// Half Century Of ATC Service
By Helen Tatham*
Michael White with Murray Kidd
After more than 50 years involvement with the Air Training Corps and RNZAF, SQNLDR and former W/O Murray Kidd has retired. Murray has handed over leadership of No. 4 ATC Ardmore Squadron to Michael White, a commercial pilot for Air National which contracts to Air New Zealand on the Link Network.
Murray joined the No. 4 Squadron Ardmore ATC as a cadet when it was formed in 1958. Just one year later he joined the Air Force as a boy entrant. He trained as an airframes mechanic before going to Whenuapai on 40 Squadron to work in flight line servicing on Freighters and DC6.
His career in the Air Force also includes time in Wigram in the early 1960s as a physical training instructor and again in the late 1960s, Ohakea in the mid 1960s, Wellington Defence HQ in the early 1970s, Hobsonville in the mid 1970s, Singapore from 1976-78, and Ohakea again in 1983. He retired after 24 years as a W/O in charge of physical education and recreation training which included survival training.
Murray was very involved with sport representing the Air Force in rugby, softball and water polo, and the New Zealand Combined Services and Police in softball and rugby.
Murray moved to Tokoroa where he saw a need for a disciplined youth organisation so he formed a cadet unit which later became No. 34 Squadron of ATC.
Returning to Papakura in 1995, Murray decided to join the City Papakura Cadet Unit (ATC’s Army counterpart) because the No. 4 Squadron ATC already had enough officers. But he returned to the No. 4 Squadron ATC at Ardmore in 2001 as SQNLDR.
The No. 4 Squadron at Ardmore celebrated its 50th anniversary in December last year. At a recent handover parade, Murray was given a framed photo of himself with the 1948 Squadron and another underneath with the 2008 Squadron. Looking back, Murray believes the ATC organisation has trained thousands of young people to be well educated and disciplined citizens of the community and he’s pleased to have been a part of that.
‘I’m appreciative that all the people who assisted with ATC or RNZAF have helped me to get where I have got,’ he says.
Murray says fewer cadets join the Air Force now but the training they receive can lead to other aviation careers and this is the case for Michael.
FGOFF Michael White joined the ATC No. 4 Squadron at Ardmore as a 13-year-old, 16 years ago. During his time with ATC, Michael received a flying scholarship and has instructed on aviation at ATC National Aviation Courses held in early January.
The Squadron was recently promoted from grade one to three and further recruitment is a priority.
‘We always try to set the standard for other ATC units and give the cadets the best programme we can, getting them flying as much as we can.
‘It is such a good thing to be able to do with your life through those teenage years and it is quite rewarding to be able to give something back,’ Michael says.
* Helen is an Auckland freelance writer. Email: writeresults@xtra.co.nz.