NAVY NEWS, JUNE 2008 47
Scouts visit Normandy
A GROUP of Sea Scouts
Eglise, the first town liberated by at the graves of other RN, RM and
paid tribute at the grave
the D-Day assault in June 1944, Somerset Light Infantry victims
of a Somerset man during
a story recounted in the town’s of the war.
Airborne Infantry Museum. That day also saw one Scout
their tour of the beaches of Also on the second day’s agenda (Ashley Phillingham) and six
Normandy.
was a visit to the German war Explorer Scouts (Oliver Claydon,
The scouts, from the
cemetery at La Cambe, where Hannah Peters, Bryony Goddard,
1st Watchet Troop (RN
21,500 German soldiers were Jack Mitchell, Liam Eastwood and
Recognised Troop 63) cycled
buried, and the scouts pitched Harry Mouzouri) invested into
their tents at Grandcamp-Maisy their units at a ceremony in front
140 miles from Cherbourg to
for the night. of their colleagues.
Ouistreham during their half-
The third day was spent at The fifth and final day in France
term holiday. Omaha and Gold Beaches, staying took the cyclists along Gold, Juno
The aim was to visit the assault at Arromanches, now famous and Sword Beaches, finishing off
beaches and museums along the for the remains of its Mulberry at the legendary Pegasus Bridge
way – and to find the grave of the artificial harbour. – the first piece of Normandy to
only Watchet man known to have
been killed during the battle for
Day Four brought a break
be liberated, on June 5, before
Normandy.
from cycling, with the
the main assault – and the British
Having spent the winter
scouts travelling by bus to
cemetery at Ranville.
practising long-distance rides,
the British war cemetery
Then it was a short ride along
cycle maintenance and pitching
near Douvres, inland from
the banks of the Caen Canal to
camp, a group of 34 scouts,
Sword and Juno beaches.
the ferry port and an overnight
passage to Portsmouth, where
explorer scouts, leaders and parent Here they laid a Royal British the scouts enjoyed a full English
instructors caught the ferry from Legion wreath at the grave of breakfast at HMS Excellent before
Poole and the expedition was up Royal Marine gunner Arthur being taken on a tour of veteran
and running. Webber, from Watchet, who Type 42 destroyer HMS Exeter, in
After a warm-up the group, died on August 17 1944 when Portsmouth Naval Base.
supported by minibuses carrying his Landing Craft (Flak) was Thanks are due to the RBL
kit and spares, rode down the torpedoed on the ‘Trout Line’, a at Watchet, the Royal Navy and
Cotentin peninsula to start at the defensive formation of ships off Staff Officer Sea Scouts, as well as
western end of Utah Beach. the beaches. friends, parents and supporters of
Their first camp was at St Mere The scouts also placed crosses the troop.
● Explorer Sea Scouts Oliver Claydon, Bryony Goddard, Jack Mitchell and Hannah Peters are invested
into their troop at a ceremony in Normandy (left), and the Watchet scouts gather at Pegasus Bridge
near Caen towards the end of their journey (above)
Mayor
greets
Shirley
squad
FOLLOWING their success
Victor bows
Methil elated by
at the National Drill and
Ceremonial competition,
cadets from the Shirley
out after
engineering spirit
and District unit were
invited to meet the Mayor
of Solihull.
Cllr Gary Allport asked
65 years
FIVE cadets and a member of if only done over two days,” said
the cadets and staff to
staff from the Methil and District OiC of the unit, A/CPO (SCC)
the Council Chambers to
unit have attended a Class 3 Alan Duff.
re-present the trophies
TRADITIONALLY, 65 is
Marine Engineering course at the “It is excellent for the cadets
gained in the competition
generally regarded as
Sea Cadet Training Centre, HMS involved and the unit to have a
and at both Area and
retirement age for working
Gannet. 100 per cent pass rate, especially
District level.
folk.
The five cadets – OCs Yasmine from such young cadets.
