Air Cadet Volunteer, Sergeant Gareth Bradbury of 121 (Nuneaton) Squadron has become the first Non-Commissioned Officer from the Warwickshire & Birmingham Wing of the Air Training Corps to be awarded the coveted Quinton Memorial Trophy.

The Quinton Memorial Trophy is a prestigious national award, presented annually to the adult Non-Commissioned Officer who has gained the top academic results on the Senior Non-Commissioned Officer Initial Courses held at the Air Cadet Adult Training Facility, Royal Air Force College Cranwell.

The Quinton Memorial Trophy is named in honour of Flight Lieutenant John Alan Quinton, GC, DFC, an RAF navigator on a Wellington aircraft, which was flying an air cadet on an Air Experience Flight in 1951. During the flight, the aircraft was involved in a mid-air collision and Flight Lieutenant Quinton gave the only parachute within reach to the cadet pushing him out of the aircraft. His quick and heroic actions saved the life of the cadet but cost him his own. Such an act of heroism and humanity ranks with the very highest traditions of the Royal Air Force and for his courageous and selfless action Flight Lieutenant John Alan Quinton was awarded the George Cross.

The Quinton Trophy is a commemorative Baton, which all ATC members contributed to as a memorial to the bravery of Flight Lieutenant John Alan Quinton, GC, DFC, RAF. The Baton was originally awarded annually at RAF Halton to the highest achieving ATC cadet entrant. In 1993 when the RAF Holton School closed the Quinton Memorial Trophy was transferred to RAF Cranwell where the trophies link to academic excellence within the Air Cadet movement is maintained.

On announcing Sergeant Bradbury's success Group Captain Brett Morrell, Central & East Regional Commandant wrote, “I am delighted to be associated with this superb result for Sergeant Gareth Bradbury, who by definition is the most outstanding Senior Non-Commissioned Officer student to pass through the Adult Training Facility, Cranwell during 2010. I have come to expect good things from 121 ( Nuneaton ) Squadron however, this result has really put the icing on 121's cake. Coming 1st out of 241 students is an exceptional performance by any standard and I am delighted to be able to pass on my very best wishes to Sergeant Gareth Bradbury and congratulate him for a task very well done!

On hearing the news of his award, Sergeant Bradbury said, “When I started my course at Cranwell, my main concern was not making a complete hash of it and failing, but to my astonishment on the last day it was announced that I was the top student on the course. I was aware that the marks of all the top students go through to find the winner of the Quinton Memorial Trophy but never for one moment thought it would be me.”

Her Majesty's Lord Lieutenant for the County of Warwickshire, Martin Dunne, also expressed his admiration for the effort and commitment shown by Sergeant Gareth Bradbury and congratulated him on his outstanding achievement when he attended the Squadrons presentation evening.

The official presentation of the 2010 Quinton Memorial Trophy to Sergeant Gareth Bradbury was conducted on 30th September 2011 by Squadron Leader Bryan Coats.

On presenting Gareth with his award, Squadron Leader Coats said, “This is truly an outstanding achievement, the first time that anyone from the Warwickshire & Birmingham Wing has received the Quinton Memorial Trophy.

Wing Commander Pravin Ladwa, Officer Commanding Warwickshire & Birmingham Wing, who was unable to attend the formal presentation, also passed on his praise for Sergeant Bradbury's success, saying that, “Sergeant Gareth Bradbury's exceptional performance has indeed shown the quality of our adult staff. I hope that Gareth's accomplishment will act as an example of what can be achieved to all of our new adult volunteers as they attend their own training Courses at RAF Cranwell. Well done Gareth.”