About Us

On 20 January 1959, 265 bright-faced young men ‘signed on’ at the start of their 3-year apprenticeship. They came from all backgrounds and all regions of Great Britain and Northern Ireland along with young boys from Ceylon, Malaysia and Venezuela. All embarked on an intensive technical training course that turned them into qualified ‘fitters’.

 Inevitably there were some losses and on 20 December 1961 the remaining 232 boys graduated on a misty morning. To celebrate, the newly qualified technicians held a Graduation Dance in the Town Hall in Aylesbury, music being provided by Bob Miller and his Millermen.

Since then, all have now finished their RAF careers, many leaving at the end of 22 year’s service but many staying on until age 55. Several were commissioned, 1 Air Commodore (Dick Bogg), 2 Group Captains (Mike Clegg and Pat Kiggell), several Wing Commanders, and the Entry produced the first ever Chief of the Air Staff’s Warrant Officer (Jim Andrews), which was a particularly fine achievement. Sadly, some have died on the way, but they are not forgotten.

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Although Halton no longer exists as an Apprentice School, the 91st continues to maintain its bonds of friendship and over the years has had and will continue to have reunions every three years.

 
   
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Well that is it - 50 years have passed since we graduated from Halton. The Reunion held at the Bellhouse Hotel went extremely weel. The hotel pulled out all the stops since they knew we had been there 50 years ago.

The meet and greet buffet was one of the best we have had. Highlight of the evening was the few who dared to try Dave Johnson's Karaoki machine. Dave kept us entertained all eveing with songs from our evening as well as providing background music earlier in th evening.

The visit to Bletchley Park was good and we were able to see Colossus (the first digital computer) - even though we had been told this was not possible. Those that opted for Hendon Museum also had a great day out.

The table layout for the evening's formal dinner was excellent, the food hot and the service excellent. Full marks to the hotel on all counts.

Several turned up who had not been to reunions before and we were please to see them.

Out of the 232 that passed out, we are in contact with 135, 27 have not made it thus far and 73 are not in touch.