About Us

2048 (Dagenham) Squadron is one of many units which make up the Air Training Corps. The Air Training Corps (ATC) is one of the UK’s largest youth organisations with over 40,000 cadets attending nearly 1100 units.

The units are normally squadrons and make up 36 Wings which, in turn construct the Six Regions of the Corps. As one of these units, 2048 (Dagenham) Squadron is part of London Wing, which is part of London and South East Region. Every squadron in the corps is manned by a group of volunteer staff who are both uniformed and non-uniformed.

Cadets participate in many activities, including Flying, Gliding, Shooting, Adventure Training, The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme, Sport and many more.

For more information on the Air Training Corps, it’s structure, organisation and aims please visit http://www.aircadets.org.

For more information about our parent service, the Royal Air Force, please visit http://www.raf.mod.uk. For careers information please visit http://www.rafcareers.com.

Our History

The history of Dagenham Squadron has been traced back to the early 1940’s, if you can help us with more information or you recognise yourself in one of our photos please get in touch

The 1940's

Officers of 2048 (Dagenham) Squadron at RAF Hornchurch. (circa 1946)

Cadets & Officers of 2048 (Dagenham) Squadron at RAF Hornchurch. (circa 1946)

Flying Officer G Dawkins assisting a cadet in a Tiger Moth. (circa 1947)

Inspection of cadets by Air Commodore. (Autumn 1947)

Cdt R Dawkins receiving Proficiency Certificate from Mayor Dagenham. (August 1948)

Squadron at Summer Camp (RAF Upwood). (1948)

Squadron Table Tennis Team (1949 season). Winners of the West Essex Inter Squadron Championship. L-R: Cdt C Greer, Cdt E Winstone, Cdt G Payne, Cdt R Dawkins.

Squadron football team at Merry Fiddlers Arena*. Winners of West Essex Wing Squadron Championship 1948/49 season. *Merry Fiddlers Arena was a Public House and Football Ground owned by the Officer Commanding Flt Lt W. Styles (shown on right).

The 1950's

NCO’s at Squadron HQ. (April 1950)

NCO’s at Squadron HQ with members of WJAC. (April 1950)

61 Group football team at RAF Biggin Hill. Group officer with Air Commodore T McEvoy. (September 1950)

Sgt R Dawkins receiving Certificate of Merit from Mayor of Dagenham. (September 1950)

Squadron football team at Merry Fiddlers Arena Runners up of West Essex Wing Squadron Championship 1949/50 season.

West Essex Wing Inter Squadron Athletics. Finish of 220yds – Winner Sgt R Dawkins. (June 1950)

The 1960's

01 Steve Jessup (new recruit) and Flt Lt Alan Brooks (OC 2048) 13 July 1966
Cadet Steve Jessup (new recruit) and OC 2048, Flt Lt Alan Brooks  (13 July 1966)

02 Steve Jessup (new recruit) and Fg Off Stan Farley 13 July 1966
Cadet Steve Jessup (new recruit) and Fg Off Stan Farley (13 July 1966)

2048 RAF West Raynham Aug 1966

2048 Summer Camp RAF West Raynham Norfolk (August 1966)

Back Row Left to Right: Cdt. Steve Jessup, Cdt. Alan Coxon, Cdt. Saunders, Cdt. Terry Warway, Cdt Cpl. Ellis, Cdt. Nigel Brooks Cdt. Bob Miles, Cdt. Bill Lawrence, Cdt Paul Nichols, Cdt. Ward. Front Row Left to Right: Cdt. Steve Bowen, Cdt. Peter Farley, Fg Off Stan Farley (2048 Training Officer), unknown officer (RAF West Raynham Air Cadet Liason Officer), Flt Lt Alan Brooks (O/C 2048).Fg Off Wainwright (2048 Equipment Officer) Fg Off Austin (2048 Adjutant), Cdt. Duncan Shrimpton, Cdt. Washbourne.

Presentation Parade 1967
2048 Squadron Presentation Evening (January 1967)

Left to Right: Flt Lt Alan Brooks (O/C 2048), Cdt. Taylor, Cdt Terry Warway, Cdt Peter Farley, Cdt. Nigel Brooks, Cdt Cpl Ellis, Cdt. Paul Nichols, Cdt FS Vaughan, Cdt Miles, Cdt Steve Jessup, Chairman of Civilian Committee (Name unknown).

