RAF Heaton Park Manchester

RAF Heaton Park Manchester

A Guide for Newly-Arrived Cadets

A guide containing information about the camp and how it operates, pay, discipline, local information, recreation, churches and aircrew categories.

28 page printed booklet

This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.

MSmithAC1459147-170607-06

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RAF
HEATON PARK
MANCHESTER
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CONTENTS

Introduction by the Commanding Officer – Page 2
General Topics – 3
Some Times to Remember – 8
Out of Bounds – 9
Pay Parade Information – 10
Disciplinary Matters – 11
Medical Matters – 14
What you should have done on arrival – 15
What you should do on departure – 16
Local Information – 17
Spare Time Occupations – 19
Short History of Heaton Park – 21
Sites of Buildings and Park Gates – 22
Voluntary Church Services – 23
Some Notes on the P.N.B. Scheme – 24

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R.A.F. STATION
HEATON PARK
MANCHESTER

A Guide for Newly-Arrived Cadets

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Introduction by THE COMMANDING OFFICER

I am sure we are all animated by one desire – to beat the enemy at the earliest possible moment.

You want to do your bit by flying and we will do all we can here to help you get into the air without delays.

Each Cadet who succeeds in his training at the earliest possible moment will shorten the war, and each Cadet who falls by the wayside lengthens the war.

You are all Cadets, and wear a flash in your caps to denote your selection and importance as u/t air crew, not to mention that many of you are also potential Officers.

I ask you to appreciate the dual importance of being a Cadet at the moment and of the job of work you have voluntarily undertaken, and not to clog the machinery by any faults of your own.

This brochure has been written to help you.

"This above all: to thine own self be true
And it much follow, as the night the day,
That thou can'st not be false to any man.”

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GENERAL TOPICS
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1. WHAT ARE WE HERE FOR?

Mainly to wait about pending your departure elsewhere, since Heaton Park is an assembly station and despatch centre. Under the P.N.B. Scheme, all air-crew personnel are posted here from I.T.W., and are attached from here to E.F.T.S. grading courses or N.B. courses. You come here after your I.T.W. course to await the result of your classification by the A.C.C.B., and you return here after your attachment to E.F.T.S. or N.B. course to await dispersal elsewhere.

As you have already had explained to you, the A.C.C.B. has the last word in deciding whether you are to become pilots or enter one of the N.B. trades, and a senior officer of group will tell each man personally how he is affected. Unfortunately, some of you will be disappointed, as you can't all be pilots. The demand for the different classes of aircrew is dictated by the needs of the war, and it is obvious that the modern aeroplane needs more than a pilot to man it. Therefore, while we do indeed sympathise with you, we cannot do a thing for you about it at this station. We can only advise you to stick it: you will get plenty of action in due course, whatever air-crew trade you are in.

2. WHAT IS THE ADDRESS?

That's easy:
9999999 L.A.C. Blank, G.G.,
– Flight.
No. – Squadron,
R.A.F. Station,
Heaton Park,
Manchester.

This is all. The letters A.C.D.C. must not be used.

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3. WHAT DO WE DO HERE?

That's one of our worries. But it chiefly consists of parades of one kind or another – and meals, though there is plenty to do in your spare time. (See gen. on later pages.) There is a lot of kitting to be done and deficiencies are attended to before you go. A daily training syllabus is drawn up, under which you are kept pretty fully occupied during working hours. For this purpose you are detailed by flights for Navigation, Signals, P.T., Drill, Armaments, Clay-Pigeon Shooting, Games of various kinds, a few general lectures and talks, an occasional ceremonial March Past when distinguished visitors are here, and now and then, a Pay Parade. The Luckier ones get selected for Station Co-operation Parties (a dignified name for camp fatigues), on which you may try your hand at gardening or collecting salvage or cleaning up the Naafi. But on the whole you don't have at all a bad time here, and we have heard of some cadets who were quite sorry to leave Heaton Park. (These, of course, were immediately put on our Roll of Honour.)

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"STATION CO-OPERATION"

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4. WHAT IS THE DISCIPLINE LIKE HERE?

Pretty strict, and it would be stricter if we had the staff. But nothing like so strict as where you go from here. Punishments are severe for offenders, but life is pleasant for those who play to the rules. SO SEE THAT YOU KNOW THE RULES. (That's partly what this booklet is for.)

