Of the 213 ex-2M3s, 90 are as yet untraced.
Any information on any member of the 2M3 Entry would be most welcome.
Please telephone Des Greenwood + 44 - (0)118 - 978 2661
or e-mail: destudor@virginmedia.com
Entry Representative: Des Greenwood
In March 1940, 175 Royal Air
Force Aircraft Apprentices of the newly-recruited 41st Entry
arrived at No 1 Electrical and Wireless School, RAF Cranwell.
As Aircraft Apprentices, they had
committed themselves to serve for 12 years from the age of 18.
At Cranwell, there known as the 2M3 Entry, they
completed a two-year war-time Apprenticeship in the Group 1 trade of Wireless
and Electrical Mechanic (later changed to Wireless Operator Mechanic).
During those two years the 2M3 Entry was augmented by
38 Apprentices put back from the 1M9 Entry,
which brought the total membership to 213.
Of that number, 11 were put back
to train with later Entries and 10 ceased training
for various reasons. The 2M3 Entry passed out on
5th March 1942 — 192 strong — to start
their men's service as regular airmen in the largely non-regular ranks of the
wartime Royal Air Force.
oo000oo
In Memoriam
Eighteen of the 2M3 Entry were Killed in Action or Died
Whilst on Active Service during the 1939-1945 hostilities
Alan Allen Ted Craze
Fred Marrington Dennis Sharland Fred Trower
Geoff Ambler M Jerome
Bert Oxley BW Smith
James Boyd Roy Knight
Ray Piper JS Thomson Eric Winter
(in Royal Armoured Corps)
FrankChadbourne
Allen Lloyd Harry Scarman John Tomlinson
Three were killed in service during the early post-war years
Jeff Hanson
WH (Jock) Hogarth
David James
oo000oo
Service
Our records are incomplete, but from those we hold we know that, of the 213
members associated with the 2M3 Entry, at least 64(30%) served as aircrew: 10 as
Pilot, 7 as Navigator, 34 as Wireless Operator Mechanic / Air Gunner, 6 as WOM
Air, and 7 as Air Signaller. Two died during aircrew training, one as u/t Pilot
and one as u/t Navigator. At least 55 (26%) were commissioned. The ranks
attained by that 55 were: Air Commodore (1), Group Captain (3), Wing Commander (4), Squadron Leader
(12), Flight Lieutenant (14), Flying Officer or Pilot Officer (21). At least 12
(6%) attained the rank of Warrant Officer or Master Aircrew.
oo000oo
Dedication
In 1922, during the early days of the RAF, Lord
Trenchard innovated the Aircraft Apprenticeship scheme to train highly skilled
technical tradesmen and NCOs for the new Service.
It succeeded beyond all expectations. "Trenchard's
Brats" acquired an enviable reputation for their abilities and for their
good fellowship both on duty and off duty. Many went on to serve in commissioned
rank; and "ex-brats" from Flowerdown, Cranwell, Halton, Locking
and Cosford became the backbone of the Royal Air Force's Technical (now Engineer)
Branch. Some reached the highest ranksin the Royal Air Force. Others achieved
great success in civil life and in spheres far removed from their beginnings.
oo000oo
The Entry List below is presented in alphabetical order:
ENTRY ROLL CALL
Key:
KNOWN DECEASED
ASSOCIATION MEMBER
NON-MEMBER
UNTRACED
Quick name Finder - Click the button with the Initial letter of Surname.
Return here by clicking on button (right-hand side) marked
KIA 24th August 1943 with 201 Sqn.
CWGC states was W.Op./Air Gunner. Buried Poole (Parkstone) Cemetery, Dorset.
577478
Ambler
G G
George
2M3A
MIA 13th April 1943. CWGC states
Sergeant with 20 Sqdn, died 13 April 1943, listed on
Panel 140 of the Runnymede Memorial.
577890
Anderson
K C M
Kenneth
2M3F
Died 1996.
576792
Andrews
A M
Arthur
1M9
Joined with 40th Entry.
577639
Angell
L A
Les
2M3A
577664
Atkinson
P E
2J3
577484
Bache
J R
John
2J3
577988
Badcock
W W
2M3
577795
Bainbridge
W
Bill
2M3D
Died 22nd February 1997.
