On the 1 st December, Staff, Cadets and former members of the Warwickshire & Birmingham Wing gathered to pay their final respects to their former Wing Commanding Officer, Wing Commander George Hanson RAFVR(T) (Ret'd) T.Eng., F.I.M.I., M.R.Ae.S

The representatives of the Warwickshire & Birmingham Wing joined Wing Commander George Hanson's family and friends at the Robin Hood Crematorium in Hall Green, Birmingham , for the funeral service to commemorate the life of a much respected Officer, Colleague and Friend.

The Air Cadet Band of 194 (BSA) Squadron led the Standards and funeral cortege as they approached the chapel. Uniformed members of the Wing and serving RAF personnel stood in silent tribute and paid their final compliment to their former Commanding Officer by saluting as the cortege arrived.

George Hanson's career in the Air Cadet movement started back in 1938 when he joined the first day intake of 113 Squadron of the Air Defence Cadet Corps at Elvetham Road , Edgbaston, Birmingham . In 1941 George also became one of the founding members of the Air Training Corps when he joined 1459 (Heart of England ) Squadron.

In 1941 George joined the RAF Volunteer Reserve and trained as a Flight Mechanic at RAF Hednesford in Staffordshire before being posted overseas. Thus started his much loved story about his epic journey half way around the world on the t roopship SS Aorangi to Durban , South Africa where he spent 11 weeks before moving onto South East Asia Command India, where he saw wartime service in Bombay , Karachi , Canur and Jodhpur . In March 1946, George Returned home and was posted to RAF Castle Bromwich before being demobbed in November 1946.

George rejoined the Air Training Corps as a Civilian Instructor with 194 (BSA) Squadron. He was commissioned into the RAFVR(T) and rapidly rose through the ranks to become Officer Commanding 194 Squadron. After 19 years with 194 Sqn George went on to serve a further 6 years as a Wing Staff Officer before being promoted to the rank of Wing Commander in the post of Officer Commanding Warwickshire & Birmingham Wing, a position he held until his retirement from the Corps in August 1983.

The line up of officers in attendance included three of Wing Commander George Hanson's successors to the post of Officer Commanding Warwickshire & Birmingham Wing; Wg Cdr John Dawe (Ret'd), Wg Cdr Steve Mills and current incumbent of the post Wg Cdr Pravin Ladwa.

Wg Cdr Pravin Ladwa Officer Commanding Warwickshire & Birmingham Wing said, “Wing Commander George Hanson was the Officer Commanding 194 (BSA) Squadron when I joined as a cadet in 1967. He was a leader that everyone who knew him had a great respect for. He was my mentor and I wouldn't be where I am today if it wasn't for the leadership of George Hanson. He was a great leader and more importantly a great friend who did a lot for youth”.

g Cdr Pravin Ladwa went on to say, “I would like to thank all the staff and cadets past and present for attending today and giving George an excellent send off. Finally, on behalf of the Warwickshire & Birmingham Wing I would also like to further extend our condolences to George's wife Jean and his family, he was not only a great colleague, but a great friend to everyone who knew him. He will be sorely missed. ”