2048 RAF Wattisham August 1967
2048 Squadron Summer Camp RAF Wattisham Suffolk (August 1967)

Aircraft – English Electric Lightning F3 of 29 Sqn Back Row Left to Right: Fg Off Stan Farley, Cdt. Duncan Shrimpton, Cdt. Bert Wakeling, Cdt. Alan Coxon, Cdt. Paul O’Conner, Cdt. Nigel Brooks, Cdt. Terry Warway, Cdt. Steve Jessup, Cdt. Steve Bowen, Cdt Cpl. Bob Miles, Cdt. Bill Lawrence, Cdt Sgt. Phil Morgan, unknown officer (RAF Wattisham Air Cadet Liason Officer), Front Row Left to Right: Cdt. Cheshire, Cdt Hallisey, Cdt. Dayer, Cdt. Smith, Cdt. Bob Morgan, Cdt. Martin, Cdt. Mills

Presentation Parade 1968
2048 Squadron Presentation Evening (January 1968)

Left to Right (Cadets): Unknown cadet (part hidden), Cdt Steve Jessup, Cdt Alan Coxon, Cdt. Paul Nichols, Cdt Bob Morgan, Cdt. Nigel Brooks, Cdt Martin, Cdt Bert Wakeling, Cdt Cpl Peter Farley, Cdt Cpl Bob Miles, Cdt Duncan Shrimpton, Cdt Smith,Cdt Sgt Phil Morgan, Cdt FS Vaughn. Centre: Flt Lt Alan Brooks (O/C 2048), flanked members of civilian committee (Harry Roberts who was headmaster of Robert Clack School– next to Cdt Jessup) Unknown Plt Off of 2048 to right. Mr Hastead (civilian instructor 2048 far right)

2048 RAF Manston Aug 1968
2048 Squadron Summer Camp RAF Manston Kent August 1968

Aircraft – Gloster Javelin F(AW) 9R (Gate Guardian) Back Row Left to Right: Fg Off Stan Farley, Cdt. Bert Wakeling, Cdt. Mick Coady, Cdt. Ken Ruxton, Cdt. Paul O’Conner, Cdt. Plunkett, Cdt Sgt. Peter Farley, Cdt Cpl. Duncan Shrimpton, Vdt Cpl. Paul Nichols, Cdt Sgt. Miles, Cdt Cpl. Alan Coxon, Cdt. Dave Coughlan, Cdt Cpl. Steve Jessup, W/O Jim Moss

Front Row Left to Right: Cdt. Smith, Cdt. Dayer, Cdt Hallisey, Cdt. Terry Warway, Cdt. Crowther, Cdt. Mills, Cdt. Russ, Cdt. Malcolm Nichols, Cdt. Huddleston.

08 Glider Pilot Training RAF Swanton Morley September 1968
RAF Swanton Morley Glider Pilot Training (September 1968)

Cadets of A and B Flight including 2048 squadron Cadets Cpl Steve Jessup (Front Row left of picture) and Cdt Nigel Brooks (Middle Row 2nd Left)

Presentation Parade 1969
2048 Squadron Presentation Evening (January 1969)

Left to Right (Cadets): Cdt. Lucas, Cdt Mick Coady, Cdt Bob Morgan, Cdt Duncan Shrimpton, Cdt John Fotherby, Cdt Ken Ruxton, Cdt Bert Wakeling (behind cup), unknown cadet (behind CO), Cdt Dayer, Cdt martin, Cdt Cpl. Steve Jessup , Cdt Paul Farley (in civies), Cdt Bone Officers left to Right: Flt Lt Alan Brooks (O/C 2048), Fg Off Stan Farley, WO Jim Moss

2048 RAF Gaydon July 1969
2048 Squadron Summer Camp RAF Gaydon Warwickshire (August 1969)

Aircraft – Vickers Varsity T1 (No 2 Air Navigation School) Back Row Left to Right: Cdt Sgt. Steve Jessup, Cdt. John Fotherby, Cdt Sgt. Alan Coxon, Cdt. Huddleston, Cdt. Malcolm Nichols, Cdt FS Peter Farley, Cdt. P. Mills, Fg Off Stan Farley, Cdt. Saunderson, WO Jim Moss, Cdt Cpl. Paul Nichols, Cdt Cpl. Martin, Cdt. Warner, Cdt. Ken Ruxton, Cdt. Bert Wakeling, Cdt. Mick Coady, Cdt. Leek, Cdt. Knowles, Cdt. Dave Coughlan Front Row Left to Right: Cdt. Bob Morgan, Cdt. Russ, Cdt. Lucas, Cdt. Beattie, Cdt. Bone, Cdt Paul Farley.

