#5 British Flying Training School

Clewiston, Florida

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Welcome

This site is dedicated to the British cadet trainee pilots, instructors and staff at Embry-Riddle and 5BFTS, which was located at Riddle Field, Clewiston, Florida and Carlstrom Field, Arcadia, Florida, USA from 1941 to 1945. The task was to train new pilots for the Royal Air Force. Many of these served their country in WWII and beyond. Many gave their lives so that we may know freedom.

Newsletters

Newsletters will be published three times a year. We owe our thanks to Jenny Harding who has kindly volunteered to prepare these.

If you would like something included in the next Newsletter, please contact us using the "Contact us" tab above.

Please click on the newsletter below that you wish to see.

 

The 50th and Final Annual Reunion 2013

2013 was the 50th and last anniversary of No. 5 BFTS association. Every year this association has met to remember and celebrate the time spent by cadet pilots in Clewiston,FLA during World War  II. Our American cousins have also been coming over to join us for many years and they were here again at the last meeting.

There may no longer be any more formal reunions, but many of those present at the last meeting agreed that we will meet up again for an informal get together. Since many of the cadets from the 1940's are no longer with us, it is pleasing to see so many of their families attending and these have now become close friends, bound by the comradeship generated in Clewiston and by generosity of the people of Clewiston during difficult times and this has continued to the present day.

Should you wish to make contact with No. 5 BFTS you can check the "Contact us" tab above.

The cadets who trained in the USA were treated like sons / brothers by the Americans and the words below express this well. They were written in 1942 by a pilot who had completed his training.

EPILOGUE
Where'er the British flag is flown
With the Stars and Stripes above
You'll find a kindred unity
of friendship and of love;
Each British heart beneath those flags---
Whoever it may be----
Says "Thank you" to America,
"For what you've been to me."