1924 (Shirley) Squadron Air Training Corps

Congratulations and welcome, you have just found the website of the finest Air Cadet Squadron in the whole of Surrey.

1924 Squadron has been here in Shirley since the formation of the ATC in 1941 and one of its great strengths is continuity. From the very earliest days we were fortunate in having senior ex RAF warrant officers to instil a sense of discipline and purpose and that tradition has been passed on by word of mouth and experience for generations. Today, as always, the cadets themselves largely run the squadron. The five uniformed staff are: myself, Flying Officer Claire McDonnell, Warrent Officer Michael McDonnell, Flight Sergeant Paul Campbell, and Sergeant Nicky Thompsett although well trained in many skills, normally only have to look after admin, provide a sense of direction and make minor alterations to course.

What can we do for you or your children? Drill and discipline are main planks of our training. We have won the Surrey wing Drill Competition eleven years running and are hoping for the twelfth this year. The Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme gives our young people good citizenship training and an awareness of their place in the adult community and society. Eight of our cadets are completing their Gold Award within the next two or three months and will be invited to one of the royal palaces to receive their certificate from either Prince Phillip or Prince Edward. Specifically RAF in nature, we take our cadets flying regularly at RAF Benson in Oxfordshire and also at Annual Camp. We take them gliding at the nearby, former RAF base at Kenley where the RAF still have a glider training school. We teach them marksmanship skills on military firing ranges and we teach them to be safe in so doing. We impart knowledge of how aircraft fly, what they are made of and how their engines work. We teach them campcraft skills and how to navigate with a map and compass and how to be self-sufficient in the field. Finally, but not exclusively, we give them sporting opportunities and training in almost every field, including such sports as karate and fencing. We are good at sports and have a cupboard full of trophies to prove it.

Uniform is provided free and almost every activity that we do is either free or heavily subsidised by the Royal Air Force. Flying, gliding & shooting are all free. We request only a charge of £7 per month to cover the cost of running the minibuses and the purchase and maintenance of some necessary equipment.

We have two training course intakes per year in March and October whereby any boy or girl aged 13 upwards may join. You are welcome to come along any Monday or Friday evening to see us and have a chat about what we do. You will not be disappointed!