Flt Lt Paul Beardwood RAFVR(T) former Commanding Officer of 1846 Southall Squadron, was appointed to command in 1992 when the squadron was parading in its original Spooner Huts at the back of Southall T.A centre with 3 cadets attending on each parade night.

Over the 12 – 14 years during his command the Squadron Headquarters was rebuilt and re-sighted within the compound. With determination and many school recruiting drives in the surrounding areas, the squadron cadet attendance quickly exceeded 30 to 40 cadets each parade night something the three former Commanding Officers had not achieved over the previous five years.

The squadron achieve status by attending every Middlesex Wing cadet event, so the cadets got to know the staff that managed Middlesex Wing and the staff got to know the cadets of 1846 Southall Squadron, participation by all the cadets was the name of the game and that’s what made 1846 Squadron the pride of Southall

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Major sponsorship was solicited by constant negotiation with large companies to provide resources for cadets from a range of backgrounds.

The companies stretched from British Airways, Braitrim Plc, The Princes Trust, Ageis Group Plc, Mcvities, Capital Communications, Geyfords Mercedes, J.R Tiles, Harvey Smith Entertainments and of course THE PRESIDENTS CLUB.

Who between them raised £ 27,000.00 over 4 years to purchase the squadron’s first and brand new seventeen seat minibus, The 1846 squadron minibus is still operating providing an excellent service to the squadron and the Wing as a whole.

Having spent 35 years with Middlesex Wing, starting at 398 Staines and Egham Squadron as a cadet in 1969 and then moving on to 862 Sunbury Squadron as a Cadet Warrant Officer. Flt Lt Paul Beardwood was appointed Adult Warrant Officer and then commissioned at the age of 23, he became the youngest Flight Lieutenant in Middlesex Wing, just eighteen months later, being appointed to Wing Staff as Wing Adventure Training Officer, Succeeding Flt Lt Mike Judd.

Paul Spent twelve plus years managing Adventure Training and Duke of Edinburgh’s Award for the Wing, Army camps such as, Vauxhall Camp Monmouth, Cwm Gwdi and Crickhowell in Wales, Leek camp in Buxton, Penhale in Devon and Browndown Camp outside Gosport. After his long tour of duty with adventure training, he was then appointed Commanding officer of 1846 Southall squadron. The culmination of his hard work resulted in receiving The Commandant’s Certificate of Outstanding Service.

Flt Lt Paul Beardwood then moved to Thames Valley Wing in February 2005 to command, 2211 Bracknell Squadron ATC.

This is an active squadron participating in all Wing activities with forward thinking, technological expertise and a dedicated staff. You can find 2211 Bracknell Squadron ATC on the site of the old RAF staff college; it was from this unit that BROWNDOWN 2007 concept was born. 

During this command Flt Lt Paul Beardwood has initiated and jointly run 5 annual summer training camps at Browndown near Gosport and Pirbright in Surrey. His command has culminated in being awarded the Commandants Certificate of meritorious service.

In Autumn 2012 Flt Lt Paul Beardwood has been appointed Commanding Officer to 2402 Burghfield  Squadron with effect of 1^st November 2012 following the transfer of Flt Lt C Tocher,

He leaves Bracknell Squadron, having built the unit to, in excess 85 attending cadets. During his command 2211 Bracknell squadron has won many trophies such as: Wing Swimming, Wing Athletics, Wing Activities competition and nearing the top in the Wing drill competition. In addition Bracknell Squadron represented Thames Valley Wing in the National Lees Trophy.

The Duke of Edinburgh’s award scheme within 2211 has perpetuated and continued to grow from strength to strength and now has 2 assessors within the unit.

During this time Bracknell squadron raised over £7600.00 pounds for charities such as RAF Benevolent Fund, “Help for Heroes” Berkshire Air Ambulance, Air Cadet Organisation for development of core activities. These monies all achieved through regular fund raising.

2211 Bracknell Squadron is fortunate to have fantastic facilities and some very good staff and will no doubt grow to become a super squadron competing in the league of squadrons such as RAF Brize Norton which have a natural magnetism for recruitment. 

Work continues on joint Inter Wing co operation bringing the values and the facilities of the Air Training Corps across multiple squadrons of London & South East Region and South West Region.

If you were a member of 1846 Southall Squadron ATC at any time please also make contact as it would be good to collate a complete historical gallery.

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If you wish to be there then please sign up and register your interest by e-mail paulnb@globalnet.co.uk.

More to come