John Adrian Chamier

Infobox Military Person
name=John Adrian Chamier
lived=26 December1883 - 3 May1974
nickname=Father of the ATC


caption=Chamier during service with the Royal Air Force
allegiance=United Kingdom
serviceyears=1902-29
rank=Air Commodore
commands=Air Training Corps
branch=Royal Air Force
battles=World War I
World War II
awards=Knight Bachelor
Companion of the Order of the Bath
Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George
Distinguished Service Order
Officer of the Order of the British Empire
Mention in Despatches (2)
laterwork=Secretary of the Air League of the British Empire
Director of Vickers (Aviation) Ltd.
BBC Correspondent

Air Commodore Sir John Adrian Chamier CB, CMG, DSO, OBE (26 December1883 - 3 May1974) also known as "The Founding Father of the ATC" for his role in the foundation of the Air Training Corps, was born in 1883.

Military career

Royal Air Force

Chamier was educated at RMA Sandhurst. After graduating in 1902 he was attached to the Indian Army, where he served until 1915. After leaving India, Chamier joined the Royal Flying Corps, where he served as a pilot in the First World War.

After the war he transferred to the newly formed Royal Air Force where he served the rest of his career, eventually retiring in 1929. [Air Cadet Publication 31: General Service Training, 2000. Section 1, p. 31.1.1-1]

Air Training Corps

After retirement from the RAF, Chamier became secretary of the Air League of the British Empire. [1] During his tenure as secretary Chamier became involved with the founding, in 1938 of the Air Defence Cadet Corps, which on February 5, 1941 evolved in to the Air Training Corps [2] and, which continues to exist today.

After it was founded, Chamier became the Air Training Corps' first Commandant, until his retirement in 1944. He was succeeded by Air Marshal Sir Leslie Gossage.

Civilian career

Between 1928 and 1931 Chamier was a director on the board of Vickers (Aviation) Limited. [Adrian Chamier. http://www.answers.com/topic/adrian-chamier [Accessed] 2007-01-17]

Chamier was, at one time, the aviation correspondent for the British Broadcasting Corporation.

Aircraft

Chamier had a Mignet Pou-du-Ciel light aircraft registered "G-ADME" in his name between 1935 and 1938. [ [http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/HistoricalMaterial/G-ADME.pdf United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority - G-ADME] ]

Published Works

*The Birth of the Royal Air Force (1943) ISBN: B0007IVX9W

Decorations

Chamier has received several decorations for his service to the British Empire. He has been awarded the Order of the Bath, the Order of St. Michael and St. George, the Companion of Distinguished Service Order. In 1944 he was knighted as a Knight Bachelor. [5]

External links

* [http://www.rafweb.org/Biographies/Chamier.htm Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation - Air Commodore Sir John Chamier ]
* http://www.oswaldmosley.com/people/chamier.html - A biography of John Chamier
* http://www.raf.mod.uk/ - The Royal Air Force website
* http://www.aircadets.org/ - The Air Training Corps website

References