The ATC

HISTORY

   The Air Training Corp (ATC, has its origins in the Air Defence Cadet Corp(ADCC). Which was formed in 1938, under the auspices of the air league of the British Empire, a body of astute private citizens, formed to publicise the vital importance to Britain of aircraft for communications, commerce and defence. From the outset squadrons had to be fully self-supporting and controlled by a local civilian committee. Before a squadron could officially be recognised and registered, its committee had to certify that it had raised £200 to meet commitments for the first year. By the end of 1938, 172 squadrons were in existance. Officers were selected by squadron committees and commissioned by the Air League. These officers had to pay for there own uniforms, as did cadets in many cases. Cadets paid 3d per week and the Air Ministry promised a captivation fee of 3's 6d for each proficient cadet. The plan was to attract and train young men who had a interest in aviation. Each Squadrons aim was to give as much service and aviation training as possible to prepare the cadets joining the RAF. When World War Two started cadets began to work on RAF stations, when not at school). They helped to carry messages, provided extra muscle in handling aircraft, filled thousands of sandbags and loaded miles of belts of ammunition.

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.



History
This brief history tells how the Air Cadet Organisation was formed. As an essential part of the RAF, supplying better-trained and experienced personnel during times of war, it has evolved into the largest air cadet organisation in the world.

The first cadets
In 1859 several schools around the country began forming armed, uniformed units of adults and older boys with the purpose of protecting Britain in the event of an attack from overseas. By the turn of the century there were units in more than 100 schools and, in 1908, the units were re-titled the Officer Training Corps (OTC). Many ex-cadets and officers served with distinction during the First World War.

By the 1930s the beginnings of today’s CCF (RAF) appeared in the form of OTC Air Sections. In Army uniform, but with an RAF armband, they trained very much like today.

Air Commodore Chamier and the ADCC
It was a simple enough idea. The Second World War was on the horizon and if aircraft were to be used as a major combat strength, then the RAF would need a serious amount of combat-ready pilots and competent support crew to keep them in the air.

That idea came from Air Commodore J A Chamier, now known as the father of the Air Cadet Organisation. He served in the army, the Royal Flying Corps and the RAF in 1919 (not long after it formed). With his love for aviation, he was determined to get British people aware of the RAF and its vital role in any future war. He wanted to establish an air cadet corps, encouraging young people to consider a career in aviation - pretty exciting at a time when very few people ever got the chance to fly. His experience in World War I, where training time was very limited, convinced him that the sooner training began the better prepared and experienced a person would be in combat.

So, in 1938 the Air Defence Cadet Corps (ADCC) was founded. Demand for places was high and squadrons were set up in as many towns around the UK as possible. Local people ran them and each squadron aimed to prepare cadets for joining the RAF or the Fleet Air Arm (the Royal Navy's aircraft division). They also helped form the diverse programme of activities that our cadets enjoy today.

During World War II, with many instructors being drafted into the RAF and squadron buildings being used by the military, cadets were sent to work on RAF stations. They carried messages, handled aircraft and moved equipment. They filled thousands of sandbags and loaded miles of belts of ammunition. They were invaluable.

By the end of the war, in just 7 years since the formation of the ADCC, almost 100,000 cadets had joined the RAF.

The ATC and CCF
Towards the end of 1940, the government realised the value of the cadet force and took control of the ADCC. It reorganised and renamed it, and on the 5th February 1941 the Air Training Corps was officially established with King George VI as the Air Commodore-in-Chief.

During World War ll, the school-based OTC Air Sections were absorbed into the ATC. In 1948, the OTC was renamed the Combined Cadet Force and most of the original OTC Air Sections became CCF (RAF) units. This is the structure that exists today with some CCF (RAF) sections boasting a history of nearly 150 years of service!

The organisation has gone from strength to strength over the last few decades. Girls were able to join from the early 1980s, helping to bring more people together to enjoy everything that Air Cadet life has to offer.