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| On
a spring day in May 1959, 195 fresh faced young lads signed on the dotted
line to form the 92nd entry of RAF Apprentices. They came from every corner
of the UK, and one from Malaysia. On 19April 1962, 169 survivors marched
on to Henderson Groves parade ground to pass out. Prior to that, the more
informal Entry outing to Southend and the graduation dance at the California
Ballroom in Dunstable had been enjoyed. During those three years the world had seen the first man launched into space, the Berlin wall built and Gary Powers shot down in his U2 spy plane. There were no failures in the final trade examination, although due to problems with the safety precaution phase, eight lads were unable to sew on the long awaited J/T stripe. Passing out as SAC fitters. Wally Epton got a cadetship, and Geordie Butters and Mick Jones obtained commissions. Five passed out as Cpls, and 96 achieved an accelerated promotion recommendation. During subsequent service at least another five members of the entry obtained commissions, and the highest rank obtained, as far as can be ascertained, was Mick Jones, who made Wg Cdr Vic Rice |
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