Post by Dave Homewood on Aug 27, 2010 0:48:57 GMT 12
Here's an article announcing the establishment of the ATC in New Zealand al,ost 70 years ago, from Papers Past.
AIR FORCE CADETS
Evening Post, Volume CXXXI, Issue 64, 17 March 1941, Page 9
AIR FORCE CADETS
NEW ORGANISATION
BOYS BETWEEN 16½ AND 18
SCHEME ANNOUNCED
The establishment of an Air Force Cadet Corps in New Zealand for training boys between the ages of 16½ and 18 years was announced last night by the Minister of Defence (Mr. Jones). The corps will be on somewhat similar lines to that in the United- Kingdom where arrangements- have been made to give preliminary training to 700,000 boys. An officer is being'appointed to Air Headquarters as superintendent of the corps.
Forms of application for membership in the corps, together with conditions of service, are now available. The application forms require to be completed and forwarded to Air Headquarters by March 31, 1941. Arrangements for the interview and selection of applicants will be made in June, and it is hoped to start training about August next.
DETAILS OF CONDITIONS.
Applications to join the corps will be considered from those able to comply with the following conditions:—
1. Natural born British subjects or the sons of parents both of whom are (or, if deceased, were at the time of deaih) British subjects.
2. Not less than 16½ years of age at June 30, 1941, and under 18 by that date.
3. Of an educational standard not lower than that represented by the Standard VI proficiency certificate.
4. Free of any known physical defects likely to interfere with present or subsequent training.
5. All applicants to have the written consent of parents or guardians.
6. Prepared to attend at least two evening lectures a week and occasional parades on Saturday at one of the following centres:—Whangarei, Auckland, Hamilton, Thames, Rotorua, Gisborne, Napier, Hastings, Dannevirke, Palmerston North, Feilding, New Plymouth, Hawera, Wanganui, Masterton, Wellington, Nelson, Blenheim, Christchurch, Ashburton, Timaru, Oamaru, Dunedin, Invercargill, Gore, Greymouth, Westport
UNITS OF 100,
"It is recognised," said Mr. Jones, "that many of the above centres may not be able to provide the minimum number of applicants necessary to form a unit of the corps, which has been tentatively fixed at 100, but the question of making alternative arrangements for instruction in such centres will be considered after consultation with headmasters and others in the places concerned. Members of the Army School cadet units are eligible to apply for admission to the Air Cadet Corps and arrangements will be made in such cases to avoid any dislocation in the training of existing cadet units."
It was intended, said the Minister, to vest the control of units in officers to be selected from the various districts concerned, who would be assisted by area organisers under the control of the superintendent of the corps. Alternative arrangements would be made in those centres where it was not possible to obtain the services of suitable instructors locally. Applications for instructors would be called for -when the training requirements have been completed.
UNIFORM PROVIDED
Trainees would be provided with uniforms and grants would be made to local units to meet the cost of training. It was also intended to issue a lapel badge for wearing with civilian clothing.
A full year's training would be carried out and would include visits to R.N.Z.A.F. stations, together with instruction in airmanship, theory of flight, elementary principles of aircraft, engineering and maintenance, wireless operator's ' course, air navigation, meteorology, mathematics and physics (elementary), physical training, drill and ceremonial, administration.
No actual flying training is intended, nor are members of the corps eligible for war service before attaining the age of 18 years, and then only with the prior written consent of their parents or guardians.
"The corps," added Mr. Jones, "will provide a valuable opportunity of gaining an insight into service conditions and should appeal to those contemplating entry into the R.N.Z.A.F."
AIR FORCE CADETS
Evening Post, Volume CXXXI, Issue 64, 17 March 1941, Page 9
AIR FORCE CADETS
NEW ORGANISATION
BOYS BETWEEN 16½ AND 18
SCHEME ANNOUNCED
The establishment of an Air Force Cadet Corps in New Zealand for training boys between the ages of 16½ and 18 years was announced last night by the Minister of Defence (Mr. Jones). The corps will be on somewhat similar lines to that in the United- Kingdom where arrangements- have been made to give preliminary training to 700,000 boys. An officer is being'appointed to Air Headquarters as superintendent of the corps.
Forms of application for membership in the corps, together with conditions of service, are now available. The application forms require to be completed and forwarded to Air Headquarters by March 31, 1941. Arrangements for the interview and selection of applicants will be made in June, and it is hoped to start training about August next.
DETAILS OF CONDITIONS.
Applications to join the corps will be considered from those able to comply with the following conditions:—
1. Natural born British subjects or the sons of parents both of whom are (or, if deceased, were at the time of deaih) British subjects.
2. Not less than 16½ years of age at June 30, 1941, and under 18 by that date.
3. Of an educational standard not lower than that represented by the Standard VI proficiency certificate.
4. Free of any known physical defects likely to interfere with present or subsequent training.
5. All applicants to have the written consent of parents or guardians.
6. Prepared to attend at least two evening lectures a week and occasional parades on Saturday at one of the following centres:—Whangarei, Auckland, Hamilton, Thames, Rotorua, Gisborne, Napier, Hastings, Dannevirke, Palmerston North, Feilding, New Plymouth, Hawera, Wanganui, Masterton, Wellington, Nelson, Blenheim, Christchurch, Ashburton, Timaru, Oamaru, Dunedin, Invercargill, Gore, Greymouth, Westport
UNITS OF 100,
"It is recognised," said Mr. Jones, "that many of the above centres may not be able to provide the minimum number of applicants necessary to form a unit of the corps, which has been tentatively fixed at 100, but the question of making alternative arrangements for instruction in such centres will be considered after consultation with headmasters and others in the places concerned. Members of the Army School cadet units are eligible to apply for admission to the Air Cadet Corps and arrangements will be made in such cases to avoid any dislocation in the training of existing cadet units."
It was intended, said the Minister, to vest the control of units in officers to be selected from the various districts concerned, who would be assisted by area organisers under the control of the superintendent of the corps. Alternative arrangements would be made in those centres where it was not possible to obtain the services of suitable instructors locally. Applications for instructors would be called for -when the training requirements have been completed.
UNIFORM PROVIDED
Trainees would be provided with uniforms and grants would be made to local units to meet the cost of training. It was also intended to issue a lapel badge for wearing with civilian clothing.
A full year's training would be carried out and would include visits to R.N.Z.A.F. stations, together with instruction in airmanship, theory of flight, elementary principles of aircraft, engineering and maintenance, wireless operator's ' course, air navigation, meteorology, mathematics and physics (elementary), physical training, drill and ceremonial, administration.
No actual flying training is intended, nor are members of the corps eligible for war service before attaining the age of 18 years, and then only with the prior written consent of their parents or guardians.
"The corps," added Mr. Jones, "will provide a valuable opportunity of gaining an insight into service conditions and should appeal to those contemplating entry into the R.N.Z.A.F."
