page_title: RAF Jurby
section_title: No. 1 Initial Training School
hierarchical_section_title: RAF Jurby / Post war / No. 1 Initial Training School
caption_attribution_description: English: Passing Out Parade of members of No.1 Officer Cadet Training Unit, RAF Jurby, January 1957.
context_page_description: Royal Air Force Station Jurby or more simply RAF Jurby is a former Royal Air Force station built in the north west of the Isle of Man. It was opened in 1939 on 400 acres of land acquired by the Air Ministry in 1937, under the control of No. 29 Group, RAF. During the Second World War the station was used for training as No. 5 Armament Training Station, No. 5 Air Observer School, No. 5 Bombing & Gunnery School and the No. 5 Air Navigation & Bombing School. In addition RAF Jurby also played host to a variety of operational squadrons.
  RAF Jurby was originally a grass airfield but was later equipped with hard runways. Operationally it helped protect Belfast and Liverpool from German air raids, being strategically placed in order to offer fighter protection.
  During the 1950s and 60s the No. 1 Initial Training School subsequently replaced by the No. 1 Officer Cadet Training Unit was based at RAF Jurby, jokingly referred to by the trainee cadets as "The Camp on Blood Island".
  Following the closure of the station in 1963, the airfield was used as a diversion for Ronaldsway Airport.
context_section_description: In April 1950 a new role was found for RAF Jurby when the Station became home to No.1 Initial Training School with the Station forming part of 23 Group. No.1 Initial Training School had been formed in 1949 and both wings, under the command of Group Captain John Jefferson, subsequently moved to Jurby with Group Captain Jefferson assuming the role of Station Commander.
  All prospective RAF pilots and navigators, apart from those trained at RAF Cranwell for permanent commissions, underwent 18 months training broken down into three six-month periods. The first six months formed the preliminary training period prior to flying training, the second and third periods would see basic and applied flying introduced.
  RAF Jurby was the first establishment of its kind, however its annual output of 1,600 cadet pilots and cadet navigators was soon found out to be insufficient for operational requirements and as a consequence other schools were formed.
  Under the training programme trainees spent 24 weeks at Jurby, and upon successful completion of the initial stage the prospective candidates would be promoted to the rank of acting pilot officer on probation, this probationary period continuing until the end of the flying training.
  Training at Jurby covered a wide range of subjects including drill, outdoor sport and leadership exercises. The technical syllabus would cover such subjects as meteorology, aerodynamics and radio operations both for communication and navigation.
  Whilst by this stage the Station was not a full-time operational flying station gliding was available to the cadets, this being carried out in two seat Sedbergh trainers. In addition Jurby had a communications flight which contained Chipmunks and Ansons.
  Initiative exercises would also take place in the mountains including survival training and mountain treks and there was also an assault course. During the summer months sailing and fishing would also be available.
  The Station underwent a period of upgrading in early 1951 when new structures for the accommodation and training of personnel were added. These additions comprised barrack rooms and lecture rooms and the conversion of the senior Cadet's Mess into a new Sergeant's Mess. On completion of the upgrade RAF Jurby could accommodate over 800 cadets.
  RAF Jurby produced its own station magazine entitled, "It's Yours." The magazine featured articles and illustrations by Station personnel, and was also of interest to residents of the north of the Isle of Man as many of the articles referred to local issues. The price of the magazine was one shilling.
  Following a reorganisation within the RAF, Jurby became part of 54 Group in May 1951. The Station continued as part of 54 Group until the Group's disbandment in 1953 after which RAF Jurby came under the umbrella of 21 Group. In August 1951 the Station received a visit from Marshal of the Royal Air Force Sir John Slessor who was accompanied by the Commander-in-Chief Flying Training Command, Sir Hugh Walmsley and the Air Officer Commanding 54 Group, Air Commodore Alan Betts.
  In the spring of 1953 it was announced that the No. 1 Initial Training School at RAF Jurby would close at the end of May of that year. All traces of the operation were gone by early June, and RAF Jurby was placed on care and maintenance. 
  Despite the Station being inactive, work continued on the construction of permanent married quarters on the site.
  The period of care and maintenance was short lived, and RAF Jurby became a training establishment for ground-based officers, NCOs and cadets attached to the RAF Regiment and other branches of the service.
  Following the departure of No. 1 Initial Training School, RAF Jurby was subsequently transferred from the Control of No. 54 Group to No. 21 Group, and later in the year to Headquarters No. 22 Group under whose control it was destined to become the No. 1 Officer Cadet Training Unit.
caption: Passing Out Parade of members of No.1 Officer Cadet Training Unit, January 1957.
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