DELVING INTO ANTIQUITY:

ATC Observer, 1 July 1942, Page 3

DELVING INTO ANTIQUITY :

(A-brief resume of activities to date). - ■ ? . . , . ... • _ .. . J 1 ni l •

When the?A.T'.C. commenced training here in- Christcnurch injucnooer icm» after many months' spent in organising, the cadets then available were forced into a squadron. Training was carried out under this arrangement until January 19U2 when two squadrons were formed under Flying Officers .G,B.Troup, and G.E.M. Keys as squadrons 1 commander. A P/0 was appointed to command each flight. ’’ 11 J.-'il’V''

During Easter a camp for prospective N. C. O.J s was conducted on ? Quail Island, in Lyttelton Harbour,-some. 6o officers and cadets attending. Altogether a very enjoyable "and profitable time was had by all.

' ;On the third day in camp, an inspection was made by F/0 Bisley', .- Ad'jt. of pne of the R.N.2.A.F. stations in Canterbury, accompanied by the A.T.C. district Ad jt. . The last day of our stay on the island saw the .announcements’ of promotions. , There were many tense faces as the. list was read, cadets being made corporals, others corporals-Acting Sergeants.. - As. . each new ,N.C.O. was . announced he came . forward and• was , presented, to a=, visiting.. station padre, , Flight Lieutenant Osmers. ... None of those eargerly waiting took notice of the steady drizzle which had; jus t set in- -< / • ■■s '•' • ■ ;O-

'We cannot pass over the Easter Camp .without mentioning F/0 Thompson and. hi,s. violin, providing, as they did, a: pleasant, accompaniment, < for the boys 1 lusty voices. • jV"'

• Some of the appointments were expected, others came as a surprise but; the fairness of the officers in- selecting the most suitable was fully recognised by all.

; Anzac Day saw the participation of ’ a' detachmentof. the .. A<T.,C.. in a military parade, a very favourable impression being created.

, ■ A party .ofscadets:/.attended a physical, training course at a northern station, gaining some valuable experience in'class taking. " The course took 10 days, May 25th to June sth. ’’

/From this. report it is obvious, that ..the A.T.C. ; in Christchurch made .steady if rather/.slow progress. . The reader shall readily see

from other articles . herein that this progress has been somewhat accelerated during the past month.... .