The Victorian December 1983: CCF Reports

The Victorian December 1983: CCF Reports

Army Section

THE Army Section is bulging at the seams with 28 new cadets and it is doubtful at the time of writing whether all will be kitted out by half term. The Signals section continue their run of successtk_or near the top of the Schools' Radio network. Neil Harris directs the group and his services range from those within the Contingent including many weekend camps to the sports field, the Challenge at St. Ouen's Manor and the 1000 yard range at Les Landes. Well done to all concerned.

Army camp will be fully reported elsewhere but I must congratulate the cadets on their keenness and willingness to take part in the rather hectic round of activities on Dartmoor. It would be good to see a resurgence of the R.E.M.E. group. Our four N.C.O.s soldier on manfully but with no new cadets joining the future hangs in the balance. Until we have more boys interested then there is no chance of any specialist accommodation. Special thanks to Ian Gray for his sterling work in the stores and also in the field. He attended the U.K.L.F. leadership course at Thetford at Easter.

The red minibus has at last gone to its grave—sold for. spares. It has done a good job over the last ten years. We debate the possibility of obtaining a replacement. Decision soon and a possible appeal for lots of cash.

Inspection day was wet to say the least; the rain started after the inspecting officer had received his salute and begun to inspect the guards. All were soaked—the inspecting officer, headmaster, parents, officers and cadets. One unfortunate cadet fainted and sustained a cut to his chin. After stitching at the hospital Sanchez gallantly returned to the fray. Well done but if I may say so a poor show on the part of our local newspaper to headline the event — even guardsmen pass out every now and again. The I.O. was Captain Simon Palmer, R.N. deputy director of Naval Recruiting (Officers). We hope he will soon welcome under his wing Andrew Sugden and Nick Quer& as Dartmouth entries. The programme went off without a hitch despite the rain which made the whole afternoon more impressive especially in view of the incredible self-discipline and splendid bearing of the cadets on the parade.

My heartfelt thanks to all my officers and N.C.O.s for their hard work and dedication over the last two terms, especially to Robin Stockton, my second-in-command who is taking more and more of the wight of organisation as time goes on. I hope that the Director'of Territorials and Cadets, Major-General R. Gerrard-Wright, will reinforce these thanks when he visits us on the autumn field day.

Last but by no means least we welcome our new S.S.I., Sgt. Barrie Tostevin. He has served in the R.A.F. for more than 20 years and was a member of the R.A.F. target rifle team at Bisley this year and in Jersey. We all wish Barrie and Maureen a long and happy association with the Contingent and with the Island.

J.E.P.

Royal Navy Section

SINCE the last report the catamaran has only sunk twice — both times with Paul Jacobs driving (are these unsuccessful attempts at suicide?), though one afternoon it did decide that it would rather stay in one place than be blown all over the ocean and proceeded to anchor itself to the seabed in the small roads with its mast.

Our sailing activities this season really have fulfilled the part they are supposed to play in the course of the Royal Navy Section in that everyone seems to have enjoyed themselves so much. We have spent virtually every Friday afternoon afloat since the beginning of May and only had to start to curtail the sailing as half term approached this term. The boats were telling us that it was time to stay dry for the winter.

Our fleet has been augmented considerably by the generosity of some local people who have loaned us the use of various dinghies that have not been used for some time. Our cadets have responded to the generosity gratefully and have endeavoured to maintain their charges to get maximum use out of them. Also this year we have had the use of a powerful guard boat loaned to us by Mr. Doug Lidster —many thanks indeed sir. It has literally been the kingpin in the season's success. By the time of printing I hope that we may have raised the cash necessary to purchase the craft as it is for sale. Otherwise our activities for next season will be severely restricted.

