Page 54 - Cadet Review Spring 2025

 HSY ACF
MAJOR MICK WILLINGHAM
By Colonel Fred Owen
Major Michael "Mick" Willingham, a proud
veteran of the British Army, died on 5
December 2024, at the age of 87. Mick passed
away peacefully, leaving behind his beloved
wife, Pat, his son, Darren, and a devoted wider
family.
Mick served with distinction in the Royal
Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, seeing
active duty in Aden. A dedicated supporter of
the veteran community, he was the Chairman of
the Aden Veterans Association in Hull, providing
unwavering camaraderie and advocacy for his
fellow servicemen and women.
Following his military service, Mick continued
his dedication to the armed forces through
his invaluable contributions to the Army
Cadet Force. As a member of Humberside
ACF, which later became Humberside and
South Yorkshire ACF, he volunteered until
the mid-1990s, concluding his service as the
Officer Commanding A Company.
In his professional life, Mick also served
as an instructor and later a manager at the
Defence School of Transport at Leconfield,
where his leadership and expertise left a lasting
impression on all who worked with him.
To those who served under him, Mick was
known for his sharp wit, his sense of humour,
and his signature phrase at the close of many
meetings: “Detachment Commanders, stay
behind,” always signalling a meaningful
conversation to come.
Mick’s legacy is one of dedication—to his
family, to his comrades, and to the armed
forces community. He will be remembered as a
devoted husband, father, grandfather, and as a
true champion of the veteran cause.
Rest in peace, Mick. You will be sorely missed
but fondly remembered by all who had the
honour of knowing you.
ADVERTISING FEATURE
QUEEN ETHELBURGA’S COLLEGIATE
Queen Ethelburga’s Collegiate in York is home to
around 300 Forces students which is approximately
a quarter of its student population. As Principal Dan
Machin states, “The school is dedicated to creating
a supportive and enriching environment for these
students, helping them feel at home.”
The school offers various initiatives to support
military students. The Forces Club led by 25-year
veteran Danny Abdy helps the youngest military
children form connections, gain identity, and build
life skills through activities based on military values
like courage, discipline, respect, integrity, loyalty
and selfless commitment. The club also empowers
the members through reflection on how the games
went and creates a safe space to ‘check in’.
Years 6 to 9 can join Danny’s Woodland Survival
Club, learning outdoor skills such as orienteering
and building shelters. There’s also QE’s Combined
Cadet Force (CCF) for Years 8-13, which builds
leadership and teamwork through activities like
drills, marksmanship, first aid, and adventure
training. Former cadet Hannah shares her
experience, saying, “I gained new experiences
I wouldn’t have had otherwise, from nights
in the forest to meeting the King and
Queen Consort at the Coronation concert.
The CCF program opened up incredible
opportunities for me.”
For more information, visit qe.org/
forces-families
54 CADET REVIEW SPRING 2025