:: Exercise Southern Cross 2010    15 August 2010   Day 9 - Annual Camp

Not a lot to report today. Everyone is making his way to Swynnerton for Annual Camp. The weather forecast is very changeable. Hopefully it won't be too bad once we are there.

Just arrived	Hurry up and wait!!!

:: Exercise Southern Cross 2010    14 August 2010   Day 8 - Windsor

Tempus Fugit, as they say! Where has the time gone. Saturday we headed out to Windsor for a tour of the castle and some more shopping. It was a wet and miserable day, nevertheless, we managed to put on a brave face. First disappointment, after getting permission to view the Guard Mounting inside the castle it was cancelled due to rain! So instead, we all went bargain hunting. Captain Langsford made a new friend - a French veteran here on holiday. Neither could understand the other but they had a great time trying.

Entente Cordiale Capt Langsford cements international relations		Eton College in the backgound	A brief reminder of home

Here comes the guard			Hey, who's that foreign totty!	On guard

Despite the changeable weather a good time was had by all. The tour of the castle was amazing, especially the big Doll's House and the Wellington Room. Now home to Farncombe to pack for Annual Camp.

:: Exercise Southern Cross 2010    13 August 2010   Day 7 - Famous Ships, Portsmouth

The day started well with a good Farncombe breakfast. Then off to Portsmouth to see the Historic Dockyard featuring HMS Victory, HMS Warrior and the Mary Rose. The weather was very kind and the rain stayed away for most of the day. We finished off with some shopping at Gun Key Wharf. Everyone is pretty shattered and looking forward to an early night.

Breakfast	I'm starving		Major Jenkin tucks in

Contingent	Contingent plus UK Cadets	All aboard the Skylark		Shopping

	We saw an incredible number of warships. Surprising since I thought we only had two canoes and a rowing boat	Major Jenkin interferes with Skippy

:: Exercise Southern Cross 2010    12 August 2010   Day 6 - Downing Street, Duck Tour & Imperial War Museum

Today we set off for a visit to London. First stop was 10 Downing Street, the home of the British Prime Minister, where we had our photograph taken outside the famous black door. Amazing, all the tourists looked on enviously as we entered Downing Street. It has to be said that the Constable on duty was a little perplexed when four Australian officers posed in front of the door - or was it due to the reaction of the paparazzi who were snapping away furiously in front of them.

Contingent	Hello, hello, hello, what's goin' on 'ere! I'm supposed to stand in front of the door	UK Cadets

From Downing street we went to Buckingham Palace down the Mall and thence to Horse Guards Parade to watch the Changing of the Guard. A quick sprint to the South Bank to pick up the London Duck Tour was followed by a brisk walk to the Imperial War Museum.  By coincidence we bumped into Laurence Bigos helping his dad out with London Duck Tours. Mr Bigos sponsored much of Southern Cross 2008. In all a good day out - lots of things seen and enjoyed.

	Horse Guards Parade	Horse Guards parade	Buckingham Palace	London Duck Tour	Ahoy Me Hearties

Laurence Bigos (Southern Cross last year) helping dad at London Duck Tours	Houses of Parliament in the background	Imperial War Museum	Chilling Out	The Big Guns are out at the War Museum

:: Exercise Southern Cross 2010    11 August 2010   Day 5 - The Somme

The night was spent in a comfortable if basic hostel in Ypres. Following a continental breakfast, the party set off for the new Fromelles Cemetery that was opened a month earlier. It was a splendid sight in the sunshine and a fitting memorial for the fallen at Pheasant Wood.

	Continental Breakfast		Don't leave me cobber Memorial	Fromelles	UK Cadets

Then, visits to the Thiepval Memorial preceded a visit to the main Australian Memorial at Villers-Bretoneux where the cadets laid their second wreath. A brief but poignant ceremony witnessed by many visitors concluded the battlefield tour of The Somme. The cadets were tired after two busy days but were much wiser and had approached their visit with maturity and thoughtfulness. Australia can be truly proud of such fine young men and women.

Thiepval Memorial	2 Division Memorial	Villers-Bretoneux			Cpl Forshaw plays Last Post

:: Exercise Southern Cross 2010    10 August 2010   Day 4 - Ypres

Reveille was at 4 o'clock in the morning! A quick breakfast and then off to France and Belgium via the Channel Tunnel. Day 4 saw the visit to the Battlefields of Ypres and the cadets saw in detail the part that the Australian Imperial Force played during the Great War. The cadets visited Polygon Wood and Hill 60 as well as visiting the Zonnerbekke Museum and a reconstructed trench line.

Off to France	At the Shuttle Terminal	On board the shuttle	The Memorial to the 4th Australian Division at Polygon Wood	Lt Col Ross explains the events of the Battle for Polygon Wood	Recently visited grave

At Hill 60 the cadets saw the effect of one of the underground mines that was exploded under the German lines. Peaceful and beautiful today but a hell on earth during the War.

