Surrey Army Cadet Force Online

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:: Surrey ACF Wins "Revision Eyewear Trophy"

The Revision Eyewear Challenge is open to all Army Cadet Counties to encourage active and energetic young people to help the “ABF - The Soldiers Charity” to achieve its annual fundraising target. The Challenge was to raise the most money or generate an idea to raise money that inspires others to follow. The winning unit is awarded the prestigious Revision Trophy.

The Army Benevolent Fund; the Soldiers' Charity, helps all soldiers former soldiers and their families in need. The Army Benevolent Fund must raise over £5 million a year to meet that need and cadets have always helped to achieve it.

The ABF have linked up with Revision Eyewear, a company that provides critical protection for servicemen and women on operations and in training, to award a new trophy to encourage cadets in the community to support soldiers in need.

Surrey Cadets from many of its 26 Detachments rose to the challenge and in a superb effort, often during cold winters days, raised a total of £13,500 to win the Revision Trophy. The cadets did so willingly and in the knowledge that their activities would directly help their adult counterparts who for one reason or another were in need of help.

Lieutenant Colonel Alan Mulder, Deputy Commandant of Surrey ACF and Secretary of the Surrey Committee of the ABF; The Soldiers Charity commented, “There is great pride in and affection for our fighting men in Surrey as demonstrated by the generosity of the general public, who made our job of winning the Revision Trophy so easy. Our cadets have thrown themselves enthusiastically into the Revision Challenge and have been seen at many local events with the distinctive red tabards and buckets. I am immensely proud of all the cadets from Surrey Detachments who have given so enthusiastically of their time.”

The trophy was presented to Surrey ACF by the Lord-Lieutenant of Surrey, Mrs Sarah Goad JP, at the recent Cadet150 Review in Godalming. Cadet RSM Alexander Parasheva received the trophy on behalf of Surrey ACF.


Revision Trophy At The Launch in 2009 At Cadet Training Centre (Cdt RSM Jamie Pugh In Foreground)	Mrs Goad Presents The Trophy To Cadet RSM Alexander Paraskeva	The Revision Eyewear Trophy

:: Armed Forces Day Flag Raising in Kingston Upon Thames

At the invitation of the Chairman of Surrey County Council - Cllr Geoff Marlow - cadets from Walton Detachment joined civic dignitaries, military representatives and employees of Surrey County Council in a brief but moving ceremony to mark the start of Armed Forces Week. Rev Canon Nigel Nicholson DL conducted a short service at the conclusion of which the Armed Forces Day flag was raised on the Council Offices.

RQMS Charlie Cooper, Detachment Commander of Walton Detachment provided two buglers who played the Last Post and Reveille. The rendition of the bugle calls was considered by many present to have been faultless and generated much praise. The buglers were Cadet Cpl David Forshaw and SSI Anna Pullen.


Cllr Marlow Addresses The Congregation	Walton Detachment & Buglers	The Last Post	Cllr Marlow With Walton Cadets	Cllr Marlow With Buglers

:: Corps of Drums Assists at Soldiers' Charity Beating Retreat

Members of Surrey ACF Corps of Drums assisted by SSI Natalie Alden were on hand to help at the Soldiers Charity Beating Retreat held at Charterhouse School on Wednesday 6th July 2010. The evening started with a champagne reception in the Headmasters Garden which was followed by a Beating Retreat performed by the Band of the Blues and Royals - a spectacular sight in their polished helmets.

The cadets assisted the guests, handed out programmes and made a bucket collection at the end of the event. Members of the Corps, in their eye-catching scarlet uniforms, escorted the Lord-Lieutenant onto the dais where she took the salute.

:: CUO Tresman Wins Duke of Westminster's Award

The Duke of Westminster has praised Cadet Under Officer Rachel Tresman of Surrey Army Cadet Force as “everything that’s good about young people today”. 18 year old Rachel from Cranleigh Detachment was named as the outright winner of the Duke of Westminster Award 2010 at a luncheon at the Royal Air Force Club, London.

Organised by CVQO, the prestigious Duke of Westminster Award is an annual competition to recognise the most outstanding cadet from four cadet forces: the Combined Cadet Force, the Sea Cadet Corps, the Army Cadet Force and the Air Training Corps.

Presenting the award, The Duke of Westminster said, “It is always a delight to hear of young people, from all walks of life and all geographic areas, making a real contribution to society while enriching their own lives and prospects for the future. It has been a pleasure to host this event and meet such worthy winners.”

Cadet Under Officer Tresman was selected from 200 nominated cadets from across the UK for her qualities as an extremely impressive young person with outstanding commitment and contribution to all aspects of the cadet force.

In her five years with Surrey ACF, Cadet Under Officer Tresman has gathered a string of qualifications, achievements and awards. Additionally she has also spent six months mentoring a young man with autism, followed by work experience at a school for children with disabilities and learning difficulties. CUO Tresman plans to study medicine at University and, having been awarded an Army Scholarship last year, would like to go on and become a doctor in the armed forces.

Following the presentation CUO Tresman, together with four other category prize winners, visited 10 Downing Street. On 16^th July, with the four other prize winners and four further runners-up, she departs for a three week expedition to South Africa where they will undertake an environmental awareness course in Kwa Zulu Natal and a cultural project working with and teaching orphaned children. In addition they will visit Rorkes Drift, Isandlwana and take part in a walking safari.

“This year was particularly tough in choosing our five prize winners, due to such high standards at the selection event. However, the cadets today have consistently demonstrated an exceptional contribution to society and to cadets,” commented Edward Woods, Chief Executive of CVQO and head of the selection panel. “Each and every one of them is a credit to their family and their unit, and I offer them my congratulations.”

:: Walton Detachment Parades New Banner

On Saturday 20th March 2010, Canon Nigel Nicholson DL participated in a service of dedication of the newly acquired banner of Walton Detachment at St Mary's Church in Walton on Thames. Present at the service were the Mayor of Walton On Thames and his consort, Mr Ian Taylor MP and the Military Attache of the New Zealand Consulate.

