Hi. I'm a corporal in the A.C.F. Just wondering if anyone on here is, or has been in the organization. And to those who don't know what it is, it's basically a youth organization that is based heavily on the army (i.e we learn about drill, map and compass, first aid, shooting, fieldcraft, etc.). Anything to add?
hello worthatron if you could add more information for members that would be helpful Make Your Mark | ACF | Army Cadet Force regards Clive
I joined the Army Cadets at the age of 13 back in 1981 and I learnt to do three things: 1. Smoke 2. Swear 3. Drink
1962 - 1966. In those days the TA and regular army spent a lot of time and effort on the ACF it was a good recruiting source.
We did not have the resources in the 1980s that the army had in the 60s. In fact there was a period from the 1979 cuts where we had very little contact with the ACF. We had to stop live training ourselves for nearly a year - when a rifle battalion gets 4 live 84mm rounds per year and enough fuel to take the 432 a mile to the wash point every month it had little time for the ACF which in the minds of some was short sighted. The annual ACF visit to us stopped for a few years, especially the BAOR visits.
Back in the early 60's membership of the Cadets was compulsory at the school that I attended and every Friday afternoon was allocated to this. I thoroughly enjoyed it, apart from a sadistic Scots Guards Sergeant that I encountered when I did my Cert A at Windsor Barracks. Still I was able to exact my revenge on other members of that Regiment when I had dealings with them in later years! John
Snap, except it was Mondays. RSM was a delightful man, a true gentleman. Despite not having been taught morse code, "qualified" as a signaller in 1966.
Hi I Joined the A.C.F. in 1954 while still at school, I found that it gave me a good insight on how to clean your kit etc before I was called up for National Service in 1957. A very worthwhile organistation rotherfield
Back in the early 60's membership of the Cadets was compulsory at the school that I attended and every Friday afternoon was allocated to this. I thoroughly enjoyed it, apart from a sadistic Scots Guards Sergeant that I encountered when I did my Cert A at Windsor Barracks. Still I was able to exact my revenge on other members of that Regiment when I had dealings with them in later years! The Army Cadet Force has never been school-based, You must be thinking of the Combined Cadet Force, of which you were obviously in the Army Section. They are separate organisations, but both funded by the MoD - a point not made by Worthatron - with a view to a "return" in recruiting.
History of the ACF The Cadet Force can trace its beginnings back to 1859 where the Volunteers were formed to repel a possible French invasion of Britain. In 1860, at least eight schools had formed volunteer units (ancestors of the Territorial Army). These volunteer units formed cadet companies, one of which, the Queens Westminsters, paraded their cadets when queen Victoria carried out a review of the Volunteers that same year. The Cadet movement continued, as it was of great value to boys who lived in the bad areas of London. A much respected social worker at the time called Miss Octavia Hill, realized that cadet training was of great benefit to the boys; as a result, the Southwark cadet company was formed to introduce these boys to the virtues of cleanliness, order, teamwork and self reliance. Today, cadets can be justly proud that the voluntary spirit of Octavia Hill is part of our history and heritage. At the start of the Boer war (1899), about fifty schools had cadet corps. Many 'Open Units' (fore-bearers of the A.C.F) had started in the larger cities. In 1908, the Volunteers were converted into the T.A, public schools and universities were asked to provide units of the Officer Training Corps. Cadet Corps were formed in schools and 'open units' for those who had left school. The title Cadet Force was introduced and the administration was taken over by the T.A Associations. In 1914, WWI, there was a massive expansion of the cadet force. The War Office took over administration, and continued until 1923 when control was reverted back to the T.A.A. In that year the government ceased to recognize the Cadet Force taking away all financial support. This was a difficult time for everyone, but the voluntary spirit that had been at its greatest strength in the early days came to the surface. Individuals had to find the funding for everything. The wearing of regimental badges and buttons was forbidden. It was difficult and unhappy time for the cadet force. Trying to keep the Cadet Force alive and at the same time trying to win back government support, brought about the formation of the British National Cadet Association. By 1932 the BNCA had gained recognition and achieved some measure of success. It was allowed, under the guidance of the T.A - to run