209424 F/Sgt (Cadet) Robert Mather Air Training Corps As an Air Cadet in 1942 my squadron took part in exercises at Ringway, undergoing elements of the parachute training with No.1 Para. Training School before flying in Whitleys dropping paratroops over Tatton Park. I remember that on my first sortie one of the 8 paras we were carrying didn't quite get it right exiting the aperture. We met him in the NAAFI later on that day wearing several stitches to the inside of his jaw, which made his drinking somewhat difficult. Speaking of drinking, as cadets we were on soft drinks and the biggest bargain around seemed to be the NAAFI lemonade (made from crystals) at 1d a pint served in those straight pint glasses. We imbibed a little too liberally and since then I have difficulty in staring a pint glass in the face and insist that my beer is served in a pint pot with a handle.
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