Page 176 - Rifles 2017 Issue No 3

WE WERE GREATLY HONOURED TO HAVE AS OUR INSPECTING OFFICER GENERAL SIR ADRIAN BRADSHAW KCB OBE
Eton College CCF
The Eton CCF has had a particularly busy and productive year. We welcomed Lieutenant John Greenwood who has ably taken on the command of C Company and said farewell to our RSM, WO1 Steve Larkin.
Recruits in D Company have completed their usual basic training of drill, basic infantry skills, map and compass work, living in the eld. The Pass Off Parade took place on a bright sunny day in December in front of a good number of parents and the Eton community and was inspected by Colonel Mike Waymouth, Divisional Director Army Division, Shrivenham. After Pass Off the training has focused on weapon handling, infantry skills and preparation for the 28-hour March Scheme where they were able to put all their knowledge into practice. Unfor- tunately, GCSEs make it very dif cult for training to take place in the summer term, but all D Company were present for the march on at the end of the Tattoo and a few volunteered to play enemy for some of the acts. Summer camp this year will yet again be in the Aldershot area and will allow cadets to complete their Colonel H Jones VC Leadership Award (Silver Level) as well as the expedition aspect of the Duke of Edinburgh Award.
C Company completed a NCO cadre in the Michaelmas term and then underwent more specialist training in January (including horse riding and canoeing). All this was good preparation for the March Scheme where they were able to carry out their roles as section commanders. Meanwhile
B Company have developed their SNCO military knowledge and skills by instructing in the September and March Schemes and then playing a major role in the Tattoo. C Company cadets will shortly be going on a twelve-day military and adventurous training camp in and around STANTA training area and for the rst time will be joined by cadets from our exchange military academy in Naples, Scuola Militare Nuntziatella. Camp will include live ring, helicopter recces and powerboat training.
We held a very successful Open Day in March where we welcomed Brigadier Mark Banham MBE who inspected the Corps and watched cadets show off their section battle drills, pairs re and manoeuvre, practise some unarmed combat moves and demon- strate the ner points of basha construction.
After a range day at the Ash Ranges in May the main focus of the CCF was preparation for our annual Tattoo. With many of the senior cadets involved in public examinations, it was a credit to their loyalty and commitment that we managed to pull off a particularly spectacular show in front of a 900-strong audience. The musicians were on very good form; they opened the show with a set of responsive trumpet fanfares, the military band performed amongst other items Sousa’s famous march and the pipe and drums band played a piece specially written for our cadet pipe major’s father, Colonel A. C. Cuthbert, Commander BMATT. Other acts included a vehicle recce, gun race and Royal Marine unarmed combat display. We were greatly honoured to have as our inspecting of cer General Sir Adrian Bradshaw KCB OBE. Sir Adrian presented awards to the leading cadets in each company including the HAC sword of honour, which this year was awarded to Senior Cadet Of cer Arthur Chatto.
Sadly, after seven years of loyal service we said goodbye to our honorary colonel Major General Jamie Balfour OE CBE and thanked him for all that he has done for the Eton Corps. We welcomed in his place Major General Ben Bathurst OE CBE, presently Major General commanding the Household Division. Lieutenant Colonel Mike Wilcockson Commanding Of cer
The Eton College CCF Pass Off Parade December, 2016
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