1224 (Wharfedale) Squadron

08/09/2026

03/09/2026

A fantastic evening tonight celebrating our newly refurbished squadron building. Thank you to all who came.

28/08/2026

1224 (Wharfedale) Squadron, Royal Air Force Air Cadets is holding a recruitment evening in September for young people from across the Ilkley area on Thursday 10th September.

The Squadron offers cadets the opportunity to take part in a wide range of activities, including flying, gliding, first aid, adventure training, target shooting, STEM, fieldcraft, leadership and much more — all while developing confidence, teamwork and valuable transferable life skills.

Young people in Year 8 or above who are interested in joining are invited to attend an open evening at the Squadron’s newly refurbished headquarters in Ilkley in early September. It will be an opportunity to meet current cadets and staff, see the facilities and find out more about the activities and opportunities available.

Places at the open evening are limited, those interested should register their interest at 1224atc.org. The Squadron will then be in touch with further details, including the location and time of the open evening.

22/07/2026

Three of our Cadets were able to take to the skies today for an Air Experience Flight in a Grove Tutor T1 at RAF Leeming.

In addition to all cadets getting airborne they were treated to a flying display by the Swiss Air Force P-7 display team as well as Hawks and Typhoons!

07/07/2026

Today, FS White visited Rheinburg War Cemetery to lay a wreath on behalf of the Squadron at the grave of Pilot Officer Dennis Mapleson.

Dennis had been a cadet at 1224 Squadron before joining the Royal Air Force as a Wireless Operator.

He was tragically killed at the age of 21, along with the rest of his crew, when his Lancaster Bomber crashed in Germany on 12th September 1944.

Lest We Forget

15/06/2026

Last week we made two well deserved promotions at 1224.

Congratulations to FS Joli and Sgt Davis!

28/05/2026

15/05/2026

Last night we were visited by Wing Commander Yeadon who presented FS White with a commendation in recognition of his efforts in commemorating the RCAF crew who lost their lives in the crash at Beamsley Beacon. 👏🏼

13/05/2026

A local man has received royal recognition for his outstanding work commemorating the crew of a wartime Lancaster bomber that crashed on Beamsley Beacon.Flight Sergeant Sam White of 1224 (Wharfedale) Squadron RAF Air Cadets was invited to Buckingham Palace for a Royal Garden Party in recognition of....

11/05/2026

Some recognition for one of our own staff as Flight Sergeant Sam White was recently invited to Buckingham Palace for a Royal Garden Party in recognition of his efforts surrounding the memorial for the RCAF Lancaster bomber crash on Beamsley Beacon.

Sam worked tirelessly to identify and contact the descendants of the Canadian crew involved, bringing families together from across generations and helping organise the deeply moving 80th anniversary memorial event at Bolton Priory last year.