The Shirley contingent
And at 65 CPO Victor
Hall and David Aitken, and “Although we offer the Marine
took three out of four
Chandler, of Hull unit, has also
Cadets Cheyanne Liston, John Engineering course within the
trophies in their section,
decided to retire.
Fraser and Shaun Anderson – unit, it is always good for the
beating units from across
But for Victor it was 65 years were accompanied to Prestwick in
cadets to go away for the weekend
the country and a total of
of service in the Corps – he Ayrshire by PPO Christine Davies
to HMS Gannet, as their facilities
around 300 cadets.
has decided to call it a day at on a Friday night.
are second to none.”
After the presentations
the age of 79. On arrival they were given a
the Mayor was given an
At his retirement evening, quick brief and given some idea of
cadets staged a play what lay ahead over the weekend.
Haringey host
official photograph of the
winning squad before he
representing his life, then led The practical-based course
and the Mayoress, Gail
him off the premises and down provides a number of engines for
the street in a boat on a trailer. cadets to dismantle and rebuild,
Australians
Allport, took the cadets
on a guided tour of the
Victor joined the Hull unit at giving them a good working
Council Chambers and the
the age of 14 in 1943, and after knowledge of the construction of
A PARTY of cadets and staff from
Mayor’s Parlour. ● Lt Cdr Heather Pugh (left) receives her certifi cate from the Lord
five years he did his National the engines and how they operate.
Australia have been hosted by
Cllr Allport said it was Lieutenant of Merseyside, Col Dame Lorna Muirhead, watched by Lt
Service as a Royal Marine. Students also learn the theory
Haringey unit for a two-week visit
thanks to organisations Col Stephen Wotherspoon RM, Area Offi cer Sea Cadets
But he still used to visit the of marine engineering.
to the UK.
such as the Sea Cadets
unit when he was on leave, and The course covered health
The 19 cadets and 5 members
that the youth of Shirley,
on being demobbed in 1950 he and safety, engine construction,
of staff from TS Perth enjoyed an
Solihull and surrounding
was taken on by the unit as an engine cycles, mechanical systems,
action-packed tour of London.
districts are given Certifi cate for Heather
instructor, and has been there electrical systems, basic electrical
They also visited HMS
something to do that will
THE former Commanding certificate by the Lord Lieutenant
ever since. knowledge and tools and fasteners.
Bristol and Portsmouth Historic
keep them off the streets,
Officer of the Birkenhead unit, of Merseyside, Col Dame Lorna
Unit CO Lt Debbie Glanville All five Methil cadets passed
Dockyard before returning to
and are taught how to
Lt Cdr (SCC) Heather Pugh, has Muirhead.
(SCC) said that grandfathers the course with very high marks,
London for a reception and band
behave in a worthwhile
been rewarded for her outstanding The citation mentioned her
now approach Victor to tell him and top of the class was Cadet
and drill display on board HMS
fashion.
The Corps also enables
contribution to the Corps. efforts in training and fundraising;
that he taught them as cadets. David Aitken, who notched an
Belfast.
cadets to travel throughout
Lt Cdr Pugh, who is now Lt Cdr Pugh also organised Corps
But there is little doubt in the impressive 94 per cent. Ten cadets from Haringey
the UK promoting
Deputy District Officer for the ceremonials for Trafalgar 200.
unit that they have not seen “I am extremely proud of the joined the Perth contingent on a
themselves and their
Wirral, joined up as a cadet at the In her civilian life, Lt Cdr
the last of him – most reckon cadets and staff who attended the trip to the Somme for ANZAC
organisation, the Mayor
age of 12, going on to become an Pugh is managing director of
that, even in retirement, Victor weekend, as it is a very challenging day commemorations before the
observed.
adult member of staff. a recruitment consultancy in
will find it hard to stay away. and demanding course, especially Aussies headed home. She was presented with a Ellesmere Port.
0046-048_NN_jun.indd 246-048_NN_jun.indd 2 116/5/08 17:00:406/5/08 17:00:40
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