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, Exercise Southern Cross promises to bring excitement, adventure and foreign travel to those cadets lucky enough to be selected.

In August 2008, 24 Australian cadets and 6 instructors will visit Surrey. For more details see below.

Click here to return to Exercise Southern Cross main page

:: Want To Know The Time In Australia?

:: Programme

As the visit progresses this page will record the day by day activities of the visitors.

Many thanks to Major David Sewell of the Foot Guards for kindly hosting a visit to Wellington Barracks to get a behind the scenes look at the preparations for the Guard Mounting ceremony at Buckingham Palace. Major Sewell guided us around Wellington Barracks in 2006 when the last Australian contingent were in the UK. A brilliant opportunity to see one of the best shows in London.

We are also indebted to the Commanding Officer of the King's Troop, Royal Horse Artillery, Major Erica Bridge, for hosting a visit to St John's Wood Barracks to see home of the King's Troop. The last visit in 2006 was just amazing. This time we have been invited to watch the inspection of the troops and horses before they go on parade as the Queen's Life Guard at Horse Guards Parade. Exercise Southern Cross gets better and better.

The Metropolitan Police Downing Street Liaison Office has advised me that a quick visit to Number 10 will be in order - State visits, emergencies, insurrections, etc, notwithstanding. A fantastic opportunity to impress your mates with stories of how you met the UK Prime Minister during your UK visit. This is an honour not handed out to anyone, so make the most of it. Will Gordon Brown be at home? Who knows. I do know the crowds in Whitehall will be green with envy.

If you thought the aforementioned was pretty cool; then you ain't seen nothing yet. Courtesy of Mr John Bigos (you may remember Ed Bigos from Southern Cross 2007) and London Duck Tours how about an overnight stay aboard one of London's famous historic warships - HMS Belfast. Moored next to the Tower of London on the River Thames a tour of the ship and an overnight stay is being sponsored by London Duck Tours.

In the morning one of the London Duck Tours DUKW's will pick us up and transport us across London to Wellington Barracks. Later in the day we will be given the full sightseeing tour on the River before being taken to the Imperial War Museum. Mr Bigos - Surrey Cadets and the Western Australia Army Cadets can't thank you enough for laying this on. It promises to be awesome. Have a look at the London Duck Tours website and follow the tour - it's brilliant!

Did I mention famous warships? Oh yes! I forgot to tell you about the trip to the Historic Dockyard at Portsmouth where you can see HMS Victory (Nelson's Flag Ship at the Battle of Trafalgar), HMS Warrior one of the earliest ironclad warships and the Mary Rose (Henry VIIIs favourite battle ship recovered from the Solent where it sank during a battle with the French in 1545). There is loads of other stuff as well.

Lt Col John Ross and Major Simon Hopkin (both highly knowledgeable military historians) will be guiding you on a two day visit to the Australian First World War battlefields in Belgium and France. The visits will make you reflect on the scale and sheer horror of the First World War and its cost in human lives. Wreath laying at the Menin Gate where the Last Post is sounded every day of the year and at the magnificent Australian Memorial will soften even the hardest of hearts with its poignancy. Standing in old trenches and seeing the size of the mine craters will amaze you. This is two day must see that you will never forget!

That's all for now. More later!

:: Australian Cadet Contingent

The photos below show the 19 cadets who form Team Southern Cross 2008. Look out for their arrival on 8 August on the red eye from Perth

:: Australian Instructors

The Contingent staff are highly experienced members of the Australian Army Cadet Corps and will be working to ensure that Exercise Southern Cross is an outstanding success. Their profiles are given below:

Lieutenant-Colonel (AAC) Bob Barber (Senior Liaison Officer) was born in the UK and joined the Royal Marines serving in various locations including Northern Ireland. On leaving the Royal Marines he practised as a dentist before moving to Australia. He joined 16^th Battalion RWAR and served as an Infantry soldier before completing officer training. He served in various roles in 16^th Bn and joined the AAC in 1985. He was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel in 2001 and served as Senior Cadet Officer until 2004. He has been involved in many promotion courses, has taken a lead role in adventure training and raised and ran the Special Training Unit. He is married with two children and runs Military Fitness Australia, a physical fitness training company. He enjoys reading, military history and spending time with his family. Colonel Barber was a participant in Exercise Southern Cross 2004.

