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AIR CADET ORGANIZATION A “NATIONAL TREASURE”

The Air Cadets is a “national treasure” Air Chief Marshal Sir Michael Graydon, former Chief of Air Staff, has said this week.

ACM Sir Michael Graydon, speaking at a long service award presentation to 49 members of the Air Training Corps and Combined Cadet Force (RAF) also said that their commitment was “beyond price”.

In his speech following the presentations he said: “It is a privilege to attend this event and give out the awards. All of the service that you have put in is beyond price. I thank you, not just on behalf of the RAF but also the country. The Air Cadet Organization is one of, if not the top national youth organization in the United Kingdom, which continuously produces fantastic citizens. It is a national treasure with a bright future and as a result needs to be looked after and enhanced further.”

The presentation, which took place at Royal Air Force College Cranwell, Lincolnshire brought together volunteers, who had a total of 2,189 years of service between them. Amongst the recipients was Wing Commander Ray Kidd, 75, the current ATC historian.

Above: Wg Cdr Ray Kidd is congratulated by ACM Sir Michael Graydon.

Making history himself, Wing Commander Kidd felt that the day had been a fantastic success. He said: “It really has been superb, not just for those receiving their awards but also for the family members who have given their unconditional support.”

Below: Flt Lt John Springett also received an award

With Ray’s links to the ATC dating right back to the 1940s as a young cadet it seems he is tailor made to be the organization’s historian. Talking about the history of Air Cadets he said: “The ACO has an illustrious history and one which needs to be recorded accurately so that widespread audiences are given a true account of the past. There really is a great sense of honour within this organization, which stretches from the ideologies of the volunteers right through to the cadets themselves.”

Also amongst the award recipients was Flt Lt John Springett RAF VR(T) Retired, who was honoured for his 41 years’ service. Joining as a cadet at 323 Squadron in Surrey Wing he later became a Civilian Instructor in 1968 with 135 (Reigate and Redhill) Squadron. After joining 1220 (March) Squadron in 1975 he was later commissioned to Flight Lieutenant with 2331 (St Ives) Squadron, Cambridgeshire.

Discussing his experience within the organization, Flt Lt Springett said: “I have seen the ATC change over the years but the biggest was in the Eighties when girls were allowed into the Corps. I am from an age when boys and girls went to different schools and, therefore, I thought it would never work but I am glad to say that I was proved wrong.”

Opening the presentation was Commandant Air Cadets, Air Commodore Gordon Moulds. He said: “This is the second of our awards ceremonies to recognise the superb work done over many years by our volunteers. I am delighted to say that the cumulative total of years worked by our volunteers – 2,198 years would take us all the way back to 190BC. They are the backbone of this organization and we are all very grateful to them.”

Being recognised for his 48 years of service to the ATC was Mr Donald Griffiths MBE. Having joined the organization as a cadet with 1284 (Tenby) Squadron, he later joined the RAF for national service in 1943. In the years that followed 1284 Squadron has became a family affair for the Griffiths’, with four generations having all been members.

Currently the President of 1284 Squadron, Flt Lieutenant Griffiths is joined by his son, the Commanding Officer, his daughter-in-law the ADC and now his granddaughter, who is a cadet. Air Commodore Moulds said: “With family connections and commitment like this, the Air Cadet Organization is sure to thrive for years to come.”

MERITORIOUS AND LONG SERVICE CERTIFICATE RECIPIENTS LIST - MARCH 2008

Sqn Ldr Gerald Taylor RAFVR(T) Retd of East Cheshire & South Manchester Wing for 59 yrs service.

Sqn Ldr Kenneth Davies MBE RAFVR(T) Retd of Bristol & Gloucester Wing for 57 yrs service.

Flt Lt Kenneth Richards RAFVR(T) Retd of Warwickshire & Birmingham Wing for 55 yrs service.

Flt Lt Jim O’Mahony RAFVR(T) Retd of East Cheshire & South .Manchester Wing for 54 yrs of service.

Sqn Leader Roy Pidgeon RAFVR(T) Retd of Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wing for 52 yrs service.

Mr John Binsted of Warwickshire & Birmingham Wing for 52 yrs service.

Mr Brian Powell of Plymouth & Cornwall Wing for 51 yrs service.

Wg Cdr Edward Cadden BSc RAFVR(T) Retd of Northern Ireland Wing for 50 yrs service.

Mr Kenneth Roberts of Bristol & Gloucestershire Wing for 50 yrs service.