5. WHAT DO WE DO OFF PARADE AND IN THE EVENINGS?

What you like, within reason. You can go into Manchester or amuse yourself inside the Park. But, if you do go out, remember that you need a pass for anywhere outside a radius of five miles from Headquarters. The centre of Manchester is about four miles from here, but some places there are out of bounds. You must be back in camp by 23.00 hours or 23.59 on Fridays and Saturdays, unless you have a late pass. It isn't any good telling your Squadron Commander that you missed the last bus or train; there's always a long queue for these late in the evening, so catch an earlier one and be on the safe side.

6. WHERE IS MY SQUADRON OFFICE?

Well, if you haven't found that by now, something is wrong with your navigation. But, to make quite sure, we'll explain.

No. 1 Squadron Office is inside Headquarters buildings. Go up to Cafeteria No. 1 and follow the path which goes beside the kitchen yard. You will come to a door with a Home Guard notice on it, but you don't go in on the ground floor; you ascend the stairs on the left. Turn left at the top, and the Squadron Office and Orderly Room are on your left.

Since this booklet went to print, however, No. 1 Squadron Office may have been moved to its new site, a few hundred yards on the left of the road leading from Heaton Park Station Gate.

No. 2 Squadron Office is in a hut beside the new Naafi building by the lake side.

7. WHERE IS THE N.A.F.F.I.?

See above reply for the No. 2 Squadron Naafi. The original Naafi is farther along, about opposite the boathouse. This is for the use of No. 1 Squadron, but it is a fair distance from Headquarters. If you happen to be up there before the morning Break, keep an eye on your watch, as you don't get very long, and there isn't time to loiter.

There will be other Naafis when the camp is finished.

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8. WHAT ABOUT LETTERS AND TELEPHONE CALLS, etc.?

N.C.O.'s in charge Flights collect and distribute the morning mail.

If a parcel comes for you, your name is posted up on a board in the Cafeteria, and you call at the Post Office to collect it. (The Post Office is on the same corridor as No. 1 Squadron Office, and just beyond it on the right.)

Registered packages are distributed at the Adjutant's Office at Squadron Headquarters at 16.00 hours daily (12.00 on Saturday). You are informed as above for parcels when there is anything for you.

N.B. – You will need your 1250 when you go to fetch a registered packet.

There is a Post Box in Cafeteria No. 1, and letters are collected at 07.30, 14.00 and 17.15 hours daily.

Telephone calls may be made from the public Call Box which is situated at the angle of the road to St. Margaret's Gate, just beyond the entrance to the M/T yard. Charges are at the usual Post Office rates.

To get to the Adjutant's Office, you proceed as for No. 1 Squadron Office and Post Office, but go along the corridor and up the stairs at the end. At the top, turn left when you face the office of the Senior Administration Office, and the Adjutant's Office is plainly marked at the top of the main staircase.

9. WHAT ABOUT OUR LAUNDRY?

Unfortunately it is not possible to arrange laundry facilities on this station, and you will have to wash your own pants in your spare time. You see, you might be here only a day or two, and we do not know from one day to another when you are being posted.

10. CAN I TAKE PHOTOGRAPHS IN THE CAMP?

No. Not even of your favourite Sergeant.

11. WHAT ABOUT A 48-HOURS' PASS?

Wherever possible we try and give you a 48-hours' pass at least once while you are with us, because this helps us to get a 48 too, but, owing to the short notice we often get of postings out, we've got to be darned careful and naturally it is all subject to the discretion of your Squadron Commander.

If you have urgent domestic reasons for leave, go and ask your Squadron Commander about it, but don't forget that, as far as we are concerned, "you've had it" before you get here.

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12. HOW CAN I SEE MY SQUADRON COMMANDER OR STATION COMMANDER?

Make an application in the official letter form and hand it to your Flight N.C.O. You can rest assured that you will get prompt attention and a sympathetic ear from all your officers. We are not in the habit of leaving things till to-morrow and we want you to know that the "Wingless Wonders" on this Station are only concerned in seeing you get your wings up quickly and without a lot of discontent.

13. WHERE CAN I FIND D.R.O.'s?

In the Cafeteria on the notice board – and, for heaven's sake, read 'em.

14. CAN I BE BILLETED OUT?

Yes, provided our own or your parents home is in the immediate vicinity of the Camp. See your Squadron Commander about it first and, if he hasn't got a liver, he'll give you permission and will probably tell you that you will have to live in Camp the last day or two before your posting date. Outgoing drafts leave here at unearthly hours in the morning, and you can't be expected to lug all your kit several miles into Camp at 3 a.m.

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"LUG YOUR KIT INTO CAMP AT 3 A.M."

