Does anyone have an official history? All the websites state it was formed in 1941 but some of them state it was under the RASC until the 60's and some websites state it was a Corps in its own right from 1941. Anyone know the answer?
Drew, This site seems to confuse things even more ACC History (1) The Army Catering Corps did not exist as a separate Corps in the Army until 1st January 1965 when it was granted the status of an independent Corps in its own right, under the direction of the Quartermaster General Nevertheless the Army Catering Corps was formed on 22nd March 1941.
Here's an overview: ACC unofficial site As it happens, one of my grandfathers was a unit cook who was later absorbed into the ACC.
My understanding was it was formed in 1941 within the RASC and didn't become an independent Corps until the 60's. Ref CWGC using ACC cap badge on WW2 headstones I wonder if they had their own cap badge within RASC.
Andrew, Thats the site I was using but there seems to be a split in opinion amongst the websites. Did you know the Army Catering Corps course is the hardest course in the Britsih Army?
There are no books listed at all for them in my copy of A Biblography of Regimental histories of the British army, and I have a mate who is a WO1 was ACC but is currently doing a Prince William with the RAF he might know the answer-I have sent him an Email
From regiments.org The army Catering Corps did not exist as a separate Corps in the Army until the 1st January 1965 when it was granted the status of an independent Corps in its own right, under the direction of the Quartermaster General. Until then the Catering Corps had been under the control of the Royal Army Service Corps since its formation on the 22nd March 1941 under Army order 35 of 1941. Prior to that, the Regiments had their own cooks, some of whom were trained in one of the two cookery schools which existed in Aldershot and Poona in India. Trade pay was introduced in 1936, but equipment was poor and in many units meals were collected in bulk from the kitchen for consumption in the barracks rooms. In the late 1930s the War Office became aware of the difference in standards of catering in the two other services and the Army Board was tasked with addressing the problem In late 1936, with tensions rising in Europe, it was felt necessary to increase the size of the forces and Leslie Hoare-Belisha was appointed Secretary of State for War. One of the first things he did was appoint Major General Beck to investigate the question of cooking and food service and to examine existing methods of providing, training and a career structure for cooks. His report was not accepted, on financial grounds, and the Secretary of State appointed Sir Isidore Salmon as Honorary Catering Adviser for the Army, with the remit of looking into Army messing standards. By June 1938 he had produced a very detailed report giving all of the measures needed to make improvements. Mr R A A Byford was then appointed as Chief Inspector of Army Catering in the rank of Colonel and there quickly followed the appointment of civilian catering advisors in each of the home commands and the building of a new school of Catering in St. Omer Barracks Aldershot. It was not until 27th July 1940 however, that the Quartermaster General once more raised the question of forming an Army Catering Corps. This was not unanimously supported and the then Permanent Under Secretary of State said that he felt that catering was a civilian function and those employed in it should not be of military rank. Nevertheless the Army Catering Corps was formed on the 22nd March 1941. During the Second world war the Corps became highly successful in maintaining morale and many civilian catering experts were called up to manage Army catering and the training of cooks. On the 29th May 1943, under Army order 819 of 1943, the Corps became an all tradesman Corps. On 5th October 1945 the Army Council took the decision to retain the Army Catering Corps as an integral part of the post war Army. The Corps then went from strength to strength. The first junior entrants were formed up on 19th February 1947 and were the fore-runners of the immensely popular and successful apprentice scheme, which became the back bone of the now increasingly professional Army Catering Corps. Andy I wouldn't have thought that the ACC Course is the hardest in the British Army. When I did it was 6 weeks basic training followed by I thinks 3 months cooking training followed by a final 2 weeks military training. Cheers Paul
Did you know the Army Catering Corps course is the hardest course in the Britsih Army? Don't upset them, Andy, the ACC have killed more men than any other unit... (allegedly)
Don't upset them, Andy, the ACC have killed more men than any other unit... (allegedly) We survived by throwing many of our meals into the garbage and going to the NAAFI, if we had any money.
I reckon Mitch, nailed it but this is what my mate sent me. "1941 sounds about right, started when Isidore Salmond (politician) realised a formed body needed to be responsible for Feeding the Army and the military Chef was borne. The Army Catering Corps was formed, the school for cooks was in Mons Bks Aldershot until the 60's when St Omer Bks was Built, its home until 2008/9 Furthermore, in the Crimean war (Florence Nightingale times....... i think) Alexis Soyer invented an improvised cooking device, since known as the soyer stove, the earliest field catering apparatus. Hope that helps, google isidore salmond and you'll get the gist of the start up".
I guess the other question would be when did they get their own cap badge. Jim (Verrieres) showed me a ACC casualtys' grave from WW2 and he had a ACC cap badge on his stone.
I guess the other question would be when did they get their own cap badge. Jim (Verrieres) showed me a ACC casualtys' grave from WW2 and he had a ACC cap badge on his stone. This help. Figure 22 - Army Catering Corps cap badge 1940 - 1953 Insignia
That can't be correct - They didn't exsist until '41 I bet this is the most this Corps has been discussed in 69 years !
That can't be correct - They didn't exsist until '41 I bet this is the most this Corps has been discussed in 69 years ! Glad to see your paying attention! I did notice mate but it just goes to show.......what do you believe
I have said from the start they were formed in 41 and were under RASC until 60's. I am intrigued about their cap badge under the RASC though. I still think its the hardest course in the British Army too - I never came across anyone that had passed it in my time
ACC Association Dettingen House Princess Royal Barracks Deepcut, Surrey, GU16 6RW To contact us: Phone: 01252 833394 Fax: 01252 833393 E-mail: accassociation@rhqtherlc.org.uk