Major (AAC) Michael Jenkin (Contingent Commander) was a member of the Army Reserve and served with the WA University Regiment. He joined the AAC in 1985 and in 1987, he raised and commanded 56 Army Cadet Unit, then based at Artillery Barracks in Fremantle. MAJ (AAC) Jenkin was posted to Cadet HQ and held various roles including Training Officer. He has been the Senior Instructor of the CUO Course since 1998. He was promoted to Major in 1999 and took up the role of Brigade Executive Officer in 2000, a position he held until Feb 2006. He is married with three young children and works as a lawyer. He enjoys reading and spending time with his family. Major Jenkin was the Liaison Officer for Exercise Southern Cross 2006.

Captain (AAC) Jason Law (Contingent Training Officer) grew up in NSW and joined the Regular Army as an Infantry Soldier, serving and served with the 2^nd/4^th Battalion and later the 2^nd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment. He was posted to Perth in 1996 and served with 11^th/28^th Battalion, RWAR. He discharged from the Regular Army at the beginning of 1999 after 10 Years service and took a job at Christ Church Grammar. He joined the AAC in January1999 and in 2001, he was promoted to Captain. In January 2005, he became OC of Christ Church Cadet Unit. CAPT (AAC) Law has instructed on the SNCO Course and in 2005 he was appointed as the Senior Instructor of that Course. In his spare time he enjoys golf and going to the football but most of all, he loves to spend time with his children. Captain Law was a participant in Exercise Southern Cross 2006.

Captain (AAC) David Knight (Contingent 2IC) was a member of the Army Reserve and served with the Western Australian University Regiment between 1983 - 1988 as an Infantry soldier. He joined the AAC in 1986 as a Training Officer with 59 ACU which was then based at Kwinana. In 1987 he was posted as Adjutant to 56 ACU (Fremantle), which had just been raised. He fulfilled the role of Adjutant until 1990 when he assumed command of that unit. After completing his posting as OC of 56 ACU he was transferred to the Brigade HQ where he has undertaken a variety of roles including OIC of the ATA course, SI of various promotion courses and he has also had a significant role in rewriting course and tier training materials. CAPT (AAC) Knight is married with two children and lives in Perth. He enjoys computer games, reading and military history.

WO1 Mick O'Sullivan, MM (Contingent RSM) was an Army Cadet at Scarborough Senior High School. WO1 O'Sullivan joined the Regular Army as a member of the Royal Australian Army Medical Corps. His service included a posting to Vietnam with D Company, 4 Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment. For his gallantry on 30 July 1971, WO1 O'Sullivan was decorated with the Military Medal. On his return to Australia, he held various postings in the Regular Army including RSM of 7 Field Ambulance based at Fremantle. He was Brigade RSM of the then, newly raised 13 Brigade. He joined the AAC in 1988 after leaving the Regular Army and was Assistant Bursar at Christchurch Grammar and was also responsible for the Cadet program at the School. WO1 O'Sullivan has two daughters, a son, three grandsons and a beautiful granddaughter, Mia Grace, who was born in the UK just over 2 years ago. He enjoys playing golf and also likes to spend time with his family. Warrant Officer O'Sullivan was a participant in Exercise Southern Cross 2006.

$C:\Users\Sherri\Pictures\LTStacey.jpg$ Lieutenant (AAC) Sherri Stacey (Contingent Admin. Officer) joined 503 Regional Cadet Unit (now known as 50ACU), as a cadet in 1997 and in 2000 left as a Sergeant (AAC) to concentrate on her schooling and work commitments. She joined the AAC as an officer in 2004 and was posted to 50ACU, performing various duties including Admin and Training Officer. LT (AAC) Stacey has been working for the Western Australian Police Department Communication Centre for the last 14 months. She enjoys spending time with friends and family, and is planning on travelling through England and Europe later in 2008.

:: 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.