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SOME TIMES TO REMEMBER

WORKING HOURS 8.30 – 17.30

Meal Times: – vary according to numbers and squadrons between:
Breakfast – 07.00 – 08.30
Dinner – 12.00 – 13.30
Tea – 16.30 – 17.30.

Back in Camp: 23.00
23.59 on Friday and Saturday.

Lights Out: 22.30. (Blue lights in huts may be on later.)

Working Parades: – 08.30, 13.30;
08.45, 13.45.
These times are also subject to variation.

Church Parade: Usually 09.15 on Wednesday mornings.

Sick Parade: 09.00 daily at Medical Inspection Room.

Visiting Hours, Station Sick Quarters: 14.00 – 17.00 on Saturday and Sunday

Registered Mail: 16.00 daily at Adjutant's Office. (12.00 on Saturday).

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OUT OF BOUNDS

These places are out of bounds. (Nevertheless, there ARE places in bounds:)

INSIDE THE CAMP:

All parts of Station Headquarters, including Officers' and Sergeants' messes (except for Officers, Sergeants and personnel on duty).
Station Sick Quarters (except for authorised visiting hours).
M/T yard and office.
All Boiler Houses.
Works Department and Fuel Compounds.
Cookhouses and Ration Stores.
N.A.A.F.I. staff quarters.
Telephone Exchange.
Home Guard Offices and Quarters.
Wireless Station.
All Balloon and A.A. sites.
Football Pitches (except for organised games).
Conservatories, Nurseries and Greenhouses.
The Dower House (except for W.A.A.F.).

OUTSIDE CAMP:

Anywhere outside a radius of five miles from Squadron Headquarters, without a written pass.

The following places in Manchester:
George and Dragon Hotel, Swan Street.
Castle Hotel, Oldham Street.
Liston's Bar, Swan Court, Market Street.
The Rain Bow, Spring Gardens.
Bedford's Garage and Cafe, Manchester Street, Middleton.

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PAY PARADE

We don't suppose you will miss a Pay Parade, but you might overlook some of these points.

1. Pay Parades are held fortnightly on Fridays, and are generally held in Cafeteria No. 1 at 11.15 and 13.45 hours.

2. You are informed that you will not get any pay unless Part 2 of your Pay Book (Form 64) is in the possession of the Pay Accounts Section here.

3. If you leave this station as a reserve on a draft, and afterwards return here again, you must hand in your Pay Book immediately.

4. Cadets going on draft will be paid under special instructions to be issued as required. Don't worry, you will be told when.

5. Cadets posted to another station after the Sunday preceding the usual fortnightly Pay Parade (we hope you can work that out) will receive ten days' pay by casual payment before proceeding.

6. No other casual payments will be made, except in very urgent circumstances. And then the reason for the request must be endorsed and the payment recommended by your Squadron Commander or a Head of a Department. So don't blue [sic] all your pay and come to the Accounts for some more.

7. Any questions re pay to be submitted to Pay Accounts Office on Mondays, between 14.00 and 17.00 hours. We can't answer your queries at the Pay Table; there isn't time there.

8. Cadets are reminded that they must produce their Identity Cards (From 1250) to the Witnessing Officer when they come up for their pay. It surprises us that so many apparently still do not know of this procedure.

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A FEW POINTS ON "DISCIPLINE"

There is a lot more than this to it, but these are the main points to be observed:

1. DRESS.

At this station you will, we hope, always be correctly dressed. That means (a) no battle dress, (b) no articles of flying clothing, (c) no shoes are allowed. In summer weather (yes, we do have this in Manchester), jackets are left off, but you must then wear a belt, not braces; ties to be fastened down or tucked in between second and third shirt buttons, not flapping in the breeze; shirt sleeves folded up above the elbows.

2. RESPIRATORS.

The rule is that they will not be carried except:-
(a) When you leave your unit for a period exceeding 24 hours.
(b) When you are on guards or pickets.
(c) On Tuesdays for Respirator Drill.
(d) On days detailed for Gas Exercises.

3. WHEN MOVING ABOUT THE CAMP

Cadets must walk briskly. (That need not be 140 to the minute), and in an orderly manner. If you are called by an officer or N.C.O., you must report at the double. There are some quaint ideas among some people about what 'at the double' means.

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"IF YOUR MUG IS DAMAGED"

4. CROCKERY.

Mugs are issued to you against your signature when you arrive at this station, and returned by you when you leave us. If your mug is damaged on return you will have to pay the cost of a new one (about 7d.), so look after it.

