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.

What We Do

We Aim to Teach displine, leadership skills and all this would make you a
better person later on in you cadet career. The advantage of the ATC is that they have all the expertise, qualified instructors and willingness to run a huge variety of events.

Drill, Football, Rugby, Swimming, Athletics, Cross Country, Shooting (.22 and fullbore), Camps at RAF stations all over the UK, Camps in Germany, A Royal Marine course for a week at Frimley Park(very hard), Flying (Tutor Grobs, Sea King Helicoptors,) Bowling, Carting, Weeks away in places such as Windermere and Derbyshire, Night Exercises (where we all run around shout at each other and generally have fun!), Adventure training camps such as Barnham and Proteus.


We hope you enjoy Air Cadets but you only get what out, what you put in.

We take pride of ourselves join the Team.

511 (Ramsey) Sqn.

We meet every Tuesday and Friday 7.00 till 9.30

must be aged between 13 -18

interested Email me

adrianwhitwell@hotmail.com

or Ring 01487 710776 <--- Squadron Number.

Created By

Adrian Whitwell

New cadets 11/11/01

 Front row L-R Danny Myers, Beverley Whitwell, Russel Cook, Simon Everall, Chris Ward

Middle row L-R Terry Topper, Luke Williamson, Michael Cooke, Robert Richardson, Simon Buddle, Adrian Whitwell

Back row L-R Karl Foster, Dani Smith, Steven Ward, Alison Baker, and Gus Melton

A picture of Adrian Whitwell, 

Last updated 12/1/02