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 70th Anniversary of the formation of the Air Training Corps.

The parade on Sunday 06th 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 throughout the Corps during the last 70 years.

Following the service the parade marched past the VIP’s with the salute being taken by:

• Deputy Lieutenant for Northamptonshire Sir David & Lady O'Dowd
• His Worship the Mayor of Daventry Cllr Peter Harper
• Chairman of Daventry District Council Cllr Kevin Perry
• Commander R Noble Officer Commanding HMS Forward
• Lieutenant Commander Richard Woodgate RNR
• Wing Commander Pravin Ladwa, Officer Commanding Warwickshire & Birmingham Wing
• Wing Commander Steve Mills

The Air Training Corps was originally formed 70 years ago during the war years as battles raged in the skies over Britain. The Royal Air Force was faced with a desperate need for suitable young men to serve as Aircrew and ground crew. In order to address this need the Air Training Corps was established on the 5th February 1941.

The Air Training Corps main objective during the war years was to foster an interest in aviation and provide pre-entry service training for prospective RAF recruits. However a fter the war, the ATC changed significantly and although its links with the Royal Air Force are as strong as ever, it is no longer a recruitment organisation. Today the ATC is a flourishing uniformed youth organisation which provides its young people with an extensive syllabus of citizenship, academic and adventurous training including nationally recognised BTEC and DofE Awards. The ATC is also unique in so much as it’s the only youth organisation which provides the opportunity to fly in RAF aircraft and undergo glider pilot training.

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. 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 the most important occasion in the Corps 70 th Anniversary year’s 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, “In this our 70th Anniversary year we can all look back at how the uniforms and objectives of the Air Cadets have changed significantly since 1941 but we can rest assured that the spirit and enthusiasm of our young people remains unchanged. That the ATC is a thriving national youth organisation which continues to provide academic and citizenship training the value of which is increasingly recognised in both service and civilian life.”

View More Photographs from the Warwickshire & Birmingham Wing on 70th Anniversary Parade