Page 155 - The Bugle 2018

The year has also seen eye-opening visits to the Army Air Corps and the Household Cavalry, our first cadets achieving sports parachute wings, and our annual pilgrimage to the D-Day battlefields of Normandy. This latter, a firm fixture in the Battal- ion’s calendar has been organised for many years by Maj (now Retired) Alan Hames. Alan has now settled in Normandy where he and his wife continue to host the cadets and manage the in-country arrangements, while their son Capt Mark Hames, fixes things from the Battalion end. The exercise is an outstanding opportunity to develop both our cadets’ and adult instructors’ understanding of the Regiment’s history – and especially that of our County regiment the Oxf & Bucks LI – and the sacri- fices of earlier generations. Later this year we will be sending a sizeable contingent (just short of 100) on the nationally-organised cadet commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the Armistice, with visits to the key locations of the Western Front. Nearer to home we will be playing a full part in the local youth- centred celebrations at Christ Church Cathedral.
The Oxfordshire Battalion remains one of the best recruited in the country and has managed, too, to buck the trend on adult recruiting, continuing to grow the body of CFAV without whom we could not deliver an inspiring cadet experience. But there is always room for more. Riflemen of any rank stepping back from Regular or Reserve service will be very welcome indeed. We need people who can bring military experience and adapt it to the needs of a youth organisation, ready to face the challenge of caring for and developing well-motivated young people.
If you want to play your part in inspiring our great young people to achieve the best, to become better citizens and to have an understanding of military life that may lead them to volunteer themselves, then do get in touch.
THE RIFLES
CADET FORCES 161
Ex Blue (Nivelle Company) Engineer with Cadet Company Serjeant Major Matthew Strong
RIFLEMEN OF ANY RANK STEPPING BACK FROM REGULAR
OR RESERVE SERVICE WILL BE VERY WELCOME INDEED
Ex Blue (Nivelle Company) Engineer where Cadets visited the Royal Engineers Regiment