A Brief History of the ATC in Devizes

Post War    (1945 - 1973)   

1362 Squadron had never achieved the 100+ cadet numbers needed for full squadron status and actually operated as an independent flight throughout the war years with the correct title 1362 (Devizes) Flight. [Active cadet numbers had risen into the low eighties from time to time.]  

Immediately after the war, an national exercise was undertaken to rationalise  the structure of the ATC with the aim of having large units of ideally 150 to 200 cadets either as stand-alone squadrons by amalgamating units or by umbrella squadrons having detached flights.  The Devizes committee recognised that the necessary numbers of cadets would never be achieved so 1362 Flight/Squadron was formally disbanded on 1 August 1945.  But that was not the end of the story for the Devizes unit immediately became part of the newly formed No. 1102 West Wilts Squadron with other flights at Melksham, Trowbridge and Bradford-on-Avon.  Fg Off Etheridge remained in command of the Devizes unit.

Two years National Service with the armed forces was compulsory for all able-bodied young men until the early 1960s.  Membership of the ATC gave a near guarantee of acceptance into the RAF which, for many, was a far better proposition than joining the Army.   The ATC remained oriented towards technical training and success in the Proficiency subjects was helpful towards getting a technical trade within the RAF.  [The Royal Navy was very selective about its intake claiming that the time to train national servicemen exceeded the remaining useful service time.]

The unit history is unclear until 1966 and any information regarding 1945 to 1966 would be much appreciated.

By 1966 the unit had become 2397 (Devizes) Squadron based first at the (then) Southbroom Secondary Modern School before moving to Hopton Barracks in London Road.  The squadron HQ there was the former gymnasium which had a Hunter fighter aircraft outside and also a Canberra bomber nose section.  The Commanding Officer at about that time was Flt Lt John Wesley. The location being quite distant from the town centre (at a time when few people had cars) did little to encourage membership and the unit closed in early 1969. [ It is intriguing that the present unit has thrived at Le Marchant Barracks which is just opposite the old Hopton Barracks site - but, of course, we all have cars now]

At least one cadet from Devizes chose to join Melksham Squadron where the Commanding Officer was Flt Lt Alan Baylis.  Amongst new officers joining the Melksham Squadron were Mike Davey who went on to command that unit and Brian Swallow who became the first Commanding Officer of the re-formed 2397 (Devizes) Squadron subsequently becoming Wing Commander for the Dorset/Wilts Wing.

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