On no account remove plates from the Cafeteria, and be careful how you use them. Crockery is not easy to get these days (as witness the things they get you to eat out of when you go home on leave). If you want to take away a souvenir of Heaton Park, take a piece of mud – there's plenty of that, but don't take it all, because we like to do a bit of mud-slinging amongst ourselves sometimes.

5. SALVAGE.

Don't be a litter lout. There are Salvage bins all over the place, and, apart from the question of tidiness, the country needs all the salvage it can get.

6. BILLETS.

If we have billeted you out, play the game and treat your billet as if it were your own home. If you had to billet a service man in your own home, you'd probably spend your time following him round with a duster, but you will find that the people of Prestwich are hospitality itself, so give them all the help you can. They have a very high opinion of R.A.F. Cadets billeted on them so far, and it is up to you to maintain that standard.

When you are posted from this Station, don't forget to return the key of the house to your billeter, if she trusts you sufficiently to give you one.

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7. SECURITY.

Whenever you are out of Camp, for heaven's sake keep your mouth shut about what goes on inside Heaton Park. What we do here may not seem terribly vital on the face of it, but we can assure you that people will pester you for information wherever you go, particularly in the various hostelries. When you are posted you can celebrate your departure from Heaton Park to your heart's content; but [italics] keep your mouth shut [/italics], and don't write anything either.

If someone outside tells you the date and time of your posting, come and tell your Squadron Officers, and help us to trace any leakage of information.

8. DISCIPLINE ON PARADE.

We expect a very high standard on all parades, and particularly we expect you to know the difference between standing at ease and standing easy. If you could watch parades from the upper windows of the Headquarter's building as we often do, you'd realise why we stress this. After all, the backbone of the Services is built up on strict discipline (that is why we won the last war), and the man who doesn't know how to obey an order is merely putting a weapon into Hitler's hand. It isn't clever to flop all over the place on parade, and we've noticed that individual Cadets are darned proud if they are in a smart Flight. The smarter you are, the prouder you'll be, and it's up to you to show the taxpayer that he's getting his money's worth.

9. GENERAL BEHAVIOUR IN CAMP

We are all the guests of the Manchester Corporation, and the people of Manchester have lost a good recreational park to us for the duration of the war. All good Mancurians [sic] are rightly proud of their Park and have had to say good-bye to it for a while. So please remember that the whole of the Park, and particularly the Headquarter buildings, are in our hands, and it is up to all of us to see that the hard-working people of Manchester who have temporarily been deprived of their fresh air are not disappointed after the last Jerry has been shot down from the sky.

10. VEHICLES IN CAMP.

No Cadet may drive a motor car or motor cycle in Camp, nor ride on the pillion of a motor cycle.

11. PERSONAL MATTERS.

It is most important that any changes in address of next-of-kin, notices of births, marriages and deaths in your own family, should be reported to the Orderly Room without delay.

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MEDICAL MATTERS

1. Flight N.C.O.'s will ask at each morning parade for names of those reporting sick. These Cadets fall out later on the Flight Sergeant's order and proceed to the M.I. Room under the N.C.O. detailed to take them. After treatment Cadets report back to their Squadron Orderly Room. Some of the old sweats among you will probably report sick on a very minor complaint, hoping to escape some of the day's programme, so we'll tell you that the S.M.O. has a very keen nose for smelling these old sweats out. In any case, if you do this, you'll possibly miss some vital parade such as a Clothing Parade, and it isn't very helpful to your Squadron Officers who've got quite enough work on their hands anyway.

2. Sick Parade begins at 09.00 hours at the M.I. Room, which is situated at the extreme end of Headquarter buildings beyond the flagstaff.

3. If you are sick in billets, particularly at night, and require medical attention, you should get a message to the M.I. Room to that effect. So make sure you know where the nearest Cadet is billeted and make him get a message up to Camp for you.

4. When you report sick, you must have your small kit with you, including towel, knife, fork and spoon, and your anti-gas kit, in case you are lugged off to S.S.Q.

The S.M.O. is a very experienced doctor, and service-minded as well. Once he was telling us about all the appendixes (or should it be appendices?) he had removed in civvy-life and all the thousands of bodies he had cut up, and he finished up by saying: "And from all these operations, all my patients returned successfully.”

5. Finally, your attention is drawn to K.R. and A.C.I., para. 1,102 – (that's the one about V.D.).

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WHAT YOU SHOULD HAVE DONE ON ARRIVAL

Perhaps this information may not be of much use now, but it may be useful if you come here a second time, and you can pass the gen on to some of your pals who you know will report to us later. In any case, you will be able to check up and see if you've done it all.

