Army Cadets UK history

The Christ’s College Cadet Corps was formed in 1895 and became affiliated to the 1st. (Brecknockshire) Volunteer Battalion, South Wales Borderers.

After the conversion of the volunteers to the Territorial Army (TA) by Lord Haldane in 1908, public schools and Universities were asked to produce units of the Officers Training Corps, and other Cadets Corps were formed into school units and open units for boys who had left school.

Recent changes in the ACF have resulted in the provision of a more modern and workmanlike uniform and the introduction of the Army Proficiency Certificate (ACF) which replaced Certificate A. Certificate A had been in use in the Cadet Forces in various forms since 1910.

In 1914 during the Great War, there was a massive expansion of the Cadet Force.

In 1923 as a result of Defence cutbacks all Governmental and Military support for the ACF was withdrawn.

In 1930 farsighted and enthusiastic people formed the British National Cadet Association (BNCA) to keep the army cadet movement alive, striving to save as many army cadet units as possible under the leadership of its first president, Field Marshal Lord Allenby.

Trying to keep the Cadet Force alive and at the same time trying to win back government support, brought about the formation of the BNCA. By 1932 the BNCA had gained recognition and achieved some measure of success.

Finally, it re-formed in June 1937 as a unit of the Officers Training Corps.

Shortly after the start of the war, (1939-45), there was a massive expansion of all the Cadet Forces.

History was to repeat itself in 1940 during the Second World War when the Home Guard was formed to help counter a threatened invasion by the German Army.

In April 1941 responsibility for cadets was transferred to the Home Guard Directorate, with the subsequent provision of increased cash grants, free uniforms and equipment.

During the Second World War a big expansion of the Cadet Force took place in January 1942.

The Northern Ireland A.C.F. was formed in January 1943 and organised into battalions of the three Irish infantry regiments; the Cap badge Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, the Royal Ulster Rifles and the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

They were refreshed and with it the charity changed its name to the Army Cadet Force Association (ACFA) in 1945; reflecting the fact that the charity supported only the ACF and no other cadet organisation.

Amery Committee In 1956 the Amery Committee was set up to report on the future organisation and training of the Cadet.

For a number of years Cadets spent their pocket money buying 1958 pattern webbing equipment in order to be up to date with the same appearance as the Regular Army Soldier.

One important recommendation led to the establishment in 1959 of the Cadet Training Centre at Frimley Park.

In 1960 came the centenary celebrations of the Army Cadet Force.

Prior to the 1982 females were unable to join the ACF, although they were able to join an attached unit (if there was one at that location) of the Girls Venture Corps which had been formed in the early years of the Second World War

In the year 2002 during an Annual Camp a female cadet lost her life as a result of an accident.

The ACF Manual 2005 states that all Cadet NCO's should wear the small Combat Patch rank insignia on their brassard.

To do so, as of 2006, the individual must then attend a Cadet Forces Commissioning Board (CFCB), similar to an Army Officer Selection Board though less physically demanding.

↑ Jump up to: 1.0 1.1 "Army Cadet Force yearly review 2009". http://cde.cerosmedia.com/1N49a2d55c5ba7d886.cde.

In 2010 the cadet movement celebrated its 150th anniversary with over 150 events in communities up and down the country - and beyond - under the banner of Cadet150.

From 2019 the Army took full control of activities within the army cadets.

↑ Jump up to: 2.0 2.1 "MOD statistics from 1st April 2020". Ministry Of Defence. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/890955/MOD_Sponsored_Cadet_Forces_Statistics_April_2020.pdf.

Understandably there was confusion between ACFA and ACF. Therefore the ACFA changed its name in September 2021 to become the Army Cadet Charitable Trust UK.