Many guests and ex-members of the Detachment and of Surrey ACF filled the church.

Following the service the Detachment, led by the Surrey ACF Corps of Drums, paraded the banner through Walton to the Cromwell Centre on St John's Estate where a reception was held.

It was a very special day for the Walton cadets who that same morning had helped to raise money for the Fire Brigade Benevolent Fund.


Fund Raising For Fire Brigade	Mr Ian Taylor MP and Mayor of Walton	Corps of Drums	Cromwell Centre Reception	Padre

:: Pirbright Detachment Raises Record Amount For The Soldiers Charity

Eight Pirbright cadets and their Detachment Commander, SSI Kit Donal, spent Saturday 6 March 2010 raising funds for the Army Benevolent Fund (now called The Soldiers' Charity). After 6 hours work in the freezing cold the cadets raised a total of £1,170.70 - a record for Sainsbury at Brookwood.

The customers at Sainsbury are to be congratulated for their generosity and good will towards our soldiers in need. It was amazing how many £10 and £5 notes were received.

The cadets were amazingly cheerful despite the increasing weight of the buckets!! A brilliant effort by Pirbright


The Morning Shift	The Afternoon Shift

:: Merrow Detachment Trump Walton To Win Poppy Appeal Comp

Merrow Detachment were the surprise winners of the 2009 Lord Lieutenant's Cadet Poppy Appeal Competition, trumping Walton Detachment by no small margin. The sterling efforts of the Detachment Commander, Colour Sergeant Alan Adams and his indomitable cadets raised no less than £9,425.19 putting Walton's £8,195.76 firmly in the shade. Nevertheless, both performances were first class and put the Army Cadets firmly in the lead across all three services with a grand total of £40,213.47 - nearly half the cadet total.

RQMS Charlie Cooper of Walton Detachment, whose unit has won the event in the three previous consecutive years commented, "It was a good result all round. We can all be proud of what we have achieved. It is good to see another Detachment win, but look out, we will be back!"

All three cadet organisations participated with 50 sub-units competing and raised at total of £84,942.18 (£23,782.32 more than last year), a staggering result. The Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal in Surrey raised nearly £980,000 - just short of that elusive £1 million.

The Army Cadet raising the most funds in Surrey was Cadet Harriett Cottrell of Merrow Detachment who raised £2,776.14. Second was Lance Corporal Sam Hillier £1,897.63, third place went to Cadet Joseph Webb of Merrow Detachment £1,311.65. New entrant from Surrey ACF was Felbridge Detachment

The official presentation took place at Charterhouse School in Godalming on 3 March 2010. The ceremony was attended by The Lord Lieutenant for Surrey, Mrs Sarah Goad JP, Lady Coulson CBE DL (High Sheriff), The Rev John Witheridge MA (Headmaster), Mr Gordon Lee-Steere DL (Vice Lord Lieutenant), All Surrey's Mayors, Cllr Margaret Mead (Croydon), Cllr Celia Hodges (Richmond upon Thames), Cllr Richard Bailey (Past Mayor of Sutton), Mr Robert Douglas CBE (High Sheriff in Nomination), Col Piers Storey-Pugh (Past Chairman SERFCA), Chief Constable Mark Rowley QPM, Brigadier Roy Ratazzi CBE (Youth United), Col J Tuck (CO DRMC Headley Court), Lt Col David Pipe (President Surrey RBL), Kieth Ovens (County Chairman Surrey RBL) and Mrs LD Moore MBE (Chairman Surrey Women's Section). Special guest for the evening was Admiral Sir Jonathon Band GCB, DL, ADC - First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff 2006-2009.

Sir Jonathon expressed his thanks and admiration for the work that the cadets, across all three services, had done in raising such an exceptional sum of money. The Lord Lieutenant praised the work of the Cadet Forces in Surrey and the dedication and enthusiasm of the cadets and their leaders.

:: Surrey Cadets Help Launch Cadet150

The Cadet150 Year of Celebrations kicked off in style on 17 February 2010 when HM The Queen welcomed 26 specially-selected cadet ambassadors to an audience at Buckingham Palace . The 26 lucky cadets - including our own Cadet Under Officer Rachel Tresman - drawn from all four cadet forces (Army Cadet Force, Sea Cadet Corps, Air Training Corps and Combined Cadet Force) participated in a series of events marking the launch of Cadet150, the 150th anniversary of the cadet movement

After the audience at Buckingham Palace with HM The Queen and His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh, during which every cadet had the opportunity to shake hands with the Queen and tell her about their own plans for Cadet150, the party moved on to the Ministry of Defence for a lunch with officials.


Cadet Under Officer Rachel Tresman Meets HM The Queen	Cadet Under Officer Rachel Tresman At Downing Street
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After lunch they walked to Downing Street to have their photo taken outside No 10. Defence Minister, Kevan Jones, and Minister for Young Citizens and Youth Engagement, Dawn Butler, joined the cadets, bringing with them the exciting and unexpected news that they were to be given an exclusive tour inside the famous building. First stop was the cabinet room where the cadets sat around the cabinet table while learning the history of the house. They were also each told whose place they were sitting in. From the cabinet room the party moved to No 11 Downing Street where Mrs Maggie Darling, wife of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, welcomed them warmly and showed them round the Chancellor’s residence.

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Cadet 150 - Lancaster House Reception 2.jpg (642642 bytes)

Cadet Cpl Michael Curtiss - Yorktown

Cadet Cpl Liam Randall - Cranleigh

Cadet Cpls Randall & Curtiss
Join The Party At
The Lancaster House Reception

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The final engagement of the day was an evening reception at Lancaster House hosted by the Ulysses Trust and the Council of RFCAs in support of the unique Cadet150 expedition to Lesotho in southern Africa in July. Guests included Vice Chief of the Defence Staff, General Sir Nicholas Houghton KCB CBE, and HRH Prince Seeiso, High Commissioner for Lesotho . World-famous explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes, accepted a donation from the Ulysses Trust towards the Lesotho expedition and spoke fascinatingly and amusingly about how joining the Combined Cadet Force at the age of 12 led to his lifelong interest in travel to very remote places. Our own Cadet Corporals Curtiss and Randall (both of whom are participating in the Cadet150 Lesotho Expedition) were present and Cadet Randall made a speech of thanks to the Ulysses Trust for their generous donation.