Flt Lt Stephen Brown AE RAFVR(T) Retd of Dorset & Wiltshire Wing for 49 yrs service.

Wg Cdr Roland Lovat Fraser OBE FRAeS RAFVR(T) Retd of 662Volunteer Gliding School, Arbroath for 49 yrs service.

Flt Lt Alan Head BA RAFVR(T) Retd of Bristol & Gloucester Wing for 48 yrs service.

Mr Donald Griffiths MBE of Number Three Welsh Wing for 48 yrs service.

Sqn Ldr Michael Stagg RAFVR(T) Retd of Warwickshire & Birmingham Wing for 47 yrs service.

Sqn Leader Reginald Holdstock RAFVR(T) Retd of London Wing for 47 yrs service.

Wg Cdr Edward Ireland RAFVR(T) Retd of Edinburgh & South Scotland Wing for 47 yrs service.

Mr Raymond Jago of Plymouth & Cornwall Wing for 46 yrs service.

Mr Neil Collinge of East Lancashire Wing Sqn for 46 yrs service.

Flt Lt Clive Strickland RAFVR(T) Retd of Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wing for 46 yrs service.

Mr Charles Blackham of East Cheshire & South Manchester Wing for 45 yrs service.

Flt Lt Lawrence Briar MBE RAFVR(T) of Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wing for 45 yrs service.

Wg Cdr Ray Kidd OBE RAFVR(T) Retd of Central & East Yorkshire Wing for 45 yrs service.

Mr Michael Ward of Warwickshire & Birmingham Wing for 44 yrs service.

Mr Michael Taylor of Plymouth & Cornwall Wing for 44 yrs service.

Mr Michael Price of Number Three Welsh Wing for 44 yrs service.

Wing Cdr Peter Wallace FAIA MCMI RAFVR(T) of William Parker School CCF, East Sussex for 44 yrs service.

Flt Lt Stuart Allen RAFVR(T) Retd of Hertfordshire & Buckinghamshire Wing for 44 yrs service.

Flt Lt Barry Quarman RAFVR(T) of 613 Volunteer Gliding School, Buckinghamshire for 44 yrs service.

Sqn Ldr Colin Dawson RAFVR(T) Retd of Norfolk & Suffolk Wing for 44 yrs service.

Sqn Ldr Alan Druce RAFVR(T) Retd of Bedfordshire & Cambridgeshire Wing for 44 yrs service.

Sqn Ldr Rodney Fawkes RAFVR(T) Retd of Kent Wing for 44 yrs service.

Mr John Riggall of Essex Wing for 43 yrs service.

Mr Anthony Norman of Middlesex Wing for 43 yrs service.

Wg Cdr Christopher Bacon RAFVR(T) Retd of Dorset & Wiltshire Wing for 43 yrs service.

Wg Cdr Derek Bryant RAFVR(T) Retd of East Cheshire & South Manchester Wing for 42 yrs service.

Mr Gerald Smith of South & West Yorkshire Wing for 42 yrs service.

Flt Lt Anthony Sollars RAFVR(T) of Royal Grammar School High Wycombe CCF, Buckinghamshire for 42 yrs service.

Sqn Ldr Jonathan Goddard RAFVR(T) of 622 Volunteer Gliding School, Wiltshire for 42 yrs service.

Mr Harry Marsh of Essex Wing for 41 yrs service.

Flt Lt Malcolm Colebrook RAFVR(T) of Dorset & Wiltshire Wing for 41 yrs service.

Flt Lt Norman Pennock RAFVR(T) Retd of Central & East Yorkshire Wing for 41 yrs service.

Wg Cdr Andrew Murray RAFVR(T) of Fettes College CCF, Edinburgh for 40 yrs service.

Flt Lt John Springett RAFVR(T) Retd of Bedfordshire & Cambridgeshire Wing for 40 yrs service.

Wg Cdr Anthony Osborne RAFVR(T) Retd of London Wing for 40 yrs service.

Mr John Penn of 511 Sqn of Bedfordshire & Cambridgeshire Wing for 40 yrs service.

Sqn Ldr John Rooke MBE RAFVR(T) Retd of Devon & Somerset Wing for 40 yrs service.

Wg Cdr Ian Todd OBE RAFVR(T) Retd of South West Region for 40 yrs service.

Mr Peter Russell of West Mercian Wing for 40 yrs service.

Date Last Updated : Monday, March 10, 2008 12:19 PM

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