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Aviation History
1949
1949 - 0658.PDF
44b FLIGHT APRIL 2IST, 1949 Graduation Day Duke of Gloucester at Cranwell for First Post- war Passing-out Parade* AGLANCE round the orderly precincts ofthe Royal Air Force College, Cranwell,on the morning of Friday, April 8th, gave the visitor ample evidence that the occa- sion was an important one. For the first time since the beginning of the war, fully-trained officer cadets were making a final ceremonial appearance on the parade ground before receiv- ing their permanent commissions. Air Chief Marshal His Royal Highness the Duke of Glou- cester had consented ±0 review the graduation parade, and present prizes to outstanding mem- bers, of No. 46 Entry. The presence of many eminent officers of air rank among the spectators reflected official in- terest and satisfaction in this renewal of the flow so vital to the regular Air Force. They included Air Chief Marshal Sir John Slessor (Commandant of the Imperial Defence College), Air Marshals Sir Leslie Hollinghurst (Inspector- General of the R.A.F.), Sir Hugh Walmsley (Deputy Chief of Air Staff), Sir John Baker (A.O.C. Coastal Command), Sir Aubrey Ell- wood (A.O.C. Bomber Command), and Air Vice-Marshals Sir Charles Longcroft (first Commandant of the College) and Sir Basil Embry (soon to become A.O.C. Fighter Command). After the four squadrons of the cadet wing had marched on under their own commanders, accompanied by the Col- lege Band, the King's Colour, presented by His Majesty last summer, was escorted into position; the parade then stood ready, under the command of G/C. Oliver, Assistant Commandant, for the arrival of the Duke of Gloucester. Mr Chief Hcnour to i Marshal H.R.H. the Duke of Gloucester presents the Sword of F;Cdt. U Off. Pledger. Standing behind the Duke h A. Cdre. Beamish, the Commandant. The Duke stepped on to the parade ground with A. Cdre. Beamish, the Commandant; Lord Tedder, the Chief of the Air Staff; Air Marshal Sir Hugh Saunders, Air Member for Personnel; and Air Marshal Sir Ralph Cochrane, A.O.C. Flying Training Command. His Royal Highness inspected the cadet wing and returned its salute as it marched past in quick and slow' time and advanced in review order. In both appearance and bearing the cadets were extremely smart, although one or two drill movements pre- vented truthful application of the term "faultless" to the en- tire parade. In fairness, how- ever, it must be recorded that weather conditions were not ideal, for, despite bright sun- shine, an exceedingly cold and blustery wind interfered with precise movement. As the 30 graduating cadets left the parade ground, the re- mainder of the wing presented arms in salute, members of the succeeding senior entry took command, and the parade was dispersed. Two portraits, of the King and Queen, by Edward Seago, R.B.A., have been entrusted to the College by the Air Council. The paintings, which are hung in the central block, were unveiled by the Duke after the parade and before his inspection of the in- structors and aircraft of the fly- ing wing. The spick-and-span Paraded in front of the main College block, the Cadet Wing is inspected by the Duke. n 8
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