46 NAVY NEWS, APRIL 2007
Medway Profi table night at the pub
cadets
NOT only is AC George Whitfield a keen member the unit’s coffers were boosted to the tune of over
of the Southwark unit – but he also helps keep the £1,000.
funds pouring in to support it. Unit chairman Joan Nevard said: “George is a
attend
George, aged 14, has been in the Corps for four perfect example of what the Corps is about – taking
years, and during his time with the Surrey Square- part in and achieving many fun and educational
based TS Cossack has packed plenty in – sailing, activities, a credit to the Royal Navy uniform which
funeral
pulling, canoeing, power boating, shooting and he wears with pride.
camping included. “The help given by Julie and Moss leaves me
Not all of this happens in South East London, and almost speechless; after having a good night out,
George has spent time training at HMS Raleigh, RAF finances have received a massive boost.”
SEVEN cadets and six adult
Uxbridge and on board the Corps brig TS Royalist. George is now working hard on his bugling skills
volunteers from the Medway
But recently George had the chance to give in preparation for a parade with the London Irish
Towns unit travelled to Portchester
something back to the unit when family friends Rifles band.
near Portsmouth to attend the
Julie and Moss, who manage the Queen Victoria in Each Sea Cadet unit is a registered charity, and as
funeral of their vice president Bill
Southwark Park Road, Bermondsey, offered to host a such funds are constantly required for the upkeep and
Douglas, who died in January at
fund-raising evening at the pub in aid of the cadets. maintenance of the unit’s HQ, transport, equipment,
the age of 83.
The public-spirited gesture was greeted with strong and to subsidise training course fees.
Bill had been involved with the
support, and as well as an enjoyable evening for
unit while living at Gillingham,
those taking part, with live music for entertainment, ● AC George Whitfi eld practises his bugling skills
and was a long-serving member
of the management committee
since joining as the Royal Naval
Association representative.
Four wins in a row
Leadership
After seven years he retired
from the committee, at which
point he became Honourable Vice
qualities
President.
Bill was not only a very popular
character around the unit, but also
had an eventful Service career to
at guard competition
rewarded
relate to the youngsters.
Close friend and fellow
TWO senior cadets from the
committee member Ernie
Stretford and Urmston unit have
Manewell said: “Bill was a very
picked up prestigious awards in
private person but had led an
recognition of their hard work and
amazing life, having joined the
leadership abilities.
Royal Navy in Sunderland in the
POC Cara Phillips has been
1930s.
awarded one of the Trafford
“He had an interesting and
NORTHAMPTON and
competition was tough, and rank, and the award was presented – the third time in succession
Community Youth Awards for her
varied career which earned
Wellingborough unit has
they prevailed by just two points to him by Area Officer Cdr Kent. – which places them amongst the
time given to the unit and the
over the Cambridgeshire and Jack, who joined the Corps at the top six units in the country.
him a Distinguished Service been flexing its muscle again
North West Area.
Bedfordshire combined units. age of ten, also won the award for The Junior Sea Cadet section
Medal for his part in the secret
Cara, who is in her seventh
– and has been reaping the
The unit, led by POC Jack being the best Guard Commander was presented with the Cleverly
mission [Operation Mincemeat]
year, and who obtained the highest
immortalised by the film The Man
rewards in terms of kudos
Mitchell, will now represent the at the event – an accolade which Award for having the best Junior
rank possible for one of the unit’s
Who Never Was. and recognition.
East of England at the National has not come Northampton’s way Section in the UK.
youngest members, is described
Championships at HMS Raleigh, since 2002. Lt Read said: “We are extremely
“He has also been a boxer, a The cadets of TS Laforey
by the First Lieutenant at TS
aiming to improve on their best “I was really nervous at the proud of our young people and
jockey and a taxi driver.
(Northampton) and TS
Vengeance, CPO Russ Phillips,
of fourth place out of 400 units competition but things just came they demonstrate the very best
“Bill had a zest for life you see
as “hard-working, responsible
Laforey, the satellite division nationally. together really well,” said Jack. that the Sea Cadets has to offer.
in only a few people, which made
and can always be relied upon to
him a very special person and a
at Wellingborough, won the
CO Lt (SCC) Chris Read RNR “Months of practice has now paid “For an inland unit to
assist within the unit, Manchester
great shipmate.”
Regional Armed Ceremonial
said: “The cadets have worked off.” achieve two major awards in a
District or the North West Area.”
He was also one of the last
Guard competition, judged by
very hard for this competition, and Shortly before the Guard number of successive years is
the success of the unit was down competition, Northampton staged unprecedented.”
LC Stephanie Queen received
surviving members of HMS
members of the Royal Navy
to the hard work and commitment its annual Royal Naval Visit, On the same evening LC
the Manchester Sea Cadets
Truculent, which sank in the and the Corps Ceremonial
of its many cadets.” conducted by Cdr Kent. Brendan May was awarded the
District Cadet award, meaning
Thames Estuary in January 1950
Training Team. POC Mitchell, at 15, is believed During the event Cdr Kent mayor’s Sea Cadet Award for 2007
she was chosen as the best cadet in
after colliding with a freighter; 64
It was the 13-strong team’s to be the youngest cadet in presented the Sir Gilbert by Cllr Colin Lill for his outstanding
the whole of Manchester (which
men died, many after escaping
fourth win in a row, though the Northamptonshire to achieve the Stephenson Trophy to the unit leadership and example throughout
has eight units and about 200
from the boat but were swept
the preceding year.
cadets) in 2006.
away and died from exposure or
Brendan said: “It is an honour
The award was for her
drowning.
to be the Mayor’s Cadet, as being
leadership and teaching abilities in
The funeral was attended by
one of the top cadets of a top Sea
power boating at HMS Excellent
friends and families from across
Cadet unit is something to be
in Portsmouth last summer.
the UK, including representatives
proud of.”
