Surrey Army Cadet Force Online

Exercise Southern Cross is an exchange visit programme between Surrey ACF and the Western Australian Army Cadet Corps. Initiated in 2004 with a visit to the UK by the Australians, Southern Cross promises to bring excitement, adventure and foreign travel to those cadets lucky enough to be selected.

:: Exercise Southern Cross 2008

During August 2008 Surrey ACF will host cadets from Western Australia on their third visit to the U.K. They will spent a week at our Weekend Training Centre in Farncombe before joining us at Annual Camp at Westdown Camp on Salisbury Plain.

:: Exercise Southern Cross 2007

A contingent of 30 members of Surrey ACF visited Western Australia in July 2007.

The visit was awesome with time spent in Perth and in the the Cape Range National Park.

See below for the Expedition report.

:: Exercise Southern Cross 2007

In July 2007, twenty-four army cadets and six instructors from Surrey were invited to Western Australia as the guests of the Western Australia Army Cadet Corps.

The visit commenced on the 30^th June 2007 with a flight to Perth in Australia. The cadets were initially quartered in the luxury of Leeuwin Barracks in East Fremantle where they recovered from jet lag and were issued with equipment for their forthcoming expedition into the Australian bush.

On 7th July 2007 the contingent joined their Australian contemporaries for a five-day trek into the Australian hinterland in the Cape Range National Park on the North Western coast of Australia. Prior to departure, the party learned to construct rough shelters (“hootchies” in Ozzie parlance), were instructed in navigation peculiar to the Southern hemisphere and were advised on the types and dangers of encounters with the local wild life - poisonous snakes and vicious spiders in particular!

The UK cadets were distributed amongst small groups of their Australian colleagues to ensure there was a mix of local experience and visitors. This worked extremely well. For the next five days the cadets worked together navigating through the bush, preparing night shelters, cooking meals and generally co-operating. Both sides were immensely impressed with the knowledge, skills and stamina of the other.

At the end of the trek, the Brits and Australians were introduced to abseiling, but, unfortunately, both the sea kayaking and a visit to witness the annual migration of the whale sharks were cancelled due to unseasonably rough seas and high winds.

Leaving the barren but fascinating delights of the Cape Range National Park, the contingent returned to Leeuwin Barracks to prepare for home. On 15^th July 2007, jetlagged, weary but wiser the Surrey contingent arrived home in the early hours with an outrageous new vocabulary and plans to make their own visits to Australia in the future.

:: Exercise Southern Cross 2006

To view the diary for Exercise Southern Cross 2006 click here.

:: Exercise Southern Cross 2005

From September 17th 2005 until 9th October 2005, 26 members of Surrey ACF were the guests of the Western Australian Army Cadet Corps, led by Lt Col Barry Berkshire, whose headquarters are in East Fremantle The organisation and planning for the visit in Australia was co-ordinated by Captain Greg Wilson, who was on the 2004 visit to the UK.

The Surrey ACF contingent was led by Major Verna Burrell-Taylor, a highly experienced ACF officer and her team of officers and senior NCO's. Twenty-one cadets, all over 16 years and holding a minimum of APC 2 star grade took part.

The visit commenced on the 17^th September 2005 with a flight to Perth in Australia. The cadets were initially quartered in the luxury of Leeuwin Barracks in East Fremantle where they recovered from jet lag and were issued with equipment for their forthcoming expedition into the Australian bush.

During their first week, they visited HMAS Stirling, the biggest naval base in Australia, and were guests of the Australian Special Forces Regiment where some insight was gained into survival in the Australian bush. Whilst at HMAS Stirling the contingent spotted the submarine HMAS Farncomb. As Surrey ACF Headquarters are at Farncombe in the UK, it was rumoured that the submarine was the Commandant's latest boy's toy!

On 24^th September 2005 the contingent joined their Australian contemporaries for a five-day expedition into the Australian hinterland at Bindoon. Prior to setting off, the party learned to construct rough shelters (“hootchies” in Ozzie parlance), were instructed in navigation peculiar to the Southern hemisphere and were advised on the types and dangers of encounters with the local wild life - Australia being home to most of the world’s poisonous snakes and having a roll-call of some fairly vicious spiders!

Of course, the weather turned unseasonably cold and the expected dry, balmy 25º C turned to 10º C with persistent rain. This was a disappointment to the Brits who had anticipated returning with a suntan. However, the lack of “rays” did not phase the Surrey cadets who were well used to the UK climate and who non-plussed their Australian counterparts by throwing off their “cold weather” clothing whenever the rain stopped.

There were some hairy moments mainly due to medical emergencies – a gall-bladder problem that required a casevac – and the inevitable insect bites that caused limbs to swell unbelievably! Putting these aside the expedition was trouble free, the biggest nuisance being tics, which had a penchant for invading the most intimate areas of the body.

At the end of the expedition, the cadets returned to Bindoon wet, bedraggled and ready for a well-earned bush shower (cold water out of a tin can sprinkler) and some rest. Later, they linked up with the remainder of the WAACC for a parade and march past as the culmination of their week in the bush.

Leaving the delights of Bindoon, the contingent returned to Leeuwin Barracks where they packed and headed East for the fleshpots of Sydney and a memorable day in Canberra. On 8^th October 2005, jetlagged, weary but wiser the Surrey contingent arrived home full of outrageous stories and plans to return to Australia in the future.

During 2006 Surrey ACF will be host to about 30 cadets and instructors from Western Australia in a biennial international exchange. We will publish more about this as the time gets closer.

Perth Skyline

Ferry in Sydney

:: Exercise Southern Cross 2004

In August 2004, Lt Col Bob Barber, Senior Cadet Officer in Western Australia accompanied by four of his volunteer officers and 13 cadets arrived at Heathrow Airport to join Surrey ACF for three weeks of ground breaking activity. The first week was spent at Surrey ACF weekend training centre and HQ undergoing familiarisation training and visiting cultural and historic locations.

During their visit the party visited the famous ships at Portsmouth including HMS Victory, spent a day with the Household Cavalry going backstage at Horse Guards Parade and visiting their barracks at Windsor. They spent some time in the Imperial War Museum, toured the sights of London, went on the London Eye, toured The Tower and witnessed the famous Ceremony of the Keys.

Following their week in Surrey, the Aussies joined Surrey ACF at Annual camp at Castlemartin in Wales where they spent two weeks attached to the three star training cadre.

Included in their Annual Camp programme was a total of five nights out on a field training exercise and a ride in Wessex helicopter.

After three weeks an exhausted contingent went home having made lots of new friends and pledging to make the visit of the Surrey ACF contingent just as enjoyable in 2005.

Even before the Aussies were on the plane home, planning was taking place for the follow up visit by Surrey to Western Australia. Exercise Southern Cross 2005 was under way!

:: Army Benevolent Fund

the UK's most stunning outdoor spectacular held at the RMA Sandhurst. A new production of live popular and classical music, interspersed with a thrilling firework display and a magical Son et Lumiere.

19-21 September 2008.

Concessions for members of the Army Cadet Force.