Over 250 cadets and adult staff from Warwickshire & Birmingham Wing paraded through the town of Daventry on Sunday 3 rd 2008 to commemorate the 67 th anniversary of the formation of the Air Training Corps in 1941.

The parade was lead by the band of 497 (Daventry) Squadron who have been granted Freedom of the Town and was followed by a service in Holy Cross Church at which the Wing Padre Reverend Brian Castle officiated assisted by the Central & East Regional Chaplain Rev Roy Muttram. The lesson was ‘performed' by Wing Commander Steve Hayler RAF from RAF Cranwell, a personal friend of the Rev Castle .

Following church there was a march past at which the salute was taken by an impressive array of VIP guests including Her Majesty's Lord Lieutenant for Northamptonshire Lady Juliette Townsend, His Worship the Mayor of Daventry Cllr Malcolm Adcock, Chairman of Daventry District Council Cllr Alan Hills, Her Worship the Mayor of Abingdon Cllr Lorraine Oates, Central & East Regional Commandant Group Captain Jon Ford, and the Officer Commanding Wing, Wing Commander Pravin Ladwa. They were joined by ‘old boys' of the Wing one of whom was a first day cadet joining the Corps on 5 th February 1941 , former Wing Commander George Hanson.

After the formalities refreshment was provided in Daventry Ex Services Club to which all cadets and staff were invited.

The units who attended and paraded were 8F, 84, 29F, 163, 198, 487, 487DF, 493, 497, 1289, 1368, 1459, 2028, 2438, 2504 a total of 15 units.

The parade organiser Squadron Leader Martin Harrison said, “Once again an impressive turnout of cadets and staff of the Wing who have supported what is one of the most important events on the Corps calendar. I am always very grateful when cadets and staff give up their valuable Sunday afternoons to support occasions such as this. I am also very glad that so many high profile VIP guests were able to be present and support us, their presence always adds an extra special touch to the formalities”

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