Page 114 - MERCIAN Eagle 2015

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On parade in Birmingham
walkers is 6.5 hours, (not including stops), with several days over 8 hours and with considerable daily ascents and descents averaging +800m and -500m per day.
To successfully complete the expedition you had to be a confident mountain
walker, able to read route notes and most importantly, be able to locate your position on a map and navigate your way when necessary. You also needed to be confident in the face of challenges and difficult conditions.
Swain Birmingham
events by selected cadets. This county
has again provided the Staffordshire Lord Lieutenant’s Cadet. Cadet RSM Lewis Ashby of D Company (Stoke) was appointed on 16 April 2015, while Cadet CSM Thomas Attewell of B Company (Wolverhampton), currently continues as the West Midlands Lord Lieutenant’s Cadet prior to the selection of a new incumbent in the near future.
Working under the direction of Lieutenant Carina Spence, the Corps of Drums have been active this year and represented the Army Cadet Force on many occasions at public and civil events. The Corps is based in Stafford and draws their cadets from Stafford and the surrounding area.
A cadet during the weekend in the trenches visit
Sunday morning the cadets experienced first-hand “going over the top” into no man’s land, after eating and sleeping in the trenches for over 24 hours.
In March as part of the centenary commemorations of the First World War, cadets also assisted a private unveiling ceremony held at the National Memorial Arboretum, lining the route taken by
VIPs. During lunch following the unveiling ceremony, the cadets had an opportunity
to talk to many of the guests attending this high profile event, followed by an opportunity to have a photograph taken alongside Chelsea Pensioners and Sergeant Johnson Beharry, who was awarded the VC in 2005.
Working towards their “cadet in
the community,” cadets assisted the Staffordshire Regimental Association
with the rededication of the Staffordshire Regiment Memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum in September, where they proudly paraded and marched alongside the Staffordshire Regiment Association members.
All cadets and young adult instructors between the ages of 14 and 23 are encouraged to join the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. The award broadens the outlook
of individuals and works in conjunction with their cadet or adult training. Over the years, Staffordshire and West Midlands have always had a good response to the award, and on the afternoon of 18 November, cadets from Staffordshire & West Midlands (North Sector) Army Cadet Force were presented to His Royal Highness, The Duke of Edinburgh
with approximately 70 other cadets, ex- cadets and cadet force adult volunteers in attendance to receive their awards
If you are thinking about helping and leading young people in your area by volunteering as an adult instructor, or you think you may enjoy becoming an Army Cadet yourself, please visit www.staffsacf. org or telephone 01785 257804.
The expedition included a rest day after stage 3, allowing all participants to recover before the big mountain stages. On completion of the final stage, the local train was utilised to
move the expedition
back to their firm base
at Calvi. Another admin
day was appreciated
allowing everyone to
fully recover, followed
by a day’s sightseeing
before starting the
return journey back to the UK.
Annual Camp is always the highlight of the cadets’ training year, and in August
the county held their camp at Westdown (SPTA). Here, realistic field craft training took place and trips to Bovington Tank Museum. In attendance were 343 Cadets and 115 Officers and adult instructors.
Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Staffordshire Ian J Dudson CBE is the senior representative of Her Majesty’s the Queen within the County, and is often assisted during Royal Visits and military
With Operation REFLECT at the forefront to mark the centenary of World War 1, selected cadets from all four Company’s of Staffordshire & West Midlands (NS) ACF were given the rare
opportunity to enlist and experience the trenches first hand. The weekend events give the cadets an insight into the lives of a soldier in 1914-18.
Prior to the experience, the cadets researched a soldier who fought in the war so that they can share “their” story over
the course of the weekend. On arrival, cadets then enlisted in the 1915 British Army and commenced their training at the Staffordshire Regiment Museum, Lichfield. The newly trained Company then deployed to the trenches and served their country. On
Annual Camp is always the highlight of the cadets’ training year
Taking in the views
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