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AIR FORCE ASSOCIATION

VICTORIA

AIR TRAINING CORPS BRANCH

ABN 96 091 342 304

OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER

PRESIDENT SECRTARY TREASURER

L. BELL H. TANK A. SYNHUR

43 Stenhouse Ave. 11 Paulette Crt . 16 Landscape Dve.

BROOKLYN BLACKBURN STH EAST DONCASTER

Vic. 3 012 Vic. 3130 Vic. 3109

(03) 9314 6223 (03) 9877 3424 (03) 9841 7680

VICE PRESIDENT DELEGATE

M. McBAIN J. MacDONALD

10 Frier Ave P O Box 663

RESERVOIR RINGWOOD

Vic. 3073 Vic. 3134

(03) 9470 1556 (03) 9870 1665

ISSUE NO. 13

JANUARY 2010

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BUDDING TOP GUNS

BELIEVED TO BE MEMBERS OF

AAFC 408 SQUADRON

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THE MARVELOUS PC 9

PICTURE PROBABLY TAKEN AT RAAF BASE EAST SALE

Perhaps someone from 408 Squadron AAFC can tell the Editor who were

the cadets and where and when these pictures were taken.

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THE MAN WHO HELPED RE-ESTABLISH

THE CADET SYSTEM

OUR VERY OWN MEMBER DAVID CRICKMORE

After many telephone calls, letters, photos, and data to and from (as

David said, “this is starting to sound like an episode to rival Ben

Hur.”) the Editor has finally gathered together an interesting story.

A previous Government cancelled the Cadet movement in Australia,

and without David’s and others efforts we may not have Air Force

Cadets; or for that matter, any other cadets today.

So without any further delay, let David tell the Story.

WGCDR DAVID CRICKMORE

REGIONAL COMMANDANT OF THE

VICTORIAN SQUADRON ATC

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I was enrolled in the Air Training Corps with the serial number 8217 on 12 April 1949 at No

7 Flight which was at Coburg High School and reached the rank of Sergeant. I also attended

along with the late Bob Bennett, who was also at Coburg High and Ron King, No 3 Flight

which was a specialist training flight at the old HQ at North Melbourne.

On reaching the age of 18 years I was transferred to the Reserve and posted to No 14 Flight

with the rank of AC, and mustering of Education Assistant. On completion of RAAF

National Service Training in 1955, with the rank of Corporal, I was posted to No 26 Flight as

one of the inaugural members of that Flight, as an Orderly Room Clerk.

On 14 November 1957 I was Commissioned with the rank of Pilot Officer and a new

Category of Admin Officer and appointed as Flight Adjutant at 26 Flt.

On transfer to Melbourne in my civilian job I was posted to No 1 Flt as Adjutant, later to 11

Flt as Chief Instructor, No 1 Flt as Flight Commander, and then to Squadron Headquarters as

Squadron Chief Instructor the senior Reservist position with the rank of FLTLT.

With the closure of the Cadet Movement by the Whitlam Government I was one of the

foundation members of the Air Training Corporation, which was set up to take over the

assets and continuation of the Air Force cadets scheme following on Ron Elms paper “Quo

Vadis”. The work of the Corporation is well documented in Barry Videon’s book. During

the hiatus of the non service support for the cadets I held a variety of tasks at Headquarters,

including another time as Flight Commander at 1 Flt. It was during this time that we formed

a close relationship with the Victorian Division of the RAAF Association. An ATC Branch

was formed when I was appointed to the RAAFA State Council.

On 19 November 1978 I was appointed at Regional Commandant of the Victorian Squadron

with the rank of Wing Commander and also as the first National Coordinator of the AIRT,

which kept me pretty busy. At this time I presented the Crickmore cup as the trophy of the

winner of the Inter Squadron Drill Competition. In 1981 I received a Fellowship to study in

the USA and worked with the Civil Air Patrol and the California Cadet Corps. On return to

Australia in 1982 I was transferred to the Active Reserve and posted to No 21 (City of

Melbourne ) Squadron as the Admin Officer. Among the duties at 21 Sqn was the position

of Air Training Corps Liaison Officer-Victoria and ADC, at Government House to the

Governor of Victoria, Sir John McIntosh Young. During that time there were Sqn

deployments to Townsville for relief manning and later to East Sale to reform 32 Sqn, where

the new CO was Peter Cleary a former ATC cadet. I retired from 21 Sqn on reaching

compulsory retiring age of RAAF members at that time.

