Halton Boys: True Tales from Pilots and Ground Crew Proud to be called 'Trenchard Brats'

The RAF Halton Apprenticeship Scheme was founded by MRAF Hugh Trenchard to provide teenage boys from any social background with a technical trade and an opportunity to become pilots and break into the officer class. Seventeen apprentices won the Sword of Honour at Cranwell, and more than 1,200 were commissioned with 110 achieving Air Rank. Eighteen have been knighted, and over 1,000 others have been honored at various levels of state. Many Halton Boys served as pilots in the Battle of Britain, including Don Finlay, Gerry Blacklock, Pat Connolly, and the three men murdered for their part in the Great Escape. In the jet era, ex-apprentice Graham Hulse became an 'ace in Korea, and Mike Hines went on to become OC 617 Squadron. Many others forged successful careers beyond the RAF, including Lawrie Haynes, Eugene Borysuik, and policemen, government officials, and bishops.

Format: Hardback
Length: 192 pages
Publication date: 18 September 2020
Publisher: Grub Street Publishing

The RAF Halton Apprenticeship Scheme, conceived by MRAF Hugh Trenchard, the founder of the Royal Air Force, holds a well-deserved reputation for excellence. This innovative program took the traditional concept of an apprenticeship and transformed it in a novel way. It provided teenage boys from diverse social backgrounds and geographical locations with the opportunity to acquire technical trade skills that would equip them for their future lives, both within and beyond the RAF. Additionally, it offered the best candidates a chance to become pilots and break into the previously exclusive officer class, which was dominated by public schools. Out of the 50,000 apprentices trained under this scheme, seventeen earned the prestigious Sword of Honour at Cranwell, and over 1,200 were commissioned, with 110 achieving Air Rank. Eighteen individuals have been knighted, and numerous others have received various levels of state recognition. Over a hundred Halton Boys served as pilots during the Battle of Britain, with many more contributing as airframe/engine fitters and armourers. Notable figures include Don Finlay, a former Olympic hurdler, Gerry Blacklock, Pat Connolly, and the three men who were murdered for their involvement in the Great Escape. Others, such as Graham Hulse, Mike Hines, Charles Owen, and Peter Goodwin, played significant roles in the jet era, serving with American fighter squadrons and participating in operations during the Suez crisis. While some forged successful careers beyond the RAF, such as Lawrie Haynes, who served on the main board at Rolls-Royce and currently holds the position of chairman of the Board, others faced unfortunate circumstances, including Peter Goodwin, who was captured in the first Gulf War and used as a human shield.

Weight: 846g
Dimension: 164 x 241 x 31 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781911621942