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›› 4 TROOPS MARCH IN 

BELGIUM REGIONAL TRAINING CENTRE 

›› 25 HISTORY OF THE CADETS 

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Write to the editor. 

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sent to The Editor, Reserve Forces and Cadets 

Association for the North West of England and 

the Isle of Man, Alexandra Court, Alexandra Drive, 

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Email: nw-deputy@nw.rfca.mod.uk. Contributions 

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The views expressed by the contributors to The Volunteer are not necessarily 

those of the Editor, MOD, Army or the publishers and do not reflect RFCA policy. 

All precautions are taken to ensure accuracy. Advertisements are accepted on the 

understanding that they conform to the British Code of Advertising Practice. This 

magazine is published by kind permission of the Chairman North West RFCA. 

Contents 

›› 9 SAPPERS BENZ OVER BACK- 

WARDS FOR BEAR 75 ENGR REGT (V) 

›› 36 LIVERPOOL MILITARY 

SHOW 

NW RFCA is a regional civilian 

body comprising voluntary 

members and a small full-time 

secretariat who are Crown 

Servants. It is established by 

statute to offer advice and 

support to the Defence 

Council on behalf of 

the Reserve Forces 

and the Cadet 

Forces. 

›› 16 EX STOMPING MACAW 

C SQN RMLY 

›› 46 ROYAL OPENING 

PEOPLE & PLACES 

ABOUT THE RESERVE FORCES AND CADETS ASSOCIATION 

FOR THE NORTH WEST OF ENGLAND AND THE ISLE OF MAN 

In particular, NW RFCA is 

responsible for: 

· The provision and maintenance 

of accommodation for the 

Territorial Army (TA), the Army 

Cadet Force (ACF) and the Air 

Training Corps (ATC) 

· Recruiting support and public 

relations especially for the TA 

and the ACF 

· Liaison and engagement with 

regional bodies, local authorities, 

business organisations, 

educational establishments and 

other relevant parties 

· Support to both reservist 

employees and their employers. 

· The management of the ACF 

· Welfare support to Reservists 

and Cadet Force Adult Volunteers 

Published by Big Spark Publishing Limited, Publishing House, 3 Bridgebank Industrial Estate, Taylor Street, Horwich, Bolton, BL6 7PD. Tel: 01204 478 813 Fax: 01204 667234 www.bigsparkpublishing.co.uk 

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Produced by Concept Communications, 419 Lord Street, Southport, PR9 0AG For NWRFCA Editor nw-deputy@nw.rfca.mod.uk 

Photography as indicated and with thanks to Major Roy Bevan Illustrations by ‘Chip’ Wood of Chipwood Cartoons, Colwyn Bay. Tel/Fax (01492) 546562 

www.nwrfca.org.uk THE VOLUNTEER 3

EDITORIAL 

So the Review of Reserves (or 

Cottam Report) is out and the MOD 

has accepted the seven strategic 

recommendations. There are also 89 more 

detailed recommendations that fall out from 

those which will require much more work 

and study on the issues raised. 42 of these 

will compromise an initial tranche to be 

taken forward. Quite how much will actually 

be achieved remains to be seen given the 

significant cost savings that have to be 

found whilst protecting as much of the TA 

and its capability as possible. 

At the same time as the review 

announcement came news of the reduction 

of the R SIGNALS TA by 2425 posts and of 

33 Sig Regt and 93 Sig Sqn in particular. The 

REGIONAL TRAINING CENTRE (RTC) 

SOLDIERS MARCH IN BELGIUM 

TA soldiers from 42 

(North West) Brigade’s 

Regional Training 

Centre, based at Altcar Training 

Camp, took part in a recent 

endurance march across the 

battlefields of Belgium, fought 

over by their predecessors over 

90 years ago. 

4 THE VOLUNTEER www.nwrfca.org.uk 

The six soldiers marched 62 

miles over three days for the 38th 

annual 100km Van Ieper March. 

The area saw fierce action and is 

home to the Menin Gate 

Memorial, which holds the 

names of 52,000 Commonwealth 

soldiers whose graves were 

never found, many from the 

Brigade area. 

SSgt Madden, recruit Barker and recruit Heayberd at a bunker on Hill 60 

suddenness and immediacy of the cuts have 

affected many of us and it is therefore 

encouraging to know that both HQ 42 (NW) 

Bde and NW RFCA are working hard and 

together to ensure that those R SIGNALS 

soldiers who wish to transfer to other units 

are given every opportunity to do so. We are 

also doing our best to retain the TA footprint 

in the region by giving careful consideration 

to any reduction in the size of the Volunteer 

Estate – or in simple terms, the sale of 

redundant TA Centres. The message remains – 

don’t take rumours too seriously and be 

assured that details of confirmed changes will 

be passed on as soon as they are known. 

On a housekeeping note, some of our 

advertisers have remarked that they are 

After the first day’s march, the 

troops took part in remembrance 

parades at the German cemetery 

before progressing to the Belgian 

memorial and the Menin Gate, 

where the town fire brigade have 

played the last post every night, 

almost without a break, since the 

mid 1920s. 

receiving very little response from the 

advertisements that they have paid for in 

the magazine. One suggestion is that the 

Volunteer is not always reaching its 

readership in the units and that the 

distribution is somewhat patchy. To 

counter this, NW RFCA is paying for copies 

of the magazine to be delivered in bulk to 

every TA Centre, ACF County HQ and ATC 

Wing HQ in order to guarantee delivery to 

all reservists and cadets. It is now up to 

PSAOs, CEOs and Wg AOs to see that 

everybody gets a copy. 

And please remember: the Volunteer is 

your magazine and the advertising helps 

to pay for it. Without this revenue, the 

future could be really quite bleak! 

Ouch!! Recruit Barker having her 

blisters popped by professionals from 

the Belgian Red Cross 

The team visiting the Island of Ireland 

Memorial Tower at Mesen/Messines. 

LtoR: Maj Peter Quegan, Sgt Gary 

Williams, Recruits Rachel Heayberd, 

John Askew, Victoria Barker and 

SSgt Kenneth Madden

‘Gizza lift!’ SSgt Madden and recruit Heayberd getting help from some friendly Belgians 

Over 6,000 people took part in the three day 

event, with teams consisting of both military 

and civilian marchers from a number of Western 

European countries 

Team Leader, Major Peter Quegan, said: “This 

is the third time that we have fielded a team 

from the RTC. Whilst not an enormous distance, 

the three days takes its toll on the feet and it 

takes some effort to start on the Sunday 


42 (North West) Brigade’s 

Regional Training Centre (RTC) at 

Altcar is building upon its 

reputation as a regional centre of 

excellence with the introduction 

of new courses. Whilst the RTC 

concentrates on recruit and 

officer training, specialist courses 

now play a major part in the 

Centre’s day to day activities. 

The Centre, which was 

formerly know as the Brigade 

Specialist Training Team until 

2006, has expanded its staff base 

from just 17 to a present roll of 

57, which has been necessary to 

sustain the broad range of 

courses that are on offer. 

morning, having already covered over 40 miles 

on the previous two days. This year it was 

particularly testing with the temperature on 

Sunday reaching 90’F 


Module 1 Potential Officer training 

A JOTAC (Junior Officers Tactics Course) briefing day at Altcar. LtoR:Capt 

Antic Greater Manchester ACF, Capt Wright 156 Tpt Regt RLC(V), WO2 Hudson 

156 Tpt Regt RLC(V) and Lt Smith 103 Regt RA(V) 

WO2 Hennessey assists with the Derby Trophy 



Focus on the 

Regional 

Training 

Centre 

The RTC offers civilian accreditation to its 

programmes, which enables students to 

obtain NVQ’s or membership of prestigious 

bodies, including the Institute of Leadership 

and Management and the Institute of 

Chartered Managers. 

Delivered by the Training Support Wing, 

courses include Battlefield Casualty Drills 

Training, Endurance Training Leader and 

First Aid at Work – to name but a few. 

Although, these courses are predominantly 

for Territorials from the Brigade area, the 

Wing also counts regular soldiers, Royal 

Marines, Military Provost Guard and staff, 

and MoD civilians as past students and, if 

there is availability, anyone who wants to 

learn will not be turned away. 

Module 1 Potential Officer training 


Following the successful training 

of its first recruits, Soldiers under 

Training (back in October 2007) the 

RTC has also become responsible for 

training recruits from all of the 

Brigade’s OPCOM units, including the 

infantry recruits formerly trained by 

4th Battalion of the Duke of 

Lancaster’s Regiment (4 LANCS). 

Close relationships already existed 

between the RTC and 4 LANCS and 

the amalgamation of the two training 

teams in April, was welcomed by the 

soldiers under training. 

Potential Officer training has also 

increased at the RTC, now with two 

intakes a year. The Officer Training Wing 

NEW RSM 

AT RTC 

O1 Steve Pettener from 75 Engineer 

Regiment has been appointed as the new 

WRSM 

at the Regional Training Centre. 

RSM Pettener was one of the first Territorials to be 

mobilised for OP TELIC 1 and replaces WO1 Keith 

Atkinson from 4 LANCS, who has moved onto the 

Brigade Reinforcement Team as a liaison officer for 

Cumbria. 

comprises four officers and eight SNCO 

instructors drawn from throughout 

the Brigade. Students are able to 

attend a battlefield study weekend as 

part of their wider officer training 

and a study trip to Arnhem is 

planned for November this year. 

The Commanding Officer, 

Lieutenant Colonel Dave Macaulay, 

is keen to emphasise the Regional 

Training Centre as a career 

enhancing post and said: “The RTC 

is where instructors really need to 

be if they want to enhance their 

skills and broadening their career 

profiles can only do them good in 

the long run.” 

The Regional Training Centre has 

already had one success story 

following the opportunities they have 

on offer. WO1 Steve Pettener, the 

new RSM, is the only Territorial RSM 

in the Royal Engineers and one of 

few TA WO1s nationwide. Lieutenant 

Colonel Dave Macaulay now hopes 

to see the Brigade’s best officers and 

NCOs beating a path to his door!

Recruits after respirator testing 

Forthcoming 

courses at the RTC 

Post Commissioning Training: 

A mandatory course for recently commissioned officers in order to 

confirm their commission 

Weekend 1 2 - 4 October 

Weekend 2 20 - 22 November 

Weekend 3 4 - 6 December 

Module 2 Officer Training: 

Aimed at Potential Officers 

Next intake - April 2010 

First Aid at Work: 

Civilian qualification that can be used in own workplace, as well as 

when training with the TA. 

Weekend 1 1-2 August 

Weekend 2 15-16 August 

Endurance Training Leader: 

Aimed at NCOs and Officers who are expected to conduct low level 

physical training as part of unit fitness plan. 

