Commanding Officers, 107 (Aberdeen) Sqn ATC
Pen Pictures

Sqn Ldr Harvey Goodwin MacKintosh RAF (OC 107 Sqn 1939 – 1943)
Harvey Mackintosh was a cadet in the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) and was appointed a commission on 5 Jul 1917, nine months before the RAF was formed.   As a Lieutenant in Jan 1919, he was transferred to the unemployed list.   In 1921, Mackintosh was restored as a Flying Officer to serve on a temporary basis in the RAF, albeit only for a few months.   On 12 Apr 1939, the Aberdeen Cadet Council granted Sqn Ldr F Crerar (OC 612 Sqn RAuxAF) power to appoint the first commanding officer of 107 Sqn.   By early May 1939, Harvey MacKintosh was selected and appointed to a commission once again to lead 107 Sqn ADCC.   MacKintosh remained OC 107 Sqn (likely as Flt Lt) from its transition into the Air Training Corps in Feb 1941 until early 1943.   In 1943 he is known to have held the rank of Squadron Leader once again and was in post as Officer Commanding Aberdeen Wing.   He retired from the ATC and resigned from the Training Branch of the RAF on 22 Aug 1945

Flt Lt Charles George Fraser RAF (OC 107 Sqn 1943 – 1953)
On 30 March 1941, Charles (Charlie) Fraser was commissioned as a Pilot Officer in the RAF Training Branch “for the duration of hostilities”.   It is not known if he served initially with the RAF or whether his appointment was solely to fulfil a staff position within the ATC.   Charles Fraser took over command of 107 Sqn on the appointment of Harvey MacKintosh to OC Aberdeen Wing on or before March 1943.   With more than 10 years in charge, Flt Lt Fraser is the longest serving Commanding Officer of 107 Sqn.   Flt Lt Fraser took ill and died at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary on 31 Jul 1953.   Fg Off Alexander Dale was appointed Acting OC 107 Sqn.

Sqn Ldr Alexander Robb Dale RAF VR(T) (OC 107 Sqn 1953 – 1960)
Sandy Dale was a founder cadet of 107 Sqn, joining in 1939 or 1940.   In 1942, he joined the war effort and enlisted in the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm as an Observer.   In Oct 1946, he was appointed to a commission in the RAF Training Branch (later transferred to RAF VR(T)) as a squadron officer on 107 Sqn ATC.   After the death of Flt Lt Fraser, Flying Officer Dale was appointed OC 107 Sqn and promoted to Flight Lieutenant in Aug 1953.   Sandy Dale was a formidable leader and grew the squadron strength to beyond 120 enrolled cadets – which brought about a re-grading of the squadron and a promotion to Squadron Leader by 1957.   In Dec 1960, Sqn Ldr Dale transferred to an appointment as a Wing Staff Officer with Aberdeen & North East Scotland Wing and was later appointed Officer Commanding ANES Wing and promoted to Wing Commander (1968 – 1984).   After retiring his commission Sandy Dale once again returned to 107 Sqn, this time as Chairman of the 107 Sqn Civilian Welfare Committee (1985 – 1997).   Sandy Dale had a 58-year association with 107 Sqn.   Sandy Dale died in 1998.

Flt Lt Robert McHattie DFC MA RAF VR(T) (OC 107 Sqn 1960 – 1964)
Born on 1 Mar 1916 in Glenrinnes (Dufftown), Robert McHattie attended school in Aberdeen then University where he achieved his MA.   In 1939, at 22 years old, he joined Aberdeen City Police before being granted leave to join the RAF in support of the war effort, in late 1939 or 1940.   He joined as a cadet recruit and by 1944 he was a Flight Sergeant pilot and captain of Avro Lancasters based at RAF Ludford Magna in Lincolnshire.   In March 1944, on his first tour of operations with 101 (Special Operations) Sqn he flew four strategic area bombing raids at Stuttgart, Frankfurt, Aulnoye and, the now infamous “Nuremberg raid”.   The latter mission was Bomber Command’s greatest single loss of the war with 64 Lancasters and 31 Halifaxes shot down – during the raid 101 Sqn lost 27% of its crews dispatched.

