About the ATC

In England during 1938, Air Commodore J A Chamier, the 'father of the Air Cadet Movement', founded the Air Defence Cadet Corps (ADCC), and all over the country the ADCC was organised into squadrons of young cadets; with Britain's eagerness to try and be more prepared for war, cadets joined the Corps in their thousands.  The ADCC provided cadets with experiences similar to what they would experience in the RAF itself, drill, discipline, how to wear the uniform and how to behave on RAF stations.  They were also encouraged to take part in activities such as shooting, camping and flying as well as various other aviation training.

During the early part of the Second World War, cadets of the ADCC helped with office work, handling aircraft, loading ammunition, working in the stores and equipment depots, and many other areas, and by 1940, the British Government realised the importance of the ADCC, and in 1941 the Air Training Corps (ATC) was formed by Royal Warrant, and King George VI became the Air Commodore-in-Chief of the newly formed organisation.

The new organisation quickly adapted their training programme to prepare young men to join the RAF, by increasing the academic work as well as the physical fitness tests.  With the end of the war fast approaching, thoughts had to turn to the role of the ATC in peacetime and in 1945 the government announced that the ATC would be retained by becoming part of a recently formed Reserve Command.  This helped the Corps enormously because, instead of just being an organisation with close links with the RAF, it now actually became part of it - with serving RAF officers at its head.

By 1960 many changes had taken place, and a review of training in this year saw a move away from academic study to a more general approach to aviation related subjects.  Although initially formed to meet the needs of a nation at war, the Corps continues to thrive, with independent Air Cadet Organizations in many other countries throughout the World.

More than seventy years from when Air Commodore Chamier gave the Corps 3 years to prove itself, the ATC finds itself strong and active, and still capturing the imagination and enthusiasm for aviation amongst young people.  And as the ATC enters the 21st century it continues to grow, and to help a new generation of young people to find a positive purpose in life.