Over 300 cadets from Squadrons within the Warwickshire & Birmingham Wing of the Air Training Corps took part in a parade through Daventry to mark the 69th Anniversary of the formation of the Air Training Corps.

The parade on Sunday 07 th February, was led by the Joint band of 497 (Daventry) & 1289 (Stratford-Upon-Avon) Squadrons as they marched through the town to the Holy Cross Church where a service was conducted by the Wing Padre Rev Brian Castle and assisted by Father Neil Bayliss, Padre of 489 (Acocks Green & Olton) Squadron and vicar of Holy Cross Rev Owen Page.

During the service the Air Cadets all reaffirmed their promise and the Padre reflected on the comradeship and family spirit fostered within individual Squadrons and throughout the Corps during the last 69 years.

Following the service the parade marched past the VIPS with the salute being taken by:

• Mr Robert Heygate, Her Majesty's Deputy Lord Lieutenant for the County of Northamptonshire
• His Worship the Mayor of Daventry Cllr Frank Voeten
• Group Captain Brett Morrell, Regional Commandant Central & East Region ATC
• Wing Commander Pravin Ladwa, Officer Commanding Warwickshire & Birmingham Wing

At the reception held after the parade in the Daventry Ex Services Club, the Deputy Wing Commander, Squadron Leader Martin Harrison said, "The parade was a huge success and the weather was kinder to us this year. It was good to see so many cadets and staff from all over the wing on parade who had given up their valuable Sunday to support what is undoubtedly one of the most important occasions in the Corps calendar. I am also grateful to the VIPs who supported us and it is encouraging to know that the Wing receives support from such a wide range of influential people.

He added, “Next year marks the 70 th anniversary of the Air Training Corps and as such we hope to have even more cadets on parade with representation from all 27 of our Squadrons”.

View More Photographs from the Warwickshire & Birmingham Wing on 69 th Anniversary Parade