4-6 September 

19-21 February 2010 

Range Management Qualification: 

Aimed at NCOs (minimum Corporal) and Officers in order to conduct 

small arms live firing. Covering: 

• Combat Marksmanship Coaching Qualification 

• Range Management Qualification 

• Automatic Marking System 

• Dismounted Close Combat Trainer 

6 - 20 September 

CBRN Assistance: 

Lance Corporal and above 

For a comprehensive list of all courses available, 

or to make a bid for a course, readers can contact 

the RTC via their unit training wings. The 

Adjutant is available on 0151 929 3254 or 42X- 

BRTC ADJT@mod.uk. Alternatively contact the 

Administration Officer on 42X-BRTC- 

CivAdmin@mod.uk 


Recruit Kelly, 33 Sig Regt, Weapon Training 

Weekend 1 11-13 September 

Weekend 2 25-27 September 

Defence Instructional Techniques: 

Foundation course for anyone who will be delivering military training 

Weekend 1 23 - 25 October 

Weekend 2 13 - 15 November 

ASLS (Army Recruitment and Training Staff Leadership School) 

courses: 

Aimed at anyone who will come into direct contact with Soldiers under 

Training 

TA Training Environment 11 - 13 December 

Defence Train the Trainer 20 - 27 March 2010 

Battlefield Casualty Drills (BCD) Trainer: 

Aimed at training BCD instructors 

Weekend 1 8 - 10 January 2010 


HAZMAT (Hazardous Materials): 

Aimed at drivers who are required to deliver dangerous goods 




75 ENGR REGT (V) 

Sappers Benz over 

backwards for bear 

Eighty soldiers from 75 Engineer Regiment (Volunteers), plus 

their digging equipment, deployed to the Scottish Highlands 

to construct a new home for a polar bear. 

Mercedes the polar bear is currently in residence at Edinburgh Zoo 

and will eventually be re-homed at ‘Casa Sapper’ in Highland Wildlife 

Park, near Kingussie. 

The British Army agreed to get involved in this project through the 

‘Military Aid to the Civil Community’ scheme. The criteria for agreeing 

to such MACC tasks include providing good training value for the 

soldiers involved. Soldiers from 75 Engr Regt regularly support 

operations, such as in Afghanistan, so this project in Scotland offered 

the ideal opportunity to brush up on their construction expertise. 

Lieutenant Colonel Henry Ricketts, Commanding Officer of 75 Engr 

Regt, said: “As Royal Engineers, it is vital for us to keep on top of our 

construction skills. Moving from the North West to Scotland gave us 

the chance to complete some challenging tasks, in an unfamiliar 

environment. We also made a real contribution to the community by 

providing worthwhile causes with some new infrastructure.” 

Gary Wilson, Director of Business Operations for the Royal 

Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS), which owns Edinburgh Zoo and 

the Highland Wildlife Park, said: “This is the latest in a series of 

enclosures that the Army have helped us with. Thanks to them, the cost 

of building a new home for Mercedes will be £75,000 instead of the 

original cost of £300,000. As we are a charity, assistance such as this is 

of great benefit to us and we are extremely grateful for their support. 

We are launching a public fundraising appeal to help us secure the 

remainder of the funds. If people are interested in donating they can 

do this at www.rzss.org.uk.” 

In addition to the polar bear enclosure – which, at around four acres, 

will be the largest in Europe – the soldiers built a new cattle grid to 

ease access to the Wildlife Park and have developed a woodland walk 

that has opened up the drive-through area of the Park to visitors that 

can now experience this on foot. They also went to the RSPB’s Fairy 

Glen nature reserve near Rosemarkie to build a new footbridge. 

The polar bear enclosure will have a large natural pool and a natural 

tundra environment in a climate ideal for a polar bear. It is hoped that 

Mercedes will be able to move in to her new home later this year. 

Mercedes is the only polar bear in a UK zoo. She has been in 

Edinburgh since 1984. She was rescued from her native Canada after 

she was scheduled to be shot. Then a wild animal, she had started to 

make visits into a town and the local authorities became concerned 

that she posed a dangerous risk to residents. Luckily, a local family 

became fond of her and asked RZSS to provide her with a new home. 

The car manufacturer Mercedes assisted with the costs of her 

transport, hence the name. 

The Army’s involvement in this project has been authorised under 

MACC Category B criteria (routine assistance for special projects or 


“I hope those Sappers are gonna build me a n’ICE new house.” 

events of significant value to the civil community). Such projects must 

show evidence of adding social value to the community and represent 

good training value for the military. 

Royal Engineers soldiers are known as ‘Sappers’ and are multiskilled 

as soldiers, combat engineers and tradesmen. From fighting 

alongside combat elements of the Army to purifying water and 

building bases in the Afghan desert for soldiers, the Royal Engineers 

have a vital role in the success of British military operations. 

“I can’t ‘bear’ all this mud!” 

For further information on 75 Engr 

Regt please contact: The Adjutant, 

75 Engr Regt, Peninsula Barracks, 

O’Leary Street, Warrington. Tel No: 

01925 636519 or email 75engr-rhqroso@mod.co.uk

156 (NW) TPT REGT RLC (V) 

Anglesey 

coastal path 

charity run 

LtoR: Cpl Michelle Hastings, LCpl Keeley Jones, SSgt Pete Argent, sitting Maj 

Mick Jessermino, SSgt Geoff Irvine, SSgt Pat McDonald and SSgt Craig Midgley 

Agroup of eight soldiers from 235 Sqn 156 (NW) Tpt Regt 

RLC (V) recently completed a mammoth 130 mile run to 

raise money for Broughton House, a military retirement 

home in Manchester. 

The path was to be completed in relay legs, with a minimum of two 

runners completing each leg. The team consisted of SSgt Pete Argent, 

SSgt Pat McDonald, SSgt Geoff Irvine, Regimental QM, Maj Mick 

Jessermino, SSgt Craig Midgley, Cpl Michelle Hastings and LCpl 

Keeley Jones and was supported by an admin crew of SSgt Dave 

Knight, Cpl Barbara Cross and Cpl John Lindon. 

After 80 miles, a detour around a nuclear power station (which took 

the group several miles off course) and tackling a field full of angry 

cows; the team stayed positive and were treated to a well earned 

shower and meal at the campsite at JSMTC INDEFATIGABLE. 

The remaining 50 miles were completed on the second day and the 

team were thankful for a fresh pair of legs thanks to Regimental 

Training Warrant Officer WO2 Les Ashfield. The final three miles were 

completed by all the runners who arrived at the finishing line mid 

Sunday afternoon. 

Group leader SSgt Pete Argent said “We had completed 130 miles, 

run for 20 hours and each runner had completed between 30 – 45 

miles over the two days. I’d like to congratulate all who took part in the 

run and give special thanks to our admin crew, especially our driver 

SSgt Neil Eves, without whom we wouldn’t have been able to 

undertake the challenge.” 


“It’s only 130 

miles; we can 

easily do that 

in a weekend!” 

Ex 

Northern 

Masters 

Ski 2 

Twelve soldiers from the regiment spent five days in 

Sonthofen, Bavaria for Exercise Northern Masters Ski 2 – a 

basic downhill ski course. 

The group drove across from Liverpool to Germany and were met 

by fantastic weather and snow conditions. They enjoyed short queues, 

thanks to the exercise being late on in the season and skied Oberjoch 

(great for beginners), the Fellhorn at Obersdorf and Jungholz and 

Lermoos in Austria. 

All six beginners passed the course and have been issued the Basic 

Ski Proficiency certificates. 

Pictured LtoR are Cpl Ian Reynolds, SSgt Mick Charlton, SSgt Lin 

McMonnies, SSgt Jane Miller, SSgt Jim Bond and Pte Andy Kerry.

Coast to 

coast charity 

endurance 

event 

Here team leader WO2 Lee Shepherd 

tells the story: 

Icame up with the muscle-busting idea in 

September last year to raise funds for 

Great Ormond Street Hospital, the ABF 

and St Josephs Park Hill School, Burnley. The 

aim of the event was to cycle, kayak and run 

continuously from Hull Dock to Albert Dock, 

Liverpool within three days. 

We set off from Hull at 0900hrs sharp on a 

pleasant Sunday morning following a 

fantastic send off the previous day from the 

children at St Josephs Park Hill School. The 

first stage was to cycle 100 miles and a good 

pace was set by SSgt Midgley. We found 

ourselves doing 26 miles an hour on route to 

York. 

Past York and Harrogate we hit the daunting 

stage of climbing Blubberhouses and the 

rolling hills to Skipton and on to Bolton 

Abbey. After 5hours 30mins, and 100 miles 

under our belt we arrived at our first RV at 

Salterforth ready for a nice glass of water, 

some hot food and sleep – two of Pte 

Dowdy’s favourite subjects! 

The second stage started at 0600hrs sharp 

the next morning with 46 miles of kayaking to 

get under our belts. Our first RV was 

Foulridge tunnel, a mile long tunnel which 

had never before been completed on kayaks. 

Beyond this we paddled hard to meet some 

of the children from the school at 0930hrs and 

enjoyed a hearty breakfast made by SSgt 

Bond (our able assistant and provider of 

SSgt Craig Midgley ‘coasts’ along the river 

continuous boosts to morale). Two more 

RV’s followed with more visits by the 

local children in Burnley before chowing 

down on a well deserved lunch 

specially prepared by Mrs Shepherd. 

With our bellies full we started back on 

our journey battered by the onslaught 

of a westerly wind which blew against 

us for a solid five hours on route to 

Blackburn - that stage really hurt! 

Having started the day doing 4.5miles per 

hour the weather really took its toll and 

reduced us to 3miles per hour meaning that 

we were late into our last RV of the day. On 

arrival it quickly became apparent that the 

kayak stage was over – it was eight o’clock at 

night and we still had a possible four or five 

hours ahead of us. The decision was made to 

get out of the water at the 34 mile point and 

extend the Mountain Bike stage by 12 miles 

the next day. That evening it didn’t take long 

to get to sleep, and yes bright eyed and 

bushy tailed we were on the bikes for 8am. 

Bang! One mile into stage three, the inner 

tube and tyre wall on SSgt Midgely’s bike 

went down quicker than the Hindenburg. 

Rapid repairs and a trip to Halfords got us 

back under way, but with a 25min delay. 

Trying to make up time we pushed on but the 

toll path and weather were not letting up. 

