The Air Defence Cadet Corps

In 1938 Air Commodore J A Chamier, who is widely regarded as the father of the air cadet movement, formed the Air Defence Cadet Corps (ADCC). He planned to set up Squadrons in towns and cities all over the UK. Soon after the formation of the new organisation ADCC HQ decided to give the first 50 squadrons formed the letter F after their name. These would be known as founder squadrons.

Cadets flocked to the new Corps in their thousands. They each had to pay subscriptions of 3d per week, many also had to pay for their uniform.

During the war cadets helped out on RAF stations doing a wide range of activities in order to help with the war effort. The government was so impressed by the quality of ADCC cadet entering service that they asked the ADCC to start training people ready for the forces so that they could quickly pass through basic training.

The Air Training Corps

In 1940 the government realised the worth of the organisation and decided that it should be taken under state control, this lead to a birth of a new organisation: The Air Training Corps.

On the 5th of February 1941 the Air Training Corps (ATC) came into being. King George VI agreed to be the first Air Commodore-in-Chief, and issued a royal warrant which highlighted the corps' aims.

The ATC crest was designed, and once approved by the King, was published in August 1941, it is shown on the right. The motto "Venture Adventure" was designed by Air Commodore Chamier. The ATC ensign was also approved by the King.

At first the ATC had a compulsory fitness test, but since then it has been abolished. The ATC received its first dedicated aircraft when the government gave it a flight of 10 aircraft- Oxfords and Domines.

When the war ended many feared that there would be no need for the ATC in peacetime and so it would it closed, this however was unfounded. In 1945 the government announced it would become part of the reserve command, which meant that it would now have serving RAF officers at its head.

In August some cadets and two officers went on an exchange trip with the Air League of Canada, the International Air Cadet Exchange (IACE) was born, and it runs to this day with trips to lots of countries around the world.

Gliding became very popular in the corps and by 1946 the corps had 350 Kirkby gliders. The fist self launched glider was tested in 1970. Today the ATC uses a combination of self launched and winch launched gliders. The Viking linch launched glider was introduced in 1984 and the self launched Vigilant glider was introduced in 1990, they both serve to this day. By 1957 it was decided that the corps would have its own flights of aircraft, these flights would be called Air Experience Flights. They were initially equipped with 50 Chipmunk aircraft. In 1996 AEFs were fully integrated into the University Air Squadron System, both flying the Bulldog. In 1999 both the UASs and the ATC converted to the Grob 115E also known as the Tutor (right).

Cadets started to participate in the Duke of Edinburgh's award in 1956. Since then it has gone Corps wide, with most squadrons participating, including Slough squadron.

In 1967 a committee under Air Marshal Sir Douglas Morris RAF (Retd) was set up to reorganise and improve the Corps. It produced a report, which is known as the Morris report. One of the most important changes which he brought in was the introduction of the final stage of cadet training- the staff cadet classification.

In 1980 girls entered the ATC for the first time on a trial basis in a number of squadrons. Girls became fully integrated into the corps, and have all the same opportunities as male cadets.