Training continues throughout the year none the less, and with the winter closing in as I write we look forward to activities that provide an education for the cadets largely outside the classroom but so as not to get our feet wet. Thoughts of the summer have faded though expeditions to the living hell of the South of France last June and August to sample 'big-boat' sailing on the Mediterranean will certainly be memories to last a while. 'Trio', a 30-foot cruiser-racer provided a opportunity to gain experience towards the R.Y.A. Competent Crew and Day Skipper certificates —hopefully these will be completed soon. Travel by rail from St. Malo to Perpignan, though tiring, passed quickly overnight, and was certainly exceptional value for money. Our more extensive cruise during the summer covered the entire Languedoc-Rouissillon coastline from St. Cyprien to Port Carmargue. Restaurants were sampled in most ports of call as they provided an excellent opportunity for the cadets to practice their French. Vocabulary now includes such delights as moules fargies and assiette de crudites! Their culinary expertise was also tested on board though, with each taking a turn at attempting to poison the rest of us. The temptation to test the waves down in Africa for a warm winter was almost overwhelming — perhaps next year?

The Royal Navy have been host to 21 cadets this summer too. Five gained sailing qualifications at H.M.S. Raleigh in Plymouth while others discovered Royal Naval Establishments in 'quick time' at H.M.S. Excellent in Portsmouth and at Raleigh. Seven seniors decided that Scotland was to be won, and by all accounts they nearly succeeded. They flew into Glasgow by jet to take over the Garelochead Adventurous Training Course. Their activities included canoeing, rock-climbing and sailing, as well as a two-day expedition into the mountains to sleep overnight in polythene dustbin liners! Survival of the fittest indeed. Reports from the commander of the course showed that our cadets had by and large created a favourable impression and proved themselves more than capable throughout the week.

Our new recruits this year seem bright and keen —essential ingredients for enthusiasm to develop. We also welcome Messrs. Pickup and Baker to the commissioned ranks to maintain the officer-cadet ratio — we now have a section strength of 46. This has also enabled some of the more senior members of the section to gain promotion. P.O. Quer& becomes' Cadet Coxswain and is now the senior cadet in the section, Learner, Godel and Willing become Petty Officers, and Jouault, Le Ruez, Davies, Ruellan and Millard-Beer are now Leading Seamen after some fierce competition for the places available. The choices were very difficult.

Thanks as ever to staff for help and ideas, and particularly to the Colonel for a generous purse this year.

RAF Section

THIS term and the holidays have resounded to the joyous noise of the aircraft engine. At the start Sgt. Hunter attended Eastleigh airport to complete thirty hours of flying training. This training was part of a sixth form scholarship and gives a cadet solo flying experience. Flt. Sgt. Rossler terminated the summer by completing his scholarship at Bournemouth airport. They both now wear their flying scholarship wings and are to be congratulated on their achievement.

While some do it with engines others do it without. Sgt. Le Fondre gained his gliding wings at Upavon during August. Sgt. Nott, at South Cemey, completed the week's gliding course without going solo. By accident, or was it design, he was invited back in May for another week's gliding. Despite bad weather he, like Le Fondre, now wears his gliding wings.

Field day came and went much as before. Flying was cancelled and an impromptu 'search and attack' exercise on the sand dunes was substituted. It was interesting to note that cadets neither got lost nor got wet this time. The failure to fly was much less of a disappointment than it has been before since other flying opportunities occurred during the term. These began with 20 minute trips in a Devon aircraft and ended with an hour's flying in an Andover of No. 115 Squadron. Nearly all the cadets flew on these trips and also in a helicopter.

An overnight camping exercise was successfully completed despite the night-time distractions to be seen

Summer camp at R.A.F. Wittering was a success. 115 Squadron flew us to and from the camp in another Andover aircraft thus giving the ten cadets who went over two hours each of flying time. In addition to the usual Station visits the cadets enjoyed some 25 minutes each of Chipmunk flying from Marshall's airfield at Cambridge. There was a visit to an R.A.F. range on the Wash to see gunnery and bombing practice by a variety of aircraft including some of the United States Air Force. Other highlights of the camp were the use of self-loading rifles and the raffle of a chicken lunch(!)

This was a truly splendid term. Both the cadets and Flying Officer Evans are to be praised on what they have done for the section. We are also indebted to the Commanding Officer and crews of 115 Squadron for the most welcome flying. Our thanks must also be extended to the office of the Lieutenant-Governor and to the airport for allowing the aircraft to visit Jersey.

A.E.H