However daunting, we pushed on through 

Wigan and met up with SSgt Bond at 

Burscough for a quick two minute brew and 

food stop. 12 more miles to Maghull and we 

were confident that nothing else would stop 

us……except it did! A Moorhen smashed into 

Pte Dowdy’s carbon rims, and then bang! Yes, 

For further information on 156 Tpt Regt RLC 

please contact: The Adjutant, 156 Tpt Regt RLC, 

Mather Avenue, Liverpool. Tel No: 0151 242 2044 

or email 156tpt-adjt@mod.co.uk 

156 (NW) TPT REGT RLC (V) 

A week after their fellow 

soldiers completed the 

Anglesey Coastal Path 

Charity Run, a group from 

236 Sqn 156 (NW) Tpt 

Regt RLC (V) took part in 

a gargantuan 184 mile 

triathlon-style endurance 

event. 

Bright eyed and bushy tailed – the team set off from 

Hull. LtoR: Mr Alan Dorrington, WO2 Shepherd, SSgt 

Midgely and Pte Dowdy. 

you 

guessed it – another flat tyre 

for SSgt Midgely!! With two miles to Maghull 

we repaired the bike as best we could and 

carried on. This had definitely not been the 

best of mornings - five hours and 36 miles of 

tired and mentally strained bodies and we still 

had a half marathon to run into Liverpool! 

(Who’s idea was this again?!) 

I don’t remember much of the 14 miles 

into Liverpool, apart from Aintree, Bootle and 

canal markers going backwards. The first sight 

of the cranes on the docks gave a huge 

mental boost to us all and it wasn’t long 

before we met up at the Waterside 

Apartments with five children from Park Hill 

School who gave us the boost by running the 

last mile with us. 

At Albert Dock we crossed the finish line 

where all received a warm reception from 

teachers, wives and children. The final amount 

raised is yet to be confirmed, but we are 

hoping to have raised in excess of £3,000. 

The team approach the finish line at Albert Dock 


207 FD HOSP 

‘207’ Pay a visit to 

Stepping Hill 

Hospital 

Key members of the ‘207’ recruiting team 

recently paid a five day visit to Stepping Hill 

Hospital. During the period of the visit, the unit 

recruiting trailer was manned and parked ‘on site’, whilst 

the Recruiting Team visited key departments within the 

hospital to brief them on the role of a Field Hospital. 

The team itself was ably assisted by Corporal Tristan 

Jackson, who is a Registered Nurse with ‘207’ as well as 

working in the A&E Department at Stepping Hill Hospital 

and Lance Corporal Helen Archer, an Operating Department 

Practitioner at Macclesfield Hospital. 

The aim of these visits is to raise awareness of the unit 

and encourage key clinical staff to consider joining. The 

team managed to fit the visit to Stepping Hill in-between 

training for their upcoming Moroccan expedition. 

Captain Alison Diskin and Corporal David Sykes 

Corporal 

Jackson is pictured with members of the 

expedition team. He is behind Team Leader, Captain Alan Fortuin as they 

negotiate Ben Nevis during their preparation training. 

Afghanistan calls for TA 

Medic and Senior 

Radiographer 


Asoldier from G Squadron, 207 

(Manchester) Field Hospital 

(Volunteers) has deployed on an 

operational tour of duty in Afghanistan. 

Corporal David Sykes, 44, is a Senior 

Radiographer at Bury’s Fairfield Hospital and 

served as a Regular Combat Medical Technician 

between 1983 and 1986. 

Cpl Sykes only joined the TA in 2008, but has 

worked at Fairfield Hospital for over 20 years. 

He will be based at the British Military Hospital 

within Camp Bastion, Helmand Province, and 

before he deployed he said: “Having been 

involved in hospital exercises with ‘207’ I have 

seen first-hand that the equipment provided to 

do my particular job in a Field Hospital is 

cutting edge. You can provide instant images as 

it is all digitally produced so that the 

diagnostics can be evaluated quickly. With more 

serious injuries, you also have the capability of 

CT scanning and can carry out a full body scan 

within 30 seconds.”

Newly appointed 

Honorary Colonel, Ms 

Felicity Goodey CBE 

DL, recently paid a visit to 207’s 

main HQ in Stretford. 

Ms Goodey was welcomed by 

Commanding Officer, Colonel 

Robin Jackson who provided a 

thorough brief on the main role, 

history and future of the Unit as 

well as giving her the 

opportunity to meet with key TA 

personnel and Regular and 

Civilian permanent staff 

members of the Unit. 

A team of volunteers from ‘207’ together with their families and 

friends, participated in the 12 mile Medlock Valley Walk from Oldham 

to Manchester raising over £500 for ‘Help for Heroes’. 

207 FD HOSP 

New Honorary 

Colonel visits 207’s 

HQ 

Medway 

March 

LtoR: Colonel Robin 

Jackson with Hon 

Col Ms Goodey and 

the Adjutant, 

Captain Roj Gurung 


BRIGADE SKILL AT ARMS MEETING 

TOP GUNS AT BRIGADE 

SKILL AT ARMS MEETING 

This year’s Brigade Skill at Arms 

Meeting at Altcar Training Camp 

recorded the best shooting by North 

West Volunteers that has been witnessed for 

many years. 

Before you could even blink, most teams 

had every plate down in the 'Falling Plate' (100 

metre dash), which built up into a final mighty 

duel between 156 (NW) Tpt Regt RLC (V) and 4 

LANCS. But in the end, infantry skills paid off 

and 4 LANCS 

proved themselves the winners. Brigade 

Commander, Brigadier Bill Aldridge, presented 

the prestigious trophies, mainly to 33 Signals 

Regt (V), who continued their annual good run 

of shooting, plus both LUOTC and MSUOTC 

but 4 LANCS proved that they were the 'Top 

Guns'. The Brigadier also expressed thanks to 

Altcar Rifle Range staff, the Admin staff, cooks 

and butt party, who all supported and 

contributed to the success of the event. 


The ‘Falling Plate’ 

33 Signal Regiment 

4 LANCS

The Brigade SAAM was hungry work 


C SQN RMLY 

EX STOMPING 

MACAW 

CSquadron RMLY entered a team into Ex STOMPING MACAW, a 

Brigade Military skills competition held in Leek, Staffordshire. 

The group arrived early on Saturday morning to find that the 

SQMS had booked the snow……and lots of it! 

The weekend started with orders from Sgt Roberts then the team 

moved off as a patrol around a series of stands including CBRN recce, 

first aid, target indication, signals, map reading and prisoner of war 

handling. 

All of the stands were completed tactically, even though the soldiers 

were being marked AND knee deep in snow! 

The team itself comprised of REME personnel and Tpr McCaw was 

one of the few females to last the whole day. Tpr McCaw said “The 

event was quite hard and tested us physically, but we learned a lot of 

skills and all in all it was a good weekend.” 

Cavalry Memorial 

Parade 

C(Cheshire Yeomanry) Squadron RMLY recently 

travelled to London to parade at the Annual Cavalry 

Memorial parade in Hyde Park. 

With hundreds of men in suits, bowler hats and brollies 

backed up by the pomp and splendour of the bands of the 

cavalry regiments, the spectacle adheres to every stereotype 

the unsuspecting tourist could have of the British. 

Affectionately known as Cav Mem, this is the annual parade 

and service to commemorate the unveiling of the Cavalry 

Memorial. 

Soldiers took up accommodation at Regents Park Barracks 

where they enjoyed catching up with friends who were also 

joining the annual pilgrimage to Cav Mem. 

The service this year was particularly special as it marked 

the 85th Anniversary of the unveiling of the cavalry 

memorial, and after the salute was taken by the Duke of 

Kent, a personal message from the Queen was read out to 

the congregation. 

Captain Mark Hodgkinson said “Cav Mem is an important 

event in our calendar. As well as giving us the opportunity to 

remember the sacrifices made for us, it gives the Cavalry an 

opportunity to bond across the regiments, with friends and 

family whether TA, regular or civilian.” 


Cheshire’s ‘Snowmanry’ tackle the conditions at Ex STOMPING 

MACAW. LtoR: Tpr Udupa, Tpr McGaw, Sgt Roberts, Cpl Philips, Cfn 

Stallwood, LCpl Tew and Cfn Cadman.

C SQN RMLY 

Yeomanry 

Memorial Ride 

Members of C (Cheshire Yeomanry) Sqn took the opportunity 

to ride on motor bikes from Chester to Lichfield, 

Staffordshire, to visit the National Memorial Arboretum. 

The National Memorial Arboretum has in excess of 50,000 trees with 

almost every Regiment, Corps and Service represented. C Sqn 

managed to find Yeomanry Avenue and the Cheshire Yeomanry Tree 

and also the Royal Mercian and Lancastrian Yeomanry Tree. 

The Arboretum was opened on 16 May 2001 by Her Royal Highness 

The Duchess of Kent and is managed by the Royal British Legion. 

The group also visited the Armed Forces Memorial, dedicated in the 

presence of Her Majesty the Queen in Oct 2007. The memorial records 

in Portland Stone panels, the 16,000 names of those who have been 

killed on duty since 1948. 

Speaking of the memorial, Captain Mark Hodgkinson said: “We 

found the names of those we knew from Operational Tours in Iraq and 

Afghanistan and all took a moment for reflection. For those who have 

not yet visited, it is definitely worth the trip. We will hopefully return in 

November to place a wreath at our tree.” 

C (Cheshire) Sqn RMLY is currently recruiting. 

Vacancies exist for Tank Crewmen, Signallers, 

Combat Medics, Drivers, Clerks & Chefs. Trg night 

is Thursday. Fox Barracks Chester CH2 4BU 

01244 381050 

LtoR: Capt Mark Hodgkinson, PSAO and WO2 Les Speed, 

Sqn Sgt Maj 


ACF CADET NEWS 

Cadets are 

a hit in the 

Highlands 

Inverness Beating Retreat 

Two hundred teenage Army Cadet Force and Air Training 

Cadets marched smartly out of Cameron Barracks Inverness 

at the end of a week’s intensive instruction and testing of 

their skills on the Pipes and Drums. The musical cadets came from all 

over the UK (as far south as Kent) to get some of the best tuition 

available from adult volunteers willing to share their knowledge and 

their free time. 

Brigadier Mike Wharmby OBE, General Secretary of the Army Cadet 

Force Association (ACFA) had travelled from London to join with civic 

dignitaries at the event and also presented Cpl Kyle Foster of Greater 

Manchester ACF, with his award for most improved advanced Tenor 

Drummer. 

This is the ninth year of the Piping Concentration which started with 

only 30 cadets and a few instructors and next year sees the Centenary 

of the Army Piping School at Cameron Barracks. 

Brig Mike Wharmby OBE Gen Sec ACFA with Cpl Kyle Foster 


STAR 

CADETS 

SHINE AT 

ALTCAR 

Two nine-day Cadet instructor courses have taken place at 

Altcar. The first was the 3 star Junior Cadet Instructor 

Course (JCIC) which was very well attended by a total of 

48 Merseyside ACF cadets. 

The 4 star Senior Cadet Instructor Course (SCIS) followed and 

was jointly attended by cadets from both Lancashire and 

Merseyside ACF’s. The courses were run entirely by Regular 

soldiers of 27 Cadet Training Team and the pass rate proved well 

above average, with the Top Cadet of the first course being Corporal 

Dillon Roberts of the No. 1 Rifles Detachment, Merseyside ACF. 

