When 1039 (Gillingham) Squadron first opened its doors in February 1942, the cadets met at Gillingham Grammar School for Boys in Third Avenue, Gillingham.

That August, it moved to Barnsole Road, Gillingham, to a site previously occupied by Littles Builders. The upstairs room was converted into a main hall with a stage at one end, built by the cadets, and the workshops were converted into Morse signal cubicles. The squadron remained here until it was disbanded at the end of the Second World War.

When the squadron reformed in 1950, the new headquarters was the Drill Hall in Watling Street, Gillingham, which consisted of three Nissen Huts. At the same time, the WTA were training in a former nursery in Marlborough Road, Gillingham, and asked if 1039 (Gillingham) Squadron would agree to exchange premises. Believing the new site to be more suitable to the squadron’s requirements, the officers and Civilian Committee agreed.

Since 3 February 2014, 1039 (Gillingham) Squadron has met at its new, purpose-built headquarters in Watling Street, Gillingham. It shares the site with two local Army Cadet detachments, but has its own offices, classrooms and training hall, which were officially opened by Group Captain Leslie Hakin, Regional Commandant for London & South East Region Air Cadets, on 4 July 2014.

Formation

24 February 1941

Civilian Committee Chairmen

Alderman F W Bowman JP

Mr W Goddard

Mr E Frowe

Mr K Smith

Ms S Jones

Mr D Jackson

Flt Lt L West RAFVR(T) (Ret'd)

Mr F McSherry

Mrs M Butcher

Mrs M MacArthur