2166 (Hamilton) Sqn Air Training Corps circa 1966 Taken outside HQ at Hamilton Barracks on the Bothwell Road.
John Taylor sent us this picture from the Hamilton Barracks and he told us:
“Now I am struggling after 50 years! I remember the officers.
In the centre is Sqn Ldr Smeaton. On his right is Flying Officer Whiteford, and on his left are Pilot Officers Sandy Bruce and Sandy Colvin.
I am in the back row second in from the right. On the left in the first row of cadets is Tam Semple and in the middle row third from the left is Lindsey Adair. Am afraid I am struggling with the rest!
The aircraft was delivered to the Hamilton Barracks on a low loader and was a permanent feature at the Sqn HQ as a gate guardian.
At the time the Hamilton Barracks was such a large area we were fortunate to get this old Gloster Javelin as our gate guardian.”
Do you know any of the lads in this picture? If you do then let us know.
The ATC cadet in the cockpit is me John Gibson from Hillhouse. First row far right with glasses is Stewart Cox from Hillhouse. First row third in from right with glasses is Davy Johnstone (his Mum and Dad had the fruit and vegetable shop on Low Waters Road). Second row of cadets far left is Willie Wright from Blantyre. Seated in front row second from the left is Civilian Instructor Jim Senior and front row seated far right is Civilian Instructor Doug Bennett. John Taylor got the officers right. Tommy Semple was from the jungle and I don’t remember where Lindsay Adair was from. I remember a lot of the other faces but unfortunately not the names. It has been 52 years.
Hi John, thank for letting us know this info. If you have any old pictures that you would like to share then they will be greatly appreciated. Garry,
Wondering if Marshall McKechnie was in the squadron around this time. I knew him a few years later. He was from Hillhouse.
Hi Margaret.
The name rings a bell with me but I am not sure when he was in the Sqdn.
Sandy Colvin went on to be sqdn co and Lindsay Adair became sqdn adult warrant officer around 1972/73 willie wright if it is the same one I am thinking about became one of the sqdn pilot officers
Hi Guys. Lindsay Adair here. Yes I became Sqdn Warrant Officer after becoming too old to be a cadet. I later went on to receive a Commission in the TA as Unit Environmental Health Officer with 205 (Scottish) General Hospital RAMC(V). With them I was mobilised for full time service and went to Initially Riyadh with 205 then on to take command of a unit in Al Jubail during the first Gulf War. I retired after 15yrs service in the rank of Major.
I was born in Milton Street, in the Jungle in Burnbank and lived there with my parents till I was married.
Willie (Bill)Wright went on to be commissioned as an officer with 2166 then he moved to Fife with his job as an Architect and received a commission on the RAF VR based at Leuchars. I have seen a few of the cadets in the picture over the years but have now lost contact with everyone. Hope this is of interest.
All the best
Lindsay Adair
Hi Lindsay, thanks for getting in touch. I lived in Milton Terrace for a short period of time. 🙂 Garry.
Hi Garry.
Nice to here from you. When were you in Milton Terrace?
Lindsay
Hi folks, apart from those already named I can add but two. Directly under the 5 on the fuselage and in uniform is Jim Muir who lived in Montrose Crescent. He later joined the RAF as, I think, an air quartermaster on Hercules transport aircraft. I am standing next to Stewart Cox. I managed to reach the dizzy height of sergeant before leaving the squadron after a dispute with Flying Officer Whitelaw when he was Officer Commanding whilst the C.O. was on holiday.
I don’t know if John Gibson can remember this particular incident. It happened at summer camp (I think it was RAF Catterick). As Flight Sergeant, John was marching the squadron across the parade ground when he made the mistake of marching us directly in front of a parade of RAF Regiment. The NCO in charge bawled at John to halt the Squadron and in no uncertain terms asked him what he thought he was doing. Suitably chastened John ordered us to about turn when one of the Regiment on parade started to snigger at him. John boldly marched up to him and gave him a dressing down then marched us off the parade ground with our honour intact. Well done Flight.
HI I was a cadet with the atc from 1969 to 1971, went to raf lindholm Doncaster had my photograph in the hamilton advertiser from the camp great times, some good guys some real arseholes still had life learning experience with the atc, something that every one should have done!
Hi,
Does anyone know if the Javelin aircraft was complete (wings, tail, fuselage, cockpit) or was it just the forwarded fuselage/cockpit please? I wonder what happened to it!
Hi Nigel
The Javelin was indeed complete, I remember it well. It was eventually removed to RAF Catterick where it ended it’s life as a training aircraft for fire fighters and was thus destroyed by fire during training.
Lindsay Adair
Thanks Lindsay! Much appreciated.
Hi all,
Dont know if this forum is still active, but I sent a comment yesterday dont know if it registered, I was in the ATC from 1973-1976 when I joined the RAF as a L-mech GR, I have many great memorys of my time as a cadet, I reached the dizzy heights of Corporal, Sandy Colvin was CO, the other officers where, Willie Wright, Mr Anderson, Mr Bruce and of coirse Lindsay Adair, I remember Mr Prentice who was warrant officer, I beleive he left the country to work and was a bit of a character, I remember one Sunday round at Bell College doing drill, it was pissing from the heavens and Mr Prentice who was in his car, insructed us all to look up to the sky and start singing ” Raindrops Keep Falling on my Head” the other NCOs where Lindsay Scott, Davie Anderson, Alan Paterson, who became Cadet Warrant Officer replacing Tam Shaw, also John Kenmure whos claim to fame was to be included in the Guiness Book of Records for having the amazing ability to shove a shit load of Haggis into his gub at the fastest time, World Champion. Summer Camps to RAF Cottosmore and Conningsby, weekend camps to Gairlochead, great days.
All the Best
Michael Daly