the Cadet Force. Shortly after the start of WWII, a massive expansion occurred in the Cadet Forces, Not only in the Army Cadets and the Sea Cadets; they were joined by the newly formed Air Training Corps. By 1942 the War Office took over the admin of the ACF once again, giving it support beyond its wildest dreams. Uniforms were provided free, and they had rifles issued although they were from the Boer war period. Camps were set up and assistance given to help run them and train the cadets. The war certificates ‘A’ parts 1 & 2 were the proficiency tests for training, with the red star worn on the arm of the uniforms. At one period there were more than 140,000 Army Cadets. The biggest problem was to find officers and instructors to run the Detachments. In 1945 the BNCA changed its name to the Army Cadet Force Association, after spending considerable time planning to meet the peace time needs of the ACF. Some shrinkage of the ACF happened immediately after the war and there was a further loss of 100 school units in 1948 when they opted to join the the newly formed Combined Cadet Force. In 1956 the Amery committee was set up to report on the future organization and training of the cadets. They emphasized on the development of character, the introduction of adventure training and leadership, and the acquisition of soldierly qualities. In 1960 came the centenary celebrations of the ACF. Parades were held up and down the country when the newly presented standard of the ACF was on parade (Presented by HRH Prince Phillip). In the period between 1960 and the mid 1980’s some counties enrolled girl cadets, initially as a pilot scheme, now of course they are allowed in any county of the Cadets. 1986 came with the introduction of the L98 A1 Cadet GP Rifle made especially for the Cadet Forces; this was however replaced in 2009 by the Cadet A2. In 1994 the .303 Bren LMG was replaced by the SA80 LSW as the section fire team weapon. 1958 pattern webbing was introduced and issued to the ACF right up until this year, where they are currently being withdrawn from service and replaced with cadet assault vests.
Andy your link here Air Cadets http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/united-kingdom/27287-air-training-corps-roll-honour.html
History of the ACF The Cadet Force can trace its beginnings back to 1859 where the Volunteers were formed to repel a possible French invasion of Britain. In 1860, at least eight schools had formed volunteer units (ancestors of the Territorial Army). These volunteer units formed cadet companies, one of which, the Queens Westminsters, paraded their cadets when queen Victoria carried out a review of the Volunteers that same year. The Cadet movement continued, as it was of great value to boys who lived in the bad areas of London. A much respected social worker at the time called Miss Octavia Hill, realized that cadet training was of great benefit to the boys; as a result, the Southwark cadet company was formed to introduce these boys to the virtues of cleanliness, order, teamwork and self reliance. Today, cadets can be justly proud that the voluntary spirit of Octavia Hill is part of our history and heritage. At the start of the Boer war (1899), about fifty schools had cadet corps. Many 'Open Units' (fore-bearers of the A.C.F) had started in the larger cities. In 1908, the Volunteers were converted into the T.A, public schools and universities were asked to provide units of the Officer Training Corps. Cadet Corps were formed in schools and 'open units' for those who had left school. The title Cadet Force was introduced and the administration was taken over by the T.A Associations. In 1914, WWI, there was a massive expansion of the cadet force. The War Office took over administration, and continued until 1923 when control was reverted back to the T.A.A. In that year the government ceased to recognize the Cadet Force taking away all financial support. This was a difficult time for everyone, but the voluntary spirit that had been at its greatest strength in the early days came to the surface. Individuals had to find the funding for everything. The wearing of regimental badges and buttons was forbidden. It was difficult and unhappy time for the cadet force. Trying to keep the Cadet Force alive and at the same time trying to win back government support, brought about the formation of the British National Cadet Association. By 1932 the BNCA had gained recognition and achieved some measure of success. It was allowed, under the guidance of the T.A - to run the Cadet Force. Shortly after the start of WWII, a massive expansion occurred in the Cadet Forces, Not only in the Army Cadets and the Sea Cadets; they were joined by the newly formed Air Training Corps. By 1942 the War Office took over the admin of the ACF once again, giving it support beyond its wildest dreams. Uniforms were provided free, and they had rifles issued