Air Commodore J A Chamier is known as the father of the Air Cadet Organization. He served in the army and in the Royal Flying Corps, which was the forerunner of the Royal Air Force, during World War I. He then went on to join the RAF in 1919, where he served until his retirement in 1929.
During his life in the RAF he developed a strong love for aviation and set about raising awareness of this new military power among the British people. As Secretary General of the Air League, he came up with the idea of establishing an air cadet corps for the nation's youth, encouraging them to consider a career in aviation. His experience in the war had shown him that due to the high demand for personnel, many young men were sent into combat in the air with very little training. Therefore, the sooner training began for these young men, the more knowledge and experience they could carry into combat.
In 1938, the Air Defence Cadet Corps was founded. It began attracting young men with an interest in aviation from all over the country. They began setting up squadrons in as many towns as possible, with local people to run and organise people. each squadron aimed to prepare cadets for joining the RAF or the Fleet Air Arm. They gave instruction in aviation related subjects as well as drill, discipline, PT, shooting, camping and flying.
During his life in the RAF he developed a strong love for aviation and set about raising awareness of this new military power among the British people. As Secretary General of the Air League, he came up with the idea of establishing an air cadet corps for the nation's youth, encouraging them to consider a career in aviation. His experience in the war had shown him that due to the high demand for personnel, many young men were sent into combat in the air with very little training. Therefore, the sooner training began for these young men, the more knowledge and experience they could carry into combat.
In 1938, the Air Defence Cadet Corps was founded. It began attracting young men with an interest in aviation from all over the country. They began setting up squadrons in as many towns as possible, with local people to run and organise people. each squadron aimed to prepare cadets for joining the RAF or the Fleet Air Arm. They gave instruction in aviation related subjects as well as drill, discipline, PT, shooting, camping and flying.
In World War II, many ADCC officers and instructors were drafted into the RAF. The squadron buildings were commandeered by the military and the cadets were sent to work on RAF stations. The cadets were used to carry messages, perform clerical duties , handle aircraft and move equipment. By the end of the war, they had filled thousands of sandbags and loaded miles of belts of ammunition. The ADCC were also used to quickly prepare many young men who had been drafted and prepare them for basic training.
Further Royal Warrants were issued on 30 September 1944, 12 November 1946, 23 June 1947 and 9 August 1968. Regulations contained in these were reviewed by a more recent Royal Warrant dated 19 February 1990.
The distinguishing characteristics of the Corps remain its special relationship with the Royal Air Force and its involvement in flying activities . HRH, the Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh is Air Commodore-in-Chief.
The distinguishing characteristics of the Corps remain its special relationship with the Royal Air Force and its involvement in flying activities . HRH, the Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh is Air Commodore-in-Chief.
Towards the end of 1940, the government realised how valuable an asset the ADCC was and took over it's control. The ADCC was reborn and named the Air Training Corps. On the 5th February 1941 the ATC was officially established with King George VI as the Air Commodore-in-Chief and a Royal Warrant was issued setting out the aims of the ATC.
IMPORTANT DATES FROM 1938 TO 1995
1938} The Air Defence Cadet Corp (ADCC) formed
1940} Special committee set up by the War Cabinet, proposes the
establishment of an Air Training Corp (ATC)
1941} The ATC established by Royal Warrant with King George VI agreeing to
be Air Commodore-in-Chief
1942} A cadet strength of 210,000 recorded.
1945} Over 400,000 cadets have joined the services since the start if the
war. ATC starts to run down, strength settles at 57,000 cadets. Marshall of
the Royal Air Force, Lord Portel states that " In maintaining the flow of
men to the RAF, the ATC has made a decisive contribution towards victory".
1947} New Royal warrant extends the aims of the ATC. First exchange visits
organised- with Canandian Air Cadets.
1948} ATC wings established. Corps loses 3,000 cadets to the Combined Cadet
Force(CCF).
1949} American cadets join the Air Cadet exchange scheme.
1950} Flying scholarship introduced.
1953} HRH The Prince Phillip, The Duke of Edinburgh becomes Air
Commodore-in-Chief, on the death of king George VI
1957} 7 Squadrons of the ATC pioneer the Duke Of Edinburgh award scheme.
1958} Formation of Air Experience Flights with a fleet of 50 chipmunk
aircraft. The International Air Cadet Exchange (IACE) formed.
1962} The ATC celebrates 21 years of service. Prince Phillip presents his
banner to the ATC.
1964} Annual summer and Easter camps held for the first time in Germany.
1973} First ATC camps in Malta- continued until 1978.
1976} First ATC camps in Gibraltar.
1977} Queens Review- RAF Finningley.
1979} Presentation of new banner by HRH Prince Phillip. First ATC camps to
Cyprus and Berlin.
1981} Girls allowed to join.
1982} Flt Lt Janet Page WRAF VR(T) is the first female officer to command an
ATC squadron -2500(St.Neots)Sqn.
1985} 5 Overseas ATC squadrons formed.
1990} A further change to the Royal warrant is made.
1991} The Golden Jubilee of the ATC
1995} Corps Strength:- 39,000 Cadets, 3350 Officers, 1208 Warrant
Officers,4570 Civilian Instructors in 920 Squadrons plus 8 Overseas
Squadrons and 84 Detached Flight's.
1938} The Air Defence Cadet Corp (ADCC) formed
1940} Special committee set up by the War Cabinet, proposes the
establishment of an Air Training Corp (ATC)
1941} The ATC established by Royal Warrant with King George VI agreeing to
be Air Commodore-in-Chief
1942} A cadet strength of 210,000 recorded.
1945} Over 400,000 cadets have joined the services since the start if the
war. ATC starts to run down, strength settles at 57,000 cadets. Marshall of
the Royal Air Force, Lord Portel states that " In maintaining the flow of
men to the RAF, the ATC has made a decisive contribution towards victory".
1947} New Royal warrant extends the aims of the ATC. First exchange visits
organised- with Canandian Air Cadets.
1948} ATC wings established. Corps loses 3,000 cadets to the Combined Cadet
Force(CCF).
1949} American cadets join the Air Cadet exchange scheme.
1950} Flying scholarship introduced.
1953} HRH The Prince Phillip, The Duke of Edinburgh becomes Air
Commodore-in-Chief, on the death of king George VI
1957} 7 Squadrons of the ATC pioneer the Duke Of Edinburgh award scheme.
1958} Formation of Air Experience Flights with a fleet of 50 chipmunk
aircraft. The International Air Cadet Exchange (IACE) formed.
1962} The ATC celebrates 21 years of service. Prince Phillip presents his
banner to the ATC.
1964} Annual summer and Easter camps held for the first time in Germany.
1973} First ATC camps in Malta- continued until 1978.
1976} First ATC camps in Gibraltar.
1977} Queens Review- RAF Finningley.
1979} Presentation of new banner by HRH Prince Phillip. First ATC camps to
Cyprus and Berlin.
1981} Girls allowed to join.
1982} Flt Lt Janet Page WRAF VR(T) is the first female officer to command an
ATC squadron -2500(St.Neots)Sqn.
1985} 5 Overseas ATC squadrons formed.
1990} A further change to the Royal warrant is made.
1991} The Golden Jubilee of the ATC
1995} Corps Strength:- 39,000 Cadets, 3350 Officers, 1208 Warrant
Officers,4570 Civilian Instructors in 920 Squadrons plus 8 Overseas
Squadrons and 84 Detached Flight's.
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