On retirement from my civilian job as school principal, I was offered full time service under

Air Force Regulation 4 J 3 and was appointed to Training Command to resolve issues with

the training of RAAF Cadets at the Defence Force Academy in Canberra, and Reserve Force

Training, later appointments were to Logistics Command as Admin O for the Engineering

Branch, which included Budget control, and the RAAF College in the Training and

Development Cell.

On Friday 28 Feb 1992, I left the RAAF after having continuous service since 12 April

1949, a total of 43 years.

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LEFT : WGCDRE D. CRICKMORE ATC

NEXT: CPT W. DENISCK USA

BEHIND: SQNLDR KEITH ANDERSON ATC

A PHOTO OF DAVID CRICKMORE, KEITH ANDERSON AT AIR TRAINING CORPS

ANNUAL PARADE JULY 1979. WAYNE DENISCK WAS THE FIRST CAPTAIN

EXCHANGE OFFICER (USA) WHEN DAVID WAS CO.

PHOTOGRAPH TAKEN AT POINT COOK

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THIS PHOTOGRAPH IS OF THE FIRST

RCOM/NAT CDO MEETING (REGIONAL COMMANDANT/NATIONAL CO-ORDINATOR

OF ATC CADETS)

TAKEN AT LAVERTON—SEPTEMBER 1979

* * * * * WGCDR DAVID WGCDR “BUNG” AGNEW LEIGH GPCAPT

CRICKMORE ,VIC. ? S.A. LOVEGROVE PETER GRIGG

“TROUBLE SHOOTER” TAS. PAF CO ORD

FOR ATC

PETER GRIGG

NOTE: REGIONAL COMMANDANT LATER CHANGED TO COMMANDING OFFICER THEN

OFFICER COMMANDING FOR EACH SQUADRON, NOW WING.

* NAT CO ORD—NATIONAL CO-ORDINATOR OF ATC CADETS

THAT WAS DAVID’S ROLE/FUNCTION AS WELL AS RCOM-VIC.

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THE FAMOUS ‘LINK TRAINER’

After requesting information from our readers on the LINK TRAINER Flight Simulator,

David Crickmore sent in the following.

With regard to the Link Trainer A13 series in the RAF Register of aircraft. There was one at

26 Flt Latrobe Valley, one at 15 Flt Melbourne HS and one at HQ. I think there was one at

Mildura. Ivan Scott Flight Commander at Morwell at the time and I were responsible for the

installation of the one at Morwell. This consisted on arranging for the transport of the Link

from east Sale then removing an external wall from the building at the Latrobe Valley Air-

port, hiring crane to lift it in, replacing the wall and then repainting and repairing the build-

ing, which is a story in itself. After it was installed is had to be set up by a PAF Instrument

Fitter who stayed with Mary and I whilst his did the job which lasted for about a week. I

would drive him out to the airport, Mary would supply him with a lunch, and then I would

pick him up of an evening. As well we had to pick him up from Morwell station and return

each six months as he did the maintenance check on the aircraft, I do have a picture of our

eldest son “flying the link”. After it was installed the local Latrobe Valley Aero Club would

“hire” the link for a reasonable sum each session and the flight got the proceeds. At that

stage the ATC was part of the RAAF system ,we could buy beer and drinks through the

RAAF Canteen Services, cheaper than at the local pubs, so we would buy the Aero Clubs

drinks and make a small profit on them as well.

Member Hugh Tank’s experience on the Link Trainer at ATC HQ North Melbourne is re-

counted overleaf.

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LINK TRAINER AT ATC HQ

A number of cadets from the then No 8 Flight Box Hill High School (Circa

1954) went into HQ at North Melbourne for flying experience on the Link

Trainer situated in that building.

