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Army Cadet Force. I’m proud of what I’ve achieved and am sure it will be recognised in years to come by my future employers.” Derbyshire Army Cadets represent the
UK in Malta. On 10th October, in the early hours of the morning, 20 members of the Regimental Band of Derbyshire Army Cadet Force set of on the adventure of the year to perform in the Malta Military Tattoo as part off the National Band of the Army Cadet Force along with cadets from Northern Ireland and Lincolnshire. The band had spent all year fund raising to get there and had spent, months practising the marching routines and music.
The Friday was spent rehearsing our routine for the first time with all the cadets together, rehearsing the opening ceremony with bands from other countries, and rehearsing the finale with all the performers as part of the massed bands.
The Saturday was spent preparing kit and doing a bit of sightseeing before the first performance. It was a big arena, full
of lights, cameras, smoke, and a clapping audience so it was very nerve wracking for those cadets who had never preformed a tattoo or marching performance before.
SI Sue Tideswell said “The youngsters
of Derbyshire, Lincolnshire and Northern Ireland prove that whatever we ask of them
they mature and deliver. A memorable weekend spent with amazing people who will remember the experience for years to come.”
Lt Pete Ward, the Director of Music for Derbyshire ACF said it was “A fantastic weekend playing at the Malta Tattoo with the most amazing bunch of people anyone could ever wish to work with. Thank you all, Cadets, staff and supporters for making it such a successful weekend. We asked a
lot of everyone and you gave even more. Events like this would not be possible without the dedication that you have all given, from planning and fund raising, right down to the last little detail. The whole weekend has been hard work but I for one could work like that with such a good crew forever. That was not living the dream – it was the dream.”
A & B Company
Hereford & Worcester ACF
Major JP Hyde, OC B Company , H & W Cdt Bn
Hereford and Worcester ACF have four Mercian Detachments, they are based at Kidderminster, Stourbridge, Stourport and Halesowen We have approximately 75 cadets, 3 Officers and 18 Cadet Force Adult Volunteers (CFAVs) who are proudly badged to The Mercian Regiment.
Stourbridge Platoon are in the unique position of having the top three ranks and rolls in the Battalion with RSM Dan Aherne, Lord Lieutenants Cadet Sgt Sophia Baker and CSM James Bradbury
Cdt RSM Aherne spoke of the Army Cadet Force; “The ACF has given me
Cdt RSM Aherne, Sgt Baker, CSM Bradbury
opportunities and experiences people
my age can only dream of. How many 18 year olds can say they spent the weekend leading a platoon of cadets in a field exercise or live firing a LSW?”.
Overseas Visits
In May Cadets from Stourbridge and Halesowen Platoons took part in an organised trip to Normandy.
It was the closest practical date to the 69th anniversary of June 6th 1944. This date of course is well known to us as D-Day. D-Day was the largest amphibious invasion in world history and was executed
THE MERCIAN EAGLE
Lord Lieutenants Cadet Sergeant S. Baker says this opportunity would not have come about without the support of my detachment and family. “I feel privileged to carry out this duty, and
to have been involved
in events like our trip
to Normandy this year,
completing Master
Cadet, and representing
the ACF at the
prestigious Chateaux
Impney Hotel where
I received the honour of being appointed Lord’s Lieutenant Cadet for Worcestershire”.
“During my time within the Army Cadet Force I have had the chance to take part in a wide range of unique experiences, competing at the national shooting centre, leading field exercises and even representing the cadets overseas in South Africa.” says Cdt CSM Bradbury.
by land, sea and air elements under direct Anglo-American command and overall command of ground forces by General Bernard Montgomery.
The activities were led by QMSI Punshon
and were organised to give cadets a better understanding of the largest air and seaborne assault in history, give a better appreciation of the sacrifice made by allied forces and the lives lost and to encourage Platoon Esprit de Corps.
Charity and Community Events
Cadets from Stourport and Kidderminster have taken part in an initiative started by
It was the closest practical date to the 69th anniversary of June 6th 1944.