Arborfield
1939 – May
Opened as the second Army Technical School (Boys) with boys transferring from Hilsea, Jersey, Bramley, Didcot and Chepstow, also from Catterick in 1943. Badged RAOC followed by GSC. Those destined for REME were rebadged after its formation in 1942.
1947 – August
Name changed to Army Apprentices School and new AAS badge adopted. Name changed to Army Apprentices College and apprentices rebadged to REME who took control of it from the War Office .
1966 – October
Name changed to Army Apprentices College and apprentices rebadged to REME who took control of it from the War Office .
1981 – May
Name changed to Princess Marina College
1985
REME apprentices were joined by RAMC /RADC apprentices
1994 -Sept
The first female apprentices are admitted.
1995 -Aug
Name changed back to Army Apprentices College.
1997
REME apprentices were joined by incoming Royal Signals apprentices.
1998
They were joined by RE and RLC apprentices.
2000
Name changed to Army Technical Foundation College with RE, Royal Signals, REME and RLC sub-units
2004
Closure of College and end of the young Army Apprenticeship scheme.
my late husband 23534711 WILLIAM ARTHUR HAYDEN FOWLER (FOXY FOWLER)
WAS AN INTAKE 58A till 1961 at Arborfield.
Bill was killed in Germany 30th September 1967
our army boxes which were being stored for by the army
unfortunately some of them were destroyed by fire.
among the boxes destroyed were Bill’s days at Arborfield .
wonder if there is anyone remembers Bill he used to box, and have any photos of those days
Hi Ruby,
Very nice to hear from you.
We do have a number of 58A lads around, and I have made contact with one asking them to make contact with you, so with luck you should hear from someone in the next few days.
God Bless
David Schofield