History of the Army Cadet Force
History of the Royal Army Medical Corps (RAMC)

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Army Cadet Force

In the First World War a big expansion of the Cadet Force took place and the War office reassumed responsibility for its administration up until 1923 when the Territorial Associations again took over.  In 1930 the Government ceased to recognise the Cadet Force and withdrew financial support from it. Everything had to be provided by private raised money and even wearing of Regimental badges and buttons were forbidden.  A body known as the British National Cadet Association (BNCA) was formed with the aim of getting official recognition restored.  They achieve this aim at least to a limited degree in 1932 and by 1936 certain services and small grants were provided.  The BNCA had the responsibility of running the Cadet Force.

During the Second World War a big expansion of the Cadet Force took place in January 1942.  The War Office took over the organisation. Equipment and accommodation were increased grants and free uniforms were authorised.  The BNCA continued to deal with such matters as sport, competition shooting, and the general welfare of Cadets and many other aspects of cadet work. 

 The BNCA became the Army Cadet Force Association (ACFA) in 1945 and continues to be responsible for those aspects of cadet training and activities, which are not the direct concern of the MOD.  In addition, the ACFA are advisers to the MOD and other Government bodies on all matters connected to the ACF.

 As a result of the recommendations of a Government committee in 1957, the Cadet Training Centre at Frimley Park, Surrey was opened in 1959.  This centre provides courses for officers and adult instructors of the ACF and the CCF and also leadership courses in the summer for a limited number of senior Cadets.

The centenary of the ACF was celebrated in 1960.  The chief event was the presentation of the banner to the force by HRH the Duke of Edinburgh at a ceremony at the Tower of London.  During the year, this Banner was passed from unit to unit and county to county throughout the whole of the United Kingdom.  It was trooped in many places before various distinguished people were laid on the altar of numerous parish churches and cathedrals at special Centenary Year Services.  The Banner is now housed at the Cadet Training Centre, Frimley Park.  Another highlight of the Centenary Year was the review of large representative parade of the ACF and CCF by HM the Queen and HRH the Duke of Edinburgh in the grounds of Buckingham Palace.  This was followed by an impressive thanksgiving service in Westminster Abbey.

 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.

 There are about 8,000 cadets in some 1,600 detachments, which are to be found in every part of the United Kingdom.  The ACF continues to play its part as one of the premier voluntary youth organisation's which help young people within our local communities. 

 Points to Remember:

 1.    The Army Cadet Force can be traced back to 1859 when there was a threat of invasion from the French.

2.    Immediately following the formation of the volunteers came the Cadets in 1860

3.    The Pioneer social worker Miss Octavia Hill who helped start the ACF introduced the boys in the Southwark Cadet Company to: -

Ø     Cleanliness

Ø     Teamwork

Ø     Virtue of order

Ø     Self reliance

4.    The Cadet Training Centre at Frimley Park, Surrey was opened in 1959

5.    In 1960, The Duke of Edinburgh presented the ACF with it’s own banner to Celebrate 100 Years. This banner was laid up in the local St Peters Church Frimley

6. A new ACF banner was presented by the Duke of Edinburgh at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in July 2006. The Banner is kept at Frimley Park

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THE ROYAL ARMY MEDICAL CORPS

Following the restoration of Charles II in 1660, the Standing Regular Army was formed. For the first time, a career was provided for a medical officer, both in peacetime and war. The Army was formed entirely on a regimental basis (and continues in that tried and tested way today) and a medical officer with a warrant officer as his assistant was appointed to the regiment which also provided a hospital. The regimental basis of appointment for medical officers continued until it was abolished in 1873.

It was in Queen Anne’s reign that the great Duke of Marlborough instituted what were known as "marching hospitals" and "flying hospitals" (somewhat comparable to the present day field ambulance or medical regiment) to accompany his armies. But it was not until about 1812 when the Duke of Wellington was commanding the army fighting Napoleon’s forces in Spain and Portugal that some kind of organised medical service was born.

During the 40 years, which followed Napoleon’s defeat at Waterloo on 18th June 1815, the British Army forgot the lessons it had so painfully learned during the Peninsular War. This neglect culminated in the disastrous medical scandal of the Crimean War when provision of medical support were entrusted to members of the wealthy and aristocratic classes who regarded soldiering as a hobby, wore highly exotic uniforms and gave no thought to the medical or logistic support to the army. As a consequence the responsibility fell to "Civil Departments" who were largely untrained in war. Emerging from this fiasco was the formation in 1855 of "The Medical Staff Corps" composed of "...men able to read and write, of regular habits and good temper and of a kindly disposition". In 1857 the Medical Staff Corps was reorganised into the "Army Hospital Corps" a title it held until 1884 when  it reverted to its former name.

It was in 1898 that all ranks became fused together into a single Corps. Queen Victoria, on the 23 June 1898 added her forthright signature to the top right hand corner of a Royal Warrant which signified her will and pleasure that a "Corps be  formed styled the Royal Army Medical Corps". Thus on 1st July 1898 the Corps was born and the Centenary was recently celebrated.

The RAMC has a most distinguished record both in the practice of medicine and in the gallantry displayed by its members. In the 3 major wars (Boer, WW1 & WW2), the RAMC dealt with 14 million casualties, was awarded 14 Victoria Crosses (two with Bars), one George Cross, 630 Distinguished Service Orders, 1,806 Military Crosses, 464 Distinguished Conduct Medals, 2,375 Military Medals and 16 George Medals. The price was not small with our rolls of honour containing 1,180 officers and 8,165 soldiers who died in the service of their country. With such a distinguished history, present and future members of the Corps have an awesome reputation to live up to. Moreover, wherever there is conflict whether it is limited war (Korea), Counter Insurgency (Malaya), Counter Terrorism (Northern Ireland), Task Force (South Atlantic), Coalition Forces (Gulf War) or United Nations and NATO peacekeeping operations (Bosnia, Cyprus, Angola etc) the RAMC is always there.

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