Berwick Air Cadet Receives National Award

Every year, the Air Training Corps awards the Dacre Sword to the best cadet in the UK, with the runner up receiving the ATC 75th Anniversary Sword. Cadet Warrant Officer Alexander McCormick from 1016(Berwick) Squadron was the nominee for Durham Northumberland Wing, and was delighted to be successful at interview to become the nominee for the whole of North Region. This week, it was announced that Alexander has been awarded the ATC 75th Anniversary Sword, becoming one of the top cadets in the country, out of approximately 43,000 cadets nationwide.

This is an extraordinary accolade for Alexander, as well as for 1016(Berwick) Squadron, and he becomes one of only 3 cadets from Durham Northumberland Wing to ever receive one of the top two awards.

Alexander joined the ATC after seeing their stand at the Border Union Show when he was 12. Through the Cadets he has been able to experience life changing moments, including a flight in a Chinook helicopter, 12 hours of pilot scholarship culminating in a solo flight before he was even old enough to drive a car, sailing from Fort William to Hartlepool as part of his Gold Duke of Edinburgh award, travelling to Belgium on a battlefields tour, and even getting a front row spot outside Buckingham Palace for the King’s Coronation.

By far his proudest achievement, though, comes through his passion for flying. Alexander joined 661 Volunteer Gliding School at Kirknewton Airfield near Edinburgh as a Flight Staff Cadet in 2022. He worked extremely hard and progressed to become the youngest person in 10 years to become Pilot Grade G1 qualified, meaning he can take cadets up in gliders. Being able to give other young people what is often their first experience of flying and seeing their joy is his biggest motivation, and gives him the sense of giving back to the organisation which has given him so much.

This passion and dedication has now been recognised with the ATC 75th Anniversary Sword, which really is an amazing achievement for Alexander, and for 1016(Berwick) Squadron. Young people can join the Air Cadets from the school year they turn 12, if you are interested in learning more about what the organisation can offer, please contact the Squadron via our Facebook page.