1. Arrive on time, or earlier. 12.00 hours is the time for all arrivals on this Station, and, if you have been on leave and your pass is made out to 23.59 hours, it is incorrect. We can't do anything with you at that time, and you will be noted as an absentee. If you are late through no fault of your own and your train was delayed, get the R.T.O. to endorse your pass, so that we have concrete evidence. Take that as a tip for all your service life.

2. Don't arrive in Manchester in the early hours and telephone frantically to us for transport:-
(a) You won't get it.
(b) You will make your own way here by electric train to Heaton Park from Victoria Station.

3. Don't come here and tell us that you have lost all your kit or flying clothing on the way. Lots of cases of theft have occurred in transit, so keep a sharp eye on your belongings, and remember that your kit costs a devil of a lot of money, and that we've got plenty of Forms 664B waiting to be filled up.

4. When you've arrived in Camp, proceed at once to the Reception Hut, which is at the south side of the Hall by the flagstaff, and they will take your particulars down in there. – (No, NOT those sort of particulars, – they're taken down on your F.F.I. parade.)

5. Many of you will be sleeping in tents during the summer weather. These have floor-boards, and you are issued with 'biscuits,' blankets and sheets, but, for your own sake, use your ground-sheet as well (Manchester is notoriously wet). During working hours leave your bedding neatly folded in the correct manner, as at I.T.W., and DO NOT SMOKE inside the tent, because the fabric is highly inflammable, and we don't want to see you going up in smoke yet awhile.

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WHAT YOU SHOULD DO BEFORE DEPARTURE

1. See that you are on time for the various special parades such as kitting, pay parades, etc. If you are missing when you are wanted, the whole draft may be held up unnecessarily and you yourself will quite probably be taken right off the draft without further question.

2. Mark your kit-bags strictly as instructed, and do not ornament them with any fancy design.

3. If you are on an overseas posting, pack all your personal kit in the small kit-bag issued to you at this unit, and all the kit you do not want to use on your travels in the two D.S. bags. Remember that you will not be able to get at these latter for many days to come.

4. Be certain to collect your pay book before you leave, Part 1 from the M.I. Room and Part 2 from the last pay parade you attend.

5. Have your Deficiency List and Flying Clothing Cards complete.

6. Don't lose the alphabetical and numbered card that will be given you on the day of your departure. This is very important and you will not get very far without it, so put it in your right-hand tunic or greatcoat pocket together with your 1250, so that both can be quickly withdrawn from you at the right time.

7. When you leave here you will be in a conducted party, and you won't have time to get a drink on your way to the station or give a parting kiss to some of the numerous blonde jobs you'll find waiting for you at the station. You may stop for tea at an intermediate station on your way, so have your mess-tin handy because nowadays there are no mugs for the issue of tea. Get back into the train just as soon as you can and don't get lost, for otherwise Air Ministry wires will be buzzing furiously to locate you all over the country, and, apart from the unnecessary expense and trouble to other people, the consequences to yourself may be dire in the extreme, when you [italics] are [/italics] found.

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LOCAL INFORMATION

This data has been compiled for your benefit and is correct up to the time of going to press, but alterations are bound to occur and it is advisable to check up before any services are utilised.

ELECTRIC TRAIN SERVICES.

Heaton Park Station to Manchester (Victoria).

Weekdays. – Half-hourly at 32 and 52 minutes past the hour with 10 or 20 minutes service between 7.12 and 9.22, 11.22 and 14.52, 17.32 and 20.22.
Last trains: – 22.22 and 22.52.
Sundays. – 9.32 and hourly to 20.32, 21,42 and 22.42.

Manchester (Victoria) to Heaton Park.
Weekdays. – Half-hourly at 10 and 40 minutes past the hour with 10 or 20 minutes service between 11.40 and 14.10, 16.10 and 19.10.
Last trains: – 22.10, 22.40, and 23.10.
Sundays. – 6.55 and 7.50, then hourly to 20.50, 22.00 and 23.00.

Victoria Station is out of bounds to all Cadet personnel from 2.45 hours nightly (23.15 hours on Friday and Saturday) unless in possession of a Pass Form 295.

BUS SERVICES.

From Manchester
To Grand Lodge Gate – Services 62, 73, 35, 75 and 35X.
To Heaton Park and St. Margaret's – 73, 35.
To Middleton Gate – 59.
To Polefield (Heywood Road) – 33 (but not on Sundays nor after 8 p.m.).
To Prestwich Village – 22, 24, 17.

