Blog No. 316 – The End and a Beginning: Cliff Leaves Bomber Command – 27 July 2025

My purpose is to give hope to those who have lost hope. Without hope, we remain lost in the Shadow Lands.

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Entrance to RAF Saint Athan, Wales. Photo from wiki.

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RAF Cardington; photo from wiki.

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According to the Service Record, on the 12th of December 1945 Cliff was posted from Mildenhall to 1 Personnel Despatch Centre, West Kirby.  This posting lasted until the 25th of January 1946 – a period of 6 weeks and 2 days.

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1 Personnel Despatch Centre, West Kirby was where Cliff started his RAF career in 1940.  In 1940, this RAF facility was called 5 RAF Recruit Centre Kirby.  It was redesignated in 1941 as 1 RAF Personnel Despatch Centre.

Presumably, this posting was to enable the processing of Cliff’s official RAF discharge.

On the 25th of January 1946, Cliff was posted to 32 Maintenance Unit within the RAF facility at Saint Athan in Wales.  This posting lasted until the 21st of May 1946 – a period of about 16 weeks and 6 days.  This information is from: http://www.raf.mod.uk/modstathan/aboutus/history.cfm 

Air Ministry Order No 493 of 1936 announced that a new school of Technical Training to be known as No 4, would form at RAF St Athan (Glamorgan) on the 1 September 1938. Administered by No 24 (Training) Group in Training Command. No 4 School of Technical Training was to become No 3 upon disbandment of the then existing No 3 School of Technical Training (Fitters Mates) at Manston, but fortunately this was never implemented. The function of No 4 S of TT was the training of Flight Mechanics, Flight Riggers and Drivers Petrol. The latter designation was to distinguish them from Drivers Steam. Organised in 4 wings. Apart from the wings mentioned above No 4 School of Technical Training comprised a Station Headquarters under a Group Captain, Workshops, Equipment and Accounting Sections, an Educational Section, and a Training Flight of 4 Magister aircraft.  For 30 years, after its occupation on 1 September 1938, No 4 School of Technical Training was the Parent Unit of RAF St Athan. Over that period, the history of RAF St Athan is essentially that of No 4 School of Technical Training. At No 4 School of Technical Training, over 40,000 persons have been trained including approximately 400 Flight Engineer Leaders, 350 Flight Engineer Instructors, 20,500 Flight Engineers (of whom 2 500 have been commissioned) and nearly 19,000 RAF and WAAF Fitters and Flight Mechanics.

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The main RAF Branch at Saint Athan was Number 4 School of Technical Training.  Cliff’s function at Saint Athan was as a trade instructor.

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Cliff’s final posting was on the 21st of May 1946 to 102 PDC for “A Release”, or honourable discharge.

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Cliff was 25 years old when he was discharged from the RAF.  

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102 Personnel Despatch Centre Cardington existed from May 1945 to September 1946.

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This is the shameful and insulting pamphlet given to Cliff by RAF Cardington.

This map will assist you to find your way about the camp. In daylight hours there are Guides wearing an armband “102 P.D.C.”  They will give you every assistance, so don’t hesitate to ask them for any information. Normally you will not be on this station very long, as the process of release and the drawing of your civilian clothing is a very speedy one. If, however, you arrive in the late afternoon or evening, you will not be released until the following morning, so turn to the back of the folder to see how you can spend your time. Remember that you are going to be interviewed by a R. A. F. Advice Officer so if you have any service problem, any difficulty regarding civilian life, or anything you want to get off your chest – this is the opportunity.  He will help you to the best of his ability. Don’t forget that if you wish to postpone your release from the service, it is not too late to change your mind. When you have drawn your civilian clothing, you will find near the counter where you receive your leave ration of cigarettes and sweets, a suggestion box.  If you have any comment, complaint or suggestion to make to us regarding your release, write it on the paper provided and put it in the box. Many instances have occurred however, of airmen on release leave wearing a mixture of uniform and civilian clothing, whilst other abuses of a similar nature have been frequently noticed. The Royal Air Force has won the admiration of all by its behaviour and deeds in war, and you will not wish by any act of yours to diminish this respect in peace. I hope the short time you are at Cardington will pass quickly and pleasantly and wish you the best of luck in the future THE COMMANDING OFFICER 1 If you arrive overnight, you will be directed to the Orderly Sergt. At 102 P.D.C. Headquarters, who will give you full information regarding your sleeping arrangements, the following day’s routine etc. 2 Your meals are to be taken in No. 4 Wing Dining Hall.  This applies to all W.O.s, N.C.O.s, and airmen reporting for release.  A night cook is always on duty for the benefit of personnel who arrive late. 3 Institute.  Airmen should use the G.S.T. School Institute in Cruikshank Road.  It provides all the usual N.A.A.F.I. amenities and is open between 12.15-13.15 hrs. and 18.00-21.30 hrs. Corporals have a room available in the same building. 4 The Sergeants’ Mess is very crowded, but W.O.s, F/Sergts., and Sergts. Are at liberty to use the mess during the lunch interval and evening except for meals. 5 The Station Cinema is situated near the Main Guard Room.  One performance is given on weekdays commencing at 18.30 hrs. and two performances on Sundays at 17.15 and 19.30 hrs. Entrance 6d. [six pence] and 1/- [1 shilling] Cinema programmes are displayed in Institutes and Dining Halls. 6 A Lunch Time Musical Concert is held in the cinema on Tuesdays at12.45-13.15 hrs. 7 Station Dances open to all ranks are held in the Gymnasium on Mondays and Fridays from12.30-23.30 hrs.  Entrance 1/- [1 shilling] 8 Buses to and from Bedford run frequently.  The bus stop is on the Main Road opposite the Main Guard Room Gate.  The last bus back to Cardington leaves Bedford (Main Bus Station at St. Peter’s), at 22.00 hrs, but is usually very crowded. The fare is 3d [3 pence]. The distance between Bedford and Cardington by road is about three miles. 9 A Poster in your Dining Hall gives details of entertainments, dances, cinema programmes, etc. in Bedford. 10 The Post Office is near No. 2 Gate and is open from 8.30-13.00 hrs. and 14.00-18.00 hrs. 11 Telephones.  The location of these is shown on the map.

I have retained the exact punctuation from the original pamphlet.

Cliff – like all of the other demobilised servicemen processed through Cardington, was treated with contempt.  He was given:

• A cheap suit to take home;

• Charged extravagantly for watching a movie in the local cinema - the prices were very high even for 1946 but they should have been free; and

• Lectured about behaving properly even though he had helped defeat a monster and sacrificed the best years of his life to do so.

Arrogant pricks!

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By helping others to heal We help ourselves heal Remember those who preceded us. Give abundant Love Always Cliff always did.