With origins dating back to 1860, the cadet movement is one of the oldest and most successful voluntary youth organisations in the world. Today it numbers 131,000 young people, led by 25,000 adult volunteers, in well over 3,000 sites across the country.

The Cadet Forces are about fun and opportunity in a positive, structured environment that encourages the development of leadership and teamwork, initiative, self-confidence, self-discipline and a sense of responsibility. They welcome young people and adults from all backgrounds and abilities. No cadets or adult volunteers will ever be called upon for duty with the Armed Forces, and whilst some cadets do follow a career in the Armed Forces, the Cadet Forces are not used as a recruiting opportunity.

Further information about the Cadet150 celebrations in 2010 can be found at www.cadet150.org

:: Walton Detachment Steal Connaught Cup Again - Triumph in Poppy Appeal Awards

Walton Detachment, commanded by the irrepressible SMI Charlie Cooper, for the third year running was awarded the Connaught Cup for the most money raised by a Surrey Cadet Detachment in the Lord Lieutenant's Poppy Appeal Cadet Competition. The Detachment raised no less than £6,665.80 - just £4.87 more than they raised last year.

The Army Cadets also won the prize for the cadet who raised the most single handedly. The winner was Cadet Romilly Forbes of Merrow Detachment who raised a total of £3,266.99 (60% of her Detachment total.

The best newcomer Detachment was Surrey Army Cadet's Guildford Detachment that raised £2,857.10 on their first attempt.

Present at the prize giving was Mrs Sally Vara (High Sheriff), Mrs Angela Fraser DL (Chairman of Surrey CC), Mrs Penelope Keith CBE DL, all Surrey's Mayors, Mrs Sarah Goad JP (Lord Lieutenant of Surrey), Major General David Rutherford-Jones (Commandant of the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst).

The Cadet Poppy Appeal Competition raised a total of £61,159.86 (up by £10,095.98 on 2008) and Surrey came second overall in the country beaten only by Manchester. In Surrey the British Legion Poppy Appeal raised a staggering £890,000 - a testament to the high regard Britains have for the British Legion and their role in supporting our servicemen.

:: Potential Officers Puzzle It Out

In February 2009, eight potential officers from Surrey ACF tried their hand at the initial step towards gaining a Cadet Force Commission in the Army Cadet Force. Obtaining a commission in the ACF is no mean achievement. Adult Instructors need to demonstrate that they have above average ability in a number of areas that require both mental and physical stamina. The Command Task tests, designed to highlight those candidates with natural leadership ability, always generate moments of great hilarity as the plan goes awry and bodies land in a heap on the ground. The Planning Exercise, in which a candidates ability to take in information and process it into an action plan is tested, is always a killer, especially when the plan is torn to shreds by the Directing Staff. Nevertheless, all the candidates on the course including a young Detachment Commander from Kent ACF, gave their best and were given appropriate feed-back on their performance.


A Likely Looking Bunch	Concentration	Teamwork	Look Out For The Crocodiles

:: Chobham Cadets Raise Cash For Army Benevolent Fund

On a brilliant and unseasonably warm February Day cadets from Chobham Detachment with their Commander SSI Matt Pedwell spent five hours at Brookwood Sainsbury Store raising money in a collection for the Army Benevolent Fund. True to the spirit of Surrey's citizens and their high regard for their soldiers the Detachment raised nearly £900. Councillor John Kingsbury, who organised the collection, was impressed with the cadet's smartness and business-like approach to the job in hand. Cheery smiles and a confident manner helped to bring the much needed funds rolling in. Thanks also go to the management of Sainsbury for allowing the ABF to stage a collection at this large store.

:: Surrey Cadets Meet HRH The Duke of Edinburgh

At the annual reception of the Queen's Royal Surrey Regimental Association at Clandon Park on Monday 21st May 2007, the Chairman, Colonel Tony Ward OBE, presented Surrey ACF with cheques to the value of £2,400 as donations from the QRS Regimental Trust and Territorial Associations. Major Alan Mulder, representing the Commandant of Surrey ACF, Colonel Andrew Blowers, received the cheques. Colonel Ward, in his address to the guests referred to Surrey Army Cadets as "the cream of Surrey's youth" and declared that the Associations were delighted to support the work that Surrey ACF was doing. Colonel Ward highlighted the forthcoming exchange visit to Australia as one of many interesting projects that the cadets were involved in.


Cadet Clarke from Mytchett chats to HRH	Cadets from Farncombe chat to HRH	Cadet CSM Pink chats to HRH	HRH and the Lord Lieutenant with Cadet RSM McConnon	Lord Lieutenant with Cadet RSM McConnon

The Commandant of Surrey ACF acknowledges the generosity of the Queen's Royal Surrey Regiment Association and the Territorial Association, as well as many other supporters, without whose donations cadets from disadvantaged backgrounds might otherwise not be able to take part in adventurous challenges such as the Exchange Programme with the Western Australia Army Cadets.

:: Leatherhead Cadets Visit DRMC Headley Court

Seventeen cadets and staff from Leatherhead Detachment visited DMRC Headley Court on 24 November 2008 at the invitation of Squadron Leader Ian Slaughter.

The Cadets were given a brief overview of the history of Headley Court along with an explanation of the treatment provided to injured servicemen and women. The Cadets were shown some of Headley Court's state of the art facilities and were fortunate enough to meet some of the patients in the Peter Long Unit, the Centre's in-patient wing, where they heard first hand from servicemen about how they sustained their injuries, and how Headley Court has helped them since.