577471
Baker
R R
Ray
2M3
Ceased Training.
577479
Baker
F H
Fred
2M3A
Died 14th June 1992.
576373
Baker
A K
Aubrey (Bob)
2M3A
Joined with 40th Entry. Commissioned
31st Jul 1958. Association Member.
577473
Banks
R W
Ron
2J3
Commissioned 25th Aug 1960.
577417
Barker
C O
Christopher
1M9 G
Joined with 40th Entry.
577621
Barnes
M J
Maurice (Bishop)
2M3A
Died 10th March 2006.
577804
Barrett
E F C
Eric
2J3
577968
Bartlett
T R
Tom
2J3
Commissioned 7th Dec 1961.
577603
Bateman
K F
2J3
577797
Beaumont
P
2J3
577490
Benke
A
2J3
577384
Biagott
R C
Ross
1M9
Joined with 40th Entry.
576121
Borton
W G
1J9
Joined with 40th Entry.
577486
Bott
J R H
Ronnie
2J3
Commissioned 25th Sept 1946.
577658
Boyd
J
James
2M3A
KIA 16th April 1943. CWGC states
Sergeant (Air Gnr.) with 156 Sqdn. Buried Challons-en-Champagne
East, Communal Cemetery.
577687
Bradley-Feary
E C
Eddie
2M3A
Commissioned 11th Feb 1946. Association Member.
578068
Brazier
H
Harold
2J3
KIA 18th November 1943. CWGC Website
records Harold BRAZIER, Aircraftman 1st Class, with
490 Sqdn.,died 18 November 1943, listed on Panel 9,
Column 2 of the Malta Memorial.
577475
Bridgman
D H
Denys
2M3A
Commissioned 24th Oct 1946. Association Member.
576710
Brookshaw
R J E
Ronald
1M9
Joined with 40th Entry.
577476
Brown
W G
2M3A
577737
Brown
G H
Gordon
2M3E
Association Member.
578067
Bruce
K A
2J3
577704
Bryan
H J
Henry
2J3
577505
Buckland
R F
Ron
2M3A
Commissioned 27th Sept 1944.
576566
Burdett
B E
Eric
2M3B
Joined with 40th Entry. Commissioned
16th July 1944. Died 2nd September 2002.
577741
Butcher
L J K A
Derek
2M3E
Died date Not Known.
577720
Butler
D R
Dennis
2M3E
576616
Cammack
R A
Alan
1M9 H
Joined with 40th Entry. Association Member.
577437
Campbell
I S
Ian
1M9
Joined with 40th Entry.
577492
Card
D E
Doug
2M3A
Commissioned 12th Apr 1951. Died 8th April 2007.
577470
Carr
J R
2J3
577883
Carr
J
John
2M3
Ceased Training.
577980
Carr
B H W
Basil
2M3F
Traced.
577717
Cary
R C
Ross
2M3E
Died 22nd October 1995.
577477
Cattell
R W
Ron
2J3
577405
Causeley
P L
Philip
1M9
Joined with 40th Entry. Died 1986.
577474
Causer
F F
2J3
577488
Cawser
C E
Cyril
2M3A
577807
Chadbourne
F
Frank
2M3D
KIA 16th November 1944. CWGC states
Flight Sergeant (W.Op/Mech. Air) with 210 Sqdn. Buried
Tain (St Duttrus) Cemetery, Ross & Crometery.
577480
Chadwick
R E
2J3
577979
Chandler
T A
2M3F
577778
Clarke
E A
2M3F
577881
Clarke
S
Sidney
2M3S
577489
Clarke
D
Dennis
2M3D
Commissioned 23rd Dec 1944.
577696
Claybourne
W A
Allan
2M3A
Commissioned 13th Mar 1945.
577491
Clayton
F
2J3
577501
Clayton
T
2J3
576619
Clement
P E
Peter
1M9
Joined with 40th Entry.
577503
Clenton
H V
2J3
576715
Coles
C S J
Cecil
1M9
Joined with 40th Entry.
577859
Cooke
D B
2J3
577485
Cornock
R
Roy
2M3A
578015
Counsell
A E
Albert
2M3F
577606
Cowap
K
Ken
2M3A
577850
Cox
R M
Ron
2M3D
Commissioned 11th Dec 1943. Association Member.