although they were from the Boer war period. Camps were set up and assistance given to help run them and train the cadets. The war certificates ‘A’ parts 1 & 2 were the proficiency tests for training, with the red star worn on the arm of the uniforms. At one period there were more than 140,000 Army Cadets. The biggest problem was to find officers and instructors to run the Detachments. In 1945 the BNCA changed its name to the Army Cadet Force Association, after spending considerable time planning to meet the peace time needs of the ACF. Some shrinkage of the ACF happened immediately after the war and there was a further loss of 100 school units in 1948 when they opted to join the the newly formed Combined Cadet Force. In 1956 the Amery committee was set up to report on the future organization and training of the cadets. They emphasized on the development of character, the introduction of adventure training and leadership, and the acquisition of soldierly qualities. In 1960 came the centenary celebrations of the ACF. Parades were held up and down the country when the newly presented standard of the ACF was on parade (Presented by HRH Prince Phillip). In the period between 1960 and the mid 1980’s some counties enrolled girl cadets, initially as a pilot scheme, now of course they are allowed in any county of the Cadets. 1986 came with the introduction of the L98 A1 Cadet GP Rifle made especially for the Cadet Forces; this was however replaced in 2009 by the Cadet A2. In 1994 the .303 Bren LMG was replaced by the SA80 LSW as the section fire team weapon. 1958 pattern webbing was introduced and issued to the ACF right up until this year, where they are currently being withdrawn from service and replaced with cadet assault vests. This account fails to make clear the distinction between school-based cadets and 'open' cadets. It is primarily an account of the history of the ACF. The school history is that units were originally called Officer Training Corps (OTC); in about 1940 they were re-named Junior Training Corps (JTC), in distinction from Senior Training Corps (STC) in universities. In 1948 the JTC were merged into the newly-formed Combined Cadet Force (CCF), as Army sections, along with Navy and Air Force sections. The withdrawal of government funding was by the Labour administration of 1924, not 1923. It was deemed inappropriate to use taxpayers' money to train minors to kill.
I was in the ATC and heaving the ACF next door all I can say is where ever the army goes pongs goes That brought back memories. I too was in the ATC - or the "pooflets" as the Army Cadets called us (on the basis that the RAF were a bunch of homosexuals). Of course, we called them the "pongos". Inter-service rivalry, even at that level!
This account fails to make clear the distinction between school-based cadets and 'open' cadets. It is primarily an account of the history of the ACF. The school history is that units were originally called Officer's Training Corps (OTC); in about 1940 they were re-named Junior Training Corps (JTC), in distinction from Senior Training Corps (STC) in universities. In 1948 the JTC were merged into the newly-formed Combined Cadet Force (CCF), as Army sections, along with Navy and Air Force sections. The withdrawal of government funding was by the Labour administration of 1924, not 1923. It was deemed inappropriate to use taxpayers' money to train minors to kill. I never said it would make clear the distinctions. It is just what Army Cadets are being taught today.
Search: army cadet force (Hansard) Search: army cadet force funding (Hansard) This made me think back to annual camps. We had moved South - family, my first camp was Wretham, Norfolk. A place I got to know well later as we had the Guards Battle camp at Stonebridge. (now up for sale) 1964 we paraded with other units at Southampton railway station to board the cadet 'troop train' which picked up units at Winchester, Basingstoke and other stations each was handed a NAAFI box with sandwiches, pork pie,crisps and a drink. I remember we would stop and start and it took all day to get up to Norfolk where a fleet of what were then 3 tonners. took us to what memory has it that we were in Wretham B which was later demolished although I will have to look to see if the water tower is still there. Wretham A is still used. When I think back to the security, cadets milling around with rifles No 4 GS on railway stations! The amount of fags smoked we must have come off that train like kippers. LONDON CADETS INSPECTED ON HORSE GUARDS PARADE - British Pathé
I never said it would make clear the distinctions. It is just what Army Cadets are being taught today. Presumably on the well-worn hack-journalist principle, Why let the truth get in the way of a good story? There is a much more useful principle - If a job is worth doing, it is worth doing well. Those responsible for the ACF, please take note.
