The History of 63 (Bridgnorth) Squadron

63 (Bridgnorth) Squadron Air Training Corps formed as 156 (Bridgnorth) Detached Flight in 1971. When a new ATC squadron is established it is initially formed as a detached flight to a neighbouring squadron. It remains a detached flight until through an increase and maintenance of it's cadet strength it is granted squadron status. Initially 63 Squadron formed as a detached flight of 156 (Kidderminster) Squadron, which at approximately 14 miles is one of our closest neighbours.

In 1980 156 (Bridgnorth) DF became 63 (Bridgnorth) Squadron under the command of Flight Lieutenant Martin Platt. The Squadron has grown from strength to strength and is now a valuable and important part of the Bridgnorth community.

Since it's formation in 1971, 63 Squadron has never had it's own purpose built Squadron Headquarters. It has met at youth centres and school classrooms during it's nomadic history, but in 1997 the Squadron moved into the historic Bishop Percy's House. Although Bishop Percy's House was not a dedicated cadet building (it was also used by the Bridgnorth Group for Young People and several others) and was not ideally the best accommodation we've had to date, the building became very unsafe for the cadets and youth organisations alike, as it is one of the oldest buildings in bridgnorth. And so is was that in late 2003 the building was sold and the youth organistaions had to find a new home. 63 Squadron moved around differnet church halls in Bridgnorth, until a place could found.

In 2003 plans were put into place after years of discussion and debet for a building full dedicated to the cadets of bridgnorth, the building went ahead with plans for the Bridgnorth Cadet Centre and was completed in 2004, and was offically opened by Group Captain Pat Kiggell OBE RAFR, Commandant Wales and West Region ATC on Tuesday 9th November 2004, and is the best accommodation the squadron has ever had. The Bridgnorth Cadet Centre is used not only by 63 Squadron ATC, but also my the Bridgnorth Detachment of Army Cadets, and Oldbury Wells School, which is where the builing has its grounds.

In it's relatively short existence 63 Squadron has had five squadron commanders, who are listed below, along with the approximate dates of service (these are only the dates during which time they served as Squadron Commander and do not include time spent as squadron officers):

Flt Lt Martin Platt 1980 - 1987
Flt Lt Christopher Evans 1987 - 1995
Flt Lt Stephen Hucker 1995 - 1999
Flt Lt Mark Collins 1999 - 2004
Flt Lt Andy Griffin 2004 - 2009
Flt Lt Su Briggs 2009 - present

The War Years

During World War 2 there was an Air Training Corps Squadron in Bridgnorth. It is understood, from the little information that is known to us, that it was based at the old Grammar School in Listley Street, Bridgnorth and had detached flights in several of Bridgnorth's surrounding villages, including Highley. The Squadron Commander would borrow a car from RAF Bridgnorth at Stanmore and travel to his detached flights to conduct inspections.

Other than the information given above, little is known of the original Air Cadet unit in the town, and we would be very grateful for any information that could help us to shed light on the Squadron's history. We would be particularly interested in hearing from ex-Bridgnorth Squadron cadets. If you are able to supply information please e-mail us on squadron@63sqn.org.uk or telephone the squadron building in parade times (or leave a message) on (01746) 763631