Mike Squibb: I received this information from the 204th Entry webmaster and a couple of his colleagues. "We were doing our final test job and he deliberately started making a mess of his. The instructors turned a blind eye to us persuading him to try to pass the test. I remember I redid his soldering while the Instructor made a point of not seeing what I did. (Thinking about it afterwards I could have got the chop as well!). Although we changed his mind, he was back-entry'd again." I have asked the Halton Apprentice Archivist to investigate a bit further.

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The RAFHAA Archivist says "Our records for 204 Entry reveal that J1960496 Squibb M L "Failed to qualify and opted for discharge under the terms of QR607(10e)".

​The 203rd Craft Apprentice Entry

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The Craft Apprentice scheme was designed to provide skilled craftsmen to service and maintain the TSR2 and the new generation of aircraft of the late 1960s. However, the TSR2 never went into service as the Wilson government of the mid 1960s decided to scrap the aircraft and to order F111 aircraft from the USA. The F111 order itself was subsequently cancelled in 1968. The Craft Apprentice scheme was redesigned to train skilled craftsmen who would qualify as Junior Technicians and become the future Senior NCOs of the RAF.

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​The 203rd Entry was the third of the Craft Apprentice entries. Like their predecessors, the 99 young men, who would become the 203rd Entry, arrived individually at Wendover railway station near Aylesbury in Buckinghamshire on, or before, the 3rd May 1965 and were taken by military bus to RAF Halton camp. They were attested into the Royal Air Force a day later on the 4th May 1965.​​​​​​​
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One of our Entry Commanders was Flt Lt Tom Gordon Gilroy, who was promoted to Squadron Leader after leaving Halton. Born in Dundee  Scotland, he died in a flying accident on 4 January 1972 whilst serving at RAF Honnington. He was 35 years old.

The Entry Adjutant was Fg Off Brian Ferrill, who was last heard of living in South Wales.

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The SNCO DI staff included Sgt (later WO) Bernie Lawton, Flight Sergeant Whiskey and Sgt Carr

Sgt Craft Apprentice Glenn Morton of the 203rd Entry was the first Craft Apprentice to receive a direct entry commission after graduating from Halton. He attained the rank of Group Captain during his career in the Royal Air Force.​​

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Given the reputation quickly gained by the Entry, the Ace of Spades playing card was used to depict the "dark side" of the Entry and also because it  was recognised as being the highest card in the pack which supported our claim to be "203, top of the tree". The owl on the crest represented stealth and wisdom. The Entry motto "Nocte Vexamus" was chosen early in the life of the Entry and can be loosely translated as "We prey by night". It is remarkable that the motto and crest reflected so well the activities surrounding the Sandhurst Cannon escapade which occurred many months later.



Of the 99 original members who arrived at Halton in May 1965

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1 was transferred to Technician training

1 was medically discharged

5 were discharged by purchase

3 were discharged as a result of training failure

2 were dicharged to adult trades

10 were recoursed to later entries

2 were inducted from the 202nd Entry 



leaving 79 members of the 203rd Entry who graduated from RAF Halton on the 21st April 1967. All went to their first postings as Junior Technicians.



The following 22 members of the Entry who were attested on the 4th May 1965 left the Entry, and in some cases the Royal Air Force, prior to Graduation on the 21st April 1967