High-flier Thomas is an officer at 18 (From Basingstoke Gazette)

High-flier Thomas is an officer at 18

2:20pm Thursday 2nd September 2010 in

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A FORMER Basingstoke student has graduated as an officer in the RAF at the age of 18.

Thomas Hayward, of St Gabriels Lea, Chineham, graduated as a Pilot Officer at RAF Cranwell in Lincolnshire after attending a 32-week course.

His parents Christopher and Julie attended the graduation service and saw their son and 90 other cadets parade in front of Air Chief Marshal Simon Bryant, Commander-in-Chief Air Command.

Mrs Hayward told The Gazette: “We are incredibly proud – it’s an achievement for anybody that age.

“He left college at this time last year and he has just gone off and done this, so we are really proud.”

Thomas attended Four Lanes Community Junior School, in Hanmore Road, Chineham, and The Vyne Community School, in Vyne Road, South View.

During the course, the cadets learned basic military skills, leadership training and air power studies.

The teenager is currently stationed at the Battle of Britain Museum at RAF Uxbridge.

He will begin his flying training at RAF Church Fenton, in Yorkshire, at the end of October.