Surrey Army Cadet Force

Surrey's Young Achievers!

 

 

:: Latest News

:: News Archive

Here you can keep up to date with the latest goings on around the County. 

News is added regularly to the site and you might even find us in your local newspapers - Surrey Army Cadet Force is always doing something worthwhile.

Click on the link below to review old news items.

Take me to the

- NEWS ARCHIVE 2005/2006 -

- NEWS ARCHIVE 2006/2007 -



:: 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.

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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

cdt.jpg (48623 bytes)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.

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:: 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.

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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. 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".

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:: 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.

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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. 

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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

       1st 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.

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

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Chobham Detachment on Parade Chobham Detachment

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

:: Octavia Hill Honoured - Blue Plaque Ceremony

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. 

The first detachment was formed at the original drill hall of the 1st Southwark Cadet Corps in Red Cross Hall at Southwark in 1889. Colonel Salmond of the Derbyshire Regiment did the practical work in Southwark, and she even persuaded Viscount Wolseley to preside at the first meeting of the Southwark Corps in 1889. The Corps attracted 160 cadets with many refused.

In 1890 the corps band took part in the Lord Mayor's Procession, which helped encourage and increase membership. Octavia Hill had problems persuading the war office to pay for brighter uniforms than the dull green that the parent unit wore. Ingenious to the last she wrote to Eton College suggesting a link between their Hackney Wick Mission Corps and that in Southwark. They accepted and helped pay for a smart red uniform which Octavia felt would do much to cheer the dull Southwark streets. Eventually, after tireless work, Octavia retired to her home in Kent and died in 1912.

Stephen Humphrey (Local History Library), Veronica Alden (Southwark Heritage Association), Simon Hughes MP, Gillian Darley, Helen Firminger (BOST), Cllr Bob Skelly, Peter Clayton (Octavia Hill Society) & Brigadier Mike Wharmby Brigadier Mike Wharmby OBE
General Secretary of the Army Cadet Force Association

The Mayor of Southwark, Councillor Bob Skelly, and Gillian Darley, biographer of Octavia Hill unveiled the plaque and Brigadier Mike Warmby OBE, the General Secretary of the Army Cadet Force Association, made a short speech. Other dignitaries attending the ceremony included Mr Stephen Humphrey (Local History Library), Ms Veronica Alden (Southwark Heritage Association), Mr Simon Hughes MP and Ms Helen Firminger (BOST). The unveiling was followed by a series of presentations by the cadets that demonstrated the types of activities in which they participate whilst in the cadets, such as drill and first aid.

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SI Adrian Hirons aided by SI Natalie Alden, both of Farnham Detachment, organized the unveiling ceremony for the blue plaque.

:: 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).

During the week long trip the cadets were taught the rudiments of parachuting before they were taken aloft for their first jump. Conventional wisdom says that the worst jump is the second one, because you know what is coming after doing the first! However, this didn't deter the intrepid Surrey cadets some of whom jumped nine times during the week!!!!!

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Going up in the world Defiant Cadets Puppets on a string! Here goes nothing!
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Here goes number 53 Bombs away Heeeeeeelp! Phew!

:: Nijmegen 2007 - 17 / 20 July 2007

Five cadets and two instructors from Surrey ACF participated in the gruelling annual 91st International Nijmegen Four Days' marches in Holland. The team, due to its small size, was merged with an ATC contingent. This however did not daunt the intrepid marchers. The complete team finished the foot punishing 100 miles and earned their Nijmegen medals and team award. Another 34,019 marchers also completed the event!

The team comprised:- C/Sgt N McQueen (Pirbright), Cpl O Tetlow (Deepcut), L/Cpl J Gordon (Deepcut), Cdt R Smillie (Deepcut) and Drum Major R Sobey (Corps of Drums).

Adult Leaders were SI R Higgs and SSI G Fuiza (both veterans of the event).

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The Combined ACF/ATC Team The Night Stalkers - Up At 3am For A 25 Mile Stroll The Coveted Medal

:: ABF Summer Charity Bazaar - Sandhurst - 17 June 2007

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.

Helped by the good weather, the crowds were out in force to see what Sandhurst had to offer and were not disappointed when they reached the ABF tented village. The wide variety of quality merchandise on offer had something for everyone.

The Surrey cadets, from Chobham and Yorktown Detachments, assisted by selling programmes and helping stall holders. The day was long but worthwhile. Col Peter Cook, Regional Director of the ABF and one time Commandant of the Cadet Training Centre at Frimley Park, commented, "The cadets have done an absolutely first rate job. We couldn't have run the bazaar without them."

Yorktown Detachment Chobham Detachment The Commandant raises the flag Yorktown mug Chelsea pensioner Calm before the storm

:: Queen's Royal Surrey Regiment Association - Annual Church Service

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.

The service combined the dedication of a new window in the Queen's Royal Surrey Regiment chapel with a remembrance service for the 25th Anniversary of the Falklands conflict.

Lt Col Nigel Wright TD represented the Commandant of Surrey ACF, Col Andrew Blowers.

Col Tony Ward OBE, President of the Queen's Royal Surrey Regiment Association, expressed his delight at having representatives of Surrey Army Cadets present and congratulated them on their turn out and bearing on the day.

:: Queen's Royal Surrey Regiment Association - Sponsorship

QRSR_presentation.jpg (645354 bytes)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. 

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.

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Surrey Cadets Support TA100 Army Benevolent Fund & BLESMA

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.

[More about this here]

:: Latest News

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.

[More about this here]  

:: More News

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. 

[More about this here]  

:: More News

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"

[More about this here]  

:: More News

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. 

[More about this here]  

:: More News

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.

[More about this here]  

:: More News

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. 

[More about this here]  

:: More News

Walton Detachment Raises Funds for ABF

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

[More about this here]  

:: More News

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. 

[More about this here]

[& here]  

:: More News

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. 

[More about this here]  

:: More News

Tri-Service Cooperation On The Cards

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)

[More about this here]  

:: More News

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.  

[More about this here]

:: More News

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).  

[More about this here]

:: More News

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. 

[More about this here]

:: More News

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.