In May, Cadets and staff embarked on a weekend of marching to link a number of the historic sites as part of their Three Airfields Walk.
Starting on the Saturday at the former RAF Saltby, a short service was held at the airfield memorial to the British, American and Polish forces who were stationed there and who took part in D-Day and Operation Market Garden. Last post and reveille were played by Sgt H Mackay before Cadets Pike and S Mackay placed remembrance crosses.
The cadets then navigated to the Commonwealth War Graves within Stathern village cemetery. Then onward to the former RAF Langar which was a RAF bomber station, which later in the war became a USAAF station and again taking part in the airlift for Operation Market Garden. The second service of the day occurred here. After an evening meal cadets rotated between first aid training and practicing pitching the new tents.
After a good breakfast on Sunday morning cadets started early to finish at the Nottinghamshire Golf and Country Club, in sight of the former RAF Tollerton which is home to 2425 Squadron. This being the location of the final memorial which is intrinsically linked to 2425 Squadron. 75 years ago this year a Wellington bomber from Tollerton crashed short of the runway after clipping a large oak tree. The crash occurred three days after the creation of the Air Training Corps.
More than 20 years ago current staff member Pilot Officer Whitaker was a Cadet Warrant Officer at 2425 Squadron and at that time he researched the crash and organised the creation of the memorial and original service. So in front of parents and a packed clubhouse, Sgt H Mackay played the last post and reveille before FS M Mackay laid a wreath from the Squadron. The ceremony and weekend was rounded off with the award of commemorative medals to all cadets.
