A brief history of 342 (Ealing & Brentford) Squadron
Number 342 (1st Ealing) Squadron ATC was formed in 1941, the HQ
at Drayton Manor Grammar School. The Commanding Officer (CO) was
Flight Lieutenant (FLT. LT) S Allenby.
A second ATC Squadron Number 1413 (2nd Ealing) Squadron was
also formed in 1941, its HQ at the library in Walpole Park,
Ealing, W5. The CO. was Squadron Leader (S/Ldr) C. Hope.
After the second world war, FLT. LT. Allenby retired and S/Ldr.
H. Wilson was appointed its new C.O.
On release from the R.A.F, FLT. LT. J. M. Dicks D.F.C. was
appointed C.O. in October 1949 of 342 (1st Ealing) Squadron ATC.
During 1950 it was decided to amalgamate both Squadrons to be
known as Number 342 (Ealing) Squadron ATC, with a new self
contained HQ in Milton Road, Hanwell W7.
The Senior Ranking Officer S/Ldr C. Hope assumed command. When
S/Ldr C. Hope took his retirement a year later, FLT LT J. M. Dicks
was reappointed C.O. and in the 1960’s a further amalgamation
followed with Number 2036 (Brentford) Squadron ATC, the HQ on its
present site in Windmill Road, Ealing, W5.
The Squadron was renamed Number 342 (Ealing and Brentford)
Squadron ATC with an increased number in Staff and Cadets. FLT LT
J. M. Dicks remained as C.O. until his retirement in October 1978,
a total of 29 years and the longest serving Squadron Commanding
Officer in the Middlesex Wing.
In the 1990’s when FLT LT I. Day was CO, the Squadron moved
again on its present site when the M.O.D. decided to house both
the ATC and the Army Cadets in a new brick built HQ. Development
work took approximately 2 years to complete and the adjacent
school premises were used as a temporary HQ.
As this site is undergoing construction please feel
free to visit our forum so that
you can start finding out about our squadron, what the ATC is
about and what it has to offer the youths of today and the
community.
If you think you could see yourself in any or all of
the pictures then please email
now.
