Interview with Barry Smith
Barry passed the RAF’s apprentice entrance examination in February 1945, aged 15, and went to RAF Halton to become an electrician. He discusses the three training which resulted in the First Ordinary National Certificate.
In 1948, Barry was posted to RAF St Athan No. 32 Maintenance Unit. He initially serviced a flight simulator, then moved to the Aircraft Electrical Servicing Squadron. After a year, he was posted to RAF Cranwell, servicing generators and was promoted to corporal. He passed his leading aircraftman examination. He spent two years in Malta before being posted to RAF Honington, where he became a sergeant.
Barry wanted to service flight simulators, did a course and was posted for two years to Fighter Command at Bentley Priory. He had a broad role in aircraft engineering at Command Headquarters.
Barry moved to become an education officer and did a course at the School of Education at RAF Uxbridge. He spent two years in the education branch, initially at RAF Melksham. He was then posted to RAF Halton to teach electrics and electrical mechanics before setting up the basic training for the first ground electrician apprenticeships.
Barry undertook an unaccompanied 12-month tour to RAF Muharraq (Bahrain) and was in charge of the battery charging room. A further twelve months were spent at RAF Benson on 90 Group Tactical Communication Wing before returning to RAF Halton to join the Trade Standards and Testing Board. This moved to RAF Brompton where he wrote skills and knowledge specifications for RAF trades. Barry left the RAF in 1975 and continued in teaching and training roles.
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2017-01-18
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01:32:59 audio recording
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ASmithBM170118
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My Journal
Starts with early memories of life at home and school. Mentions his father was in the RAF stationed at RAF Henlow, RAF Cardington and Brize Norton. Mentions laying up car at the beginning of the war as they were not entitled to petrol coupons but writes of some memorable trips in the car to London before. Continues with personal account of activities and hobbies.
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Four page printed document
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BSmithBMSmithBMv1
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Curriculum Vitae Barry Michael Smith
Preface covers his training as an apprentice at RAF Halton and subsequent training as an electrical fitter at RAF St Athan. Outlines career with transition to ground engineer and then other postings. Continues with time as an instructor teaching a variety of technical subjects before a tour consisting of the design and manufacture of training aids. Outlines his final tours in Bahrain, RAF Benson and Brampton. Main CV covers early days, education and qualifications and a full description of his RAF career from apprentice at RAF Halton in 1948 until leaving the RAF in 1975. Concludes with his civilian career up to 1985.
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Five page printed document
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MSmithBM582378-170220-01
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Ten class members and instructor
A setup for teaching the principles of motors/generators and synchronising generator connection to the mains. The switchgear panel include meters, dials, switches, and light bulbs to check phase synchronisation; posters and schematics are visible on the left.
Ten young men wearing overalls stand on the left. On the right an instructor points at dials.
Explanation provided on accompanying document which explains that it is Mr Nobby Clarke instructing electrician class in 1946 and list the names of the class members and their rank at retirement. One member was killed after ejecting from a Meteor.
Additional information kindly provided by Robert Parish and others of the 'I Take Pictures of Electronic Parts' Facebook group.
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1946
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One b/w photograph and one printed document
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PSmithBM1701, PSmithBM1702