Warrant Officer Michael J Sapsed ATC
29th March 1951 - 18th November 2005 |
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| Warrant Officer Michael J Sapsed ATC |
Mick Sapsed joined the ATC, in Hertfordshire, as a cadet in 1964 and progressed through all the classifications and ranks, leaving due to reaching the upper age limit as a Cadet Warrant Officer. During his time he had attended several Annual Camps and represented his Wing.
He made a career as a game keeper and moved to the Gawdy Hall Estate in Norfolk. When his children were slightly older, he decided that he wanted to give something back to the ATC and so joined 1070 (Diss) Squadron as a Civilian Instructor on 20th December 1995. Realising his potential, Mick was put forward as an Adult Warrant Officer and was appointed on 20th June 1997. The Wing Staff Officer responsible for 1070 at this time said of him "An ex-Cadet with good service, a very enthusiastic and mature applicant with a great deal to offer 1070 Squadron and the Corps."
In March 1998 he attended the Adult Warrant Officer's course at RAF College Cranwell achieving an outstanding pass mark of 80%. The Officer Commanding the Adult Training Facility said in his report that Mick had a very pleasant and engaging personality, great sense of humour and integrated well with his fellow students; and there was no doubt whatsoever that Mick would become a valuable asset to his Squadron.
How true this was to prove.
Combining his love of, and skill at, Marksmanship, Mick quickly qualified as a Range Conducting Officer (RCO) on the No. 8, L98 and Cadet Target Rifle. Being one of the most qualified RCO's in Norfolk and Suffolk Wing, he not only led 1070 to achieve the most Marksmen passes of any Squadron in the Wing but he also contributed greatly to the ability and enjoyment of shooting for cadets across Norfolk and Suffolk for nearly ten years.
However, Mick not only contributed in shooting, he successfully instructed the cadets in drill, leadership and self discipline as well as in the academic subjects. He attended several annual and many weekend camps and put an enormous amount of time and effort into ensuring that the cadets got the best from the Corps.
He believed very much in the principles of the ATC and always focussed on the cadets. He was always forthright, open and honest and any opinions were never self serving but always because he believed them to be in the best interests of the cadets. He had a great loyalty to the Squadron and supported it in every way he could.
His sense of humour, high standards and generous nature will always be remembered by a generation of staff and cadets. He commanded great respect and affection from all who served with and knew him and he will be greatly missed.
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