Selection of the Senior Cadre Top Cadet was made by 27 Cadet 

Training Team who chose Sergeant Sarah Longden from Blackpool 

Detachment, Lancashire ACF. 

Besides being outstanding among 39 cadets, Sgt Longden has 

also achieved bronze and silver Duke of Edinburgh awards and is 

now ‘going for gold’. A member of Arnold School CCF, Sarah has 

represented the ACF NW region at hockey and was on the winning 

team last year. You might say that she is 'a chip of the old block' as 

her very proud father is Major Roger Longden who commands a 

Lancashire ACF Company. 

Merseyside 3 star cadets celebrate 

Top cadet Sarah with proud father Major Roger Longden


First Female for Lancashire ACF 

COUNTY OF 

LANCASTER 

RIFLE 

ASSOCIATION 

Target Rifle Competition 

Formby Cup 

(Northwest) Individual Competition - 3rd place CSM H Grainger 

(First & Second places to Sedbergh School) 

Cadet Pairs Salver 

3rd Place - CSM H Grainger & Cpl Haythornthwaite 

(First & Second places to Sedbergh School). 

Lancashire Schools Quartet Challenge Cup 

2nd Place - Lancashire ACF 'A' Team - CSM Grainger, Cpl 

Haythornthwaite, CSM Martin, CSgt Kendal. 

(1st place - Sedbergh School) 

CLRA (Red Rose) Challenge Cup 

3rd Place - Lancashire 'A' & 'B' teams ;- 

'A' Team - CSM Grainger, Cpl Haythornthwaite, CSM Martin, 

CSgt Kendal. 

'B' Team - Cpl Snape, CSM Green, Cpl Rushton, Cpl Grimes. 

(1st Place - Sedbergh School, 2nd Place Merchant Taylor CCF) 

42 (NW) Brigade Trophy. (Females Only). 

2nd Place - CSM H. Grainger 

(1st place - Sedbergh School) 

Lancashire Army Cadet Force was delighted to welcome Col 

Hilary Williams as their first female Commandant. Col Hilary 

took over from Col John Davies who has moved on to 

become Colonel Cadets for 42 (NW) Brigade. 

Col Williams has a vast wealth of experience of the Cadet Service 

having spent several years with both Cheshire and Greater 

Manchester ACF where she held the role of Deputy Commandant. 

Lancashire ACF are hoping that the appointment may encourage the 

recruitment of more female adult instructors. 

Col Williams is pictured with Senior Cadre top cadet Sgt Sarah Longden 

at the recent Senior Cadet Instructor Course (SCIS). 

Lancashire Army Cadet Force produced excellent results again 

at this year’s County of Lancaster Rifle Association Target Rifle 

Competition. In particular CSM Hannah Grainger performed 

very well and amassed a remarkable number of the top three places in 

the different categories. 

County Shooting Officer Captain Charlotte Smith thanked the cadets 

for their efforts and also thanked Major Roger Longden and Captain 

Vanessa Dawkins and all staff involved for their commitment and work 

in preparing the shooting team. If the results they have achieved in 

both Target Rifle and Cadet GP competitions in recent years continue 

then an extension to the trophy cabinet at Lancs ACF HQ will be an 

urgent priority. 

Captain Smith also expressed her gratitude to the County of 

Lancaster Rifle Association for their support of shooting by cadets. 

CLRA member 

Brian Everett with 

Col John Davies 

in his first official 

duty as Colonel 

Cadets and 

42(NW) Bde 

Shooting Officer 

Capt Rod Leonard 

CSM Grainger with 

Colonel John 

Davies and proudly 

displaying her 

CLRA badge for her 

achievements in 

last year’s 

competition. 



Three stars says you’re open 

Halton Training 

Camp welcomes 

cadets from 

Manchester 

3and 4 companies from Greater Manchester ACF recently visited 

Halton Training Camp for training and instruction. Based near 

Lancaster, the camp has played host over the years to 

generations of cadets and volunteer soldiers alike and boasts a variety 

of facilities; including a 30m range, a climbing wall and general 

exercise areas allowing instructors free reign on their creativity. 


Army Cadets at the Rifles Bootle Detachment were delighted 

to welcome Lt Gen N R Parker, Colonel Commandant the 

Rifles and Commander Regional Forces, to the formal 

opening of their new detachment. Picture shows Lt Gen Parker cutting 

the Regimental Ribbon held by two cadets and nervously watched by 

the Detachment Commander, SMI Swords. 

Cdt Lenehan tests his aim on the 30m range 

3 Coy Signals Cadre. LtoR: Cdt Duffy, Sgt McMahon, Cpl Lenehan S, Cdt Hazelhurst, Sgt Coates, CSgt Moore and Cdt Smith

Lord 

Lieutenant 

visits 

GMACF 

In his role as Honorary Colonel of Greater Manchester ACF, the 

Lord Lieutenant of Manchester, Col Warren Smith, recently 

visited the Chadderton detachment of 4 Company GMACF, which 

is based in North Chadderton High School, Oldham. 

Two cadets from the North West were category prize winners 

in the prestigious Duke of Westminster Award 2009 and are 

celebrating having won a place on a three week expedition to 

South Africa. 

Cadet Luke Finnigan from Huyton with Roby SCC and Cadet 

Company Sergeant Major (CSM) Elizabeth ‘Libby’ Anderson from 

Kings School CCF, Chester, were two of five to win the award which is 

the highest accolade from CVQO (The Cadet Vocational Qualification 

Organisation). 

In a stretching 36 hour assessment and selection event in the 

Quantock Hills in Somerset the top cadets showed who was worthy of 

the top Award. Only the very best of the top cadets reached this stage 

in this prestigious CVQO annual challenge. 

Ten finalists were chosen out of 215 submissions from over 10,000 

eligible registered cadets nationwide. Nominated cadets possess a 

wide range of skills and abilities, which they have demonstrated 

through a consistently high level of commitment and achievement 

throughout their cadet career. 

Edward Woods, Chief Executive of CVQO and head of the selection 

panel said “Once again we have been stunned by the exceptional 

quality, dedication and enthusiasm of young people in our cadet 

forces. The standard has been extremely high, creating a very close run 

selection process to choose the top ten candidates for the Award.” In 

addition to a raft of other qualifications, all winning cadets had gained 

a BTEC First Diploma in Public Services and/or Music from CVQO, each 

worth the equivalent to 4 GCSEs A* - C. 

The Award winners along with three runners up will receive their 

Awards at a luncheon hosted by His Grace the Duke of Westminster in 

London. An exciting visit to 10 Downing Street has also been arranged 

for them. The following day they will be joined by the five remaining 

finalists to begin their three week South African expedition where they 


SOUTH AFRICA CALLS FOR 

TOP CADETS 

will undertake an environmental awareness course in KwaZulu Natal 

and a cultural project working with and teaching orphaned children. In 

addition they will visit Rorkes Drift, Isandlwana and take part in a 

walking safari. 

Look out for the next edition of The Volunteer where 

we feature the South African expedition and 

announce the overall winner. 

LLiibbbbyy, 17, was featured in the last 

edition of The Volunteer and is in 

her sixth year with the CCF. She 

initially joined because she 

thought it would be a good way to 

converse with people, build on 

her team leadership skills and 

meet new people and said “I was 

attracted to the BTECs because 

the format of the programme was 

so different to my academic 

courses at school. I found the task 

of organising a charitable musical 

event most helpful because my 

organisational, leadership and 

teamwork skills were really 

tested to the limit.” 

CADET NEWS 

As a young lad, Lukkee, 18, had 

drifted into a bad crowd, and left 

school with no qualifications. 

Luke realised his dream of a 

career in the Royal Navy was 

slipping away from him and 

decided to change his life and 

joined the SCC. Luke says “It was 

difficult for me to find the 

confidence to break away from 

this lifestyle. Joining the cadets 

and being encouraged by my 

leaders to enrol on the BTEC First 

Diploma in Public Services and 

ILM Level 2 Team Leading 

Certificate was the best decision 

I could ever have made.” 


CADET NEWS 

Altcar Massed Music 


Five hundred cadets from all over the 

UK paraded at Altcar for the 2009 

Cadet Force Music Week, with an 

overspill of 106 at Nescliffe. For a week they 

were in every 'nook and cranny' of the camp, 

either being taught to play various instruments 

or improving their own musical skills under the 

directions of qualified Military Musical 

Directors resulting in their being formed into a 

number of Bands. 

The first Cadet Force Music Week was held 

12 years ago with just 23 cadets. This year 

there were 606 – is 

this a ‘cymbal’ of 

things to come?! 

A group of North 

West Fusilier 

cadets practice 

And the beat goes on…

ATC CADET NEWS 

CADETS ROLLER-COAST 

FOR CHARITY 

In 2008 St Dunstan’s launched a 

nationwide competition challenging 

cadets to travel a half marathon (13.1 

miles) as imaginatively as possible, whilst 

raising vital funds for the charity. 

With one of the Country’s most famous 

amusement parks on their doorstep, 177 

(Blackpool Airport) Squadron ATC worked out 

that by walking to and from the Pleasure 

Beach from their airport HQ, combined with 

riding four roller coasters, would allow them 

to clock up a stomach churning 13.1 miles. 

The squadron were announced overall 

winners of ‘Go The Distance’ and recently 

travelled to the charity’s National Training 

Centre in Ovingdean, Brighton to receive 

their reward. 

Commandant Air Cadets, Air Commodore 

Ian Stewart, presented the cadets with the St 

Dunstan’s Cadet Challenge trophy and then 

led them on a tour of the facilities. 

Colin Williamson, St 

Dunstaner and Cadet 

Challenge Project 

Officer paid tribute to 

the winning team’s 

efforts saying “This was 

a well organised and 

innovative Challenge 

event. It was a really fun 

way to complete the 

distance and resulted in 

some great publicity both 

for the Cadets and for St 

Dunstan’s. All the finalists are 

a credit to their Units and 

should be proud of their 

achievements.” 

Flt Lt Andrew Nickson, Blackpool’s 

Commanding Officer said “Today made 

everything worthwhile. I don’t mean just the 

Cadet 

Challenge, but my whole 

involvement with the Cadet Forces. We 

were made extremely welcome and the 

combination of the delight on the St 

Dunstaner’s faces mixed with the pride and 

smiles on my Cadet’s faces are what it is all 

about.” 

