NAVY NEWS, MAY 2010

43

Award for improving detachment

YEOVIL unit’s Marine Cadet Detachment has proved they have what it takes by winning the South West Area’s most improved detachment award. Having only formed as a detachment in 2008 the Marine Cadets are led by a former RM Sergeant, Keith ‘Brum’ Caddick. He and his staff of three cadet instructors, along with the cadets themselves, have worked hard to establish themselves as a successful detachment. The award is given based on the detachment’s overall performance during the year. This includes taking part in an annual field assessment, where a team of cadets is assessed on range of skills including weapons training, camouflage and concealment, map-reading and field training.

The detachment is also scored for individual advancement, courses attended by cadets and other qualifications gained such as seamanship.

L/Cpl Luke Buttle, who

was chosen as part of the field assessment team, said: “Leading up to our annual field assessment, we spent many weeks preparing, picking the team, and practising formations.

“The team was not chosen straight away. Cadets had to show commitment and attendance, determination and the right attitude.” Yeovil’s CO, Lt (SCC) Simon

Vokes RNR, said: “I am very proud of the achievements which the Marines Cadets have had in its first two years. This is thanks to the hard work of the Marine Cadet Staff and the dedication of the Cadets. This award means they have really made their mark on the Sea Cadet Corp map and I look forward to seeing them bringing more silverware back to the unit over the next year.”

Scotland celebrates Cadet 150

CLIMBING, flying, sailing, piping and running youngsters took over the Glasgow Science Centre as Scotland celebrated the 150th anniversary of the cadet movement. Sea, Army and Air Cadets were joined by the Combined Cadet Force to celebrate the anniversary by climbing towers, crossing assault courses, handling fast jet simulators and steering dinghies. And, as with all birthday

parties, it wasn’t complete without a bouncy castle – in this case, the Royal Marine’ inflatable assault course version. Camping out on the grass, the

Army Cadets were cooking up a storm with MOD ration packs, while the Air Cadet Band made sure everyone knew when the curry was ready by frequent use of their bugle call. Excellent boat-landing skills ensured the Sea Cadets got more than their share of the sausages, while the Army Cadets’ ambush tactics meant all the chocolate miraculously disappeared. Inside, cadets showed off their

first aid skills and entertained the VIPs with music from their band, while senior cadets talked about foreign trips that would put the Discovery Channel to shame. Former Scottish international

rugby player Gavin Hastings, recently appointed Honorary Colonel of his local Army Cadet Force battalion, was at the event. He said: “I firmly believe

that the cadet organisations are excellent for young people who wish to develop the life skills that they need to make the most of their lives. “Watching the cadets today assures me that the future of Scotland will be great in their hands.”

RN officer at helm of new training vessel

THE much-valued link between the Royal Navy and the Sea Cadet Corps gained extra lustre when a new power training vessel was commissioned in

Petchey was a driving force behind the £2.6 million project, and the £1 million provided by his foundation – on condition matching funding was found within a year, or the deal was off – meant the vessel was built in short order. And Lt Chris L’Amie, an experienced regular officer in the Royal Navy, will be driving the new ship for the next year. Lt L’Amie has navigated minehunter HMS Quorn, Type 23 frigate HMS Northumberland and served as First Lieutenant of fishery patrol ship HMS Severn, but the fact that TS Jack Petchey is blue and white rather than pusser’s grey does not bother him.

“The appointment came totally out of the blue,” he told Navy News from the pontoon beside his new command. “My appointer asked me if I wanted a

drive, and I said ‘yes’, obviously. “He said it was for the Marine Society & Sea Cadets, and I said ‘great!’ “It is a chance to get around the UK to

the-Naze unit) had various roles on the day, including escorting guests around the vessel. Mr Petchey told those gathered “on a lovely day for a lovely occasion” that, being

support the message of the Sea Cadets and the Royal Navy as well. “We will be going to many harbours where people see more of the Sea Cadets than they do of the Royal Navy.” Lt L’Amie intends to run the vessel along the lines of a Royal Navy ship, and his crew will certainly help in that respect – he can call on the experience of a former RN chief stoker, a former RN submarine cox’n and a former Serco tug skipper. Jack Petchey, an East Ender, watched as appeal committee chairman Robert Woods welcomed guests to the ceremony, and the Bishop of London, the Rt Rev Richard Chartres, led a short service. Cadets from TS Illustrious (Walton-on-

