AIR cadets from Rugby joined other squadrons from across the county to salute the 75th anniversary of the Air Training Corps – alongside some celebrity guests.
A group from the 29F Air Training Corps in Rugby met at Coventry Cathedral on Sunday (February 7) to launch a year of celebrations.
More than 20 cadets joined the services at Coventry Cathedral but one lucky cadet, the group’s most senior, Tommy Fuller, 18, had the chance to attend a special event at St Clement Danes Church in London.
He was even given the role of VIP escort to the Group Captain of the Air Cadets – star TV personality Carol Vorderman.
Other noted guests at the service included the Corps Honorary Patron, HRH The Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton and the Commandant of the Air Cadets, Air Commodore Dawn McCafferty.
Tommy said: “It was a once in a lifetime experience. I had the honour of being the cadet host for Group Captain Carol Vorderman for the day in addition to meeting many senior figures within both the Air Cadets and the Royal Air Force.
“It was fantastic to be able to look back and see how far we’ve come as an organisation on our 75th anniversary and it’s something I will be able to look back on for a long time.”
The Air Training Corps formed in 1941 at the height of the Second World War, and has seen thousands of youngsters start on their path to joining the Royal Air Force. The Rugby squadron was founded in 1938 as part of the Air Defence Cadet Corps before joining the rest of the Corps three years later.
The Rugby Corps’ CO, Flight Lieutenant Gillian Short said: “2016 is a significant year for the Air Training Corps as we celebrate our 75th Anniversary.
“As one of the 50 founder Squadrons of the Corps, we are delighted to be playing our part in the events. The Squadrons cadets were very well turned out on Sunday and a credit to the Corps.”