577975
Cragg
A
Bert
2J3
576752
Croft
R
Roy
1M9 H
Joined with 40th Entry. Commissioned 65th Nov 1958.
577855
Cropp
L J
Les
2J3
577637
Crowcroft
P L
2J3
577655
Crowe
D H
2J3
577420
Crowther
D T
Denis
1M9 L
Joined with 40th Entry. Died 21 January 2009.
577508
Cruickshank
G R S
Gordon (Jock)
2M3A
Commissioned 30th Apr 1946. Died 9th June 2000.
577689
Crumpen
M J
2J3
577877
Curwen
R W
Reg
2M3D
Died 28th November 2001.
578007
Curwood
T
Tonto
2M3F
577448
Davies
F S G
Frederick
1M9
Joined with 40th Entry. Ceased Training.
577618
Davies
E D A
Dennis
2J3
577981
Davies
J M
2J3
577969
Davies
C G
Cyril
2M3G
Commissioned 23rd Mar 1950. Died April 1998.
577747
Dawson
J P H
Jim
2M3E
577500
DeBuriatte
A H
Allan
2M3A
Commissioned 12th Sept 1950.
577947
Derbyshire
W J
Billy
2M3G
577498
Dismore
P A E
Peter
2M3B
577864
Dodd
G E
Ted
2M3D
577499
Draper
B
Bryan
2M3A
Commissioned 27th Mar 1952. Died 7th February 1997.
577518
Drummond
D C
David
2M3B
Association Member.
577730
Ducker
J E
John
2M3E
577507
Duff
P F C
Pedro
2M3B
577514
Duffill
G E
George
2M3B
Commissioned 2nd Oct 1958. Died 27th April 2001.
577512
Duncan
J M
2J3
577504
Dunning
A
Tony
2M3B
Died October 1988.
578084
Edgecombe
D B
Lofty
2J3
577615
Eggleston
T
2J3
576348
Ellwood
W J
William
1M9
Joined with 40th Entry. Ceased Training.
577648
Elrick
H A
Henry
2M3B
Died 1st August 1993.
578025
Elton
A R
2M3G
577656
Elvin
T W
Tom
2M3B
Died 20th December 2008.
577708
Evans
N B
Nigel
2M3
Ceased Training.
577970
Faulkner
D J
2M3G
577517
Field
K C B
Ken (Lofty)
2M3B
Commissioned 9th Feb 1944. Died 9th May 1998.
577806
Field
A E W
2J3
578099
Fletcher
L S
2M3G
Commissioned 7th Mar 1952
577900
Forster
R
Geordie
2M3G
577519
Forster
H R
2J3
Died WOAS 21st July 1942.
576553
Fox
C R
Reg
1M9G
Joined with 40th Entry. Association Member.
577848
Frankland
L
Leonard
2M3D
Died date Not Known.
577669
Galley
H J
2J3
577528
Garrod
D J
Doug
2J3
577681
Gibbons
D G
Don
2M3E
Commissioned 9th Aug 1951.
577971
Godfrey
M J E
2J3
577902
Gough
N F
Norman
2M3G
Commissioned 22nd July 1944.
577366
Grahame
K
Karl
1J9
Joined with 40th Entry.
577874
Green
R
Ron
2M3D
Association Member.
577753
Greenman
F C
Fred
2M3E
Commissioned 8th Sept 1944.
577601
Greenwood
D F
Des
2M3B
Commissioned 19th Jul 1951. Association Member.
577449
Griffiths
L
Leonard
1M9
Joined with 40th Entry.
577367
Grove
R A
Reginald
1J9
Joined with 40th Entry.
576346
Gutteridge
R H
Ron
1M9
Joined with 40th Entry.
577622
Halahan
H C
Henry
2M3B
Commissioned 12th Jun 1947.
577946
Hall
W H
William
2M3
Ceased Training.
578028
Hamilton
P M H
Peter
2M3E
577652
Hancock
K J
Ken
2M3B
577539
Hanson
J G
Jeff
2M3B
Commissioned 5th Dec 1943. 551236 Fg Off (pilot) 131 Sqn. Died
31st October 1945 age 22. Buried KUALA LUMPUR (Cheres Road) Civil Cemetery, Grave 860, Malaysia.