On 12 April 1944 he was appointed to a commission in the RAF Volunteer Reserve.   By late July 1944, McHattie had completed 31 successful missions in his first tour as captain of a 101 Sqn Lancaster against targets in Germany, Netherlands, Belgium and France and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC). His first tour (see tour log - PDF 600KB) included some massive mobbing campaigns in raids of more than 800 Lancaster & Halifax aircraft as well as smaller raids of 100-200 aircraft against rail networks, factories and V1 (doodle-bug) flying bomb sites.   In the month preceding the D-Day landings, and the start of Operation Overlord, McHattie flew numerous missions.   On 4 Jun 1944 he bombed coastal gun batteries at Sangatte in the Pas de Calais and on the night of 5 June, McHattie flew one of 24 ABC-equipped Lancasters to jam the German night-fighter radio communications in support of the airborne invasion forces; this sortie is listed on his DFC citation as “Special Patrol”.   Bomber Command set a new record for the number of sorties flown that night and British, American and Canadian forces landed on five Normandy beaches early the next morning.   McHatties DFC citation reads:

By Oct 1944, he was promoted to Flying Officer and it is expected that he would have continued flying through 1945 before being transferred to the unemployed list on cessation of hostilities in late 1945.   At its peak, 101 Squadron had 42 Lancasters on its establishment.   The Sqn lost 145 Lancasters on operations during WWII and 1176 aircrew were killed in action.

In 1950, McHattie was appointed to a commission in the RAF Volunteer Reserve Training Branch as a squadron officer with the ATC.   In Dec 1960 he was appointed OC 107 Sqn in the rank of Flight Lieutenant.   He stood down as OC 107 Sqn and retired from the ATC in 1964; His commission was formally resigned on 26 Mar 1965.   After retiring, at age 49 years, Bob McHattie was a Member of the 107 Sqn Civilian Welfare Committee from 1965 until at least Nov 1973.   Bob McHattie died in Sep 1989.

Flt Lt Stewart Shepherd Adams RAF VR(T) (OC 107 Sqn 1964 – 1973)
Stewart Adams was appointed to a commission in the RAF VR(T) in April 1954 and served for a period of 4 years before resigning in May 1958.   After a period of some 6 years, he once again accepted a commission in the RAF VR(T) in Jan 1964 and was appointed OC 107 Sqn the same year.   Flt Lt Adams served as Commanding Officer of 107 Sqn for more than 9 years and resigned on 31 Dec 1973 on account of increasing pressures of business.   He remained commissioned beyond this date.   Flt Lt Adams was an experienced officer who led the squadron to many successes including Scotland and Northern Ireland Regional “Sir Allan Lees” efficiency competition in 1967 and 1973.

Flt Lt Charles Simpson Forbes RAF VR(T) (OC 107 Sqn 1974 – 1976)
Charles Forbes (Charlie) joined the RAF as a direct entrant (LAC) during WWII and was appointed to a commission in the RAFVR General Duties Branch as Pilot Officer in April 1944.   He was promoted to Fg Off RAFVR in Oct 1944 and to Flt Lt RAFVR in April 1946.   In Jan 1953, Forbes was commissioned in the Royal Auxiliary Air Force (RAuxAF) as Fg Off.   He was promoted once again to Flt Lt in Feb 1955 and was transferred to the Reserve List of Officers in 1957 upon the disbandment of the RAuxAF.   During his service with the RAuxAF, Forbes was a Vampire FB Mk 5 pilot with 612 Sqn based at Dyce, Aberdeen.   During his RAFVR service it is believed that Forbes was a Spitfire pilot.

In 1972, Charles Forbes was persuaded to join 107 Sqn by his former 612 Sqn CO (Sqn Ldr Robertson) who was, at that time, Chairman of 107 Sqn Civilian Committee; he was commissioned in the RAF VR(T) in Jan 1973 and was appointed OC 107 Sqn in Jan 1974, initially as Fg Off.   In 1975 he was promoted to Flt Lt however ill health forced him to resign as OC 107 Sqn and from his commission in Nov 1976.   After leaving uniformed service, Forbes joined the 107 Sqn Civilian Committee and was elected chairman for 4-1/2 years in succession to Sqn Ldr Robertson (Mar 1979 – Oct 1983).   Charles Forbes died in April 1987 and was survived by his wife, Betty.

Flt Lt William Rendell Ferrier RAF VR(T) (OC 107 Sqn 1977 – 1980)
Initially a cadet at 107 Sqn, Rendell Ferrier was appointed to a commission in the RAF VR(T) in Nov 1966.   He was a squadron officer and Adjutant at 107 Sqn while Flt Lt Adams was CO, before being transferred to OC 102 (Dyce) Sqn ATC.   In Mar 1977, Flt Lt Ferrier was transferred back to 107 Sqn as Commanding Officer.   In Oct 1980, after some months of unease between the Civilian Committee and the uniformed staff, Flt Lt Ferrier resigned his commission.

