The following is a brief history of the Squadron. Anyone willing to fill in any gaps, or has any useful information or photographs, please contact us.
1940s
The Air Training Corps was founded on 5 February 1941.
750 (Thorne) Squadron Air Training Corps was formed soon after that date, and was based at Thorne Grammar School.
750 Squadron outside Thorne Grammar School, 1940s
Another early photograph of the Squadron.
1950s
In 1951, the Princess Royal visited and inspected the Squadron.
At some point in the 1950s, the Squadron was disbanded.
1980s
1988
An unofficial Thorne Detached Flight was established on 22 February 1988, meeting twice a week (Tuesdays and Thursdays) at Thorne Grammar School.
By the time of it’s official opening, on 5 September, 1053 Thorne Detached Flight ATC consisted of 37 boys, 1 girl and three adult staff members. In their first year, three cadets went on Summer Camp to RAF Boulmer, where they took part in competitive shooting, fliying in a SeaKing helecopter, a night-time exercise, and swimming. That year, they also raised over £90 for the Blue Peter Kampuchea appeal by holding a Bring and Buy Sale. The Detached Flight also helped in the Thorne Grammar School Cancer Research Fashion Show by marshalling the cars, and with the RAF Finningley Air Show, selling programmes.
Bring and Buy Sale for the Blue Peter Kampuchea Appeal, December 1988, on Finkle Street, Thorne.
Back row (from left); Walton, Simmons, Waters, Dudley, Thomson, Johnson, Porritt, Raper, Turner.
Centre row: Cadman, Gray, Clarke, Barton, Walton, Chapman, Yule.
Front row: Irvine, Cadman, Harrison, Kerrigan, Gill, Yule.
1989
By February 1989, one year after its unofficial formation, the Flight had 50 cadets and six staff. Many cadets had flown over Doncaster in a Chipmunk aircraft to gain air experience. The Thorne Times, on 2 March 1989 stated:
“Over twenty cadets have had the chance to try their hand at competitive shooting and flying from local airfields. Three cadets have been promoted, one to sergeant and two to corporal. Two adult instructors have been away on a course this year and one instructor has been promoted to Warrant Officer. In July the Flight will send some of its cadets to camp at an RAF base somewhere in the Midlands and one lucky cadet is going to Cyprus.”
The cadet who went to Cyprus was Cadet Sergeant Mark Turner, who got the chance for attaining Cadet of the Year. His trip included training using the L98 cadet rifle, a tour of Scorpion tanks, and was treated to the first official display of the year by the Red Arrows at RAF Akritori.
Cadet Sergeant Mark Turner in Cyprus.
Alison Oakley, the first female cadet from Thorne to take gliding lessons.
The year also included the Detached Flight’s first female cadet to have glider lessons. Alison Oakley flew a glider for the first time on August 6th.
In October 1989, Thorne Air Cadets completed a 25-mile walk, finishing at RAF Finningley, raising £250 in aid of Doncaster Royal Infirmary and Sheffield Childrens Hospital. One of these cadets, pictured below, was Andrew Emms, later to become Officer Commanding of 750 (Thorne) Squadron.
Cadets David Barton, Ian Barton, Andrew Emms, Alison Oakley and Stephen Johnson complete the 25 mile walk.
Another photo from the walk.
1990s
1990
By it’s second birthday, the Detached Flight had 50 cadets, ten of which were girls. A Civilian Committee had been established with Mr Barton as it’s chair, and the Officer Commanding was Flt Lt Fletcher.
In July, the Detached Flight carried out a Sponsored Drill – for 12 hours – outside the Thorne branch of Nat West Bank, to raise money for the RAF Benevolent Fund’s Reach for the Sky Appeal.
The second birthday of the Detached Flight, February 1990.
Cadets practising for the 12-hour drill marathon.
1994
The Squadron moved into their purpose built building and got a new Commanding Officer, Flight Lieutenant Brian Daniel. Under the leadership of the new CO, 750 Squadron moulded themselves into a well respected unit, winning the “Telegraph and Star Trophy” for best squadron in South Yorkshire Wing three times in five years, coming close to winning the Regional nomination every time they qualified for it, the closest they came was losing to Halifax Squadron by 1 point.
The Cadets recovered from this by showing that they were also a force to be reckoned with winning trophies at various Wing events, and represented the Wing, Region and even Corps at many Sports and other activities, this has continued to the present day.
1999
The Squadron produced 7 out of the starting 15 of the Wing Rugby team, and used their knowledge of each others skills to help guide the team to a joint first place in the competition conceding no points on the way.
2000s
2002
28th February 2002
750 Squadron Presentation Night.
Certificate of Merit
Cdt John O’Neill
Cpl Martin Robson
Sgt Robert Terrace
Staff Cadet Lanyards
Sgt Matthew Cieslik
Sgt Rhys Monahan
Sgt Robert Terrace
Most Promising Cadet
Cdt Kirsty Metcalf
Most Improved Cadet
Cdt Adrian Terrace
Scholar Of The Year
Cdt Claire Ward
Sports Cadet Of The Year
Cdt Amy Robson
Cadet Top Gun Trophy
Cdt Teegan Hazlewood
Most Promising NCO
1st:- Sgt Matthew Clieslik
2nd:- Sgt Robert Tarrace
NCO Of The Year
1st Sgt Rhys Monahan
2nd:-Sgt Robert Terrace
Cadet Of The Year
Cdt Stuart Ormshaw
17th March 2002
750 Thorne Squadron were knocked out of the Wing Football Competition by 208 (North Leeds) Squadron. The match ended up going to extra time and by full time the score was 4-3 to 208 Squadron.
Man Of The Match was – Sgt Matt Cieslik
30th – 31st March 2002
Several Cadets attended a training camp at Doncaster.
4th April 2002
Eight Cadets went shooting at Doncaster. Cdt McLearnon managed to obtain his ATC Marksman on his first shoot with the Squadron.
3rd – 6th May 2002
20 Cadets attended a Duke of Edinburgh Award Training Camp in the Peak District. Several cadets managed practice expeditions.
12th May 2002
Cadets attended Wing Athletics Competition in Sheffield.
The cadets who took part were:
Cdt Alex Salter:- Shot Putt, 1500m, and 400m
Cdt Steven L’Amie:- 200m, 800m and High Jump
Cdt Karl Sprung:- 800m, 1500m, Shot Putt and Javelin
Sgt Rob Terrace:- Shot Putt and Discus
Overall, the 4 cadets propelled the Squadron to overall 31st out of 40 on the day, and Cdt L’Amie won a bronze medal in an event he had never done before, the High Jump, and was in the final of the 200m.
9th June 2002
Seven Cadets represent South and West Yorkshire wing at Volleyball. They did not disgrace themselves despite finishing last in the competition.
20th June 2002
Duke of Edinburgh Award Physical Recreation training begun. 22 Cadets Began doing the training
1st – 5th July 2002
16 Cadets Attend a Camp at Bridlington.
19th – 21st July 2002
10 Cadets visit RAF Fairford for the Royal International Air Tattoo.
10th – 17th August 2002
Summer Camp – RAF Honington (Home of The RAF Regiment).33 S&W Yorks Wing Cadets, 7 from Thorne (inc. CWO Lindsay and Sgt Terrace). One of the most enjoyable camps many of the cadets had been on. Tiring for everyone, including staff, but included a long exercise and lots of Physical Training. Only spent about a day in uniform, for the Drill Comp, Flying and the Final Parade, rest was in Greens.