News & Events
The ATA Association commemorates the men and women of the Air Transport Auxiliary.
AGM AND DINNER Friday 30 August 2024
The ATA Association was glad to welcome members to the first in-person AGM and Dinner for some time, at The Olde Bell, Hurley, near Maidenhead in Berkshire.
Introducing our new Chairman
We were pleased to welcome a new Chairman, Christopher Garrod, while expressing huge thanks to outgoing Chairman Graham Rose for his years of service to the Association.
Our new Chairman is a third-generation pilot, his grandfather flew with the RFC from 1916 and commanded 13 Squadron. Later as Director of Equipment at the Air Ministry he was instrumental in the formation of ATA in his meetings with
Gerard d'Erlanger.
Christopher’s father, Peter Garrod, was an ATA F/O pilot from 1942 to 1945. Having been mainly based at White Waltham, Sherburn in Elmet and Ratcliffe, it
was at the latter that he met Christopher’s mother, who also served in the ATA as a motor transport driver. Peter continued to fly with the RAFVR until the mid-
fifties.
Although awarded an RAF Flying Scholarship at White Waltham in 1968, Christopher decided to follow a civil aviation career and, having then trained at Hamble, he joined BOAC in 1971. At 19, he was probably one of the youngest ever Second Officers. However, he later flew for Swissair until taking early retirement at 50.
Christopher and his wife Fiona live in Winchester and fly regularly in their own light aircraft from its base at Lee on Solent to visit his five grandchildren who live in Switzerland.
As Chairman of the ATAA, Christopher acknowledges the work of our Committee members and the Maidenhead Heritage Centre in promoting the ATA and looks forward to contributing to that cause in whatever way he can. One project that he has in mind is to fly to as many former ATA pools as he can in one day whilst
only using his father's maps, a compass and stopwatch and without using GPS...!
The late August date was timed to allow attendance at the West London Aero Club’s Members’ Day event, the following day, at which our annual wreath laying service was held beside the ATA memorial located behind the Clubhouse at White Waltham aerodrome, the former home of the ATA.
The event also provided the opportunity to join forces with the Maidenhead Heritage Centre’s stand and help promote the ATA story to all those attending.
The Heritage Centre houses a permanent ATA exhibition including a popular Spitfire simulator for visitors to try! Well worth a visit for the rich archive and collection of ATA memorabilia. And the ideal place to donate items of interest.
ATA MEMORIAL AT WHITE WALTHAM
We were delighted to be joined at White Waltham by two ATA veterans, now in their late nineties, who were able to jointly lay our wreath during the short service that has become a valued annual tradition. They had both served as teenage Air Training Corps Cadets, one at the White Waltham Ferry Pool and the other, who travelled from Southampton with members of an ATA re-enactment group, was at Hamble Ferry Pool.
All Association members are welcome to attend this annual event and enjoy the air displays at White Waltham.
Our Secretary also continued his tradition of closing the ceremony with a new tribute in verse:
We stand here each year
And may shed a tear
For those that we knew
If only a few
They made an impression
One we’ll never forget
Nor will their action
In times of regret
Be lost to historians
In terms let us bet
Won’t fail to mention
We owe them a debt
So our wreath duly laid
And tribute thus made
We’re sure to return
Hoping others will learn
Of what’s left to remember
Not just in November
We’re glad to be here
Words familiar to hear
And vow to return
To repeat them next year
Rest assured, They will not be Forgotten