RAF Gaydon 2048 In Flying Kit Prior to Flight in Varsity
RAF Gaydon (23rd July 1969)

Members of 2048 in flying kit prior to flight in a Vickers Varsity Note: (Apollo 11 had landed on the moon two days before and was in the process of returning to earth) Standing Left to Right: Cdt. Saunderson, Cdt FS Peter Farley, Cdt. Bert Wakeling, Cdt. Lucas, Cdt. John Fotherby (in sunglasses), Cdt. Malcolm Nichols, Cdt Cpl. Martin (with Cdt Sgt. Alan Coxon behind), Unknown cadet, Cdt. Ken Ruxton, Cdt. Mick Coady, Cdt Sgt Steve Jessup (carrying parachute), Cdt. Knowles, Cdt Cpl Paul Nichols. Front Row Left to Right: Cdt Paul Farley, Cdt. Bone, Cdt. Russ, Cdt Dave Coughlin

The 1970's

2048 RAF Odiham Aug 1970
2048 Squadron Summer Camp RAF Odiham Hampshire (August 1970)

Aircraft – Westland Wessex HC2 18 Sqn Top Row (by cockpit): Cdt Sgt. Steve Jessup, Second Row: Cdt FS Peter Farley, Third Row Left to Right: Cdt. Bill Murphy, Cdt. Anstee, In Cabin Left to Right: Cdt. Leek, Cdt. Lucas, Middle Row Left to Right: Fg Off Stan Farley, WO Jim Moss, Cdt pl. Ken Ruxton, Cdt Cpl. Bert Wakeling, Cdt Sgt. Alan Coxon, Cdt Cpl. Mick Coady, Cdt. Malcolm Nichols, unknown cadet, Cdt. Appleton (sitting), Cdt Paul Farley, Cdt. Beattie, Front Row Left to Right: Cdt Cpl. Dave Coughlan, Cdt. Bone, unknown cadet, Cdt Cpl. Bob Morgan, Cdt. Steve Farley, Standing to Right: Wg Cdr R F Jessop DFM (O/C West Essex Wing ATC), with unknown officer (RAF Odiham Air Cadet Liason Officer) behind

2048 Aircraft Recognition Team 1970
2048 Squadron Aircraft Recognition Team 1970

Pictured with Flt Lt Alan Brooks O.C. 2048 Squadron Team Members Left to Right: Cpl Dave Coughlin, FS Steve Jessup, Cpl Bob Morgan 4th member of team (not present for photo) Cpl Ken Ruxton West Essex Wing Champions 1968, 1969, 1970, ATC Eastern Region Champions 1969, 1970, ATC National Champions 1969 (runners up 1970), Champions Royal Aeronautical Society 1969

2048 RAF Thorney Island Aug 1971
2048 Squadron Summer Camp RAF Thorney Island West Sussex (August 1971)

Aircraft – Hawker Siddeley Andover C1 of 46 Squadron Left to Right: Fg Off Stan Farley, Cdt. Steve Farley, Cdt FS Steve Jessup, Cdt Cpl Paul Farley, unknown cadet, Cdt. Bone, Cdt Cpl. Mick Coady, unknown cadet, Cdt Cpl. Ken Ruxton, Cdt. Bentall, Cdt Cpl. John Fotherby, unknown cadet, Cdt. Turner, Cdt Anstee (with Cdt Cpl. Malcolm Nichols behind), unknown cadet, Cdt. Beattie, Cdt. Appleton, Cdt. Lucas

Cadets being shown how to use a Mk8 Rifle. (1977)

The 1980's

Cadets & Staff of West Essex Wing at summer camp. (1982)

Cadets & Staff of West Essex Wing at summer camp. (1984)

Cadets & Staff of West Essex Wing at summer camp (RAF Benson). (1989)

The 1990's

Cadets & Staff of West Essex Wing at summer camp (RAF Manston). (1994)

Cadets & Staff of West Essex Wing at easter camp (RAF Shawbury). (1995)

Cadets & Staff of Dagenham Squadron at easter camp (RAF Shawbury). (1995)

Cadets & Staff of West Essex Wing at summer camp (RAF Stafford). (1995)

Cadets & Staff of West Essex Wing at summer camp (RAF Leeming). (1996)

Annual Cyprus summer camp (RAF Akrotiri). (1996)

Annual Cyprus summer camp (RAF Akrotiri). (1996)

Cadets & Staff of West Essex Wing at summer camp (RAF Marham). (1996)

Regional NCO’s course (RAF Uxbridge). (1997)

Cadets & Staff of London & South-East Region at summer camp (RAF Bruggen). (1998)

2000

West Essex Wing Final Parade at 338 (West Ham) Squadron. (April 2001)

West Essex Wing Banner being marched off of Parade. (April 2001)

Cadets & Staff at RAF Odiham Summer Camp (July 2007)

Cadets & Staff from London Wing at RAF Halton Summer Camp (August 2007)

Cadets & Staff at RAF St Mawgan Summer Camp (July 2008)

Cadets at RAF St Mawgan Summer Camp (July 2009)

Cadets & Staff at RAF Lossiemouth Summer Camp (August 2010)