Honouring our fallen heroes
Cadets attended several high-profile Remembrance events in London last November and, for the first time, displayed crosses of remembrance for former cadets and volunteers who died in service
Every year cadets take great pride in being part of remembrance services and events across the country, always showing a huge amount of respect for the occasion and those who have lost their lives. In November, the charity was privileged to have a plot in the Westminster Abbey Field of Remembrance, where, for the very first time, the Corps was able to display crosses for 53 former sea cadets, royal marines cadets and volunteers who died in conflicts or in service.
Following an appeal for information, several people came forward with details or leads about those who gave their lives. Deputy Staff Recreation Officer Cdr (SCC) Ray Mitchell RNR then carefully collated all the information, and Surrey District Staff Officer Lt (SCC) Jane Mitchell RNR added the details of each individual to 53 wooden crosses.
Sea Cadets CEO Martin Coles CBE was honoured to help Cdr Mitchell put the crosses in place, ahead of the official opening of the Field of Remembrance by HRH The Duchess of Gloucester, representing Her Majesty The Queen. Her Royal Highness took the time to speak with London Area’s First Sea Lord’s Cadet, POC Millie, from Cheshunt Unit, who represented the Corps alongside Captain Sea Cadets, Captain Neil Downing RN.
“It was a humbling experience and a powerful reminder of our responsibility to educate the younger generations of cadets about the importance of commemorating those who fought for our freedoms many years ago,” said Millie. “Honouring former cadets who lost their lives in service to this country is something I’m very proud to have been a part of.”
For many current cadets and volunteers, the Field of Remembrance has been a vital way to pay tribute to the sacrifice of their predecessors, with Eastern Area Sea Cadets the first to pay their respects and plant crosses during a special ceremony there on 8 November. With the initiative bringing recognition to the Corps’ fallen heroes, in a display seen by thousands, we hope that even more names from the past will be commemorated in 2025 and beyond.
The Eastern Area cadets had travelled to London to ensure the Sea Cadet Corps was represented at two national events during remembrance weekend. On 9 November, the teams from Lincoln and Northampton Units performed several duties at the Royal Albert Hall’s Festival of Remembrance, including greeting guests and selling programmes to raise funds for the Royal British Legion.
Petty Officer Cadet Edward, from Lincoln Unit, had the very special task of carrying Sea Cadets’ standard across the famous stage, in front of His Majesty The King. “Marching down the central staircase with the audience watching was an incredible honour and I was very proud to have been chosen,” said Edward. “Meeting and speaking with the national standard bearers and veterans at the Royal Albert Hall was a real highlight – their experiences and life stories are something that I will remember for many years.”
On Remembrance Sunday the two units formed the Sea Cadets Platoon for the National Service of Remembrance, with cadets and volunteers immaculately turned out. “What an atmosphere, surrounded by thousands of former and serving military personnel,” Edward added. “It was an honour to march through the nation’s capital and receive praise from the gathered veterans.”
After marching down Whitehall and laying the Sea Cadet Corps’ wreath at the Cenotaph, cadets took the Royal Salute at Horse Guards Parade. “The icing on the cake was to march past HRH The Prince of Wales,” said Edward, who described the weekend as “an experience of a lifetime”.
Paying respects
On Armistice Day, CEO Martin Coles CBE joined London Area Sea Cadets at a very special commemoration at the offices of the Department for Education, hosted by Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson MP. The respectful and knowledgeable conduct of our cadets was a great representation of the charity, and the Secretary of State was particularly grateful for a performance of The Last Post by Petty Officer Cadet Henri, from Twickenham Unit.
The Mayor of London, Sir Sadiq Khan, was similarly impressed by the Chislehurst & Sidcup Unit cadets who took part in a remembrance service at City Hall earlier in the week.
Well done to all the cadets and volunteers who represented Sea Cadets at these events, and at remembrance parades and services throughout the UK – playing a vital part in ensuring those who fought for our freedom are never forgotten.
Leading units featured in the Field of Remembrance
13 former cadets from Kingston Unit who all gave their lives in WWII are represented, including:
F Groombridge, Able Seaman, Royal Navy, died 16 June 1942, aged 21, HMS Dunedin
R Millis, Marine, Royal Marines, died 14 November 1939, aged 20, HMS Royal Oak
RG Papworth, Yeoman of Signals, died aged 23 on board HMS Hood
R Pretty, Able Seaman, Royal Navy, died 7 November 1940, aged 22, HMS Regulas (Sub)
WJ Payne Stoker 1st Class, Royal Navy, died 10 June 1941, aged 29
Five former cadets from Dundee Unit were lost during WWII:
George Baxter, Pilot Officer, 44 Sqn RAFVR, died 22 June 1944, aged 21, Wesseling, Germany
HE Holman, Leading Airman, RAF, died 20 November 1942, aged 19, HMS Canada
Duncan McDiarmid, Private, Army 5/7 Bn Gordon Highlanders, died 12 February 1945, aged 18, Western Europe
William Murray, Stoker, Royal Navy, died 20 September 1943, aged 18, HMS Polyanthus
George Nash, Boy 1st Class, Royal Navy, died 2 May 1942, aged 17, HMS Edinburgh
Photos: Sea Cadets (unless individually credited)
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