After my ‘experience’ at the controls, and clamouring out of the machine, I

asked the Flight Sergeant, “How did I go Sergeant?” He replied, “Not too bad

son until you came in to land.” I replied, “Why, what happened?” The

Sergeant answered, “You were flying 200 foot underground.”

I think it was then that I knew I wasn’t going to be a pilot. Perhaps I should

have joined the Navy and become a Submariner. However, upon reflection,

when I recall Sir Winston Churchill’s comment about the Navy, I’m perhaps

glad that I didn’t.

“Don’t talk to me about the Navy, it’s nothing but Rum, Sodomy, and the

lash.” (Sir Winston Churchill)

!WHO’S NAVY WAS HE TALKING ABOUT! LORD NELSON’S?

After Hugh Tank’s effort on the Link Trainer, David Crickmore’s son, John,

appears to be doing a better job.

TAKEN AT 26 FLIGHT LATROBE VALLEY FLIGHT

(MANY YEARS AGO)

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RECOLLECTIONS OF RECOLLECTIONS OF RECOLLECTIONS OF RECOLLECTIONS OF

AN ATC CADETAN ATC CADETAN ATC CADETAN ATC CADET

Remember the article in the October 2009 issue by H. Tank on the infamous

‘Engineering Camp’ to Wagga? Our member David Crickmore takes up the

story.

Hello there Hugh,

Well the latest issue of our Newsletter really brought back memories for I too

was on the “Engineering Camp” to Wagga in the 1950’s. I certainly remember

the long train trips, the cricket match with the appies who were remaining in

camp, and the stripping down of the two aircraft engines and packing them up

for the eventual display at the old headquarters at North Melbourne. From

memory Hughie Power, Merv Radford were the two Reservists who accompa-

nied us on the trip. Not sure if Alan Marsden was also on the trip. I can recall

one day we all went into Wagga and sat around a lake and fed the tortoises.

Not sure what ever happened to the engines. I think after a while they may

have finished up at PCK in the Museum.

WHO WAS ROGER’S

LODGER?

AND THE YOUNG MAN WHO WAS VERY FOND OF

HER?

FIND OUT IN THE NEXT INSTALMENT.

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HIGH FLIGHT

Oh, I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth

And danced the skies on laughter—silvered wings;

Sunward I’ve climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth

Of sun-split clouds, and done a hundred things

You have not dreamed of—wheeled and soared and swung

High in the sunlit silence. Hov’ring there,

I’ve chased the shouting wind along, and flung

My eager craft through footless halls of air…

Up, up the long, delirious burning blue

I’ve topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace

Where never lark, or ever eagle flew -

And, while with silent, lifting mind I’ve trod

The high untrespassed sanctity of space

Put out my hand, and touched the face of God.

POEM PENNED BY A YOUNG WW11 FIGHTER PILOT,

JOHN GILLESPIE MAGEE

A WORD FROM OUR CHAPLAIN ‘HAPPY NEW YEAR’

The hymn writer, George Smart, wrote:

“Through all the changing scenes of lift,

In trouble and in joy,

The praises of my God shall still

My heart and tongue employ”

We live in uncertain times. Our Country’s involvement in several theatres of war, tragedies

on road and rail and also in the air. In addition the current controversy about climate change

has more than our political parties concerned about the future.

In the past, New Year was a time to make resolutions about changing certain habits to ensure

a better future. On occasion some of those resolutions lasted a reasonable time, however the

sad fact is that most were broken not very long after they were made.

It appears that we need a force or power greater or outside ourselves to assist us with our

life. For the Christian that power is in the person of Jesus Christ. One of the great attributes

of the Christian life is hope. My hope is that we will enjoy a very happy and holy Christmas

and a joyous New Year.

CHAPLAIN STEVE BOX

WELFARE

Our member Charlie Lambeth, still unwell, sends his regards to all of our Branch Members.

For Welfare matters contact : Hugh on 9877 3424.

EDITORIAL

For Editorial matters contact: The Secretary, Hugh Tank, 11 Paulette Court, Blackburn

South, Vic, 3130. Phone 03 9877 3424.