Page 14 - Cadet ReviewAutumn/Winter 2020

SEA CADETS
SHEFFIELD SEA CADETS FALKLANDS LIBERATION PRESENTATION
By Petty Officer (SCC) Chris Smith
This summer, cadets of Training Ship Sheffield held a virtual presentation remembering the Liberation of the Falklands, 38 years since the conflict between Argentina and the UK. VIP guests at the presentation evening included Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant
of South Yorkshire, Andrew Coombe, Vice Lord Lieutenant, John Holt, Sheffield Lord Mayor, Anthony Downing, District Officer, Keith Bingham, member of the Legislative Assembly of the Falklands, Rodger Spink, and cadets of all ages.
The presentation was carried out via a ZOOM meeting, and hosted by one of the cadet’s parents. 33 guests were treated to a pre-recorded video presentation made by cadets, with a script they wrote themselves, as part of their module towards their next promotion; to Cadet Sergeant. The presentation concluded with the new Unit Chaplain, Father Grant Taylor, offering prayers, and a Royal Marine Cadet performing the last post on bugle.
Area Staff Officer for Public Relations and Royal Navy Veteran, Christopher Smith 29 explained “Our Unit and city share a history with the Islands and the Falklands conflict. We have staff who are veterans of the Falklands conflict, and our city’s namesake;
Our Unit and city share a history with the Islands and the Falklands conflict
HMS Sheffield, which was tragically sunk protecting the Royal Navy Fleet from air attack, and we continue today still having strong ties to the HMS Sheffield Association. In November last year, Sheffield Unit welcomed the Honourable Member of the Legislative Assembly of the Falklands; Leona Roberts from Stanley. She presented us with a Falklands Island flag and plaque, cementing relations between the Falklands government, and Sheffield Sea Cadets’ Unit – named The Falklands Training Centre. Within our Unit stands a memorial to Robert Griffin, a former Sheffield Sea Cadet drum major. Robert Griffin, aged 22, was killed in action on landing craft F4 during an Argentinian air attack”
Speaking about Robert Griffin, South Yorkshire’s District Officer, Commander Keith Bingham described “Royal Marine Griffin (Bob to his friends) was a Sea Cadet with himself at TS Sheffield Sea Cadet Unit in the late 1960s / early 1970s. He was a lovely carefree lad who was never without a smile on
Falklands Flag
Falklands MLA
Leona Robert
Presentation
14 CADET REVIEW AUTUMN/WINTER 2020