PARADE OF A.T.C. TRAINEES

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27396, 8 July 1954, Page 14

PARADE OF A.T.C. TRAINEES

WIGRAM CEREMONY ON SATURDAY

INSPECTION BY CHIEF OF AIR STAFF

On Saturday morning No. 17 Squadron, Air Training Corps, Christchurch, will parade at the Royal New Zealand Air Force station, Wigrsm, for inspection by the Chief of the Air Staff (Air Vice-Marshal W. H. Merton).

This will be the first occasion on which Air Vice-Marshal Merton has attended an A.T.C. parade in New Zealand since his appointment early this year. The general public, and parents of the boys on parade, will be able to inspect squadron activities before the 11 a m. parade. For the 30 boys comprising No. 3 flight on the parade, the ceremony will mark their graduation from the ranks of recruits. To the boy who has gained the highest marks during his six months’ recruit course Air ViceMarshal Merton will present a trophy and corporal’s stripes. The squadron’s Efficiency Cup (a gift of the Brevet Club) will also be presented to the commander of the best flight. Full ceremonial drill will be observed. Each of . the 80 boys parading will be issued with a rifle; and the squadron will go through all the movements of a passing-out parade, including a march past and “advance in review order.” Afterwards, the cadets will go to their workshops and lecture rooms, where they will be visited by the Chief of the Air Staff. Official Guests The Mayor of Christchurch (Mr R. M Macfarlane, M.P.), and Messrs H. R. Lake, M.P., John Stannage, H. D. Christie, and the president (Mr A. Stuart) and members of the Brevet Club will be among the official guests at the ceremony. Headmasters and officers commanding school A.T.C. units will also attend. Flight Lieutenant R. L. Woodfield, officer commanding the squadron, will accompany Air Vice-Marshal Merton on his inspection of the three flights and on his visits to units at work afterwards. Responsibility for conducting the parade will rest wholly with the squadron’s non-commissioned officers. The Regular Air Force n.c.o.’s seconded to the A.T.C. as instructors will not take part. From about 10 a.m., the public will be free to visit the various lecture rooms and workshops in which units of the squadron will be working. At 11 a.m., the parade will begin, and by 12.15 p.m. the ceremony will be concluded.