Cadets with Air Commodore Stewart with the St Dunstan’s trophy 

DDIIDD YYOOUU KKNNOOWW?? 

St Dunstan's is a national UK charity 

established in 1915 by Sir Arthur 

Pearson to provide an independent 

future for blind ex-Service men and 

women. 

Blackpool cadets in front of St Dunstans HQ, Ovingdean 

177 Blackpool Airport Squadron meet at the Airport 

every Monday and Thursday evening at 7:30pm. For 

more information come along either evening for a 

visit and a talk with the Squadron Staff or visit 

www.177sqnatc.co.uk 


ATC CADET NEWS 

NEW 

ACTIVITY 

CENTRE 

FOR ATC 

Air Vice Marshal Paul Luker made a special visit to Altcar 

Training Camp to officially open the new Air Training Corps 

Regional Activity Centre (West). NW RFCA has been highly 

praised for turning 'C' Camp into excellent quarters for the ATC and 

also producing splendid new facilities near the main HQ for their 

'space age' computer flying technology. 

Accompanied by Colonel Gerry Wells-Cole, Chief Executive NW 

RFCA, the Air Vice Marshal inspected a Guard of Honour before 

unveiling a plaque at 'C' Camp. After inspecting the facilities, in 

the company of many invited guests, they then moved to the 

main camp to watch North West cadets learn the basic art of 

flying using their computers and simulators. At one stage the 

Air Vice Marshal, a former pilot himself, took over the controls 

and successfully 'flew and landed a helicopter'. 

A buffet lunch followed with presentations to the Air Vice Marshal before his 

departure and a promise by him that more facilities, similar to those at Altcar, would be created 

around the Country. 

CADET 150 

Birthday 

celebrations for 

cadet forces - 

only five months to go! 

Next year promises to be one of the most memorable and 

fun-packed years in the Cadet Forces’ history, and with very 

good reason: 2010 is their 150th birthday! 

Cadet150 will be marked in many ways, at all levels of the Cadet 

Forces and celebrate the work of the cadet movement. 

What are Cadet Forces? 

The Cadet Forces are made up of: 

THE COMBINED CADET FORCE (CCF) 

THE SEA CADET CORPS (SCC) 

THE ARMY CADET FORCE (ACF) 

THE AIR TRAINING CORPS (ATC) 


Air Vice Marshal Paul Luker inspects the Guard of Honour 

The Air Vice Marshal landing a Chinook 

Helicopter.. 

Sponsored and supported by the MOD, they are voluntary youth 

organisations that aim to provide challenging and enjoyable activities 

for young people living in the UK. 

Cadets have the opportunity to learn new skills and engage in 

adventurous activities in disciplined and well-structured organisations. 

They can also work towards a range of qualifications based on their 

achievements. 

The Cadet Forces could not exist without the support of adult 

volunteers who help run meetings, activities and events. Currently 

there are more than 25,000 adult volunteers in the UK, giving 131,000 

young people the opportunity to get involved in activities ranging from 

canoeing to rock climbing, map reading and flying, to first aid and The 

Duke of Edinburgh Awards.

CADET 150 

The History of the Cadets 

The history of the Cadet Forces dates 

back to the 1850s with the formation of 

several forerunners to the existing 

organisations. 

The Cadet Corps, the forerunners of the 

Combined Cadet Forces, were formed 

firstly in certain schools as a means of 

training young people to support the 

masses of volunteers required to boost 

Army numbers in the likelihood of war. 

These Cadet Corps were recognised by the 

War Office and permitted to wear the 

uniforms of their parent Volunteer 

battalions. As the threat of war receded, 

some Cadet Corps developed into Rifle 

Clubs, and cadet battalions not associated 

with schools became Social Welfare 

Organisations - the forerunners of the 

current Army Cadet Force. 

In 1957 the ACF’s purpose was altered 

from a direct HM Forces support role to 

that of a national youth organisation 

sponsored by the MOD. 

Traditionally old seafarers provided 

training while local businessmen funded 

the headquarters. The Sea Cadet Corps 

(SCC) became a national organisation in 

1904. 

The Air Training Corps (ATC) has its 

origins in the Air Defence Cadet Corps. The 

earliest squadrons paraded in October 

1938, Air Defence Cadet Corps was 

formally established as the Air Training 

Corps in 1941. 

A cadet parade in 1960 

© Crown Copyright/MOD 2009 

Further information will be included 

in future issues of The Volunteer and 

is also available on 

www.cadet150.org or 

www.nwrfca.org.uk 

An air cadet © Crown Copyright/ 

MOD 2009 

EVENTS 

Next year, the main national event will be a largescale 

parade in Central London followed by a 

Buckingham Palace Garden Party, taking place in 

July 2010. A more ambitious project is the cadet 

expedition to Lesotho in July and August whilst the 

unusually named ‘Tri-service Festival of First Aid’ 

(otherwise known as the national first aid competition) 

will take place at Sandhurst in October. 

But of real interest to adult volunteers and cadets 

in the North West will be the ambitious programme 

of regional events which, in the case of the ACF, is 

being put together by their hard-working County 

HQs. These will include: 

CUMBRIA 

• January (Provisional – Hadrian’s Wall - EX REIVER 

RENDEZVOUS – a march in relay along Hadrian’s 

Wall to meet up with contingents from other 

Counties 

• April-October (Provisional) - Tree planting in small 

parishes in the county 

LANCASHIRE 

• 6 June - Blackburn Cathedral - Tri-service cadet 

Sunday 

• 18 & 19 September - Halton Training Camp - 

Participation in the Tri-service Lancaster Military 

Heritage Competition 

MANCHESTER 

• 8 February – Manchester Cathedral - County 

parade to celebrate the Queen’s Accession 

• End of May (Provisional) - Holcombe Moor - 

County parade and march from WETC Ramsbottom 

to occupy the new WETC and County HQ at 

Holcombe Moor 

MERSEYSIDE 

• 5 June – Liverpool - County march through 

Liverpool as part of the Lord Mayor’s Parade 

• TBC – Liverpool - A County Drumhead Service of 

Thanksgiving 

CHESHIRE 

• 5 June - Fox Barracks - A cadets and Families Day 

with involvement from the other service cadet 

forces 

• 4 September - Chester Castle - Parade and Beating 

Retreat 


CCF CADET NEWS 

NAVY CHIEF IS 

INSPECTING OFFICER 

Rear Admiral Philip Jones, Commander UK 

Task Force and Counter Pirate Operations, 

attended Merchant Taylor Schools’ CCF 

Annual Review as guest of honour. 

After arriving in style by helicopter, he was 

welcomed by Headmaster David Cook, an ex Cheshire 

Regiment Officer, Headmistress Louise Robinson and 

Contingent Commander Lt Col Paul Irvine. 

After lunch with invited guests, mainly Military 

Commanders, he inspected the Guard of Honour 

and then spent the afternoon touring cadets’ various 

stands; escorted by three senior cadets from each 

section (Navy, Army & RAF). 

Nearly 250 cadets put on very impressive 

displays before a host of both Military and proud 

parents, before marching on for the final parade 

and being highly commended by the Admiral. The 

following evening there was a dinner for the 

Senior Cadets who now move on to universities 

or careers in the Military.Rear Admiral Philip Jones inspects the Guard of Honour 


Cadets prepare for a 'section attack' demonstration 

Cadet Aimee Jones on the Royal Marines’ climbing wall

St. Mary's 

Awards 

Night 

The Lord Lieutenant of Merseyside, Dame Lorna 

Muirhead, was Guest of Honour at St Mary’s College in 

Crosby at their Army and RAF cadets awards night. 

Dame Lorna presented the cadets with their certificates and in 

her speech, said she had taken every opportunity to visit as 

many Merseyside CCF and ACF units as possible, including 

annual camps. She now had a good knowledge of their 

objectives and the dedication they all gave to achieve them. 

CCF CADET NEWS 

Top two cadets, Cdt RSM Robert Poole and Cdt Flt Sgt Andrew Edgellar with the 

Lord Lieutenant of Merseyside 

Contingent Commander’s 

Dinner 

Brig Aldridge, Sarah Burns and Contingent Commander Lt Col Ayres 

Adventure 

Training 

Eighty cadets from St. Mary’s CCF spent an ‘Adventure 

Training’ week at Halton Training Camp. The camp 

enabled cadets to perfect their watermanship, rock 

climbing, abseiling and gorge walking skills, and tasked them 

with the challenge of fell walking over the highest peaks in the 

Lake District. 

In addition to this, the cadets also visited Blackpool spending 

their time at the Water Sports centre and are now well prepared 

for their Annual Camp being held in Barry Budden, Scotland. 

Sandbach School Combined Cadet Force hosted a 

dinner for North West Contingent Commanders with 

Guest of Honour, Brigade Commander, Brigadier Bill 

Aldridge. Every one of the guests was welcomed by 

Contingent Commander Lt Col Richard Ayres and Head 

Teacher Sarah Burns. During his speech Brig Aldridge said 

that he was pleased to have had the opportunity to meet his 

Contingent Commanders and looked forward to visiting their 

CCF contingents in the near future. 


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Whitehaven Sea Cadets thoroughly enjoyed being 

involved with a recent fundraising cabaret evening 

when legendary comedian Frank Carson was ‘top 

of the bill’. 

The sell-out evening was held at Cleator Moor Celtic 

Football Club and entertained a group of WW2 veterans from 

the local area who had been invited as guests of the Club. 

Commanding Officer of Whitehaven SCC, Lt Peter Lucas 

RNR said “It is a pleasure and a privilege for us to attend 

events such as this. Many of the veterans have become 

firm friends and our cadets really do enjoy meeting with 

them. In fact, events like these are so popular that we 

have to draw lots to choose who can go!” 

Event Organiser Les Mitchell followed “The Cadets 

have supported our Veterans’ Evenings for the past two 

years and, to us, were the obvious choice to act as hosts 

to this very special group of people.” 

Cadets and staff from Whitehaven SCC with Frank Carson 

SCC CADET NEWS 

“IT’S A CRACKER” FOR 

WHITEHAVEN SEA 

CADETS 

MY GOOD-NESS 

Check out how ‘good’ our camouflage is! 

Eight cadets from Whitehaven 

SCC achieved an overall rating 

of ‘Good’ at a recent field 

assessment weekend. Only four groups 

of the 34 taking part achieved a better 

rating. 

Each Section of eight cadets was 

assessed against a variety of criteria 

including camouflage and concealment, 

weapons drills, quality of briefing from 

the cadet in charge and the execution of 

a section attack (a mock battle). 

Whitehaven SCC Detachment 

Commander, Sgt Simon Gray, said “For 

us to achieve ‘Good’ on our first 

assessment is a tribute to the skills, 

dedication and enthusiasm of the cadets 

who took part.” 


