During the period 1939 to 2000, the station trained tens of thousands of engineers in the maintenance of aircraft then radar, radio and computers.

Early in 1938 the Government purchased 250 acres (100 ha) of land near to the village of Locking and warned adjacent landowners not to sell further property.

Speculation about its use was ended when the House of Commons was notified of additional technical training camps during the RAF Expansion Debate on 12th May 1938.

Its role was to train new RAF and Fleet Air Arm entrants in the trades of aircraft mechanics, airframes, carpentry, fabric working and parachute packing.

RAF training continued and by the end of WW2 the station had developed into a huge settlement comprising hutted accommodation, classrooms and offices, workshops and hangars.

[4] Aircraft used for training included Avro Ansons, Gloster Meteors, Hawker Hunters and a Handley Page Victor.

Recruits needed nomination by an approved organisation such as their local education authority or the Boy Scouts Association.

During its time at RAF Locking it supported training of apprentices, adult trainees of all UK forces and many overseas students.

President of the Association, The Honourable Mayor of Weston-super-Mare, Squadron Leader John Clark (Retired) ex Flight Commander RAF Locking, the Chairman of Locking Parish Council, St Modwen Southwest Regional Director, St Modwen Senior Development Manager, representatives from Homes England, and the Branch Secretary of the Weston-Super-Mare Royal Air Force Association.

The band undertook multiple overseas tours including one accompanying The Queen on a state visit to Thailand.

Of all the new buildings that were so established, when the station was bulldozed in 2004 only St Andrews (PMUB) church survived and was converted to the Locking Parklands Community Centre.

[3]: 105 One of the factors which governed the switch from apprentice to adult recruits was the raising of school leaving age in England and Wales in the early 1970s.

Trade practices were included to develop workshop skills in correct use of tools, soldering, wiring terminations and basic filing and shaping of various materials.

Published statistics indicate that after re-development, No1 Radio School provided initial or further technical training to over 14,000 personnel of which 1,700 were foreign students.

He returned, promoted to the rank of Air Commodore in April 1941 HRH Princess Margaret visited the station in 1953, 1955, 1974 and 1994.

In 1979 she returned in the rank of Air Marshall In 1978 Anne, Princess Royal attended a cadet rally at RAF Locking.

In December 1981, a disastrously high tide caused by an unexpected change in wind direction resulted in significant flooding in Weston-super-Mare and especially Uphill.

Entry was open to any service or cadet team with the intention of making money for BSAD and providing fun and excitement for the passengers.

[3] The final Freedom of Weston Parade was held on 23rd September 1998 and was honoured by a flypast by Spitfire MK356 of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and once gate guardian at RAF Locking.