| 1925 |
|
The
Observer Corps is formed by Major General E B
Ashmore CB CMG MVO to report
enemy aircraft flying over the British Isles. |
| January
1929 |
|
The
Air Ministry takes control of the Corps, an Air
Commodore is appointed
Commandant, the motto
Forewarned is Forearmed is
adopted and the Observer Corps
headquarters established. |
| 24
August 1939 |
|
The
Corps is mobilised at start of the second World War. |
| July/October
1940 |
|
The
Battle of Britain. |
| April
1941 |
|
H
M King George Vl grants the title ‘Royal’. |
| May
1941 |
|
Tracking
and reporting of the Rudolph Hess flight. |
| September
1941 |
|
Women
admitted to the Corps. |
| June
1944 |
|
During
the D-Day landings, selected Observer Corps
volunteers undertook duty as
aircraft identifiers on board defensively equipped merchants ships. |
| May
1945 |
|
The
Corps stood down. |
| January
1947 |
|
In
response to the cold war the Corps re-forms. |
| 11
April 1950 |
|
HM
King George Vl becomes the Corps’ first Air
Commodore in-Chief and the Royal Observer Corps
medal is instituted. |
| 2
June 1953 |
|
HM
Queen Elizabeth II assumes the appointment Air
Commodore-in-Chief. |
| 1955 |
|
The
Corps undertakes the nuclear reporting role. |
| 24
June 1966 |
|
Review
of the Corps by HM Queen Elizabeth II and presentation
of the Royal Observer Corps Banner. |
| 1968 |
|
Reorganisation
and reduction in establishment. |
| 1975 |
|
Golden
Jubilee of the Corps. |
| 27
June 1985 |
|
60th
Anniversary Royal Garden Party at RAF Bentley
Priory. |
| 25
July 1991 |
|
Review
of the Corps by HM Queen Elizabeth II and presentation
of a new Royal Observer Corps Banner. |
| 29
Sept 1991 |
|
Laying
up of the old Royal Observer Corps Banner in
St Clement Danes Church London. |
| 30
Sept 1991 |
|
Stand
Down of the bulk of the Royal Observer Corps with the retention of 18 officers and 250 other ranks volunteers
to provide a revised service. |
| 8
Dec 1995 |
|
The
new Royal Observer Corps Banner is lodged for safe keeping in the Rotunda of College Hall RAF Cranwell. |
| 31
Dec 1995 |
|
Remaining
elements of the Corps stood down. |
| 31
March 1996 |
|
Headquarters
Royal Observer Corps closed down. |
Chronological history of the ROYAL OBSERVER CORPS