The ACF: how it started

The ACF can trace its existance back to 1859 when most of the British Army were serving in India after the Indian Mutiny. As there was still the threat of a French invasion of England, the Volunteers, (now the TA)were formed and alongside them boy's companies were set up for those to young for the main battalions.

Social worker, Miss Octavia Hill, realised that the boys companies offered many social benefits for those involved and so she formed the Southwark Cadet Company to introduce boys of the area to "the virtues of order, cleanliness, teamwork and self reliance".

In 1908 the Volunteers were renamed the Territorial Army and the title 'Cadet Force' was introduced. The administration of this force was taken over by the Territorial Army Association.

At the outbreak of war in 1914, there was great expansion of the Cadet Force and the War Office took over the administration until 1923 when it was handed back to the TAA. However, at the same time the Government ceased to recognise the Cadet Force and withdrew all financial support. Everything that was required had to be paid for by individuals.

The British National Cadet Association, the BNCA was formed to try to keep the companies funded and also to try to win back governmenyal support

In 1945 the BNCA changed its name to the Army Cadet Force Association, the ACFA, and is today responsible for the guidance of the ACF and to,through various committees, act as advisors to the MOD in all matters related to the ACF.

In 1957 a special Government report was published on the future of the ACF and many changes were made. In 1959 the Cadet Training Centre at Frimley Park was formed and the training tsylabus was revised. With National Service ending it became more important to develop the Cadet as a person as well as a soldier and so cadets were trained to be more responsible for their actions and to become good citizens.

With the new training program, adventure training was introduced as a specific subject. Special grants were made available to County Territorial Army Associations to set up County Adventure Training Centres, an example is the Sussex ACF Weekend Training Centre at Crowborough.

In the 1960's girls were permited to join the ACF and the recruitment of female officers and instructors also began.

And there you have it, the ACF as it stands today, one of the 3 major cadet services in Great Britain.