Brief History of 241

In January 1941 Sir Archibald Sinclair, Secretary of State for Air announced the formation of the Air Training Corps.

Just four days later the Squadron's founder and first chairman, Sir James Hawkey, the Mayor of Wanstead and Woodford, applied for and was granted £400 from the council to form an ATC squadron within the Borough. As a result, the newly formed 241st (Wanstead & Woodford) Squadron held its first parade night on the 3rd February 1941, in the memorial Church Hall, South Woodford.

By the end of February Sir Winston Churchill had agreed to become the Squadrons first President. Churchill took a keen interest in the Squadron, he visited the Squadron on several occasions and his signature appears in the visitors book dated 1943. In its history the Squadron has had just three presidents, following Churchill was Lord Jenkin of Roding and the Current President is James Arbuthnot.

By late 1941 the Squadron had split into two and Wanstead & Woodford Wing was formed. The two squadrons had over 1000 cadets, with two full time recruiting shops in Woodford and Wanstead High Roads. The 241st Squadron (as it was known) specialised in Aircrew subjects and 1823 in Engineering. Soon after the war, 1823 Squadron was disbanded and the numbers 241 were kept. A meorial to the all those who died in the war can be found in the Squadron today.

For a Headquarters the Wing took over Napier College in Chelmsford Road South Woodford and many of the local schools were also used to provided extra room. Several ex cadets from these early years still keep in contact with the Squadron today.

AWO Norman McGrath BEM

AWO Norman McGrath served as a soldier in WWII and had the job of clearing out German snipers in villages. This was one of the most dangerous duties available and the chance of survival was very low.

However, Norman returned and was persuaded to become a temporary weapons instructor on 241 Squadron. He was persuaded to stay on as a member of staff, serving the Squadron for 51 years until his death in 2002. He was known as the Grandfather of the Squadron and the spirit that made the Squadron what it is today.

To commemorate him, the Squadron now runs a trophy in his name. It is an inter-section event between the 9 main sections on the Squadron testing basic military skills which they have learnt through their cadet careers. More details can be found in the "Other Activities" section of the website.

Celebrating the Past

So as to celebrate its past, and its future, 241 holds an annual Dinner and Dance to celebrate another year of 241 Squadron. All staff, Nco's, Cadets and ex-cadets come together for a "dining-in" night in the style of an RAF Officers mess for the night, celebrating what 241 was and is today. The night includes a 3-course meal, talks about how the Squadron has progressed and its plans for the next year, as well as allowing the cadets of today to meet the cadets of yesterday. It proves to be one of the best nights of the year with our ex-cadets always returning the year after, some from over 40 years ago!

The Current Squadron

Today, the Squadron is one of the largest cadet Squadrons in the country, and is commanded by Squadron Leader Jerry Godden. Flying Officer Nick Harvey is second in command, Pilot Officer Holly Brogden-Knight is adjutant.

The Squadron's size is slightly changeable but at any given time there are about 150 current cadets, 9 uniformed staff, and 8 civilian instructors. It is classed as an "A" class Squadron with over 100 cadets

The Squadron motto ‘E pluribus unum nulli secundus' translates as ‘One of many, second to none'.