Eighty Air Training Corps Cadets including 399 (Beverley) Squadron Air Cadets and staff braved the weather to support the Royal Air Forces Associations (RAFA) annual Battle of Britain parade through Hull on Sunday 15th September. The parade commemorates those who gave their lives for their country in the Battle of Britain in 1940.
Cadets from the City of Hull, West Hull and surrounding Sqn’s in Beverley, Brough & Hornsea attended a remembrance service at the Cenotaph hosted by Rev’d. A. Bagshaw and then marched along with veterans to Trinity Church.
Headed by the 872 Hull West Sqn. Band along with standard bearers; the two flights of cadets who took part in this year’s parade are a small sector of the Central & East Yorkshire wing of the Air Training Corps (ATC).
The parade was marshalled by Cadet Warrant Officer T. Moore and led by Adult Sgt. E. Naulton. Service Tributes were provided by Cadet G. Robinson and Cadet Corporal A. Kiethley. After the service at Trinity church, the cadets enjoyed a much-appreciated hog roast provided by the RAFA.
The annual Battle of Britain parade is one of three main parades each year on the Air Cadet Organisation calendar along with ATC Sunday and Remembrance Sunday.
When not flying or consumed with other activities, cadets regularly perform public duties, and this Sunday was no different. Sector Commander Sqn. Ldr. Patrick Curtiss said;
“As an organisation, the ATC is proud to support the RAF Association in its endeavour to ensure that everyone remembers those who gave their lives to secure the freedoms we enjoy today. Every cadet on parade today has someone in their family who can be proud of them.”
Mr. Ian Russell of Hull RAFA said, “We are eternally grateful to the ATC Cadets. They not only help us to remember those we lost; however, the cadets symbolise the need to ensure that we keep Britain’s sky’s defended for future generations. Providing a hog roast after marching to church in these conditions is the least we can do.”
The Air Training Corps exists to promote and encourage among young people a practical interest in aviation and the Royal Air Force, provide training, which will be useful in the Services and Civilian Life and to foster the spirit of adventure and develop qualities of leadership and good citizenship.
Potential new cadets are always welcome at local ATC Sqn’s within the wing. Anyone interested can find out more by visiting www.aircadets.org to find their local Sqn.