Stephanie also obtained the
of the RNA and the Submariners
An eventful night was finished
rank of Leading Cadet in 2006,
Association.
off with a £1,000 donation
coming top of her class with a
towards the replacement of the
Credit pass.
Treble is a
unit minibus by Northampton
Nene Round Table. Green pounds
good start
Other organisations who
have lent their support to the
INVERNESS unit is taking a green
unit include the RNA and RMA,
approach to fund-raising.
ST ALBANS Marine Cadets have
Northampton Borough Council,
TS Briton has been recycling
started 2007 on a high – despite
the Nationwide Building Society,
office and electrical equipment,
losing valuable troop members to
the Armed Forces Careers Office,
including unwanted mobile
rugby and skiing accidents.
the Army Cadet Force, William
phones, printer cartridges, laser
Staff and senior cadets took
Shoebridge and Sons, and
toners and aluminium cans.
up an invitation from the CO of
Crockett and Jones, Shoemakers.
Over the past year the unit
frigate HMS St Albans, in London
The unit is now well on the
has raised over £500, one cadet
for the Boat Show, and two lucky
way to raising sufficient funds to
raising £100 by bringing in 50
individuals stayed on the ship as
replace its aged minibus. old phones.
she made her way to Portsmouth.
Three trophies are already in the
bag – one for small bore shooting (St
Loughborough mourns
Albans A won the RAISE trophy at
the Eastern Area contest) and two
at the Eastern Area Armed Guard
death of former CO
drill competition (Best Six-man LOUGHBOROUGH cadets are mourning the death of their former
Armed Guard, and Best Guard Commanding Officer Lt Cdr (SCC) Bob Moore, who died of a heart
Commander, C/Sgt Lansdown). attack at the end of February.
The unit is now looking forward Lt Cdr Moore joined the Corps in the early 1980s, becoming a
to the start of the boating season, petty officer in 1985.
Easter and summer camps, and The following year he became a PTI, and two years later undertook
there may even be an adventurous his Officer Selection Board to become a sub lieutenant – the same
activity venture to the French year that he became First Lieutenant of TS Venomous.● Northern Area drill staff held their mess dinner at TS Ajax, the Methil unit. Amongst the guests
Pyrenees, featuring climbing, were CPO(SCC) G Squires, OIC of the Methil unit, Mrs B Wallace, Lt (SCC) T Wallace RNR ALO(N), In 1990 Bob became OIC of the Loughborough unit, and in July
canyoning, rafting and kayaking – mess president CPO(SCC) Rob Fielden AASO(N) Ceremonial, Ms D Menzies and Lt (SCC) B Moir SO(N) that same year he was promoted to full lieutenant, moving further up
if they can raise the sponsorship. Ceremonial. The principal guest was Lt Cdr (SCC) H Barras SSO(N)
to take the role of Commanding Officer in April 1992.
As CO, Bob led his cadets to
Daniel gains his Diploma
the finals of the Canada Cup and
earned burgees for many years.
In 2003 Bob stood down as
CO but retained his position
DANIEL Ashford, of the Southwark unit, has only Unit 7 – participation in a range of outdoor of Assistant District Officer for
been in the Corps for a little over two years, but is activities – presented no problems as the unit lays on Northampton and Leicestershire
already well into the BTEC First Diploma in Public the usual wide range of boating and other outdoor district until his death.
Services, which is aimed at members of the Cadet activities with regular camps. Bob’s commitment to the
Forces. Units 9 and 14 deals with map and compass Corps was shown when he raised
Daniel (17) has been awarded a Diploma with work, for which Daniel has acted as Team Leader in funds by running in the London
a merit grade, and many components of the award weekend expedition competitions, and as part of Unit Marathon in 2001 and 2002.
have also helped him achieve his Bronze Duke of 15 – nautical activities – Daniel spent a week aboard He also played hockey and
Edinburgh’s Award, with others putting him well on the TS Royalist, as well as gaining qualifications in cricket, and avidly followed
his way to Silver. pulling, sailing, canoeing and power boating. rugby and football.
While the Unit 1 Project and Cadet Workbook are Local MP Simon Hughes and Cllr Jane Salmon To relax, he studied Naval
theory-based, concentrating on standard educational visited the unit at Surrey Square to present Daniel history – he already had one
key skills, the remainder of the Diploma is practical with his award, as well as recognising a wide range of book published (about HMS
in nature. other achievements, from first aid to shooting. Venomous), and was working
Unit 2 deals with leadership (Daniel was required The visit lasted most of the evening and cadets on a second.
to reach the rate of Leading Cadet and attend the provided a piping party, ceremonial guard and training A guard of honour
leadership course at Dartmouth); Unit 3 covers demonstrations – there should be no problems with from Northampton and
physical fitness and included training weekends at knots or ropework in the House of Commons for the Loughborough was due to
RAF Uxbridge. foreseeable future (see picture right). attend his funeral.
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