868 (Mirfield) Squadron marks 80th anniversary of Air Training Corps

Virtual meeting: 868 (Mirfield) Squadron cadets, staff and committee members mark the 80th Anniversary of the Air Training Corps.

Staff and committee members from 868 (Mirfield) Squadron recently met in a special virtual meeting to mark the 80th anniversary of the Air Training Corps.

Civilian Instructor Sue Doubell started the evening by setting the scene for life as a teenager in 1941, leading into a cinema film advertising the newly formed Air Training Corps; at that time only for ‘young men’ aged 16 and above.

Squadron Commander, Flight Lieutenant Peter Doubell gave a presentation covering how the organisation was formed and had developed over the years:

He also reflected on changes in uniform, including his own experience of joining when the issue included one collar-detached shirt with two collars, to be help in place by collar-studs.

Wartime: 1427 (Mirfield) Squadron members in 1941.

The Squadron Chaplain, Rev’d Christine Shedd, talked about the Cadet’s Promise as a commitment not only to life as an air cadet, but also as an approach to life in general.

A spokesman said: “Toasts were proposed by Sgt Sam Cookland, WO Simon Kelly, and FS Rebecca Jagger, who toasted Captain Sir Tom Moore.”