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[a] CINEMAS. [b] Telephone:

Local.
[a] Odeon, Bury New Road [b] PRE 2227
[a] New Plaza, Bury New Road [b] PRE 2023
[a] Heaton Park, Bury Old Road [b] PRE 1535
[a] Mayfair Junior, Whitefield [b] –
[a] Premier, Cheetham Hill [b] CHE 2076
[a] Rialto, Bury New Road, Broughton [b] BRO 1367
[a] Tower, Gt. Clowes Street, Broughton [b] BRO 2643

Manchester.
[a] Gaumont, Oxford Street [b] CEN 1323
[a] Odeon, Oxford Street [b] CEN 3984
[a] New Oxford, Oxford Street [b] CEN 3402
[a] Palace Theatre, Oxford Street [b] CEN 0184
[a] Gaiety, Peter Street [b] DEA 4111
[a] Theatre Royal, Peter Street [b] BLA 9366
[a] Opera House, Quay Street [b] BLA 1787
[a] Market Street Cinema, Market Street [b] DEA 4771
[a] Deansgate Picture House, Deansgate [b] DEA 5252
[a] Tatler News Theatre, Oxford Road Station Approach [b] CEN 6015
[a] News Theatre, Oxford Street [b] –

CANTEENS.

Manchester.
Y.M.C.A. Hostel, Peter Street, near Midland Hotel and Central Station. Forces Canteen at London Road and Victoria Stations (open all night).

Local.
Congregational Schoolroom, Cheetham Hill, open 16.00 to 22.30 hours.
W.V.S. Canteen at Deyne Bank, Rectory Lane, Prestwich. Open 15.00 to 22.30 hours. Reading, writing and games facilities.
Y.M.C.A. Canteen, Heaton Park Congregational Schoolroom (100 yds. down Newtoun Street, near Heaton Park Station). Teas, suppers, reading and writing facilities from 16.00 hours.

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SPARE-TIME OCCUPATIONS

Recreative Facilities available to R.A.F. Personnel and W.A.A.F. Personnel.

1. BOATING.

The Park boating lake is open for boating each day from 14.00 hours to 21.00 hours.
Charges - Skiffs, 3d. per half hour; (single) 6d. per hour.
Inrigger, 2d. each per half hour; (two or three), 3d. each per hour.

2. GOLF.

The 18-hole golf course near Heaton Hall is open for play from 09.00 hours to 21.30 hours. A limited number of golf clubs, etc. are available at the clubhouse free of charge. Golf balls may be purchased from the clubhouse from 1s. 3d. each. Charges – 6d. per round.

3. TENNIS.

The four courts opposite Barrack Stores are open for play from 09.00 to 21.30 hours. Racquets and balls may be obtained on loan, free of charge, from the Sports Store in Headquarter's building. Personnel using courts must use correct rubber-soled shoes.

4 CRICKET.

The Station cricket team plays matches every Saturday and fulfils frequent mid-week games. Net practice takes place near St. Margaret's Gate every Tuesday and Thursday from 18.30 hours to 21.00 hours. Interested Cadet cricketers will be welcomed and, if keen to turn out on the Station side, should hand their names in to the Sports Store as soon after their arrival as possible.

5. BOWLING.

There are three bowling greens (two crown, one flat) open for play opposite Heaton Hall front entrance.
Hours. – 13.00 to 21.00 hours (except Sunday).
Charges. – 1 1/2d. for two hours, 1d for additional hour, bowls provided. Players must provide themselves with suitable rubber-soled shoes.

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6. SWIMMING.

An open-air swimming pool (50 yds. by 20 yards.) with suitable dressing room accommodation, is situated near No. 2 Squadron Headquarters. It is available for [italics] recreational mixed bathing [/italics] each evening from 18.30 to 21.00 hours; on Saturdays from 14.00 to 17.15 hours, and on Sundays from 09.00 hours to 12.30 hours, and from 14.00 hours to 17.15 hours. Bathers must provide towels and adequate swimming apparel.

The Sports Store staff will gladly provide the necessary playing equipment for inter Flight or inter Squadron challenge matches, should these be desired.

7. SOFT BALL.

Soft Ball kit is available in the Sports Store and will be available on application to personnel wishing to avail themselves of its use.

8. CYCLING.

Information concerning cycling section activities may be had from Sergt. Dean in S.W.O.'s Office.

