A Brief History of the ATC in Devizes

The War Years  (1941-1945)   1362 (Devizes) Squadron

The ATC came into being in February 1941 with boys being eligible to join at the age of 16 years. In those days of early school leaving, it was quite common for cadets to be in full time employment but they were obliged to leave the ATC on reaching age 18 at which time they would probably have been liable for call up to the armed forces.  Membership of the ATC would have given them the option of the RAF as first choice. 

The Devizes unit had its first parade on 29 March 1941 as 1362 (Devizes) Sqn.  Forty boys enrolled initially and by December 1941 there were 71 regularly attending cadets.

The squadron met wherever it could in those days.  Rooms were used in the Secondary School (now Devizes School) for classroom tuition, the Scout Hall in Southbroom Road (still standing) was used for Physical Education and by early 1943 a sectional hut had been acquired (at a cost of £100) and erected “for the duration of the war” at  the end of Long Street.  This hut was used primarily for technical training.

The ATC was intended to provide pre-entry training for the Air Services.  The preliminary training covered drill, physical training, signalling and “lectures on subjects of interest to air minded youths”.  On completion of that phase, cadets proceeded to more technical subjects finally undergoing specialised courses to fit them for some specific role in the RAF.  There was a technical section training prospective wireless operators, mechanics, flight mechanics, instrument repairers and engineers. The aircrew section studied mathematics, navigation, signalling, aircraft identification and administration work.

Regular visits were made by cadets to local airfields, primarily Netheravon some 12 miles south of Devizes

From contemporary press clippings, it appears that the squadron met on Sunday mornings (1045) for a formal parade, on Tuesdays for PE, Wednesdays and Fridays (1915–2130) for technical/aircrew training. 

The committee was keen to encourage social activities and sports.  The squadron fielded soccer and cricket teams and there were facilities at the new hut for table tennis and miniature billiards.  As far as can be gathered, the soccer matches and practices were held at the Devizes Town Football Club ground in Nursteed Road.  Social Evenings and Dances featured prominently in the programme of activities.

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