Sincere thanks go to Sqn Ldr Slaughter for kindly arranging the visit and taking time to show us around. Our thanks also go to Marine Peter Dunning who spoke to us at length regarding his injuries and his treatment. His positive outlook and courage in spite of his injuries was an inspiring reminder to the cadets of the values and standards of the Armed Forces

:: Walton Cadets Brave Cold Weather To Aid Soldiers & Their Families

With the festive season just starting the shoppers of Burgh Heath in Surrey showed that despite the recession they had lost none of their support of compassion for their soldiers, ex-soldiers and their families who have fallen on hard times. As they arrived at the ASDA superstore they were greeted by Walton cadets wearing the distinctive red tabards of the Army Benevolent Fund and holding the brilliant red collecting buckets. Who could resist the friendly smile and polite greeting of the the cadets? The shoppers at ASDA were generous to a fault emptying their loose change into the buckets and pushing in five, ten and twenty pound notes. The weather was bitterly cold and the cadets took it in turns to go on stag. Colonel Hugh Stott of the Surrey Committee stated that the cadets had done a great job under difficult conditions. Colonel Tony Ward, Surrey Committee Chairman was effusive in his praise of the cadets and added that the money raised would help to boost the funding that the ABF badly needed.


Walton cadets on duty at ASDA		Donations still coming in as the group photograph was being taken.

Many thanks to the cadets of Walton on Thames Detachment under their Detachment Commander SMI Charlie Cooper. In particular thanks to Cadet Colour Sergeant Dawn Elderton of Walton, Cadet Sergeant Major Matthew Boraman and Cadet Sergeant George Bowden who helped to organise the cadets. Thanks also to Colour Sergeant Joey Parrott for driving the cadets to and from the event.

:: Surrey Orienteerers Sweep The Board - Again

Once again the Surrey ACF Orienteering Team have swept the board in the National Orienteering Championships held at Warcop in Cumbria. Surrey ACF won Senior Boys'/Junior Boys'/Senior Girls' & Junior Girls' team events. Also (subject to confirmation) Surrey won the best individual in each of these events and, for the first time we were eligible, the overall best unit. In some instances the trophy returns to Surrey for the 10th year in succession. A staggering achievement.

Many congratulations go to the whole team but particularly to Captain (Retired) Malcolm Mair MBE whose tireless efforts over many years have raised the standard of Orienteering within Surrey to Olympian heights.

More details can be found on the Orienteering pages.

The photograph shows Captain Mair who retired from active service with the ACF many years ago. However, he maintains his links with Surrey ACF as a Civilian Assistant by his management and support of the Orienteering Team, devoting many hours of his time and publishing the monthly Oscope newsletter for Surrey Orienteerers.

:: Surrey Army Cadets Remember The Fallen

On a cold and windy November morning Surrey Army Cadets across the county turned out to support their local British Legion Branches in the annual Services of Remembrance held throughout the land. In Woking the crowds turned out in large numbers to remember the fallen in past and current conflicts.

Woking

Walton		Cranleigh

In addition to turning out on Remembrance Day, many Surrey Army Cadets have been actively involved in the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal, making collections in towns and villages throughout Surrey. Last year Surrey Army Cadets raised over £29,000 for the Poppy Appeal.

:: Reigate Cadets On Air With Mercury FM Radio

On Sunday 27 April 2008, cadets from Reigate Detachment assisted Mercury FM with a charity abseil off the Sofitel Hotel at the North Terminal of Gatwick Airport. The cadets were tasked to welcome volunteer abseilers and to help guide them through the ordeal. At the end the cadets were allowed to have a go at abseiling as well!

Cadets involved in the charity event and now media lovvies were LCpl Parsons, LCpl Christmas, LCpl Allard, LCpl Woodfield, Cdt Copper and Cdt Stone. Story sent in by PI Kirsty McDermott.

:: Surrey Army Cadets Assist ABF Charity Fair At RMA Sandhurst

The second Army Benevolent Fund Charity Fair held at the RMA Sandhurst on Sunday 15 June 2008 was an outstanding success and raised about £10,000 for the benefit of serving and former serving soldiers and their families. Fifteen cadets from Walton Detachment, assisted by some of their comrades from Yorktown Detachment and Berkshire ACF, worked hard throughout the day assisting stallholders to set up, selling programmes and draw tickets and helping to pack up at the end of the day.

It was a very sunny and hot day and crowds of visitors thronged around the fifty craft stalls in the ABF Village. Colonel Tony Ward, Chairman of the Surrey ABF Committee, was lavish in his praise of the cadets. "Without the hard work and commitment of the cadets the Charity Fair would not have been the success it was," he said. Colonel Peter Cook, SE Regional Director of the ABF was equally effusive - "The cadets worked very hard and were a great asset to us in our fund raising efforts," he stated.

The Charity Fair at RMA Sandhurst looks to be an established event and Surrey cadets can be proud of their involvement in an outstandingly good cause.


Yorktown cadets assist	Programme selling	The ABF Charity Fair Village	Major-General Rutherford-Jones, Commandant of RMA Sandhurst with Dr Ken Howlett TD	The Walton and Yorktown contingent.

:: Ryan Earns Young First Aider Of The Year Award - 31 May 2008

The prestigious St John's Ambulance Young First Aider of the Year Awards was held at St John's Gate, London on Saturday 31 May 2008. Of all the subjects taught by the ACF First Aid is one of the most important and beneficial. Therefore it is a huge achievement that seven Army Cadets from across Britain were nominated for the medal for outstanding First Aid action. Among these was Lance Corporal Ryan Lloyd of our own Surrey Army Cadets.

Ryan was in a playground with his friend when he witnessed a man being hit and violently knocked to the ground. The casualty sustained serious head injuries and was bleeding severely. Ryan approached the casualty and assailant and then called an ambulance when he realised the casualty was badly hurt. The victim was unconscious, so Ryan put him in the recovery position until the ambulance arrived. Ryan managed to stay calm and care for the casualty despite receiving threats from the assailant before he ran away. Ryan stayed with the victim until the paramedics arrived. The casualty underwent emergency surgery and remained in a neurology unit for three weeks after the incident.

