Bits of 208 History

A Collection of Assorted Facts About the 208th Entry.

On the second of January 1967, 96 of us arrived at RAF Halton. The following morning, only 95 signed on the dotted line. One bloke had managed to escape overnight!

Extract from the Halton Magazine 1967.

The rescue of a lorry driver in danger of drowning after a crash, carried out by CA Stratford during the Whitsun leave, was probably the most notable event since the entry arrived; an extract from the local newspaper said:

“A 17-year-old R.A.F. apprentice rescued a trapped Edenbridge lorry driver from the flooded cab of his 10-ton truck on Tuesday evening when the vehicle plunged into deep Four Elms pond after a collision with a family saloon at the village’s cross-roads. Then he walked away without leaving his name. All five occupants of the saloon car-including a year old baby girl-were taken to hospital. Two of them were badly injured. This is the seventh injury accident at the crossroads in the last 14 months. The apprentice was slightly built Christopher Stratford, son of village postmaster Mr. Dennis Stratford. He is on leave from R.A.F. Halton. Jumping on to the sinking cab he tore at the passenger window through which the driver, unhurt apart from minor grazes, was able to crawl to safety. ‘He almost certainly saved him from drowning,’ said a police spokesman.”

208 were 'B' Flight on 3 Wing and our C.O. was Flt. Lt. Gibbs. Our admin NCOs were Sgt. Maxwell and Cpl. Aitken.

At passing out, 51% of the entry were Aircraft Fitter (Airframes)

23.8% were Aircraft Fitter (Electrical)

13.6% were Aircraft Fitter (Propulsion)

11.3% were Electrical Fitter (Ground)