Air Commodore J A Chamier is known as the father of the Air Cadet Organization. He served in the army and in the Royal Flying Corps, which was
the forerunner of the Royal Air Force, during World War I. He then went on to join the RAF in 1919, where he served until his retirement in 1929.
During his life in the RAF he developed a strong love for aviation and set about raising awareness of this new military power among the British
people. As Secretary General of the Air League, he came up with the idea of establishing an air cadet corps for the nation's youth, encouraging
them to consider a career in aviation. His experience in the war had shown him that due to the high demand for personnel, many young men were
sent into combat in the air with very little training. Therefore, the sooner training began for these young men, the more knowledge and
experience they could carry into combat.
In 1938, the Air Defence Cadet Corps was founded. It began attracting young men with an interest in aviation from all over the country. They
began setting up squadrons in as many towns as possible, with local people to run and organise people. each squadron aimed to prepare cadets for
joining the RAF or the Fleet Air Arm. They gave instruction in aviation related subjects as well as drill, discipline, PT, shooting, camping and
flying.