CHEF’S SPECIAL 

Within every Territorial 

Army Unit, you will 

find a dedicated 

team of chefs tasked with 

keeping soldiers well fed. Like 

all TA soldiers, they come from a 

wide variety of ‘day jobs’, which, 

more often than not, are 

completely unconnected to the 

culinary world.The Volunteer 

looks to highlight the work of 

these often unsung heroes and 

in this edition, it’s the turn of 

Sergeant Barrie ‘Bomber’ Harris, 

who serves with C (Cheshire 

Yeomanry) Squadron. 

Ex professional boxer Barrie 

‘Bomber’ Harris transferred to 

the Army Catering Corps (ACC) 

in 1982 having served six years 

with The Duke of Lancaster’s 

Own Yeomanry (DLOY). Initially 

with no catering experience he 

has gone on to complete three 

catering career courses 

becoming a Class One Chef. 


‘Bomber’ started his boxing 

career at Salford Police Club, 

originally with the Amateur 

Boxing Association (ABA) he 

turned professional in the 1980’s. 

A 15 year boxing career at 

featherweight saw him retire 

ranked no 12 in Britain. The TA 

has remained an important part 

of his life through out. DLOY 

amalgamated in to the Royal 

Mercian and Lancastrian 

Yeomanry (RMLY) and ‘Bomber’ 

continued to serve with D Sqn in 

Wigan later transferring to C 

(Cheshire Yeomanry) Sqn in 

Chester where he still serves. 

His 33 years with the TA he 

seen him serve in Germany, 

Belgium, Gibraltar, Hong Kong 

and Canada. As well as his TA 

commitments he also finds time 

to assist the Cadet Force every 

year, having completed 16 Cadet 

Camps. 

Bomber’s weekend training 

often involves catering duties for 

Regimental as well as Brigade 

tasks along with the other seven 

RMLY RLC Chef’s. There are 

plenty of opportunities, from 

preparing a Regimental brunch 

in the field after an Exercise, the 

Officer’s Mess Ball, 

Remembrance Parade Lunch and 

various other events through out 

the year. “My most memorable 

function was in 2006 when we 

catered for several hundred at 

the Regiment’s Guidon Parade at 

Eaton Hall” said Bomber. “It was 

a fantastic setting, hard work 

looking after so many, but very 

satisfying”. 

Although the only gloves he 

puts on now are his oven gloves 

‘Bomber’ still keeps fit, putting in 

good Personal Fitness Test (PFT) 

times and taking part in annual 

Regt Skiing in Verbier. 

WANT TO BE A TA CHEF? 

The TA is looking to 

recruit chefs. 

Catering experience is 

welcome, but not necessary, 

as full training is given. 

If you are interested in 

becoming a TA chef, you can 

find out more information 

about the commitment 

involved at 

www.armyjobs.mod.uk 

or at your local TA centre 

(numbers are at the back of 

this magazine). 

To find your nearest TA 

centre, enter your postcode 

where prompted at 

www.nwrfca.org.uk

Starter CARROT SOUP 

INGREDIENTS. 

1 OZ (30G) BUTTER OR MARG 

1 ONION CHOPPED 

1 CELERY STICK CHOPPED 

1 MED SIZED POTATO (SWEET OR NORMAL) DICED 

1.5 LB (700G) CARROTS DICED 

2 TSP GRATED FRESH ROOT GINGER 

2 PINTS (1.25 LTS) CHICKEN STOCK 

3 FL OZ (85ML) WHIPPING CREAM 

.25 TSP GRATED NUTMEG 

SALT & PEPPER 

CHOPPED CORIANDER 

Main course 

CHEF’S SPECIAL 

SPICY CHEESE LASAGNE 

INGREDIENTS - SERVES 8 

8 oz (225g) Lasagne sheets 

2oz (55g) butter or marg. 

1 large onion finely chopped 

3 garlic cloves crushed 

1.5 tbsp of chopped green chilli 

peppers 

2 oz (55g) plain flour 

1.25 pints (1 litre) milk 

2 (850mls) tins of chopped 

tomatoes 

1 lge courgette med sliced 

.5 tsp crushed dried chilli 

peppers 

Salt & pepper 

(serves 6) 

12 oz (350g) cheddar cheese 

grated 

6 tomatoes sliced for top 

decoration. 

METHOD OF COOKING 

Preheat oven 375 F/190c gas 5. 

Grease a 13x9 inch (33x23cm) 

baking dish. 

Put the lasagne sheets, one at a 

time in a bowl of hot water and 

soak for 10 mins. 

Melt butter or marg in a large 

pan, add onion, garlic, chopped 

chilli’s and cook until softened, 

about 5 minutes. 

Stir in flour, cook for a further 3 

minutes stirring constantly. Pour 

in milk, bring to the boil, keep 

stirring. Reduce the heat to low 

and simmer gently until 

thickened about 5 mins. 

Stir in tomatoes, courgettes and 

dried chilli peppers in to sauce, 

season with salt & pepper. 

METHOD 

1. COMBINE BUTTER OR MARG, 

ONION AND CELERY IN A 

SAUCEPAN AND COOK ON A 

MEDIUM HEAT FOR ABOUT 5 

MINUTES UNTIL SOFT. 

2. ADD IN POTATO, CARROTS, 

GINGER AND STOCK. BRING TO 

THE BOIL, REDUCE HEAT TO LOW, 

COVER PAN AND SIMMER FOR 20 

MINS. 

3. POUR MIXTURE IN TO A FOOD 

PROCESSOR OR USE BLENDER 

AND PROCESS UNTIL SMOOTH. 

STIR IN CREAM AND NUTMEG, 

ADD SALT AND PEPPER TO TASTE. 

BRING TO BOIL THEN SIMMER 

FOR A FURTHER 15 MINUTES. 

4. SERVE SPRINKLING CHOPPED 

CORIANDER ON TOP OF SOUP. 

Spoon a little of the sauce in to 

the prepared baking dish. 

Spread it out evenly over the 

bottom and cover with a layer of 

lasagne sheets. 

Add one third of the remaining 

sauce and one third of the 

grated cheese. Repeat the layers 

of lasagne sheets and sauces 

until all the ingredients are used. 

bake until the top is golden 

brown, about 45 minutes, add 

sliced tomatoes to the top, 

spaced evenly apart. Put back in 

the oven for a further 10 mins 

until tomatoes are cooked. 

Serve with side salad and garlic 

bread. 


EX LION STAR 2 

LION ROARS FOR 

NORTH WEST GUNNERS 

North West Territorial Army soldiers 

were taught British Army infantry 

tactics adopted on operations 

such as Afghanistan during a two-week 

training exercise in Cyprus. 

Exercise LION STAR 2 was organised for 

soldiers of 103 Regiment Royal Artillery, the 

North West’s TA artillery regiment with bases 

in Merseyside, Manchester and Bolton. 

In their artillery role, these soldiers are 

masters at firing rounds from the mighty 

105mm Light Gun to distances over 17 

kilometres, but they must also have a grasp 

of essential infantry skills. Cyprus, with its 

heat and terrain, is ideal training territory for 

this. 

Although most of the soldiers in Cyprus 

were from 103 Regiment, representatives 

from other north west TA units also joined 

the exercise, including 4th Battalion The 

Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment, Liverpool 

Universities Officers Training Corps, 

Manchester and Salford Universities Officers 

Training Corps and C (64) Medical Squadron 

(Volunteers). 

Ex LION STAR 2 included a four-day (and 

night) exercise in the field, flights in RAF 

helicopters and journeys in Royal Navy craft. 


The soldiers were also 

given some ‘down time’ 

to enjoy various 

adventure training 

courses on the island. 

Soldiers on the 

exercise included Captain 

Steph Kidd, 30, a school 

teacher from Warrington, 

Private Rebecca Hayes, 

24, a lettings company 

agent from Preston, and 

Captain Matthew Trump, 

36, a university student 

from Whitefield near 

Manchester. 

Capt Steph Kidd has served in 103 

Regiment Royal Artillery for nine years and 

said: “Cyprus has been brilliant. I’ve loved it. 

I was a platoon commander on the four-day 

exercise, so I had to establish a harbour 

(base) area, organise recces and things like 

that. It all culminated in a final attack on a 

disused village.” 

Pte Rebecca Hayes, 24, is a qualified combat 

medical technician (CMT) in C (64) Medical 

Squadron (Volunteers), which trains 

at the TA centre in Devonshire Road, 

Chorley. CMTs provide medical 

support to injured soldiers on the 

frontline. Rebecca said “I wanted to 

join the Regulars and went into the 

Army Careers Office who advised 

me to have a look at the TA first. 

This is the first chance I have had to 

go overseas with the TA. It’s been 

great. I have learned a lot out here.” 

Capt Matthew Trump has 20 

years’ service with the TA, training 

in various overseas locations 

including Denmark, Germany, 

Switzerland, Slovenia, and now 

Cyprus, as well as completing an 

operational tour of duty in Iraq in 

2005. Of the training in Cyprus he 

said: “It has been absolutely 

amazing. The terrain and the heat 

makes it a little more challenging 

than the training exercises we do 

back in the UK. It is vital to get 

an introduction to this kind of heat, 

which is similar to Afghanistan.” 

More information about the TA in the north west is 

at www.armyjobs.mod.uk/northwest or 

www.nwrfca.org.uk

Video footage of the exercise has been uploaded onto You 

Tube. Log on now using ‘ex Lion Star’ as your search criteria 

103 (Lancashire Artillery Volunteers) Regiment Royal Artillery. Exercise LION STAR 2, Cyprus 2009 

EX LION STAR 2

IN THE SPOTLIGHT 

A family man with a love for 

Africa that will try anything 

once! 

The Volunteer shines the 

spotlight on Altcar’s 

newest Officer 

Training Instructor, WO2 

Tony Davies. 

NAME: Tony Davies 

AGE: 48 

LOCATION: 

42 (NW) Bde Regional Training Centre 

(RTC), Altcar 

ROLE: Instructor, Officer Training Wing 

LENGTH OF TIME IN POST: 

Nine months 

CAREER SO FAR: 

I originally joined the Royal Artillery in 

1980 and was posted to Germany for six 

years. After completing this posting I then 

joined the TA in 1986 where I have served 

in a number of regiments including 

Liverpool Scottish, 5/8 Kings and The 

King’s and Cheshire Regiment in 

Warrington, were I was posted as a 

Sergeant Major. 

Following my final post I joined the RTC 

in Altcar (which was known as the 

Brigade Specialist Training Team back 

then). I am now working as an instructor 

in the Officer Training Wing and my 

position requires me to teach young 

officers the specialist skills such as first 

aid, signalling and map reading, to equip 

them in their role. 

