Rayleigh and Wickford MP Mark Francois, has said he is delighted to have been asked to become Honorary President of Rayleigh’s Air Cadet unit.
1476 (Rayleigh) Squadron of the Air Training Corps are based at Connaught Road Rayleigh, where the cadets meet once a week to learn about life in the Royal Air Force and related skills, such as teamwork, leadership, discipline and first aid. The Squadron, which currently has over 30 cadets and is still growing, is supported by a Civilian Committee or “Civcom”, which is currently chaired by Rayleigh local Councillor, Ian Ward.
Mark, who served as a TA infantry officer during the Cold War and then subsequently as both the Veterans Minister and then Armed Forces Minister in the MoD, commented on his recent appointment, as follows:
“I am delighted to have been asked to become the Honorary President of 1476 Rayleigh Squadron, which is a dynamic organisation in which young people can benefit from learning the military ethos and such values as working together as a team, even in challenging conditions. As the Veterans Minister I was responsible for encouraging the cadet movement so perhaps I have now come full circle? I am hoping to help the Squadron in any way I can.”
Any young person, aged between 12 and 18, who is interested in joining the Air Cadets is encouraged to go online for further details at: https://www.raf.mod.uk/aircadets/interested-injoining-as-a-cadet/