Flt Lt Ian Morrison MA RAF VR(T) (OC 107 Sqn 1980 – 1982)
Ian Morrison joined 1731 (Isle of Lewis) Sqn ATC in 1950 as a cadet in his home town of Stornoway and reached the rank of Cdt Sgt.   He served in the RAF 1954 – 1957 before returning to Stornoway where he rejoined 1731 Squadron as an AWO.   In 1959 he left once again, this time to serve with the police in Northern Rhodesia (now The Republic of Zambia).   After independence in 1964, he moved to Aberdeen to study and graduate as a secondary school teacher.

In 1975, he renewed his connection with the ATC by joining 2368 (Aberdeen Airport) Sqn and was appointed to a commission as a Pilot Officer in the RAF VR(T) in May 1975.   He served with 2368 Sqn for 5 years as Training Officer before being transferred to 107 Sqn and appointed OC Sqn, in the rank of Flt Lt in Oct 1980.   Flt Lt Morrison resigned as OC 107 Sqn and from the RAF VR(T) in Aug 1982.   After his resignation, Flt Lt Morrison joined the 107 Sqn Civilian Committee and was Chairman (Oct 1983 – Jun 1985).   He remained on the Civilian Committee as a Member until at least May 1997.   Ian Morrison died in 2007.

Flt Lt Malcolm Alexander Reid BSc RAF VR(T) (OC 107 Sqn 1982 – 1986)
Malcolm Reid was appointed as a Civilian Instructor in Oct 1979 before being appointed to a commission in the RAF VR(T) in Feb 1981.   18 months after his appointment as Pilot Officer , Reid was appointed OC 107 Sqn in Aug 1982 – a position he held for four years.   Due to a change in ownership of his employer, his job was relocated and in Oct 1986, Malcolm Reid moved to Crewe, Cheshire.

Flt Lt Mark Peter Ansell RAF VR(T) (OC 107 Sqn 1986 – 1989)
Mark Ansell was appointed to a commission in the RAF VR(T) in April 1972 and was an experienced time-served Flt Lt by the time he was appointed OC 107 Sqn in Oct 1986.   Flt Lt Ansell was presented with the Cadet Forces Medal (CFM) in May 1985.   In July 1989, after 17 years commissioned service, Flt Lt Ansell resigned as OC 107 Sqn and from the RAF VR(T).

Flt Lt William Thomas Wilson RAF VR(T) (OC 107 Sqn 1989 – 1993)
Bill Wilson joined the ATC as a cadet in May 1964 with 1089 (7th Glasgow) Squadron.   He attained the rank of Cdt F/Sgt and was appointed a Civilian Instructor in 1970.   In May 1972 he was appointed to a commission in the RAF VR(T).  

In 1983 he joined 107 Sqn and was promoted to Flt Lt (time-served) in May 1984.  Flt Lt Wilson was presented with the Cadet Forces Medal (CFM) in May 1985 before being granted some 5 months leave of absence.   By the time he was appointed OC 107 Sqn in Aug 1989 he was already an experienced officer.   In 1993, Flt Lt Wilson was under pressure to vacate position of OC 107 Sqn to move on to Wing Staff, however he was reluctant for such a move.   In Aug 1993, after 21 years commissioned service, Flt Lt Wilson resigned as OC 107 Sqn and from the RAF VR(T).

Flt Lt Keith Hamilton Lawson RAF VR(T) (OC 107 Sqn 1993 – 1994)
Keith Lawson joined 107 Sqn as a cadet in Dec 1981 and attained the rank of CWO before being appointed as a Civilian Instructor in Aug 1988.   In Jan 1990 he was granted a commission in the RAF VR(T) and was Adjutant & Training Officer at 107 Sqn.   He was promoted to Fg Off in Jan 1992 and appointed OC 107 Sqn in rank of Flt Lt in Aug 1993.   Lawson was CO for a very short period before resigning and moving to London (during April – Aug 1994).

Sqn Ldr Thomas Alexander Milne RAF VR(T)
Tom Milne was appointed to a commission in the RAF VR(T) in Jun 1980 and served in various roles before becoming Wing Staff Officer in the rank of Sqn Ldr.   In 1994, when Flt Lt Lawson resigned as OC 107 Sqn, Sqn Ldr Milne was appointed to a ‘caretaker’ role looking after the command of 107 Sqn until a suitable replacement could be sought.   After around 3-5 months command was transferred to a newly commissioned officer, Pilot Officer Chris Reid.   Tom Milne was later appointed OC Aberdeen Wing and promoted to Wg Cdr.   He resigned as Wg Cdr in Sep 2000.

