a graduate! Not often found, this period plaque would make a fine addition to an aviation or RAF related collection.