Ryan's actions were in the best traditions of Surrey Army Cadets and demonstrate the best of Surrey's young people. Congratulations to Ryan from all his Army Cadet Force mates.

:: Kiln Agility Training Society Show, Walton, 31 May/1 June 2008

Over the weekend of 31 May and 1 June 2008 Walton Detachment supported the Kiln Agility Training Society to run their annual dog show by assisting with the administration and organisation of the event. Mr Martin Posnette, the Show Manager and Club Chairman commented, "What a great bunch of young people you are. You dropped everything at such short notice to help us out at Apps Court, without you the show would have really struggled to get through one day, let alone two." During the show the cadets also raised money to support the forthcoming Scuba-diving expedition to the Red Sea.

:: Walton Detachment ANZAC Parade

Thirty-five cadets from Walton Detachment participated in Walton's annual ANZAC parade and church service to commemorate the sacrifice of those Australian and New Zealand soldiers who lost their lives in the two World Wars. The parade takes place on the closest Sunday to ANZAC day which is 25 April.

The Anzac Day service was held at St Mary’s Church, before a wreath of remembrance was laid to remember those who died in the Battle of Gallipoli during the First World War and subsequent campaigns.

Walton has a distinguished history alongside the Australia and New Zealand Army Corps (Anzac). In July 1915, the Mount Felix New Zealand Military Hospital was opened, occupying around 18 acres of land near Walton Bridge. The facility boasted 2,000 beds and saw 27,000 troops pass through during the conflict. 21 New Zealand soldiers remain buried in St Mary’s churchyard as a result of the war.

Among those paying their respects were Mayor of Elmbridge Rosemary Dane, MP for Esher and Walton Ian Taylor, Commander Chris Hoey from the New Zealand Defence Force and the New Zealand High Commissioner Derek Leask.

:: Sainsbury Customers Cough Up For The ABF

On Saturday and Sunday 24/25 May 2008 Army Cadets and their leaders from Farnham, Deepcut and Mytchett Detachments gave up several hours of their personal time to help the Army Benevolent Fund to raise funds to help servicemen, ex-servicemen and their dependants who are in need. The worthy residents of Farnham and its surrounding towns rose to the occasion and demonstrated their support for their forces by contributing £2,159.11. LCpl Rudd of Farnham Detachment collected the highest total of donations with £333.28.

The Saturday team comprised LCpl Sinclair (Farnham), LCpl Rudd (Farnham) and Cdt Goodwin (Pirbright). The Sunday team comprised Cpl Godolphin (Deepcut), Cdt Bryant (Deepcut), Cdt Bunyan (Mytchett), Cdt Gardner (Mytchett), Cdt Isac J (Deepcut) and Cdt Isac T (Deepcut).

Great effort from all concerned. Major Peter Grove (ABF Treasurer) commented, " I am very impressed by the dedication of the cadets who have been participating in this collection. They have given their time willingly and without complaint during a very long day. Surrey ACF can be proud of them all."

:: 4 DIV Military Skills Competition Cleaned Up by Surrey

The annual Military Skills Competition sponsored by 4 Division was won decisively this year by the Surrey ACF team. In an amazing performance they won all the trophies for which they were eligible - The March and Shoot Competition, the ACF Trophy and the 4 Div Military Skills Winners. The competition was fought over the weekend 26/27 April and involved all ACF counties and CCF units in the 4 Div area.

The team comprised:

LCpl S Limbu (Yorktown), LCpl A Springham (Felbridge), LCpl M Hills (Felbridge), LCpl G Howard (Walton), Cpl W Cooper (Felbridge), Cpl G Bowdon (Farnham), Cpl A Paraskeva (Banstead), Cpl C Harrison (Farnham).

The trainers were:

Major T Hayter (OC D Coy), SSI G Fuiza (Deepcut) and SI M Lowes (Felbridge).

The team put in a first class effort in the observation and patrolling, were the fastest in the March and Shoot (leaving the safety supervisors trailing), had outstanding confidence on the obstacle course (being able to cross a 10 foot wall unaided) and saved all the victims in the first aid scenario.


Patrolling	First Aid	Obstacle Course	March and Shoot	Obstacle Course

The last word goes to their OC and trainer, Major Terry Hayter. "I am hugely proud of these Cadets as they have put their heart and soul in it - from selection to continuation training - but yet they still found whatever energy they could muster during the competition to win. We used to take the Mickey out of the TA SAS slogan where they say, "We are not elite. We are just better than everyone else" This team proved that. They have made themselves proud and they are a brilliant advertisement for Surrey ACF.

SURREY ARMY CADETS - BE THE BEST

:: Leatherhead Detachment Help The Heroes

Six cadets from Leatherhead Detachment attended Walton-on-the-Hill's Annual Pageant on 17 May to help raise funds for Help for Heroes. Despite poor weather, a large number of people attended the event, and the cadets performed sterling work collecting donations from the public. The Surrey co-ordinator for Help for Heroes said that Leatherhead's cadets helped raise far more donations than would otherwise have been collected.

Help for Heroes is a national charity aimed at providing assistance for the rehabilitation of servicemen and women injured on active service. Their current appeal is focussed on improving the facilities at Headley Court, the MOD rehabilitation centre near Leatherhead. As the closest detachment to Headley Court, Leatherhead Cadets look forward to continuing their association with Help for Heroes and providing further fundraising support in the future.

:: Surrey Cadets Support TA100, Army Benevolent Fund & BLESMA

Throughout 2008, events around the UK will celebrate 100 years of service to the nation, during which Territorial Army soldiers have served alongside their Regular Army comrades in almost every major operation around the world. The history and achievements of the TA are rich in service and dedication, from its beginnings in 1908 as Lord Haldane’s ‘Territorial Force’, through two World Wars, the Cold War period of cuts and stagnation, to the present day when the TA operates and fights alongside the Regulars.