Plt Off Christopher Bruce Reid RAF VR(T) (OC 107 Sqn 1994 – 1995)
Chris Reid was a cadet of 107 Sqn reaching the rank of Cadet Warrant Officer.   In May 1994 he was appointed to a commission in the RAF VR(T) and was, almost immediately, appointed Acting OC 107 Sqn, in the rank of Pilot Officer.   In approximately Sep 1995 he resigned as OC 107 Sqn before moving to Southampton.   His commission was relinquished in his absence, after a four year period, in May 1998.

Fg Off Barbara Elizabeth Ritchie RAF VR(T) (OC 107 Sqn 1995 – 1997)
Barbara Ritchie was appointed to a commission in the RAF VR(T) in Jan 1991 and served initially as a squadron officer with 865 (Portlethen) Sqn ATC.   In Sep 1995, Fg Off Ritchie was appointed OC 107 Sqn and promoted to Flt Lt.   Flt Lt Ritchie resigned as OC 107 Sqn and from the RAF VR(T) on 28 Feb 1997.   Barbara Ritchie joined the 107 Sqn Civilian Committee and served as Honorary Treasurer through to around 2002.

Plt Off Alexander Grieg Thom RAF VR(T) (OC 107 Sqn 1997 – 1998)
Sandy Thom was a cadet at 107 Sqn, attaining the rank of Cadet Warrant Officer.   In June 1996 he was granted a commission in the RAF VR(T).   With the resignation of Flt Lt Ritchie, and after only 8 months uniformed staff service, Plt Off Thom was appointed OC 107 Sqn.   Pl Off Thom remained OC 107 Sqn for around 12 months and resigned in Spring 1998.   His commission was relinquished in his absence, after a four year period, in June 2000.

Fg Off Robert George Smith RAF VR(T) (OC 107 Sqn 1998 – 1999)
Bob Smith was appointed to a commission in Jun 1997 and, within a year, was appointed OC 107 Sqn in the rank of Fg Off.   In November 1999, Fg Off Smith resigned as OC 107 Sqn and command was transferred to Fg Off Derek Anderson.   After resigning as OC 107 Sqn, Fg Off Smith held various roles in Aberdeen Wing, mostly as a Wing Staff Officer in the ranks of Flt Lt & Sqn Ldr.   He held a short appointment as a Regional Staff Officer, Sqn Ldr.   Sqn Ldr Smith is currently Wing Staff Officer and Deputy Officer Commanding Aberdeen Wing.

Flt Lt Derek Ian Anderson RAF VR(T) (OC 107 Sqn 1999 – 2000)
Derek Anderson was appointed to a commission in the RAF VR(T) in June 1996 and was promoted to Fg Off in June 1998 whilst with 2489 (Bridge of Don) Sqn ATC.   In Nov 1999 he transferred from 2489 Sqn to OC 107 Sqn and was promoted to Flt Lt, albeit for a very brief period.   In early 2000 after only a few months in command, Flt Lt Anderson resigned as OC 107 Sqn and was re-graded to Fg Off.   Subsequently, Fg Off Anderson held a role on Wing Staff.   Derek Anderson was employed by Grampian Television in Aberdeen before relocating to London in around 2005.

Flt Lt Derick Stewart RAF VR(T) (OC 107 Sqn 2000 – 2002)
Derick Stewart was an Adult Warrant Officer (ATC) with 107 Sqn before being appointed to a commission in Jan 2000.   Almost immediately thereafter, Plt Off Stewart was appointed Acting OC 107 Sqn.   In Aug 2000, Plt Off Stewart was appointed OC 107 Sqn in the rank of Flt Lt.   Flt Lt Stewart resigned as OC 107 Sqn in Aug 2002 and transferred on to Wing Staff in the rank of Flt Lt and is currently the Wing Flying and Gliding Liaison Officer (FGLO).   Derick is employed as a Prison Officer.

Flt Lt Bruce William Lumsden BEng RAF VR(T) (OC 107 Sqn 2002 – 2009)
Bruce Lumsden was a cadet with 2311 (Leslie & Glenrothes) Sqn ATC from 1990 to 1999, reaching the rank of Cadet Warrant Officer.   He was a Civilian Instructor for a short period between Sep 1999 and Feb 2000 before being appointed Adult Warrant Officer (ATC) in Feb 2000.   During this period Bruce Lumsden completed his degree in Civil Engineering at Dundee University and relocated to Aberdeen and transferred to 107 Sqn.   In Feb 2002 he was appointed to a commission in the RAF VR(T) and, 6-months later, was appointed OC 107 Sqn and promoted to Flt Lt on 1 Sep 2002.

