More than 1,000 air cadets marched through Lichfield to celebrate 70 years of the Air Training Corps.
The event on Sunday (September 11) saw 32 squadrons from across Staffordshire, South Cheshire and the Black County join veterans, VIPs and community leaders for a service at Lichfield Cathedral ahead of the parade through the city centre.
The service saw prayers celebrating the organisation’s 70 years of heritage as well as readings from cadets. A series of interviews with staff and cadets on their time in the ATC helped invited guests discover the people who make up the Air Cadet Organisation, including CI Nev Cooper who has served with the same squadron, 1444 (Brownhills), since 1958.
Other interviewees included Adult Sgt Roger Nock from 240 (Darlsaton) Squadron, who thanked the ATC for giving him the skills to achieve his career with the Ordnance Survey as well as the confidence to stand at the front of the cathedral and tell his story.
Wing Commander Kearns, Officer Commanding Staffordshire Wing ATC, praised all the staff and cadets for their hard work. He said:
“The day was outstanding and the commitment and dedication of the staff and cadets to the Air Training Corps is fantastic, a true testament to the organisation and certainly our finest achievement in 2011. The event would not have happened without the leadership and enthusiasm from our 338 adult volunteer staff and so it is a great privilege to be the Officer Commanding in our 70th anniversary year.
“The service and parade were spectacular and the comments we received from the VIP guests were full of praise for the smartness of our cadets, the turnout in numbers and our professionalism. It was an experience that many of our cadets and adult staff will always remember.
“I’m grateful to all who turned up to help celebrate our seven decade heritage providing 13-20 year-olds with experiences such as flying and gliding. The day was a shining example of the contribution of Staffordshire to its cadets and community over the last 70 years.”
Also marking the tenth anniversary of 9/11, the service included a minute’s silence and act of remembrance for those who lost their lives during the disaster and for those who have lost their lives in the resulting conflicts.
Following the service, more than 1,000 personnel formed up for the parade, led by the 2517 (Buxton) Squadron Corps of Drums, marching for the first time with Staffordshire Wing. A formal salute was taken at the Lichfield Guildhall by Air Vice Marshall Green, Air Commodore Broadbridge, HM Lord-Lieutenant of Staffordshire and Officer Commanding Staffordshire Wing ATC, Wing Commander Grant Kearns.
Cadet Warrant Officer Luke Horobin aged 19 from 425 (Aldridge) Squadron, one of the Wing’s highest achieving cadets, said:
“The Air Cadets is such a fantastic thing to be part of, I’m really proud to be part of an organisation that’s been around for 70 years and helps young people to have such fantastic adventures. I’m playing in the band as the percussionist today, and I also took part in an interview in front of the Wing in the cathedral, I’m very happy I got to contribute to the celebrations.
“The ATC is a great place to meet new people and do some really exciting things. I’ve flown in a Glider solo after completing my gliding scholarship and I’ve gained all of my Duke of Edinburgh awards. I joined the ATC when I turned 13 as my sister has already been attending. Since then I’ve earn a number BTECs in things such as Music and Aviation, and I even came third in the Duke of Westminster award for the effort I put in. We were given a chance to fly to South Africa and help with community projects, as well as take part in a walking safari. It’s something I’ll never forget.”
Cadet Lauren Neale, age 14 from 888 (Oldbury) Squadron has been a member of the organisation for a year, but this was her first major parade and a chance to see the whole Wing together. She explained:
“I really enjoyed marching in the parade. When I was at the top of the hill I could see the whole wing stretched out in front of me, and I could hear the marching bands. It was a great experience and a felt proud to be a cadet, especially as we marched passed the senior officers and I heard residents clapping and cheering.
“The service was quite interesting as there was an interview section where we heard peoples stories of their time in the cadets. I’ve not been a cadet very long but I’ve already been on lots of camps and started my Duke of Edinburgh Award. I can’t wait to go flying, all my friends have asked to join when I told them what we did.”
For more information about the air cadets visit www.aircadets.org or for more about Staffordshire Wing go to www.staffswing.org.uk.
