The ATC: how it started

First off, don't be discouraged, this isn't going to be one of those boring history lessons. Here we have put together a nice, friendly history of the air cadets that is (hopefully) easy and interesting to read and guarunteed not to take long to get through

In 1938 the Air Defense Cadet Corps was formed by the Air League. It aimed to prepare young people for war to either fly as pilots and aircrew or assist on the ground as runners, engineers and the such like.

In 1940 the government realised just how useful the ADCC was and decided to give it government approval. In 1941 the Air Training Corps was formed by Royal Warrant, and King George VI became the Air Commodore-in-Chief of the newly formed organisation and issued a new set of aims. These aims are:

To promote and encourage among young people a practical interest in aviation and the Royal Air Force.

To provide training which will be useful in the Services and civilian life.

To foster the spirit of adventure and develop qualities of leadership and good citizenship

At this time Air Commodore Chamier (affectionately know as the Father of the Air Cadet movement) devised the motto VENTURE ADVENTURE for the corps and this was incorporated into the ATC badge which, together with the ensign were approved by the king.

Within 12 months of the forming of the ATC from the ADCC there were 8 times as many cadets and squadrons in existance. Today there are over 1,000 squadrons and almost 49,000 cadets making the ATC the world's largest youth air training organization.