Flt Lt Lumsden is supported by a strong staff team who have built up a very successful squadron.   107 Sqn has won the Wing Efficiency Competition “MacRobert Trophy” in six consecutive years 2003-2008.   Flt Lt Lumsden is a keen mountaineer holding Summer and Winter Mountain Leader qualifications.   He has climbed in many areas of the UK and overseas including in the Alps, Norway, Russian Caucassus and Kyrgyzstan.   Bruce continues with his career in offshore subsea construction and is currently OC 107 Sqn.

Flt Lt Ryan Daniel Jackson RAFVR(T) (OC 107 Sqn Dec 2009 - Aug 2010)
Ryan Jackson, previously OC with 347 (Dudley) Squadron joined 107 Squadron in May 2009 and spent time as the Training Officer.  In December 2009 he took over as OC and departed in August 2010 having moved away from Aberdeen.

Fg Off Gregory William Sinclair BSc (Hons) RAFVR(T) (OC 107 Sqn Aug 2010 – Apr 2012)
Gregory Sinclair joined 1285 (Caithness) Sqn ATC in his hometown of Wick in August 2000.  He quickly rose through the ranks and was promoted to Cadet Flight Sergeant in 2004.  Upon completing his Secondary School education in he relocated to read Physics with Chemistry at the University of Aberdeen in September 2005, Gregory transferred 107 (Aberdeen) Sqn later that year.  As a Cadet, Gregory completed a Gliding Scholarship, attended the Air Cadet Parachute Course and attended many camps around the UK.  Gregory aged out as a Cadet Warrant Officer in June 2007.

After nearly a year as a Civilian Instructor, Gregory was Commissioned into the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (Training branch) on the 2nd June 2008.  As a Squadron Officer he was responsible for flying & gliding, and designed and built the 107 Sqn flight simulator.   During this period Gregory completed his degree in Physics with Chemistry. Gregory was appointed as the 107 Sqn Adjutant in September 2009.

In August 2010 Gregory assumed Command of 107 (Aberdeen) Squadron.  He was supported by a strong staff team who worked hard to increase cadet numbers and diversify the training program with new activities.  During this time the squadron achieved much success, achieving recognition for classification training and public relations.

In April 2012, after 18 months in Command, Gregory was selected to join the Royal Navy as a Weapons Engineer Officer.

Flt Lt Paul Andrew Bond BSc (Hons) MInstLM RAFVR(T) (OC 107 Sqn Apr 2012 – Oct 2012)
Flt Lt Bond started his ATC career at the age of 13 on 1070 (Diss) Squadron in Norfolk and Suffolk Wing where he participated in numerous events and Squadron functions, but was especially interested in flying, gliding and target shooting.  His most memorable experience was representing Central and East Region in the inter-Region shooting competition.

He left the Squadron in 2004 having achieved the “Best Cadet” award and being promoted to the rank of Cadet Sergeant.  Whilst completing 'A' Levels in Devon he transferred to 1322 (Newton Abbot) Squadron, in Devon and Somerset Wing, South West Region, where he reached the rank of Instructor Cadet Warrant Officer.

Flt Lt Bond then moved back to Norfolk and Suffolk Wing where he finished his cadet career.  In 2007, on his 20th birthday he was awarded the Queen’s Commission in the Training branch of the Royal Air Force Reserve, taking temporary command of 221 (Great Yarmouth) Squadron.

Shortly after this he moved to Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire Wing whilst he read Sports Science at Anglia Ruskin University.  He attended 104 (City of Cambridge) Squadron where he served in many capacities but specifically enjoyed his role as a Squadron field craft instructor and training officer.  It was during this time that Flt Lt Bond helped to set up the Regional Activity Centre at RAFC Cranwell and also assisted in the running of (Central and East) Region Field Day competitions.  He was promoted to the rank of Flying Officer in December 2009.   In 2010, Flt Lt Bond completed his degree, achieving a First Class BSc (Hons), in Sports Science. He then moved to Aberdeen in order to train as a Dentist.  He transferred to 107 (Aberdeen) Squadron, in September 2010 where he served as Training Officer and Adjutant.  Flt Lt Bond assumed command of 107 (Aberdeen) Squadron in the rank of Flight Lieutenant during April 2012 whilst he also served as the Wing Deputy Media Communications Officer and as a member of the Small Arms Training Team.  Flt Lt Bond was transferred to the RAF in October 2012 after only six months in command.