About the Air Training Corps

In 1938, Air Commodore J A Chamier (a retired RAF Officer) came up with a plan to form an Air Defence Cadet Corps (ADCC). His idea was to attract and train young men who had an interest in aviation from all over the country. He planned to set up Squadrons of young cadets in as many towns and cities as possible, and ask local people to organise and run them.

Each squadron's aim was to prepare cadets for joining the RAF or the Fleet Air Arm. They tried to give the cadet as much Service and aviation background as possible as well as giving instruction in drill, discipline, how to wear the uniform and how to behave on RAF stations. Cadets were also encouraged to take part in activities such as shooting, camping and, of course, flying.

By 1939 the activities of the ADCC were severely restricted because of the approach of World War II. Many ADCC instructors and squadron officers were called up into regular service. Buildings were commandeered for war work, and cadets went to work on RAF stations.

Throughout the early stages of the war, the government received many good reports about the quality of cadets entering the RAF and Fleet Air Arm. It was so impressed that it asked the ADCC to begin training young men who were waiting to be called into service. The ADCC willingly took on this very responsible job and in a very short space of time produced thousands of well qualified individuals who went on to pass quickly through basic training

Towards the end of 1940, the government realised the true value of the work done by the ADCC and agreed to take over its control. This meant a large number of changes to the corps, and in fact brought about the birth of a completely new organisation, called the Air Training Corps. So on the 5th February 1941, the Air Training Corps (ATC) was officially established, with King George VI very kindly agreeing to be the Air Comodore-in-Chief, and issuing a Royal Warrant setting out the Corps' aims.