I have travelled far and wide throughout 

my career as a TA soldier. I recently 

served on an operational tour in 

Afghanistan for six months with the 

Afghanistan National Army Training 

Team. I have also toured in Bosnia and 

carried out exercises in Germany and 

Cyprus. 

UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL: 

As well as working as an Instructor in the 

Officer Training Wing, I also work part- 


time as a print finisher creating labels for 

big clients. I am a family man with three 

daughters, so I don’t have that much spare 

time. The one thing I really enjoy is hillwalking 

with my daughters and I would 

also say I am a big DIY fan! 

FAVOURITE PLACE: 

Definitely somewhere hot and sunny like 

the Greek Islands or Africa. I have 

travelled to many areas of Africa during 

my career so far, including Morocco and 

Algeria, and it is the one continent that I 

would love to go back to. 

FAVOURITE FOOD: 

I will try anything once and can’t really 

pin-point a favourite. 

Happiest memory: 

Being a family man, the one memory that 

will always stand out is the birth of my 

daughters. 

GUILTY PLEASURE: 

I work too hard, but I do like to have a 

tipple every now and then. I am definitely 

a lager man. 

FAVOURITE METHOD OF 

COMMUNICATION: 

I am not a fan of text or email and 

definitely prefer face to face. I would 

sooner pick up the phone and call if 

couldn’t see someone. 

AMBITION: 

My plan in life is to drive over land all the 

way from the UK to South Africa. It is the 

place I have loved the most since 

travelling there. 

An ambition I am about to fulfil is to do a 

parachute jump with my daughter for her 

16th birthday later this year. We are doing 

it at the Black Knight Parachute Centre in 

Lancashire and are both very excited. 

INSPIRATION: 

It would have to be my Dad. 

FINAL WORD: 

“Work hard….play hard” - I don’t live by 

any other rules.

LIVERPOOL MILITARY SHOW 


Thousands flocked to Walton 

Major Billy Weir of 208 'Medics' (V) with relative Jake Campbell, 10 


Visitor Holly Wardale ready to join a 208 

Battery RA (V) Gun Crew 

Hall Park, Liverpool, to 

experience this year’s 

Liverpool Military Show. 

156 NW Tpt Regt check out a new driver 

The sun shone throughout the whole bank holiday 

weekend where visitors were treated to the Band 

and Bugles of the Rifles, The Band of The Duke of 

Lancster’s Regiment, The Parachute Regiment Red Devils 

Display Team, The Royal Signals White Helmets Motorcycle 

Display Team, A Company, 4 LANCS Section Attack and reenactors 

depicting Normandy in 1944. 

The Band and Bugles of the Rifles gave brilliant displays.

The Red Devils 'dropping into the Show' 

This arena display was punctuated by pyrotechnics which, together 

with their period fighting vehicles, really brought the whole thing to 

life. The Re-enactors had a living history encampment, which was 

particularly interesting to visitors. 

Challenger 2 was present with the KRH recruiting team, as was the 

RAF with a Tornado cockpit, and the Royal Navy with a very interesting 

static display. Most North West Reserve Units had displays of 

equipment and vehicles. 

A large number of employers with their families visited over the 

three days of the show and were hosted to lunch by SaBRE. It was an 

ideal opportunity for employers to see the military at first hand and 

meet those involved. It was the first time that some had been so close 

to the ‘real thing’ and they were most appreciative of the chance to be 

part of the show. 

One of the show’s objectives is to pass on any surplus cash from 

gate receipts to Military Charities. The Organisers are extremely 

pleased that, once all display and infrastructure costs have been 

extracted, there will be decent sized cheques being received by local 

military charities and the cadets. The show does not employ any staff, 

thereby making it a true ‘not for profit’ event. 

'German' troops take a break to read The Volunteer. 


It’s always a 'Hot Reception' with the White Helmets 

Pte 'Deano' Dean with a potential future recruit Ross Powell, 12 

The Lord Lieutenant Dame Lorna Muirhead and General Nick Parker at the 

Evening Reception. 


LORD LIEUTENANT AWARDS 

Awards abound for 

exceptional service 

C 

adets from 

the North West have 

been recognised for 

their exceptional 

service in the 2009 

Lord Lieutenant 

awards. 

These awards are 

given annually to 

the top cadets of 

the three service 

linked youth movements 

Air Training 

Corps (ATC), Sea 

Cadet Corps (SCC) 

and Army Cadet 

Force (ACF) In separate 

awards ceremonies 

The Lord 

Lieutenants of each 

county appointed 

their Lord 

Lieutenant Cadets 

for 2009/10 and presented 

additional 

Certificates to other 

worthy winners. 

The ceremonies are 

an opportunity for 

committed, hardworking 

volunteers, 

both young and old, 

to be recognised 

and applauded for 

the fantastic work 

they carry out. 


Greater 

Manchester’s Lord 

Lieutenant Colonel Warren Smith 

presented his certificates at University Barracks, 

Manchester. 

Various awards were presented, but the shining 

star of the evening was ACF Cadet Company 

Sergeant Major Elizabeth Nevell, 17, from Sale. 

Elizabeth was presented with her Badge of Office and 

Certificate of Appointment as the Lord Lieutenant's 

Cadet. Her duties are to assist the Lord Lieutenant at 

service related functions and events and a special 

embroidered badge is worn on the sleeve. 

Her citation, read by Colonel Gerry Wells-Cole, 

Chief Executive NW RFCA said: “Elizabeth has a 

strong sense of duty and commitment; she 

manages to balance her Army Cadet Force life with 

a very busy school diary. She is a credit to her 

family and an excellent ambassador for the ACF.” 

Cadet Warrant Officer Daniel Williams, 19, from 

Stockport, and Cadet Warrant Officer Kirsty Burrows, 

19, from Wigan, were both awarded the Lord 

Lieutenant's Certificate of Merit. 

LtoR: Daniel Williams, Elizabeth Nevell, Colonel Warren Smith and Kirsty Burrows 

Daniel is a member of 162 (Stockport) Squadron 

ATC and his citation read “Daniel is an effective 

member of the management team. He is a role 

model for his peers and is an asset to the Corps in 

every respect.” 

Kirsty is a member of 723 (Wigan) Squadron 

ATC. Her citation read “Kirsty is a dedicated and 

hard working cadet who has the respect of both the 

adult staff and cadets on her Squadron. She has 

given particular help and encouragement to cadets 

who have learning difficulties. She has always 

looked to extend her own knowledge and skills and 

has already gained her blue glider wings” 

HM Lord-Lieutenant of Greater Manchester, 

Colonel Warren Smith, concluded the ceremony 

saying “These cadets a clearly a great credit to their 

corps, their families and to the County of Greater 

Manchester – and on behalf of HM. The Queen I 

would like to congratulate them all.”

Lto R: Adam Woodburn, Danielle Ervine, Colonel The Lord Shuttleworth, 

Christopher Ashworth, Maj David Rowe and Christopher Plummer. 

Lancashire’s Lord 

Lieutenant Colonel The Lord Shuttleworth, 

presented his certificates at Lancaster Royal Grammar School. 

Leading Cadet Danielle Ervine, 17, from Blackburn, was presented 

with her Badge of Office and Certificate of Appointment as the Lord 

Lieutenant's Cadet. Danielle is a member of TS MOHAWK in Blackburn 

and her citation read “Danielle is a truly inspirational young lady, who 

quickly earns the respect of her peers because of her supportive and 

considerate nature. She continues to support other cadets to achieve 

their full potential and recently secured funding for 15 cadets to go 

offshore sailing with her.” 

Cadet Warrant Officer Adam Woodburn, 18, from Blackburn, and 

Cadet Sergeant Christopher Plummer, 17, from Accrington, were both 

awarded the Lord Lieutenant's Certificate of Merit. 

Adam is a member of 1262 (Blackburn) Squadron East Lancashire 

Cheshire’s Lord 

Lieutenant Colonel 

William Bromley- Davenport 

presented his certificates at Warrington’s 

Penninsula Barracks. 

Leading Cadet Katherine Isherwood was 

presented with her Badge of Office and 

Certificate of Appointment as the Lord 

Lieutenant's Cadet. Katherine is a member 

of TS OBDURATE in Warrington and her 

citation read “Katherine is a mature young 

lady who is always eager to please. 

She excels in waterborne activities and 

motivates others to participate and 

achieve. Always smart and exemplary, 

Elizabeth is a credit to TS OBDURATE, 

The Sea Cadet Corps and her family.” 

Cadet Warrant Officer Jessica Bell, 19, 

from Little Neston, is a member of 2375 

(Neston) Squadron Merseyside Wing ATC 

and was awarded with the Lord 

Lieutenant's Certificate of Merit. Her 

citation read “She is an excellent role 

model to all the cadets on her Squadron 

and encourages them to partake in all that 

the Squadron, Wing and Region can offer”. 

LORD LIEUTENANT AWARDS 

Wing ATC and his citation read “Adam is a smart and 

articulate young man who always works to the best of his 

ability and takes every opportunity to improve on his own 

skills and knowledge. He is a strong leader and is currently 

training to qualify as a gliding instructor, enabling him to 

pass on these skills to younger cadets.” 

Christopher is a member of Lancashire ACF. His citation 

read “Christopher is an excellent instructor, who has both 

presence and bearing in his role. His service in and for the 

community speaks volumes of his character and highlights 

him as an exceptional role model. It is to his credit that he 

manages both his academic and cadet programmes so 

successfully.” 

Flight Lieutenant Christopher Ashworth, 32, from Preston, 

and Major David Rowe, 41, originally from the Scilly Isles, were both 

awarded the Lord Lieutenant's Certificate. Christopher is the 

Commander of 352 (Burnley) Squadron East Lancashire Wing ATC and 

his citation read “Under Flight Lieutenant Ashworth’s command, the 

squadron has a current strength of 66 cadets making it one of the 

largest in the area. He has demonstrated tremendous drive and 

enthusiasm to achieve the best for every cadet under his command 

and has developed the staff on the Squadron to support him in 

delivering the best he can for the cadets. This is an outstanding 

achievement and I congratulate Flight Lieutenant Ashworth publically.” 

Major Rowe is a member of Lancaster Royal Grammar School CCF. 

His citation read “David is the lynch-pin of the Lancaster Royal 

Grammar School CCF and is greatly admired by his cadets. He always 

finds the energy, commitment and enthusiasm to battle on, as well as 

bring up a young family and this is testament to his selfless 

dedication.” 

LtoR: Jessica Bell, Colonel William Bromley- Davenport, Katherine Isherwood and Steve Furby. 

Lance Corporal Steve Furby, 53, from 

Warrington, serves with 75 Engineer 

Regiment (V). He was awarded the Lord- 

Lieutenant’s Certificate and his citation 

read “Steven is an exceptional Junior NCO 

who is fully committed to his work 

providing integrated and seamless support 

around the clock. Steven’s cheerful 

disposition and willingness to meet any 

requirement, makes him excellent 

company and something of a regimental 

character.” 


