Squadron History
The Squadron was formed early in 1941 and based its headquarters at the High Street School in Harborne. The first Commanding Officer was Flt Lt A H Dutton RAFVR(T). His Adjutant was Fg Off K Jackson RAFVR(T). When the time came for reorganization of the units in the Wing the Squadron was amalgamated with No 486 (Quinton) Squadron and was re-designated as No 485 (Harborne & Quinton) Squadron. In 1962 the Squadron moved to the TA Centre, at Tennal Grange, Tennal Road, Harborne. Unit activities included the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme, sport in which they have several `Blues' at both Wing and Regional level and shooting. They won the Collins Trophy three years running - 1988 to 1990. Support was always given to the local community, helping the Central Branch of the Royal Air Forces Association and the Royal British Legion. They have also taken part in a sponsored twenty four hour drill competition to raise money for charity. In September 2015 the squadron replaced its aged minibus with the support from the Royal Air Force Charitable Trust, the civilian committee, submitted a bid to the charity for funding a new minibus to help provide ongoing transportation for cadet activities. In May 2015 we were visited by a RAFCT trustee, Mr. Smith. The trust later approved a grant towards a nearly new bus, which was purchased and delivered in the September 2015.
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Commanding Officers: 1941-1965 Flt Lt A. H. Dutton RAFVR(T) 1965-1968 Flt Lt W. Ogborne RAFVR(T) 1968-1969 Flt Lt J. Muldoon RAFVR(T) 1969-1976 Flt Lt K. Blunn RAFVR(T) 1976-1979 Flt Lt B. Barnes RAFVR(T) 1979-1983 Flt Lt P. G. Clarke RAFVR(T) 1983-1996 Flt Lt A. Healey RAFVR(T) 1996-2001 Flt Lt C. G. Bell RAFVR(T) 2001- 2004 Flt Lt P. Smith RAFVR(T) 2004 - May 2011 Flt Lt P. Coates RAFVR(T) May 2011 - Aug 2013 Flt Lt S. Jennings RAFVR(T) Sept 2013 - Dec 2015 WO R. Coates ATC Jan 2016 - Present Flt Lt K. Aldridge RAFVR(T) |

March 2008 - More information thanks to Ex Flt/Sgt Roger.J.Burgess 485 Sqn a member of the Sqn from 1956 until 1959.
485 Squadron HQ was at Tennal Grange in two long old wooden huts raised from the ground by masonry bricks - some considerable time before I joined it in 1956.
Hut 1 was the main parade hut,and contained a small canteen at the far end,with a small uniform store next to it. There was also a three quarter length snooker table positioned in front of the same, on which many a good break was made by myself and Cadet David A.JONES. (15years) David was tragically killed whilst cycling down Mucklows Hill on his way to School. The whole Sqdn turned out for his funeral,to take David on his final journey.(He really was a very popular young chap - liked by all on the Sqdn)
Hut 2 contained two class rooms, the C,O's office, a 'Morse Signal/operation room. and at the far end a Link Trainer room. I remember a Summer Camp 27th July to 3rd August 1957 at R.A.F. Hendon. The C.O.'s name - I cannot recall. A second Summer Camp 1958 at R.A.F.Chivenor. Our C.O. at this time was Flt Lt Tony WICKHAM.
They commented on how much the Squadron building had changed and glad to see two items which have remained in the HQ for a number of years, a large propeller in the Cadets Mess which is of unknown origin and the retired 485 Standard which was replaced in 1998.



Rear rank, left to right W/O Short, F/Sgt B O'Neil, Sgt P Griffiths, Unknown, Cpl Yates, Myself, W/O Healey & Flt Lt Barnes (CO).
Front rank, left to right Cpl Payne, Cdt Reeve, Cdt Pullen, Cdt O'Brien, Cdt Phipps.


A picture of Tennal Grange being built, featured in a news story on the Birmingham mail website from September 2014. Copyright and reference of the photo is owned by the Birmingham mail (The photo is theirs).
Link to the news article http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/nostalgia/nostalgia-see-how-much-harborne-7709787