Syd – the Silver Wolf of Keighley

SYD Smith has clocked up more than 30 years as an adult volunteer with Keighley unit. But that pales beside the 50 years or so which Syd, man and boy, has put into the Scouting movement.

scouting over five decades. The highest award in the Scout Association,

awarded the Silver Wolf by the Chief Scout in recognition of his exemplary service to

Lt Cdr (SCC) Smith RNR has been

the Silver Wolf is not frequently awarded, and is in the gift of the Chief Scout. Syd has been associated with Keighley

unit, TS Dolphin – part of the West Yorkshire District – for 35 years, first as a staff member, then twice as commanding officer and latterly

as a vice president. While wearing his scouting hat, Syd was a

uniformed Scout Leader and Venture Leader and Commissioner, and was responsible for Sea Scouting being introduced into the Keighley district. He is currently a vice president of the Keighley District Scout Council.

Entrepreneur and philanthropist Jack

the heart of London.

Two men at the ceremony at HMS President took particular pride in proceedings.

a former sailor he felt a little edgy with all the top brass about, but reiterated that his time in the Navy gave him an education “second to none” and helped build his character. He said he could only recommend that cadets should go on to try a career in the Navy – and he wondered whether he would then qualify for a recruitment fee... Naval Secretary Rear Admiral Charles Montgomery said: “This is a fantastic facility which provides a superb opportunity for cadets to get themselves off to sea. “It will help to build teamwork, individual strength of character and independence, as well as leadership, and will provide good service for many years to come.” Also at the pontoon was TS Jack Petchey’s near-sister ship, TS John Jerwood – the fact that she is so oversubscribed led to the appeal for a second vessel. And TS Royalist was also there, allowing a quick plug for funds to anyone with deep pockets willing to help fund a replacement for the39-year-old sailing ship.

Picture: Trish Smith (MSSC)

l Captain Sea Cadets Capt Mark Windsor, Naval Secretary (and next Second Sea Lord) Rear Admiral Charles Montgomery and LC Linda Richards, of TS Illustrious, on TS Jack Petchey (also pictured below)

l Yep, this is the right ship... the first Commanding Officer of TS Jack Petchey, Lt Chris L’Amie, with Jack Petchey on the deck of the Marine Society & Sea Cadets’ new power training boat on commissioning day

London’s local hero rewarded

A LONDON unit officer has picked up an award after he was identified as a local hero. Lt Cdr (SCC) Allan Phillips

was invited to the Bank of America Merrill Lynch headquarters in the heart of the City of London to collect the award. Ken D Lewis, the newly-retired chief executive and president of the bank, said: “At Bank of America, we understand that the success of our business depends on the health of the communities we serve.

“Our Neighbourhood Excellence Initiative is a core part of our strategy to strengthen the communities where we live and work.

“By recognising and supporting local leaders, we are helping to meet long-term needs in our communities during challenging times and beyond.” Allan received recognition for his long-standing service to the Corps – a commitment totalling more than 50 years. He helped set up the Tower

Hamlets unit, commanding it for 20 years, and since then he has served with the Greenwich, City

of London and Southwark units.

Allan was accompanied at the ceremony by Southwark cadets Benjamin Wood and Kerry Szmidt, who are no strangers to the City – cadets from TS Cossack frequently attend ceremonial functions in support of charitable organisations. With the award came a donation of £3,000 – the money will come in very handy as Southwark tackles the long-overdue refurbishment of its galley.

Pair dive in to test

the water

PO (SCC) Stewart McLaughlin, London Area dive team and cadets from Tooting and Balham unit spent a full day at the London International Dive Show, at the ExCeL Conference Centre. Two cadets, AC Matthew Crozier and Cdt Diligen Valubarantham, took the opportunity to try a free dive in the demonstration pool. As they were amongst the

first in, they enjoyed around 20 minutes in the pool using scuba diving kit, breathing under water and retrieving objects. Later in the day BBC’s Paul

Rose (Oceans) gave a presentation about his future plans with the Corporation to go around the UK visiting dive sites and meeting local divers. Paul is very supportive of Sea Cadet scuba diving and hopes to formally open the new diving training centre in Liverpool. Also spotted was Monty Hall,

of TV’s Great Escape fame – a former RM officer who came over for a chat as soon as he saw the cadets.

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