We came here to learn. One of the first things I learnt those many years ago was - NEVER VOLUNTEER TO DO NOTHING. That being a double negative and me not being very bright, I took it as it came and not as implied. It has kept me busy ever since.

At the 2003 reunion it was suggested that we should have an Entry web-site. Knowing absolutely nothing about how you publish a web-site I volunteered to do one - on the basis - how difficult can it be for a Halton Apprentice. We have our web-site, which is not only a focal point for our Entry, but also links to many other entries, so helping to strengthen that unique Halton Apprentice bond. As a direct result of the web-site we have found many lost souls but sadly confirmed the demise of others.

Mervyn Kelly, our valiant secretary and co-chairman, then asked me to give him a hand with our window project. It was difficult knowing which of your many ideas to keep and which to leave out, but we have ended up with a fine window to dedicate this morning.

It was then mooted that someone had to stand here today to talk about our Entry, its achievements and to tell the story of our window. I was promptly volunteered again on the basis that from the two previous jobs, I probably knew as much as anyone about the Entry and the Window.

You would have thought by now I would have learnt to anticipate these things and take one pace smartly backwards in time honoured tradition, but no - it is a privilege to be so closely involved in these projects and with good people like Merv and Gordon Sherratt, whose unselfish efforts ensure gatherings like this weekend run so smoothly. Nor must we forget Frank Baldry who maintains the contact lists that help reunite our people after all this time.

The Entry:

Over 200 souls were reported as signing on the dotted line on the 15th September 1960, which is notable as it was 20 years to the day after the Battle of Britain. That is why we have a Spitfire and Hurricane in the top of our window with the year 1940 indicated.

We started in 3 Wing then moved to 1 Wing and the wing colours of yellow and red are echoed behind the years 1960 and 1963 across the top of the centrepiece and also at the bottom of the window. The red, green and blue behind 3 of the 4 brass wheels at the bottom of the window represent the Squadron colours of 1 Wing

Why are there 4 brass wheels. Well most Entrys got up to some serious mischief as depicted on their own windows and we were no different. The 4^th brass wheel has a purple background indicating our ‘enhancement’ of the fountains in Trafalgar Square, a story to be told on its own at another time.

There were so many other notable events, such as route lining and other parades in London, including the unveiling of the Lord Trenchard memorial, trips to Earls Court and Wimbledon, summer camp on Dartmoor, adventure weekends, the brass and pipe bands, etc - which would take so long to recount that I must leave them to your memories. We had included some snow in the window design to remind you of that long harsh winter of 62/63 when we spent so much time shovelling the stuff, but it seems to have melted in the making of the window.

Our Entry had a full set of trades - Airframes, Engines, Electrics, Instruments and Weapons and these are represented in our window by that invaluable tool, the universal monkey wrench or fully adjustable spanner, never to be used on aircraft. We also had Dental Technicians in the Entry - only the 2^nd such intake - and to represent them we have an articulator, which is a clever mechanical jaw that ensured that the sets of gnashers they were trained to make, intermeshed correctly in accordance with complex geometric rules. If your falsies don't fit too well then maybe they weren't made according to the exacting RAF procedures.

The window also includes our Entry shield, designed by Dudley Denham. The motto ‘Quam Celerrime’ translates loosely as ‘With Greatest Speed’ hence the spotty cat – or is it a cheetah. What we were chasing I have no idea but I find the motto becomes increasingly significant as each year passes at a seemingly greater rate.

Our graduation report tells of our achievements, far too many to cover in detail in the short time I have today, but just let me say that according to record, 198 apprentices took final exams, 3 officer cadetships were awarded, 4 apprentices graduated as full Cpls and there were 130 accelerated promotions granted, including me, that is 2/3rds of the Entry, a figure only surpassed by one other entry. 2 apprentices were discharged and 2 were back-entried, but we were topped up by a few retreads from earlier entries. Along with the extensive academic and sporting awards gained, these results were stated by the Commandant as being remarkable achievements.

Sir John Hunt, the Reviewing Officer, encouraged us to ‘…stand by the courage of your convictions, be not afraid of the future and to go out and make your own mark in life…’ I think the splendid training we had at Halton has allowed many of us to do just that.

Our golden moment as graduating Entry was being involved in the dedication of this church in July 1963, when we provided the ushers, a guard of honour and paraded the Queen's colour, unique in that it is the only Royal Standard to be paraded solely by non-commissioned ranks. We have adopted this important event as the centre piece for our window, which depicts Sgt Apprentice Jock Duff as colour bearer, escorted by L/Apps Dave Sinclair and Trevor Taylor against a backdrop of the plain glass window wall, as it was in 1963, before any of these splendid colours were added.

In closing I would just like to remind you that the training we were given as Halton apprentices is still considered to be the best in the world. It has given me and I know many others here, the confidence and ability to take life by the scruff of the neck, to take on challenges other people have shied away from and to make an unqualified success of them.

Halton Apprentice - he can do anything - and he always will to the best of his ability - he never volunteers to do nothing - he gets on with it before he is ever asked.

Padre, if you would please continue with the dedication of our window…

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