In Surrey, TA100 was celebrated by a parade through Guildford on Saturday 5th April. Hundreds of residents and visitors lined Guildford High Street to see more than 200 Territorial Army members parade through the town centre. TA units from Farnham, Camberley, Redhill, Reigate and Chertsey marched from Town Bridge to Holy Trinity Church, and held a short service outside the church before returning to the Portsmouth Road Car Park.


TA soldiers parade in Guildford	Cpl's Hennem & Bennett with ABF bucket	Guildford, Merrow, Cranleigh and Haselmere cadets raise funds for ABF and BLESFA

In support of the TA and working for the benefit of soldiers in need were Surrey Army Cadets from Guildford, Merrow, Cranleigh and Haselmere Detachments led by 2Lt Adrian Paice. A total of £2,671.97 was raised by the cadets for the Army Benevolent Fund (ABF) and the British Limbless Ex-Service Men's Association (BLESMA). Cadet Cpl Bennett raised £259.75 narrowly beating Cadet Peters who raised £254.16.

:: Reigate Cadets Support Marie Curie

On 29th March 2008 Reigate Detachment supported the Marie Curie Cancer Fund by raising £350 at Burgh Hill ASDA Supermarket. The Reigate cadets have adopted this charity as their Detachment focus for fundraising and hope to raise more for Marie Curie in the future. Nice hats!

:: Target Rifle Course

During the period from Friday 14 to Wednesday 19 March 2008, Surrey cadets attended a Target Rifle Coaching Course held at the Surrey ACF Weekend Training Centre at Farncombe and on ranges at Bisley and Stoney Castle. The cadets were given a thorough grounding in the rifle in the classroom before they went out onto the range for live firing practice.

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For most of the cadets this was the first time that they had fired the Target Rifle. On Monday and Tuesday the cadets fired at 300 and 500 metres on Stoney Castle Range near Pirbright. On Wednesday the course travelled to Century Range at the world famous Bisley Range where a competition was fired at 300 and 500 metres. Despite the bitterly cold weather the cadets thoroughly enjoyed the course.

:: Food In The Field

During the period of Easter Sunday and Monday cadets from Deepcut Detachment assisted the Royal Logistics Corps Museum in their special event " Food in the Field", an event which looked at food, rations and means of cooking through the ages within the British Army from Bosworth to Basra. The Cadets helped out with various tasks from car parking duties to helping with the cooking and washing-up.

:: Potential Officers Under Pressure

Six Potential Officer candidates from Surrey, Sussex and Kent ACFs were put through the mill at Sussex ACF state of the art Weekend Training Centre at Crowborough. The candidates were put through their paces to determine whether they were made of the right stuff to go forward to an Army Officer Selection Board later in the year. Tests included command tasks, interviews, discussion groups, lecturettes and planning scenarios designed to evaluate their practical and intellectual skills under stress. The weekend was the fifth in a series that started in 2006 and have proven to be a powerful tool in identifying budding officer candidates.

Visiting the Training Centre during the Potential Officers evaluation was Major General Moore-Bick CBE DL, the Honorary Colonel of Sussex ACF, who was impressed with the performance and commitment of the candidates and was amused by the heated discussion between the candidates over MPs expenses.

:: Chobham Detachment Help Army Benevolent Fund

On a freezing cold March Saturday cadets from Chobham Detachment under the Command of SSI Mat Pedwell spent four hours at Waitrose on Goldsworth Park raising donations for the Army Benevolent Fund. The customers of Waitrose dug deep into their pockets to support the soldiers in need. Colonel David MacCarthy OBE of the Army Benevolent Fund Surrey Committee expressed his admiration for the cadets who "remained cheerful despite the freezing wind and hailstorms" and "who were a credit to their Detachment".

:: Lord Lieutenant's Cadet Poppy Appeal Competition Results

Walton Do It Again

For the second year running Walton Detachment snatch the Duke of Connaught's Cup for the Detachment that raised the most money for the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal with a monster £6,660.92.

Merrow Detachment were second overall with £6,412.97 and Horley were third with £5,308.23.

In addition, the cadet raising the most money individually was Corporal Oliver Hennem who single-handedly raised £3,726.48

The competition which involved 41 cadet units (Sea Cadets, Army Cadets and Air Cadets) from all over Surrey was started in 2001 by the Lord lieutenant Mrs Sarah Goad JP.


Merrow Detachment	Horley Detachment	Walton Detachment	Mychett Detachment	Mytchett With Brigadier James

In attendance were the Lord Lieutenant, Mrs Sarah Goad JP, The High Sheriff of Surrey Mr Nicholas Sealy, Air Commodore Gordon Moulds MBE, Commandant Air Cadets UK, as well as the Chairman of Surrey County Council Mrs Angela Fraser DL and the Surrey Mayors plus some of the South West London Mayors. The presentation was held at the Royal Alexander and Albert School in Reigate by courtesy of the Headmaster Mr Paul Spencer Ellis.

Of special interest for Surrey cadets was the presence at the presentation of Brigadier Ian James OBE, the newly appointed Commander of 2 (SE) Brigade, our Formation Commander and a former cadet in the CCF.

Overall a good night for Surrey ACF. Well done all who participated and a special mention to 2Lt Adrian Paice (OC Merrow Detachment) who claims he never gets mentioned in any reports. Better luck next time Mr Paice.

:: Walton Detachment Raises Funds for the Army Benevolent Fund

Walton Detachment was out in force in December 2007 supporting the Army Benevolent Fund. Spearheaded by SMI Steven Peel and his cadets the Detachment targeted the ASDA Supermarket at Burghill, near Epson and raised over £1,400. Dr Ken Howlett TD and Col Tony Ward OBE of the ABF expressed their delight and thanks to SMI Peel for the sterling work they had done on behalf of servicemen in need.


