From the Mitcham Youth Handbook of 1949

ARMY CADET FORCE

“B: Company, 2nd Cadet Battalion, The East Surrey Regiment

This Unit was formed in 1942, and continues to flourish, carrying on the task of training lads between the ages of 14 and 18 years for their period of National Service and good citizenship.

The Company is staffed by War Experienced Officers and Adult Staff, as follows:
Officer Commanding: Lieut. N. L. Ball, T.A.R.O.
Second-in-Command: 2nd-Lieut. J. Rayner.
Company-Sergeant-Major: C.S.N.I. E.C. Humphries.
Sports and Welfare: S.-Sergt. E. Roach.
Boxing and P.T.: Mr. Ballard.

Specially-prepared training programmes are compiled and carried out under two headings: —

Military Training: Drill (Arms and Foot); Firing on the Range; Fieldcraft and Practical Exercises; Map Reading, etc., etc.

Physical and Recreational: Physical Training, Boxing, Swimming, Running and Sports, Football, Cricket., etc., etc.

Every facility is afforded for Welfare, including Table Tennis, Billiards and Snooker, Darts; and visits to important events and places of interest, etc., etc.

Camp is held each year, when the Cadets are taken away for a fortnight’s grand holiday, combined with an insight into Army life. This Company usually holds its annual camp at the Isle of Wight. Week-end camps are arranged whenever possible, these being held usually at Caterham or Pirbright.

Cadets learn how to handle a rifle and other weapons, and get numerous opportunities of firing on the open ranges; also miniature range with .22 rifles.

Parades are held at our Headquarters every Tuesday and Thursday from 7.30 till 9.30 p.m., and on Sunday mornings from 10.00 to 12.30 hours. The O.C. (Lieut. N. L. Ball) will be glad to see any lad interested in joining, and show him round; or full details can be given by post.

Our Headquarters address is:—’B” (Mitcham) Company, 2nd Cadet Battalion, the East Surrey Regiment, London Road Schools (over Youth Employment Bureau), Mitcham, Surrey.

Source: Local Studies Centre, Morden Library, Civic Centre, Morden.
Reference: L2 (369) MIT

From the Mitcham Youth Handbook of 1949

AIR-TRAINING CORPS No. 2157 (Mitcham) Squadron.

Officer Commanding: F.-Lt. M. D. Allen.

The present Mitcham Air Training Corps Squadron is the outcome of the disbandment of the old-established Mitcham Wing and the amalgamation of Nos. 222 and 1807 Squadrons. The establishment of the present Squadron is 150 Cadets plus a Unit Band, and there are at present vacancies for physically fit, ‘air-minded’ lads between the ages of 14 and 18 years, who are desirous of training for entry into the Royal Air Force or the Fleet Air Arm. Uniform is provided free after completion of a satisfactory probationary period. Over 1,000 have passed into the Services since the formation of the Corps in Mitcham. Some have been decorated for gallantry—others paying the supreme price.

Training headquarters is in the County Grammar School for Boys, Commonside East, where training is given in Aircrew subjects, including Navigation, Met. and Signals; also Ground Trades such as Engineering, the instruction being carried out on Monday and Thursday evenings at 7.30-9.30; in addition, P.T. and drill are carried out on Sunday mornings between 10.30 and 12.30 at Western Road School.

There is a fine recreation hut situated in the London Road, near the Town Hall, which is open for recreation purposes on Wednesday and Friday evenings from 7.30-9.30. Squadron activities include visits to Air Force and Fleet Air Arm Stations — with flights in Service aircraft, gliding training and annual camp at permanent Service Stations, where facilities are given for flying with operational crews. There are in addition schemes in operation for persons reaching a certain standard of training to participate in Overseas Flights to India, Middle East and Europe with the R.A.F. Transport Command.

Ample facilities exists for sports, including cricket, rugby and association football, which are provided for the Cadets. Further particulars may be obtained from the Training Headquarters, Recreation Hut or by post from the Squadron Adjutant, 44 Riverside Drive, Mitcham.

Source: Local Studies Centre, Morden Library, Civic Centre, Morden.
Reference: L2 (369) MIT