4 Div Memorial	Hill 60 Mine	Contemplation	Posing in front of an old strongpoint at the Hill 60 Memorial Park	Studying trench systems	At last, lunch

Zonnebekke Museum. A really interesting visit	Major Hopkin describes the events at Tyne Cot	Researching	The group at Tyne Cot Cemetery

A visit to Tyne Cot Cemetery was marked by a deterioration in the weather. Nevertheless, the tour continued uninterrupted. Tyne Cot Cemetery is the largest Commonwealth Cemetery in the world. Later that evening the cadets attended the daily Menin Gate ceremony, where the Last Post has been sounded every day since 1920 (except for 4 years during WW2). Amazingly the visit coincided with that of the Australian Ambassador to The European Union and NATO, a former Australian Defence Minister, Dr Brendon Nelson, who warmly greeted the cadets and posed for photographs. The group was photographed with the buglers who sounded the Last Post

Ambassador and cadets	From the people of Australia	The Fire Brigade buglers	Ambassador speaks to all the cadets	A huge crowd gathers

:: Exercise Southern Cross 2010    9 August 2010   Day 3 - Clandon Park & Brookwood 

After a good night exercise in the woods of Surrey, the cadets returned to the WETC to clean weapons, sort out their laundry and spend some time shopping in Guildford. After a good lunch the cadets set off for Clandon Park Museum to learn something of the forebear regiments of the Princess of Wales' Royal Regiment. The curator of the museum Mr Ian Chatfield gave the cadets some indication of the unique objects on display.

Back from the woods		Group photo at Clandon Park the museum of the Queens Royal Surrey Regiment	Ian Chatfield speaks to the cadets

After the museum, the cadets visited Brookwood Military Cemetery to pay their respects at the Australian section.  Mr Brian Smith, head gardener informed the cadets about some of the famous people buried there. The weather was glorious and there was a quiet serenity over the whole area punctuated only by the strains of the Last Post that echoed through the Brookwood glades. The Australian cadets were smart and respectful and were a credit to their country.

Brookwood Military Cemetery	Paying their respects	Brian Smith talks to the cadets

:: Exercise Southern Cross 2010    8 August 2010   Day 2 - Ranges

After the weapons training yesterday, it was time to try out the 5.56mm rifle on the range. We had good weather and a busy morning converting bullets into smoke! There was some excellent shooting. 

Range work is about chilling out

Safety is the most important part of shooting				Major Jones	Discussing the scores

Major Jenkin shows how it's done			More safety

Following the shooting the cadets moved out onto the training area for some fieldcraft training. Lunch was from an Operational Ration Pack, and very good quality too. The cadets set out their bivvies and prepared to start patrolling and ambushing drills. Cpl Forshaw showed the Australian cadets how to handle a killer grasshopper. Have a good night out everyone. See you in the morning.

Aussie HQ		Killer Grasshopper	C'mon Laura	Look guys, it's not that funny!

:: Exercise Southern Cross 2010    7 August 2010   Day 1 - Arrival

Last time Exercise Southern Cross ran in the UK it rained as soon as the Australian cadets arrived! Guess what? It happened again. After 4 months of near drought conditions the day the Western Australian Cadets arrived it started to rain!!!!

Royal Brunei got the party here 20 minutes ahead of schedule giving the host nation a bit of a turn. However, very soon the cadets were rounded up and piled aboard the transport. 

Welcome	To	Britain

Major Jenkin leads the assault on the UK	Bleary eyed but glad to arrive	Waiting for the transport	Loading the baggage

Once we arrived at the Weekend Training Centre in Farncombe, home for the next week or so, the cadets were kitted out with wet weather gear and other necessities. Then breakfast. One of Captain Brendon Cooney's army specials. 

Major Jenkin wanted to hit the ground running as this trip was three days shorter than in previous years, so after lunch the cadets started their weapons familiarisation in preparation for Annual Camp.

Major Jones briefs the troops	What do you call an Aussie with a machine gun? Sir!!!!	Managing to stay awake? Yes you Laura!!!	Even the Officers need to be trained!

The welcoming party for the cadets included three veterans of Exercise Southern Cross 2009 and one potential candidate for 2011. These cadets will help the visitors to settle in and show them where things are in the WETC.

Home Team Back Row:  Cpl Luke Cole & Cpl Forshaw Front Row:  Sgt Kim Sanderson & CSM Robin Hugill

Now this trip is not all about posing for the camera, However, there does seem to have been a fair bit of it going on as the following snaps will testify.

Posers	Web Wizard	Cool dude	Spot the odd one out	Aussie Pride

Now before you parents start worrying that you have sent your children away to the other side of the world with a homicidal maniac, I can confirm that you have sent your children away with just such. Look at what he is doing to your precious babies!! No! Only joking. A bit of PT just to keep your darlings awake. A quick tour of Godalming before turning in for a good nights sleep. Its been a long day but we have accomplished a lot. All the cadets passed their weapon handling skills and are ready for day 2.

PT	More PT	The Jack Phillips Memorial (Signaller on the Titanic who went down with the ship)