CADETSHIP AT CRANWELL

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27638, 20 April 1955, Page 15

CADETSHIP AT CRANWELL

Award to Christchurch Youth

LEADING APPRENTICE AT HALTON

(From Our Parliamentary Reporter) WELLINGTON, April 19. The Government has approved the award of a special cadetship at the Royal Air Force College, Cranwell, to Flight Sergeant Apprentice Albert Edward Thomson, of Christchurch, who graduated top of his course at the R.A.F. technical training school at Halton. The announcement was made today by the Minister of Defence (Mr T. L. Macdonald).

“Last year the leading apprentice at Halton was also a New Zealander— Flight Sergeant Apprentice T. E. Enright, of Dunedin, who also went on to Cranwell,” said Mr Macdonald. “Flight Sergeant Thomson, like Enright, showed such promise in his technical course that he was specially recommended by the Royal Air Force for a Cranwell cadetship. The Air Officer Commanding R.N.Z.A.F. Headquarters in London also interviewed Flight Sergeant Thomson and endorsed the view of the Royal Air Force authorities that he has qualities which place him well above the normal Royal Air Force direct entry to Cranwell.

“When Flight Sergeant Thomson graduated this month he did so at the head of his entry of about 200 apprentices. He was promoted to flight sergeant because of his outstanding leadership and academic qualities. Of the 1500 apprentices at the school only one is allowe dto hold flight sergeant’s rank at any one time. As the flight sergeant. Apprentice Thomson has under his command at the graduation parade the 1500 apprentices of Halton. “Flight Sergeant Thomson was the youngest of his group when he left New Zealand for Halton four years ago,” said Mr Macdonald. “It is a signal honour for New Zealand and for the Royal New Zealand Air Force that he should have achieved this success among the pick of the Commonwealth youth."