News round-up: Autumn 2024

A round-up of stories to bring you up to date on goings on around the Corps, from a special funeral service to a Sea Cadets unit getting a special honour from The King

Cadets march in the funeral procession
Cadets march in the funeral procession for Captain Flinders

Unique service for Captain Flinders

Eastern Area Sea Cadets were out in force in July to attend the reburial with honours of a famous Royal Navy explorer, finally returned to his home village of Donington, Lincolnshire.  

When Captain Matthew Flinders died in London in 1814, he was famous for leading the circumnavigation and survey of the continent he was the first to call ‘Australia’. His resting place at St James’ burial ground in Camden was lost to development and only rediscovered in 2019. 

Around 100 cadets and volunteers lined the streets, escorted the funeral procession and saw the Royal Navy’s State Ceremonial Training Team perform a Guard of Honour and 18-gun salute.  

Cadets march for Armed Forces Day
Cadets marching in Grimsby to mark Armed Forces Day

Saluting our armed forces

BZ to the cadets and volunteers who showed their support for serving personnel and veterans at this year’s Armed Forces Day festivals and parades.

Scarborough Unit’s Continuity Drill Team impressed the crowds with their skills, while Leamington & Warwick Sea Cadets won the tri-service cadet drill competition at their local event. In Weymouth the South West Area Massed Band performed a ‘flash mob’, surprising shoppers with a stirring rendition of Highland Cathedral

From Inverness Unit, AC Abi carried the standard of the War Widows Association of Great Britain. Meanwhile, Seaham Sea Cadets were extremely proud to take part in their local event, where a poignant Drumhead Service saw Able Cadet Miquita carry the Union Flag, and Cadet Zach carry the County Youth Standard on behalf of the Royal British Legion.

HRH King Charles meets cadets
HRH King Charles at Jersey Unit

Jersey Unit gets its colours from The King

With perfect uniforms and ceremonial skills, Jersey Sea Cadets looked the part as they met King Charles III and Queen Camilla in July during a tour of the Channel Islands.

TS Jersey formed up in front of large crowds as The King presented them with their new colours – the first unit to receive this honour. All cadets did a magnificent job of representing the unit and the whole Corps. 

HRH Princess Ann meets cadets
HRH The Princess Royal at Stonehaven Unit

A Royal opening event for Stonehaven Unit 

In May, Stonehaven Sea Cadets welcomed Admiral of the Sea Cadet Corps HRH The Princess Royal to officially open their new premises. Her Royal Highness enjoyed the chance to inspect the unit’s enthusiastic cadets and meet the volunteers who led this unique fundraising and building project. 

Having outgrown their old, council-owned building, in 2006 the unit management committee made the decision to begin fundraising for more spacious and accessible facilities that they could own outright. By 2018, unit volunteers began work on converting a boatshed on the harbour – working tirelessly throughout the pandemic so that cadets were able to use the new TS Carron from 2022. 

The new building is allowing the unit to grow and meet demand, and they can now support and develop 60 cadets – 20 more young people than before. The unit is also going to trial a Royal Marines Cadets detachment. 

Meanwhile, the unit is more visible than ever within the community, with their new headquarters already acting as a hub for other community events, and attracting new volunteers. 

BZ to everyone who played a role in delivering the new building and organising this fantastic opening event.

Volunteers recognised by The King

We were proud to see three of our serving volunteers awarded British Empire Medals in June, in recognition of their service to young people. Lt (SCC) Ron Perchard RNR has been training Jersey’s cadets for almost 57 years, passing on knowledge from his career as a merchant seaman.

Lt (SCC) Ron Perchard RNR
Lt (SCC) Ron Perchard RNR

Warrant Officer 2 (SCC) Ben Mearing RNR, of Eastern Area’s South District, has championed the importance of mental health and wellbeing and been hugely supportive of cadets and volunteers in Hertfordshire.

WO2 (SCC) Ben Mearing
WO2 (SCC) Ben Mearing 

As National Ceremonial Training Officer, Chief Petty Officer (SCC) Bob Pearce has trained over a thousand cadet and adult drill instructors during three decades – playing a major role in the success of Sea Cadets’ National Trafalgar Day ceremonies and ensuring that its cadets can bring distinction to public events across the UK. 

Chief Petty Officer (SCC) Bob Pearce
Chief Petty Officer (SCC) Bob Pearce

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