September 20, 2016
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Cadets and staff from the Highland Wing area of the RAF Air Cadets converged in Inverness on Sunday 18 September to celebrate 75 years of the Air Training Corps.
The RAF Air Cadets comprises both the Air Training Corps (ATC) and the Combined Cadet Force (RAF). The ATC was established in 1941 and thus 2016 is their 75th anniversary.
More than 160 cadets and staff marched through the city centre on their way to an anniversary church service at Ness Bank Church.
During the service the Reverend Alan Lamb, currently the assistant Highland Wing Chaplain, was presented with a framed picture of the Short Sunderland Military Flying Boat on which he served in the RAF. This was to recognise his services to Highland Wing having recently retired from being the Wing Chaplain.
Following the church service cadets marched past the war memorial at Cavell Gardens on the banks of the River Ness where the Lord Lieutenants, Mrs Janet Bowen for Ross and Cromarty, Skye and Lochalsh and Douglas Young, Vice-Lord Lieutenant of the Inverness Lieutenancy, took the salute.
Cadets then marched to the Army Reserve Centre at Gordonville Road where two members of Highland Wing Staff were presented with awards recognising their service to the RAF Air Cadets.
Flight Lieutenant Leslie Grant RAFVR(T) from 1285 (Caithness) Squadron was awarded the Cadet Forces Medal clasp which is awarded for every additional 6 years’ service after the initial issue of the medal after 12 years’ service.
Douglas Young, Vice-Lord Lieutenant of the Inverness Lieutenancy, presented Flight Lieutenant Leslie Grant RAFVR(T) from 1285 (Caithness) Squadron with the Cadet Forces Medal clasp.
Warrant Officer Glenn Judge, Wing Warrant Officer, from 446 (Forres) Squadron was awarded a Commandants Special Commendation with regards to the life-saving actions he delivered along with other air cadet staff while attending an adult training course at RAF College Cranwell. Both awards were presented to them by Douglas Young Vice-Lord Lieutenant of the Inverness Lieutenancy. The event concluded with light refreshments for all.
Warrant Officer Glenn Judge received his commendation from Douglas Young.
Cadets and adults parade through Inverness City Centre.
