Ex-pupil’s visit to help mark RAF’s centenary
Pupils joined in UK-wide celebrations to mark the centenary of the RAF as the RAF100 baton was brought to their school.
Aircraftsman Terence Cadogan, of No. 614 Squadron Royal Air Force, brought the baton relay to his former school, Willows High School in Cardiff, as part of the UK-wide RAF100 celebrations.
The RAF is marking 100 years of Service with the RAF100 celebrations – 100 days of events, activities and other initiatives running until the end of September this year.
The RAF100 Baton Relay is taking the campaign to communities in every region of the UK, carried by 20 RAF sports associations, serving RAF personnel, reservists such as Aircraftsman Cadogan, RAF Air Cadets and veterans.
The event at Willows High also commemorated the significant history the RAF has with Cardiff and the school.
Willows is built on the former site of RAF Pengam Moors which is where No. 614 Squadron (County of Glamorgan) was founded in 1937.
After the war it served as Cardiff’s airport until the 1950s and Willows High was later built on the site.
The school is also named after Cardiff aviation pioneer Ernest Willows, who built and flew an airship from the site in 1905 and was the first man to fly an airship from England to France.
A memorial stone was erected to 614 Squadron which stands near the school and the streets of the surrounding housing estate are all named after aircraft 614 Sqn flew.
The event at Willows High also acted as a prelude to the RAF100 Aircraft Tour, launching in Cardiff on May 18 to 20. The tour will include a range of aircraft covering the RAF’s history, from World War One to World War Two, to the Cold War and the modern age.
Aircraftsman Terence Cadogan, said: “It is an absolute honour to be a part of the RAF100 Baton Relay.
“I hope coming back to my old school gives the current students a sense of the world-class training and opportunities that I personally have benefitted from.
“The RAF is a fantastic place for young people to kick start their career.”
Andy Cole, a teacher at Willows High School who taught Aircraftsman Cadogan when he was a pupil there, said: “Our school is intrinsically linked to the history of the RAF in Cardiff, and to 614 Squadron.
“As a serving reservist in 614, Terence is a wonderful example to our pupils of someone who is fulfilling their potential, gaining fantastic experiences and building a first-class career. As a school we are immensely proud of him.”