1880 – 1938 – Chingford Rifle Club

The Drill Hall as we know and love it now had a different history. It was originally built to house the Chingford Rifle Club, used by local gentlemen in Chingford.

07/12/1938 – 05/02/1941 –Air Defence Cadet Corps

Air Commodore J.A Chamier through his love and passion for aviation came up with a plan to form the Air Defence Cadet Corps. He had previously served our country as an officer in the Army, than in the Royal Flying Corps before transferring to the Royal Air Force in 1919, he later retired at the age of 50 in 1929. He had been through the hardship of WW1 and what concerned him the most was his knowledge that young men had only a few hours of training before being sent into combat.

In 1938 Air Commodore Chamier started the ADCC movement to aid in the pre service training for young men. He had to find volunteers to set up and run each squadron. He stated that the first 50 squadron’s to be formed would be called founder squadrons and be entitled to put the letter F after there squadron number.

Chingford squadron was the 27th squadron to be formed and was given a letter F to make us 27F Squadron. We were officially formed by the Air League of the British Empire on 07th December 1938, an early Christmas present for the young men. Shortly after on 20th July 1939 a second squadron was formed on the same site, 63rd squadron ADCC.

The ADCC was increasing their role within the War providing cadets to carry messages, helping with clerical duties, movement of aircraft and loading belts of ammunition were among some of the roles. The government received many good reports as to the quality of the cadets entering the Royal Air Force and the Fleet Air Arm. The ADCC was put in charge of training young men for service a job which was taken very seriously by the squadron.

05/02/1941 – King George VI – Air Training Corps was born

In 1941 the government realized the value of the work done by the ADCC and agreed to take over its control. This meant that a number of large changes had to be made and brought about the formation of the Air Training Corps. Officially established by King George VI on 5th February 1941 agreeing to be the Air Commodore-in-Chief and issuing a royal warrant setting out the Corps aims.

The Man responsible for the forming and shaping of 27F in the early years was Flt Lt H.W. Gibbons, 27F squadron’s first Commanding Officer. He remained in charge for over 20 years. During his time at the squadron he had the young men participate in all kinds of local activities as well as military duties. These included providing men to march in formal parades, being one of the first stations to have a working radio transmitting room with cadets being operators, Browning Machine guns used for training with the Lancaster bombers and flying training in Tiger Moths and Lincolns. The cadets attended summer camps at different RAF stations. They had a very successful band winning all prestigious trophies for the squadron.

Flt Lt Gibbons also did his bit for recruiting; he designed the recruiting posters for West Essex Wing then distributed them out to neighboring wings. He was also quoted saying “Then, when in 1940 I was given just 24 hours to form a Home Guard detachment of 100 men, the cadets here worked all night, rousing men from their beds to join.” He reluctantly resigned stating that not to be surprised to see him turning up to the squadron as a civilian instructor. This was a trend that was to set the history for 27F Squadron. A culture that led to the majority of cadets leaving the squadron to complete their service in the Royal Air Force, then return in later years as either instructors, Officers or even Commanding Officers. A culture we are proud to be a part of today.

1960 – 1965 Flt Lt T Holman – Squadron Commander

1965 – 1983 Flt Lt B.G Hines – Squadron Commander

By the 1960’s life as a cadet was no easier. Flt Lt Hines had then without knowing what we do today, taken the squadron forward and up to date with the ever growing cadet movement. By then we had established glider training and the Corps had its own fleet of Chipmunk trainer planes. Examinations had been taken over by Head Quarters Air Training Corps and there were no longer any privileges for young men joining the RAF, they were to do the same recruitment process as any other man would do. The Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme had been established and was implemented in all squadrons.

On the 3rd May 1974, Air Commodore Chamier died at the age of 91, leaving behind an organization that was forever growing with the youth of that day. He believed that the future of our nation was in the hands of our youths, which the Air Training Corps still believes strongly in today. In 1980 Girls were allowed to join squadron’s, this was only trialed in 2 or so squadrons however by 1981 girls were flying solo, gaining marksmanship badges and challenging the boys at every level.

1983 – 1992 Flt Lt A.E Bearn RAFVR (T) – Squadron Commander

Flt Lt Bearn is a true figure head for 27F Squadron history. He joined as a cadet in 1956 stayed to become a young Officer in the 1960’s, became Squadron Commander during the 1980’s and on retiring became a Civilian Instructor to which he is still to this day. He is and always has been our Squadron’s shooting officer. Flt Lt Bearn has taken the squadron’s shooting team from strength to strength over the years helping cadets to achieve top cadet 100 awards, all levels of marksmanship badges and been the primary provider for shooters to represent the Air Training Corps. Amongst his usual duties as Commanding Officer he was an active participant in orienteering and mountaineering, training cadets over the British peaks on all aspects of mountain safety. 27F Squadron has always been a major participant in the Duke of Edinburgh Award achieving Bronze, Silver and Gold awards for the cadets.

1992-1993 FLT LT T Wakeman RAFVR(T) – Squadron Commander

1993 – 2000 Flt Lt R.P Lundy RAFVR (T) – Squadron Commander

During the 1990’s 27F Squadron was going from strength to strength. Flt Lt Lundy also a former cadet of 27F drove the competition and the squadron was succeeding more than ever in every activity. The prestigious Elworthy Trophy, an inter-services competition was won 3 years in a row from 1997-1999. Squadron officers climbed Europe’s highest mountain Mont Blanc in aid of local charities and the squadron proudly welcomed Lord Tebbit as their honorary president.

1999 also saw the end of the cadet trainer plane the Bulldog which took its last flight out of Cambridge Airport. However this was not to be a loss as it was upgraded to the Grob Tutor which is responsible for hours of flying instruction that is given to the cadets today.

2000 –2004 Flt Lt R.A Gillett RAFVR (T) – Squadron Commander

The millennium brought about change for 27F, in the form of a new Squadron Commander Flt Lt Gillett. The Squadron turned to a more adventurous streak with expeditions being launched all over the place. Snowdonia and the Lake districts were only the beginning. 2002 saw the cadets of 27F venture out onto the peaks of the Gwachtenhorn and the Monk as they lad an expedition to Switzerland. This was to be the first of many. In 2003 they continued where they had left off by returning to Switzerland and passing their skills on to newer group of young climbers. 2004 – 2007 the expeditions evolved into skiing and teaching the cadets the important skills of winter survival Switzerland became a second home.

The Squadron continued it’s successes on the home front by two senior cadets being awarded the Lord Lieutenants cadet award for Greater London in 2003 and 2004, a string of Gliding and flying scholarships, along with numerous shooting awards.

2005 – 2008 Flt Lt A.A Mahiz RAFVR (T) – Squadron Commander

Today the squadron is continuing tradition and is commanded by another former cadet Flt Lt Ali Mahiz. Today’s staff team comprise of 9 members all of which were cadets served on 27F. 2008 has brought about the 70th anniversary of 27F, and looking back over the past 70 years has shown us that cadets in 1938 were much alike the cadets of 2008. The drive to succeed and endless enthusiasm are qualities still displayed by the squadron. With the growing needs of society we are proud to still be standing strong in the Chingford community.