578108
Hardaker
P R A
2M3G
577784
Harden
S E C
Spencer
2J3
578085
Harkis
E H
2J3
577886
Harrison
J C
2J3
577905
Haskins
E
Earl
2M3G
577436
Hawker
A P
1M9
Joined with 40th Entry. Ceased Training.
577527
Hayter
D E F
Dennis
2M3E
Commissioned 30th Jun 1950. Died 13th March 2007.
577768
Hennings
H
Harry
2M3E
Commissioned 9th Aug 1947.
577819
Hetherington
W D
Bill
2M3G
576397
Hill
R W
Roly
1M9
Joined with 40th Entry.
577735
Hill
J R
John
2M3E
Commissioned 21st May 1943. Died date Not Known.
577619
Hill
D W
Dennis
2M3B
Commissioned 18th May 1961. Died 25th June 2008.
577732
Hillyard
D E
2J3
577882
Hinds
W L S
2M3G
577535
Hiscocks
A W
2J3
577852
Hobart
C W
Charles
2M3D
Died 12th July 2000.
577659
Hocking
J M
Mike
2M3B
Commissioned 13th Nov 1945.
577966
Hodgson
K J
2J3
Died 6th May 1951.
577537
Hogarth
W H
Jock
2M3B
Died 14th October 1943.
577545
Holmes
D J
Don
2M3B
Commissioned 24th Jun 1945.
577941
Howlett
F J
Fred
2M3G
Died 31st August 2003.
577686
Hull
M D
Michael
2M3E
576591
Hunter
W
William
1M9
Joined with 40th Entry.
577772
Isles
E R
2J3
577903
James
J S P
2J3
577643
James
D
David
2M3B
Missing. CWGC Website records
David JAMES, Signaller II with 202 Sqdn., died 18 April
1947, listed on Panel 287 of the Runnymede Memorial.
577698
Jarvis
J W
John
2M3E
Association Member.
577551
Jassoy
P A
Peter
2M3B
577974
Jellis
R F H
Ron
2M3G
Died date Not Known.
576331
Jerome
M
Michael
1M9
Joined with 40th Entry. MIA 9th Apr 1945.
CWGC Website records Michael JEROME, Flight Sergeant
with 206 Sqdn., died 9 April 1945, listed on Panel 271
of the Runnymede Memorial.
577624
Jew
W E
2J3
Changed name to "Just", post service.
576257
Johnson
R H
Robert
1M9
Joined with 40th
Entry. Commissioned 29th Jul 1943. Association Member.
577459
Jones
S
Stanley
1M9
Joined with 40th Entry. Commissioned 29th May 1943.
577563
Jones
R M
2J3
577774
Kennett
D R
Douglas
2M3E
578029
Kerr
A M
Aubrey
2M3G
577549
Keyworth
D V
Doug
2M3B
Died date Not Known.
577546
Knight
L C
Len
2M3C
Commissioned 11th Mar 1946.
577894
Knight
D B
Don
2M3G
577556
Knight
A R
Roy
2M3B
Commissioned 4th Aug 1944. Killed 28th April 1945.
CWGC Website state Albert Roy KNIGHT, Pilot Officer
(55447), died between the 27th and 28th April 1945,
buried in Melcomber Regis Cemetery, Dorset.
577550
Knox
J H
Jim
2M3C
Association Member.
577831
Lachlan
H A
Hugh
2M3
Ceased Training.
577555
Lancaster
K H N
Ike
2M3C
577916
Lavallin
H G
2M3G
577832
Lee
J F
John
2J3
Commissioned 3rd Aug 1961.
578095
Litman
R D
Robert
2M3G
577887
Lloyd
D
2J3
577935
Lloyd
A C C
Alan
2M3
Ceased Training. Died WOAS 28th Jul 1942.
CWGC Website state Alan Cecil Colin LLOYD, Aircraftman 2nd Class
with 108 Sqdn. Buried in Heliopolis War Cemetery, Egypt.
577828
Longden
E J
Ted
2M3D
Commissioned 24th Jan 1952. Died 13th June 2001.
577777
Mack
M P
Maurice
2M3G
Died date Not Known.
