Page 94 - MERCIAN Eagle 2011

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Newcastle-under-Lyme School CCF
The Army Section continues to thrive and undertake a full programme of training. Nearly twenty recruits joined in November with few dropping out during the year. This year has seen two army officers on parade on Friday afternoons. 2-Lt Deakes has returned from maternity leave and has been responsible for the recruits. 2-Lt Barton has taken over the advanced training and she should be attending her Frimley Course later in the year. Meanwhile S/Sgt Salter plays an active role in all aspects of the section supported by Cdr Carter as acting OC.
Training on a Friday has progressed well with all of the recruits passing their Weapon Handling Tests during the summer term. The seniors retook their tests earlier in
the year. As well as the Army proficiency training, the Army Section cadets have
had regular canoeing sessions in the pool and these have been enjoyed by all who have taken part. There have also been regular sessions on the small range with the number 8 0.22 rifle. The Section performed well in the Victor Ludorum competitions but, once again, failed to wrestle the trophy from the RAF Section.
About to take to the water at Annual Camp at Nescliffe 2011
Field days gave the cadets an opportunity to practice the skills taught on Fridays. The October event doubled
as Biennial Review day.
The subsequent report
praised the enthusiasm
and commitment of
the cadets. A particular
highlight was a most
realistic First Aid
stand run by Upper
Sixth cadets. On both
this Field Day and in
April the majority of
the stands were run by the senior NCOs. Their contribution this year has been considerable. Led by CSM Ganapathy, Sgts Black, Kirby, Stott, Parton and Rushgrove set a high standard for the sections training. In July the Lower Sixth led the section
in groups over the Leek Training Area
orienteering course. Most groups performed well indicating a pleasing improvement in map and compass skills.
After last year’s budget cuts weekend training has resumed this year. A small
but very keen group attended a patrols weekend in November. Here the new weapon was fired for the first time in the dark and it showed its undoubted superiority. In March there was a recruits exercise at Swynnerton where the recruits were introduced to the
concept of night patrols, patrol harbours and sentry duties. They also learnt how to survive in the field overnight and how to cook army rations. With blank ammunition in plentiful supply, assaults on the Recruit Patrols by the seniors had a large degree of realism!
Once again the CCF Dinner was held in February. There were over 80 cadets and guests sitting down to eat in the Memorial Hall and the Upper Sixth were in fine spirits after undertaking their January A2 modules! It was rewarding to meet again cadets from previous years, especially Andy Levens, Rob Hockenhull and Martin Collis.
In May cadets from all three sections attended a dedication ceremony and a moving service at the National Memorial Arboretum at Alrewas. The plaque being dedicated is in memory of ex CCF cadets who had died whilst serving in the Armed Forces.
July saw the highlight of the year: Annual Camp. Due to competing school trips, numbers were down this year. However 22 cadets and 6 officers/instructors attended our local training camp at Nescliffe for a week of non stop activity. It was good to see the return of Martin
Collis and Dan Diggins
The section performed well in the Victor Ludorum competitions but, once again, failed to wrestle the trophy from the RAF section
Cadets in action during fieldcraft exercise at Annual Camp at Nescliffe 2011
THE MERCIAN EAGLE