Enquiries in respect of any recreative activities not mentioned above will be welcomed at the Sports Store, and efforts will be made to accommodate interested parties according to their tastes.

9. STATION DANCES.

An All-ranks Dance is frequently held in the Cafeteria No. 1, commencing at 9.30 hours, price 1s. Notices about this and also local dances are published at the end of D.R.O.'s.

10. STATION DANCE BAND.

A Dance Band is run by this Unit chiefly by members of the Permanent Staff, but good players amongst the Cadets who are willing to assist would be welcomed.

11. STATION BAND.

Any Cadet who can play an instrument with the Station Band should see Sergt. Watkins. The Band functions at occasional ceremonial parades when distinguished visitors are here, and so far have put up a good show.

12. CONCERT PARTY.

We have organised several concerts and revues in aid of the R.A.F. Benevolent Fund and local Warships Weeks, etc., and again the performers have mostly been drawn from the Permanent Staff, but in one or two of these shows Cadets, who have had experience of work on the stage, have offered their services, and further offers are welcomed. Cadets who are able to assist should contact the Station Entertainments' Officer, P/O. Boddington, through their Flight N.C.O.

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[cartoon]

HISTORICAL NOTES

Heaton Park was formerly the estate of the Earl of Wilton, and was purchased by the Manchester Corporation in 1902 for £230,000. It contains 650 acres of parkland and Heaton Hall was made into a museum and art gallery. The Manchester Corporation laid out many rose-beds and flower gardens, and in the season the Rose-Gardens and large walled-in Old English Gardens are well worth seeing. Rhododendrons and azaleas also make a good show in the early summer. Since the "Dig for Victory" campaign started, large tracts of land have been taken over for food production, as you will notice.

Six hundred years ago the land was part of the estate of the Langleys of Agecroft Hall, but passed in the 17th centry [sic] to the Egerton family. Sir Thomas Egerton was created the first Early of Wilton in 1784.

The second Earl of Wilton was a great sportsman and organised a series of race-meetings in the grounds from 1827 onwards. The great event was the race for the Manchester Cup, and the Earl of Wilton won this with his horse Jagger on the last occasion it was run at Heaton Park in 1838.

Many well-known people visited Heaton Park in those days, including Fanny Kemble, the actress of the 19th century, the Duke of Wellington and the midget general Tom Thumb.

The imposing archway which stands near the lake was originally the facade of the Old Manchester Royal Infirmary. Most of the present Hall building was designed by James Wyatt, R.A. (1746 – 1813), but is of little architectural interest. The interior decorations and the main staircase, however, call for special mention and there is much elaborate gilding in rather a florid style.

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Sites of Buildings on the Camp

Where are:-

Barrack Stores – immediately opposite the Hard Tennis Courts along the road to St. Margaret's Gate.

Equipment Stores – on the left before you get to the Middleton Road huts.

Barber's Shop – near S.H.Q. at the top of the Grand Lodge Road.

Padre's Office – next to the Barber's Shop.

[map]

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Voluntary Church Services

1. The Padre is in his room at 07.30 hours Sundays and weekdays to celebrate Holy Communion, and the service lasts about 20 minutes.

2. VOLUNTARY CHURCH SERVICES – Sundays.

Church of England.

St. Margaret's.
Sung Eucharist 09.00 hours.
Matins 10.10 hours.
Y.P. Fellowship 14.00 hours.
Evensong 15.30 hours.

St. Hilda's, Whittaker Lane.
Sung Eucharist 09.15 hours.
Evensong 15.30 hours.

Methodist.
Heaton Park Methodist Church, Bury Old Road.
Services 10.20 and 18.00 hours.

Congregational.
Heaton Park Congregational Church, Newtoun Street.
Services 10.45 and 18.00 hours.

Roman Catholic.
Our Lady of Grace, Fairfax Road, Prestwich.
Sunday 08.00, 0900, 10.00 and 11.00 hours.

Jewish Synagogues.
Holy Law Synagogue, Bury Old Road (near Grand Lodge).
Heaton Park Congregation, Ashdown, Middleton Road.

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A Few Notes on the P.N.B. Scheme

Your attention is drawn to two recent A.M.O.'s dealing with the above.
The first is:-

INTRODUCTION OF NEW AIR-CREW CATEGORY OF AIR BOMBER.