577665
Magnall
J W
John
2M3E
Commissioned 15th Dec 1944.
577871
Manley
S G F
Samuel (Jock)
2M3D
Died date Not Known.
577592
Mann
R A
2J3
577779
Marrington
F J
Frederick
2M3H
MIA 9th June 1944. CWGC Website
records that Frederick John MARRINGTON, Flight Sergeant
with 210 Sqdn., died 9 June 1944, listed on Panel 220
of the Runnymede Memorial.
577917
Marshall
R W
Royston
2M3H
577798
Mathews
J
Joe
2M3D
Commissioned 17th Feb 1944. Died 16th January 2007.
577711
Mawer
C C
Cyril
2M3E
577896
McBride
J F
2J3
577554
Meredith
G E
George
2M3C
Association Member.
577726
Miller
J A
2M3E
577901
Morgan
L
Les
2M3H
Commissioned 8th Mar 1944. Died 19th December 2004.
577558
Morgan
G W
Gordon
2M3C
Commissioned 16th Nov 1961.
577920
Moseley
S
2J3
577351
Moyce
D A
Dennis
1M9
Joined with 40th Entry. Commissioned 2nd Jan 1947.
577811
Murphy
S G
Stan
2M3H
Association Member.
576469
Noble
R
Ralph
1J9
Joined with 40th Entry. Died 21st July 1966.
577839
O'Brien
M J
2M3
577663
Oakley
L
Larry
2M3C
Died 23rd July 1948.
577414
Oliver
R
Robert
1M9
Joined with 40th Entry. Commissioned 22nd Sept 1944.
577347
Olver
F S
Stuart
2M3D
Joined with 40th Entry. Died 2nd May 2000.
577847
Orr
S
2J3
577994
Orwin
K F
2J3
577552
Osborne
M
2M3C
Ceased Training.
578089
Owen
E C
Eric
2M3H
Died 7th May 2001.
577571
Oxley
A
Albert
2M3C
MIA 28th Oct 1944. CWGC Website
records Albert OXLEY, Flight Segeant, died 28 October 1944, listed
on Column 435 of the Singapore Memorial, Kranji War Cemetery.
577568
Parker
H B
Harold
2J3
577349
Pascoe
D C
Denzil
1M9
Joined with 40th Entry. Ceased Training.
577926
Paton
A B
Pat (Trocky)
2M3H
Commissioned 9th Sept 1947. Died 26th July 2003.
576368
Patterson
M M
Mike
1M9
Joined with 40th Entry. Commissioned 24th Apr 1947.
578105
Pattison
M
Mike
2M3H
Commissioned 23rd Jun 1960. Died 6th October 1993.
577572
Perkins
H J D
2J3
576312
Pickhaver
P K
Peter
1M9
Joined with 40th Entry. Died 21st August 2000.
577570
Piper
R E
Ray
2M3C
KIA 8th July 1944. CWGC Website
records Raymond Edward PIPER, Flight Sergeant with 209 Sqdn., died 8
July 1944, listed on Column 280 of the Alamein Memorial, Egypt
577700
Pope
D R
Dennis
2M3C
578074
Povey
W J
Wilfred
2J3
577801
Pritchard
B C
2J3
Commissioned 30th May 1947
578003
Pritchard
H E
Hugh
2M3H
Died 31st December 2005.
577745
Probyn
P J
Philip
2M3E
Commissioned 6th Sept 1947. Association Member.
576166
Quinn
S F
Stan
1M9C
Joined with 40th Entry. Association Member.
577565
Radcliffe
J J
John
2M3C
577836
Ranson
W P R
Gerry
2M3D
Died 8th March 1992.
577617
Read
B D
Bernie
2M3C
577567
Reilly
D J
Dennis
2M3C
Commissioned 21st Feb 1946.
577948
Richards
R M
2J3
577464
Rideout
A J T
Alan
1M9
Joined with 40th Entry. Ceased Training.
576539
Roberts
R C
Ray
1M9
Joined with 40th Entry.
577361
Roberts
P H
Philip
1M9
Joined with 40th Entry. Ceased Training.
577690
Robertson
R J
Robbie
2M3C
Commissioned 8th Nov 1962. Association Member.
