ATC 21st anniversary

February 5th 1962 was the 21st anniversary of the formation of the ATC. On ATC Sunday in 1962 (in that year it fell on 4th February) His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh, Air Commodore-in-Chief ATC, presented the Corps with its own Banner. The Banner was received from His Royal Highness during a special 21st anniversary thanksgiving church parade at the historic St Clement Danes Church in London, official church of the Royal Air Force. The service was conducted by the Venerable F W Cocks, Chaplain-in-Chief to the RAF, assisted by Canon H F Woolnough, Chairman of the Chaplains' Committee of the Scottish Air Cadet Council, and the Reverend T Ryder, Resident Chaplain of the Church of St Clement Danes.

The Banner, which measures 3 feet by 3 feet, is mounted on a 7ft pike topped by an Astral Crown; the background is Air Force blue and it has a blue and white fringe and cords and tassels; in the centre is the ATC Badge, worked in red and gold and bearing the Corps motto "Venture Adventure"; and the top inside corner of the Banner bears the personal insignia of Prince Philip.

At the special 21st anniversary church service were members of the Air Council, the Air Cadet Councils, London dignitaries, ATC Wing Commanders and Wing Representative Chairmen and their wives and many invited guests from parents and others associated with the ATC. His Royal Highness read the lesson and prayers were led by Dr Small. The Chaplain-in-Chief delivered the address, which was very appropriate for the ATC, being taken from St Peter's advice on community behaviour, give due honour to everyone, love to the brotherhood, reverence to God, honour to the Sovereign - and then, before presentation, the Banner was dedicated by Canon Woolnough.

The honour of accepting the Banner from the Duke of Edinburgh fell to CWO David Hood, No 1141 (6th Edinburgh) Squadron, who was the first recipient of a Gold Award in the D of E Award Scheme.

Outside the church, trumpeters of No 296 (Stoke Newington) Squadron sounded a fanfare, a guard was formed by members of the City of London Wing and an Escort Flight provided by the County of London and Middlesex Wings marched off the Banner at the end of the service.