2200 Oldham Squadron
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A History of 2200 (Oldham) SquadronFormed on 10 February
1949 The town of Oldham and its districts have a long tradition of support for the Air Training Corps. Indeed, within five days of the creation, by Royal warrant, of the ATC official approval was received for an Oldham wing of two squadrons (Nos 325 and 326) on 10 February 1941. Continuing enrolment in the early months led to the formation of a third Oldham Squadron (1482) and detached flights and squadrons in the outlying districts. In Saddleworth (an area to the east of the town containing a number of Pennine villages) a full squadron (No 1848) was formed in early 1943 with three detached flights, based at Uppermill (which also housed the Squadron Headquarters), Springhead and Greenfield. In the contraction of the ATC in the years immediately following the end of the 1939-1945 war, it is understood that the Oldham wing 'broke up', and that the remaining membership essentially divided into two squadrons, one of which was 2200 Squadron which was formed on 10 February 1949. Quite why the squadron was given a new number rather than retaining the original Saddleworth number (1848) is not known, but it may be because the new squadron met at St Thomas' junior school in Lees, a village connecting Saddleworth and Oldham. What is known is that the full title of the squadron was '2200 (Lees and District) Squadron'. It is believed that it was in the mid-1950's that the squadron moved to the old drill hall in Uppermill (now a restaurant) and it is presumed that at this time the squadron changed its name to '2200 (Saddleworth and District) Squadron'. Further moves, at undetermined dates, to two other locations in Uppermill followed, the last being to Station Road, where the squadron remained for a considerable period. It is clear from press reports that 2200 played a full part in local activities and events and, in true Saddleworth tradition, proudly possessed a full brass band! In July 1980 the squadron was forced to leave its Uppermill base and, after a protracted but futile search for alternative premises locally, moved 'over the border' to the outskirts of Oldham, to its present site on Wellyhole Street. Again, a squadron title change followed, to '2200 (Leesfield) Squadron'. The name is thought to relate to the area of Oldham in which the squadron is located (between Lees and Clarksfield). In 1988 the squadron changed its name once again to '2200 (Oldham) Squadron' to reflect the fact that its cadets come from all areas of the town and local district. The squadron crest and motto were adopted at this time, the owl having long been associated with Oldham, being displayed on the town's coat of arms, and the motto representing the values of the ATC ethos.
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