576087
Robertson
R J
1J9
Joined with 40th Entry.
577355
Robinson
G
George
1M9N
Joined with 40th Entry. Died 22nd November 1991.
577692
Rogers
P T
2J3
577983
Rudall
D C M
Den
2M3H
Died 5th April 2001.
577668
Ryder
G W
George
2M3C
577706
Sanders
G E
George
2M3E
Commissioned 26th May 1960. Died 4th November 1985.
576483
Scarman
H E
Harold
1M9
Joined with 40th Entry. MIA 2nd Nov 1943.
CWGC Website records Harold Edwin SCARMAN, Sergeant, died 2 November
1943, listed on Panel 19 of the Runnymede Memorial.
577371
Scott
K
Kenneth
2J3
Joined with 40th Entry.
577409
Searle
H H M
Hugh
1M9
Joined with 40th Entry. Died 2000.
577757
Seymour
G S
Sid
2M3F
577586
Sharland
D
Dennis
2M3C
MIA 12th Jun 1944. CWGC Website
records indicate that Dennis SHARLAND, Flight Segeant
with 201 Sqdn. died 12 June 1944, listed on Panel 268
of the Runnymede Memorial.
576734
Sharp
P W
Peter
1M9F
Joined with 40th Entry. Died 3rd July 2009.
577930
Shaw
G M
2M3H
577590
Shepherd
R H
Robert
2M3C
577628
Shove
D N
David
2M3C
577580
Sinclair
J
2M3C
Commissioned 25th Aug 1944. Died date Not Known.
577736
Skelton
J C
John
2M3
Ceased Training.
577781
Slade
R M
Mike
2J3
Commissioned 6th Jun 1951.
577630
Smith
J A G
2J3
577915
Smith
P
2M3H
577731
Smith
B W
Bassett
2M3F
Commissioned 19th May 1944. KIA
22nd April 1945. CWGC Website records Bassett William
SMITH, Flying Officer (55648) with 107 Sqdn., died 22
April 1945, listed on Panel 268 of the Runnymede Memorial.
576777
Snider
A
Anthony
1M9
Joined with 40th Entry.
577718
Spencer
D E
David
2M3F
Commissioned 29th Mar 1945.
577942
Stevenson
J G
2M3H
577647
Strawson
C D
Clive
2M3C
577931
Stroud
C M
2J3
577685
Tait
D A G
David
2M3F
577857
Taylor
T B
Tom
2J3
578127
Tennant
W A
Bill
2M3H
Died 21st August 1988.
577759
Thirde
A McD
Angus (Jock)
2M3F
Association Member.
577337
Thomas
D J
Dai
1M9P
Joined with 40th Entry.
578010
Thomson
J S
James
2M3H
Killed WOAS 30th May 1943. CWGC
Website records James Souter Thomson, Aircraftman 1st
Class, died 30 May 1943 and buried Kinghorn Cemetery, Fife
577885
Tomlinson
J
John
2M3A
Killed WOAS 18th Sep 1943. CWGC
Website records John Humfrey TOMLINSON, Leading Aircraftman
(Nav/Bomber u/t), died 18 September 1943, buried Torquay
Cemetery & Extension.
577838
Trower
F J
Fred
2M3D
KIA 7th Oct. 1943. CWGC Website
records Frederick James TROWER, Sergeant W.Op./Air Gnr with 345 Sqdn.,
died 7 October 1943, buried Madras War Cemetery, Chennai, India.
577597
Tucker
S
2M3C
577833
Tully
E J D
2J3
578111
Turnbull
E
Ted
2M3H
Commissioned 26th May 1960.
577921
Vickers
B B
Bryan
2M3H
Died 22nd July 2001.
577908
Vince
H D
Howard (Viper)
2M3H
Died 5th January 2001.
578113
Walden
R S
Ron
2M3H
Died 23 October 2009.
577602
Wales
V F
Pont
2M3D
577600
Walker
J H
John
2M3D
577431
Wallace
H J
1M9
Joined with 40th Entry.
577434
Warnes
G T
Geoff
2M3H
Joined with 40th Entry. Association Member.
577614
Watson
P R
Pete
2M3D
Commissioned 23rd Mar 1950. Died 17th September 1999.