Walton Detachment Cadets	Dr Ken Howlett & Col Tony Ward Assist Walton Cadets	Collecting For The ABF

:: Surrey ACF Orienteerers Run A Good Race

The Surrey ACF Orienteering Team, managed by Major (Retired) Malcolm Mair MBE, has once again demonstrated its mettle in the National Cadet Orienteering Championships by winning the Senior Boys and Junior Boys team events and gaining first place gold medals in the Senior and Junior Boys and the Senior and Junior Girls events. Congratulations to all who took part. The nominal roll of participants was as follows:

Senior Boys Team

Winners the ACF Senior Cup and 4 medals

Cdt A Clarke (Felbridge), Cdt A Young (Dorking), Cdt C Mason (Reigate), Cdt W Cooper (Felbridge)

Junior Boys Team

Winners the ACF Junior Cup and 6 medals

Cdt A Springham (Felbridge), L/Cpl A Chilvers (Lingfield), Cpl M Poland (Lingfield),
Cdt R Woodfield (Reigate), L/Cpl T Wall (Lingfield)

Individuals

1^st place individual ACF GOLD medals won by:

Senior Boys - Cdt A Young (Dorking)

Senior Girls - CSM L Crothall (Lingfield)

Junior Boys - Cdt A Springham (Felbridge)

Junior Girls - Cpl D Elderton (Walton)

Also participated and completed their courses:

Senior Girls - Cdt G Strike (Walton)

Junior Boys - L/Cpl F Butcher (Lingfield)

Junior Girls - Cdt Z Allen (Lingfield)

:: Remembrance Day Parades in Surrey

Throughout Surrey and despite the damp and rainy day, Detachments of Army Cadets have joined with the British Legion, other cadet organisations and their local communities in remembering those servicemen and women who gave their lives during the two World Wars and other conflicts since.

Woking town centre was more crowded than ever and there was a good turn out for services in Chobham, Cranleigh and Guildford.


Woking Remembrance Parade	Army Cadets	Town Centre Memorial	Mayor Takes The Salute

	Chobham Detachment on Parade	Chobham Detachment

Merrow Detachment On Parade in Guildford	Banners On Parade	Merrow Detachment	Merrow Detachment Cadets Collect For The Poppy Appeal

	Cranleigh Detachment On	Parade For Remembrance

:: Tri-Service Cadet Conference To Encourage Cooperation

On Wednesday 7th November 2007, a tri-service conference involving senior staff from the Sea Cadet Corps, the Army Cadet Force and the Air Training Corps was held at Surrey ACF weekend training centre. The meeting arranged by ACF Commandant, Colonel Andrew Blowers, and presided over by Brigadier Graeme Bartlett (Chairman of the Surrey Cadet Committee) aimed to explore the potential for all three services to cooperate in areas of particular expertise and to share resources wherever possible.

The three service chiefs, Lieutenant Commander Ray Mitchell, Colonel Andrew Blowers and Wing Commander Bob Gould were united in their common goal of producing the citizens of the future - albeit through each services' unique approach. All three services had the common handicap of dwindling resources and difficulty in recruiting quality instructors. Nevertheless, each was in its own sphere achieving outstanding results. The conference identified a number of areas where cooperation and sharing might offer some synergy and help to share the burden, these included BTEC, Duke of Edinburgh's Award, Parachuting Courses, Training Facilities and Equipment.

Tri-Service Chiefs

Pictured above left (from left to right):

Lieutenant Commander Ray Mitchell, District Officer Surrey Sea Cadet Corps, Colonel Andrew Blowers, County Commandant Surrey Army Cadet Force, and Wing Commander Bob Gould, Commander Surrey Wing Air Training Corps.

---------------------------------------------

The initiative was praised by Brigadier Bartlett as a step in the right direction and a means by which the different cadet organisations could wring greater results from their limited resources and manpower.

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:: Latest News

Armed Forces Day Flag Raising in Kingston On Thames

At the invitation of the Chairman of Surrey County Council cadets from Walton Detachment joined civic dignitaries, military representatives and employees of Surrey County Council in a brief but moving ceremony to mark the start of Armed Forces Week.

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Corps of Drums Assists at Soldiers' Charity Beating Retreat

Members of Surrey ACF Corps of Drums assisted by SSI Natalie Alden were on hand to help at the Soldiers Charity Beating Retreat held at Charterhouse School on Wednesday 6th July 2010.

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Surrey ACF Wins Revision Trophy

Surrey ACF has clinched the Revision Trophy awarded to the ACF unit that succeeds in raising the most money for the ABF: The Soldiers Charity.

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Cadet150 Parade In Godalming An Outstanding Success

On Saturday 26^th June, over two hundred and thirty cadets from the Sea Cadet Corps, the Army Cadet Force and the Air Training Corps, including a Joint Services Cadet Corps of Drums, paraded through the streets of Godalming town to celebrate the 150^th anniversary of the establishment of the Cadet Force Movement – ‘Cadet 150’.

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CUO Tresman Wins Duke of Westminster's Award

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Walton Detachment Parades New Banner

Walton Detachment paraded their new banner through Walton on Saturday 20th March 2010 following a blessing at St Mary's Church. In attendance were the Mayor of Walton on Thames and Mr Ian Taylor MP.

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Pirbright Detachment Raises Record Amount For The Soldiers' Charity

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Merrow Detachment Trump Walton To Win Poppy Appeal Comp

Merrow Detachment were the surprise winners of the 2009 Lord Lieutenant's Cadet Poppy Appeal Competition, trumping Walton Detachment by no small margin. Colour Sergeant Alan Adams and his indomitable cadets raised no less than £9,425.19 putting Walton's £8,195.76 firmly in the shade.

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Surrey Cadets Help Launch Cadet150

The Cadet150 Celebrations kicked off in style on 17 February 2010 when HM The Queen welcomed 26 specially-selected cadet ambassadors to an audience at Buckingham Palace. The 26 lucky cadets - including our own Cadet Under Officer Rachel Tresman - participated in a series of events marking the launch of Cadet150

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Walton Detachment Steal Connaught Cup Again

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Potential Officers Puzzle It Out

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Chobham Cadets Raise Cash For Army Benevolent Fund

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Surrey Cadets Meet HRH The Duke of Edinburgh

Farnham, Mytchett and Farncombe cadets were honoured to meet the Duke of Edinburgh during a recent visit to the Cadet Training Centre at Frimley Park near Camberley in Surrey.