1. It has been decided to introduce a new category of air-crew to be designated air bomber.
2. Age limit. – Candidates must be 18 or over, but under 33 years of age on the date of recommendation.
3. Duties. – An air bomber will be required to locate, identify and guide the pilot on to the target, and to bomb it; to assist in the navigation of the aircraft between base and target area by map reading; and to act as an air gunner in defence of his aircraft.
4. Mustering, classification, etc. – Candidates will graduate, while under training, as follows:-
[a] [italics] Stage of Training. [b] Rank and Group. [c] Pay. [/italics]
[a] Initial Training Wing. [b] Aircraft, 2nd Class Group V. [c] 2s. a day.
[a] Further Training [b] Leading Aircraftman. Group II. [c] 5s. a day plus flying instructional pay of 2s. a day.
Operational Training Unit Sergeant, air bomber. 12s. 6d. a day.
5. Conditions under which serving airmen will be remustered – For the present selections will be limited to air-crew personnel already selected for pilot or observer training, including suitable airmen who have been suspended from such training and are awaiting disposal. At a later date, the field of selection will be extended to include serving airmen of all trades who are eligible under the conditions set out in para. 2 above. Those selected will, during training, retain their existing temporary rank or classification and pay, if more favourable, until such time as the conditions set out in para. 4 above become more favourable. Warrant Officers or Flight Sergeants will, on classifying, be remustered to air bomber in the rank of sergeant.
6. Commissioning and Promotion. – (i) Grant of commissions. – Airmen will be eligible for the grant of commissions in the general duties branch on completion of training and subsequently, in a like manner, to pilots and observers. (ii) Promotion of Airmen. – For the period of the emergency an overhead proportion of posts will be established for air bomber in the ranks of warrant officer and flight sergeant, with pay at the same rates as air observers.
7. Badge. – A further order will be issued in due course as regards the badge worn by air bombers.

The second and more recent A.M.O. deals with:-

DUTIES OF AIR-CREW CATEGORIES.
1. Following a recent review of the policy relating to the employment of air-crew personnel, which led to the introduction of a new air-crew category of air bomber, it has been decided to change the title of air observer to navigator, those with special qualifications being indicated by annotations as shown in para. 2 below.

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2. The following is a brief summary of the various air-crew categories under the new policy, with the duties appropriate to each:-
(i) Pilot.
(ii) Navigator. Duties. – Navigation, operation of gun in an emergency.
(iii) Navigator (B.). Duties – Navigation, bombing and gunnery.
(iv) Navigator (B.W.). Duties – Navigation, bombing, wireless operation and gunnery.
(v) Navigator (W.). Duties – Navigation, wireless operation, operation of gun in an emergency.
(vi)Navigator (Radio). Duties – Radio operation, navigation.
(vii) Air Bomber. Duties – Bombing, map reading, operation of gun in an emergency. To act as pilot's assistant, where there is no flight Engineer, to the extent of being able to fly straight and level and on a course.
(viii) Wireless Operator (air gunner). Duties – Wireless operation and gunnery. Wireless operators (air gunner) in general reconnaissance units have to be qualified in radio in addition to their normal qualifications.
(ix) Air Gunner. Duties – Gunnery.
(x) Air Gunner (wireless operator mechanic), air gunner (Flight mechanic A), Air gunner (Flight mechanic E). Duties – To carry out the duties of their trade in heavy aircraft of Coastal Command. Gunnery. Air Gunners, (Wireless Operator Mechanic) in general reconnaissance units have to be qualified in radio in addition to their wireless operator mechanic and air gunner qualifications).
(xi) Flight Engineer. Duties – In addition to the duties in connection with engine instruments as detailed he will act as pilot's assistant to the extent of being able to fly straight and level and on a course. To operate gun in an emergency.

3. Airmen previously mustered as observer will be remustered to navigator (B), navigator (B.W.). navigator (W), or navigator (radio), according to their special qualifications and the duties they are required to undertake under the revised policy.

4. Remusterings. – Table of Equivalent Categories.
[italics] Former Category of Air Observer. New Category. [/italics]
(i) Airmen who have successfully completed the normal courses of intruction [sic] in navigation, bombing and gunnery. [italics] New Category [/italics] Navigator (B).
(ii) Airmen qualified as in (i) above and additionally qualified and employed as wireless operators. [italics] New Category [/italics] Navigator (B.W.)
(iii) Airmen who have successfully completed a navigation course only and are additionally qualified and employed as wireless operators. [italics] New Category [/italics] Navigator (W)
(iv) Airmen mustered as observer (Radio). [italics] New Category [/italics] Navigator (Radio)

SYDNEY ASTLE LTD., PRINTERS, 41, GRANBY ROW, MANCHESTER. 1