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Leatherhead Cadets Visit DRMC Headley Court

Seventeen cadets and staff from Leatherhead Detachment visited DMRC Headley Court on 24 November 2008 at the invitation of Squadron Leader Ian Slaughter.

The Cadets were given a brief overview of the history of Headley Court along with an explanation of the treatment provided to injured servicemen and women.

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Walton Cadets Brave Cold Weather To Aid Soldiers & Their Families

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Surrey Orienteerers Sweep The Board - Again

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Surrey Cadets Remember The Fallen

On a cold and windy November morning Surrey Army Cadets across the county turned out to support their local British Legion Branches.

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Reigate Cadets On Air With Mercury FM Radio

On Sunday 27 April 2008, cadets from Reigate Detachment assisted Mercury FM with a charity abseil off the Sofitel Hotel at the North Terminal of Gatwick Airport.

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Surrey Army Cadets Assist ABF Charity Fair At RMA Sandhurst

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Ryan Earns Young First Aider Of The Year Award

Of all the subjects taught by the ACF First Aid is one of the most important and beneficial. Therefore it is a huge achievement that seven Army Cadets from across Britain were nominated for the medal for outstanding First Aid action. Among these was Lance Corporal Ryan Lloyd of our own Surrey Army Cadets.

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Major Shipton Graduates Through BTEC

Major David Shipton, OC A Company, Surrey ACF has earned a Graduateship in Youth Management and Training through his service and training with the Army Cadet Force.

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Kiln Agility Training Society Show, Walton

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Walton Detachment ANZAC Parade

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Sainsbury Customers Cough Up for ABF

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4 DIV Military Skills Competition Cleaned Up By Surrey

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Leatherhead Detachment Help The Heroes

Six cadets from Leatherhead Detachment attended Walton-on-the-Hill's Annual Pageant on 17 May to help raise funds for Help for Heroes.

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Surrey Cadets Support TA100 Army Benevolent Fund & BLESMA

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Reigate Cadets Support Marie Curie

On 29th March 2008 Reigate Detachment supported the Marie Curie Cancer Fund by raising £350 at Burgh Hill ASDA Supermarket.

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Target Rifle Course

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Food In The Field

During the period of Easter Sunday and Monday cadets from Deepcut Detachment assisted the Royal Logistics Corps Museum in their special event " Food in the Field"

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Potential Officers Under Pressure

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Chobham Detachment Help Army Benevolent Fund

On a freezing cold March Saturday cadets from Chobham Detachment under the Command of SSI Mat Pedwell spent four hours at Waitrose on Goldsworth Park raising donations for the Army Benevolent Fund.

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Lord Lieutenant's Cadet Poppy Appeal Competition

For the second year running Walton Detachment snatch the Duke of Connaught's Cup for the Detachment that raised the most money for the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal with a monster £6,660.92.

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Walton Detachment Raises Funds for ABF

Walton Detachment targeted the ASDA Supermarket at Burghill, near Epson and raised over £1,400

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Surrey Orienteerers Run A Good Race

The Surrey ACF Orienteering Team, has once again demonstrated its metal in the National Cadet Orienteering Championships by winning the Senior and Junior Boys team events and gaining first place gold medals in the Senior and Junior Boys and the Senior and Junior Girls events.

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Remembrance Day Parades in Surrey

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Tri-Service Cooperation On The Cards

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Octavia Hill Honoured

On Sunday the 12th August Cadets from Mytchett, Farnham and Pirbright Detachments along with the Corps of Drums Detachment took part in the unveiling of a blue plaque to commemorate the formation of the first army cadet detachment by Miss Octavia Hill, the renowned Victorian social reformer.

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Defiant Cadets Jump Out Of Aeroplane

Ten Surrey ACF cadets with three instructors took part in Exercise Defiant Cadet 2 in July this year to learn how to parachute at the Joint Services Parachute Centre at Bad Lippspringe in Germany – JSPC(L).

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Nijmegen Team in Successful 100 Mile Stroll

Five cadets and two instructors from Surrey ACF participated in the gruelling annual Nijmegen Four Day marches in Holland.

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Surrey ACF Cadet Appointed The Master's Apprentice

Cadet Drum Major Robert Sobey of the Corps of Drums Detachment has been appointed as The Master's Apprentice for the academic year 2007/08. The Worshipful Company of Coopers has been associated with Strode's College at Egham since its founding in 1704 by Henry Strode. Each year a student of Strode's College is chosen by interview from the best students at the college to be the Master's Apprentice.

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ABF Summer Charity Bazaar

On a blisteringly hot June day, Surrey Army Cadets were out in force at Sandhurst - aided by colleagues from Berkshire ACF - in support of the Army Benevolent Fund's first Summer Charity Fair at the Royal Military Academy.

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Queen's Royal Surreys

On Sunday 17th June 2007, cadets from Guildford and Merrow Detachments participated in the Annual Service of the Queen's Royal Surrey Regiment at Guildford Cathedral. Under the command of Under Officer Graham Croucher and SSI Alan Rutter the cadets lined the cathedral steps and assisted as ushers at the church.

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Queen's Royal Surrey Regt - Sponsorship

At the annual reception of the Queen's Royal Surrey Regimental Association at Clandon Park on Monday 21st May 2007, the Chairman, Colonel Tony Ward MBE, presented Surrey ACF with cheques to the value of £2,400 as donations from the QRS Regimental Trust and Territorial Associations.

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www.sacfmusic.co.uk

Our Band and Corps of Drums is one of the best in the country. Why don't you come along and give it a try?

:: Not From Surrey?

The Army Cadet Force has Detachments located all around the UK. Check out the National ACF Website to find your nearest Detachment! [more]