LUOTC 

SANDHURST 

LEADERSHIP 

CHALLENGE 

Liverpool University Officer Training Corps (LUOTC) recently 

hosted the Sandhurst Leadership Challenge for trainee 

managers in the region. 

Constructed to meet the needs of the Defence Career Partnering 

Initiative, the three day challenge consumes a good deal of military 

effort. It complements the ‘Engage’ programme by focusing on the 

leadership outcomes of planning, decision making and communication 

and by using a combination of the 7 Questions estimate process, 

action-centred leadership and defence instructional techniques to 

illustrate the highly transferable nature of business. The challenge is 

also a useful recruiting activity. 

University careers advisors ready for the team challenge! 

UNIVERSITY CHALLENGES 

Two Officer Cadet units from Liverpool have taken part in 

exciting fundraising events in support of their favorite 

charities. 

Firstly, 17 soldiers from Liverpool University Royal Naval Unit 

(LURNU) abseiled down the City’s famous Liver Building, led by OC Lt 

Richard Hurman (pictured right), and raised £2,500 for the Royal 

National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI). 

The following day six female members of Liverpool University 

Officer Training Corps (LUOTC) ran in the Liverpool 10k race and raised 

£300 for the Army Benevolent fund; adding to the £800 that they 

presented to the ABF last year. 


A local industry participant receives a debriefing. 

Trainee managers from organisations such as BT, BAE Systems and 

Centrica were joined at Altcar by careers/employability advisers from 

Liverpool University. They were placed in eight groups of eight for a 

series of testing leadership challenges interspersed with early morning 

PT, a night under the stars and a good social. Each group had an Army 

officer mentor, who acted as both coach (to develop leadership 

potential and write Sandhurst-style reports for the employers) and role 

model (to inspire them to join). 

By the end of the course, the careers advisers completely 

understood the compelling notion of a Defence career and were 

hooked on the UOTC product, whilst the employers appreciated the 

CV-enhancing nature of the UOTC experience and wanted to buy more 

of our leadership courses! 

LUOTC & LURNU 

Brigade Commander Brigadier Bill Aldridge and LUOTC Commanding Officer 

Colonel David Young congratulate the runners.

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Management Training 

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Conflict Resolution 

And Personal Safety 

HSE First Aid at Work Courses 

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HZL, Brian Clough Business Centre, 

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Tel. 01332 295695 Mobile. 07860438856 

info@protective-security.com www.protective-security.com

MSUOTC 

EX KWAZULU-NATAL LION: 

SUCCESS IN SOUTH AFRICA! 

The atmosphere was very tense as a 

team of 22 young officer cadets stood 

poised at the top of Wagon Hill. 

Gunfire signalled the start of the competition 

as the first four team members charged full 

tilt down the steep, rocky slope. Their job was 

to steer and manhandle the 1300kg naval 

gun waiting at the bottom of the hill up to 

the summit. Meanwhile the other 18 team 

members pulled on a rope system from the 

top down the slope. The intense heat of the 

day only added to the test of strength and 

endurance. 

The crowd let out a huge cheer as the 

gun was wheeled round at the top to face 

what would have been the enemy 

positions during the Anglo Boer war of 

1900, and Second Lieutenant Gareth 

Ford fired the gun to signal the end of 

the pull. 

MSUOTC became the first OTC ever 

to compete in the Swartkop Challenge 

and of the six teams entered, they were not 

expected to finish! Almost half the team comprised females and the 

other ‘testosterone charged’ military teams from South Africa, Lesotho 

and 2 SCOTS gallantly offered up some heavy blokes to assist. 

However, much to the amazement of competitors and spectators alike, 

the young ‘underdogs’ not only finished in a creditable time of 18 

minutes and 17 seconds, but they beat the local municipal team as 

well. 

But that was only the start of their African Adventure! Over the next 

two weeks the team carried out a Battlefield Study of the Anglo Boer 

War (1899 to 1902) which included an emotional wreath laying 

ceremony at the Manchester Regiment Memorial overlooking the town 

of Ladysmith. It was here, between October 1899 and February 1900 

that cadets of Owens College Volunteer Rifle Company (the precursor 

to Manchester University OTC) fought alongside their regular 

counterparts in the Manchester Regiment. 

Between the battlefield studies, adventurous activities such as 

kayaking over grade 3 rapids, trekking in the Drakonsberg Mountains 

and white water rafting on the Tugela River provided plenty of 

adrenaline-fuelled moments. 

However the most poignant part of the trip was at Morester’s 

Childrens’ Home. Morester’s Home provides a safe place for over 150 

children from babies up to the age of 18 years old. Many of the 

children have lost parents through AIDS, while others are removed 

from their homes due to abuse or neglect. The officer cadets painted 

and brightened up the play areas with a mural and simple hand motifs. 

It was school holiday, so playtime was organised by the cadets around 

football games, rugby, cricket and other fun activities. Everyone was 

touched by the dedication of the staff and the resilience of the children. 

Our gifts of clothes and toys brought out from Manchester were much 

appreciated and it was with sadness that the team departed Morester’s 

and Ladysmith to begin the journey home. 


Are we nearly there yet?! 

by Maj Rosie Stone 

MSUOTC celebrate completing the Swartkop Challenge 

OCdt Emma Hodgin, 19, from Salford, lays a wreath at the Manchester Regiment 

Memorial.

The team take a break on the way to an overnight stay in Sherman’s Cave 

ARABIAN 

NIGHTS 

CHARITY 

BALL 

The traditional MSUOTC Ball took the theme ‘Arabian Nights’ 

this year. A snake charmer, fire eater and belly dancers 

entertained the crowd at University Barracks as they tasted 

‘Turkish Delight’ shots and dined on exotic cuisine. And it was all in the 

name of charity! The unit donated the night’s profits, totalling almost 

£1000, to Marie Curie Cancer Care. 

WOCdts Charlotte Gillard, Danielle Williamson, Katie Reid and her sister 

Francesca 

MSUOTC 

Exped leader OC Maj Rosie Stone makes some 

new friends! 

OCdts McCaughery (left) and Lesslar (right) 

make playtime special for two orphans. 

MARATHON 

MADNESS 

Marathon Madness has hit MSUOTC, Capt Steve Tate 

completed the Monaco Marathon earlier in the spring and 

also took part in this year’s London Marathon, finishing 

with an admirable time of 3hrs 28mins. 

Steve is pictured with CO, Lt Col Suzanne Anderson who herself completed the 

Paris Marathon in 4hrs 46mins. 


COMBAT SMOCK 

Grade 1 £30.00 

SOLDIER 95 SHIRTS & TROUSERS 

Grade 1 £8.00 each, Supergrade £12.00 

each, New £15.00 each 


OLIVE GREEN 

LONG SLEEVE VEST 

New £2.00 

DPM ASSAULT VEST 

Genuine issue. Extremely tough IRR 

coated, thermal signature and flame 

resistance material. Lightweight mesh 

back, with fully adjustable straps on 

the shoulders and front. Front zip 

access to internal holster and 

pocket, two triple ammo pouches 

and six other external pouches. 

NATO CODE 8405-99-527-1800 

New £75.00 

ALL ARMS 

PO Box 56773 

London E11 9AR 

www.allarms.co.uk 

info@allarms.co.uk 

Tel: 0845 474 1971 

SOLDIER 95 BELT 

Grade 1 £7.00 

LIGHTWEIGHT 

ASSAULT BOOTS 

Sizes 3 to 13 

Grade 1 (Used) £25.00 

Brand New £40.00 

MAGNUM 

AMAZON BOOTS 

Warm Weather Boot 

Sizes 4 to 12 

Grade 1 £25.00


ASDA be a bargain TA Centre 

How do you turn an out-dated Barracks in Bootle into 'A 

jewel in the North West Crown' at no cost to the MOD? 

Who you gonna call?....NW RFCA! By their efforts, ASDA 

acquired the previous Bootle TA centre site on Strand Road for a 

new supermarket and agreed to build fully equipped, outstanding 

new barracks just two miles away in Pelham Drive. 

Conveniently located for the new resident Transport Regiment to 

gain access to the motorway for exercises around the country, the 

centre was officially opened by HRH The Duke of Gloucester. After 

his initial welcome he inspected a Guard of Honour made up of 

volunteers from the Unit who had completed tours of duty in Iraq, 

Afghanistan and Cyprus. 

The Barracks are named ‘R G 

Masters VC Territorial Army Centre’ 

after a local Victoria Cross winner who 

in World War One volunteered to drive 

his ambulance up and down a heavily 

shelled road a number of times and 

rescued an estimated 200 wounded 

British soldiers. 

238 (Sefton) Transport Squadron of 

156 (NW) Transport Regiment RLC 

(Volunteers) will be based at the 

barracks and there are also excellent 

facilities for both a Detachment of 

Merseyside Army Cadet Force and 

also for a Squadron of the Air 

Training Corps. The Duke visited 

both these Units and took time to 

speak to all the cadets, before 

enjoying a tour of the building and a 

buffet lunch. 


The Duke inspects the Guard of Honour 

The Duke is welcomed to the Centre by Cadet Company Sergeant Major Peter 

Taylor-Rudd 

The Duke with a group of 

Army Cadets


HOME 

SWEET 

WEET 

HOME FOR 

OP TOSCA 

TOSC 

SOLDIERS 

Over 250 Territorial soldiers from 32 Signal Regiment 

Group, including some 120 from north west England, 

arrived back in the UK following Op TOSCA - a sixmonth 

tour of duty in Cyprus. In ceremonies held at George 

Square and Glasgow City Chambers, each of the soldiers were 

presented with their United Nations medals. 

Following the Medals Parade members of the Regiment were 

met by family and friends for the first time in six months. 

Afterwards they attended a Civic reception in Glasgow City 

Chambers hosted by the Deputy Lord Provost of Glasgow, 

Allan Stewart and many senior Army officers. 

Also in attendance was the Secretary of State for Scotland, 

the Rt Hon Jim Murphy MP. 


The Headquarters of 32 Signal Regiment Group is in 

Glasgow and the soldiers were drawn from many TA units 

across the north of England and Scotland. 

Secretary of State for Scotland Jim Murphy said: "It was an 

honour and a privilege to meet with the brave men and 

women of the 32 Signal Regiment Group who have just 

returned home from a pioneering UN Forces peacekeeping 

mission in Cyprus. 

"The purpose of today's event was to both celebrate the 

Regiment's safe return and to give us all the opportunity to 

display our deep gratitude for the dedication and 

professionalism of the Territorial Army – who volunteer to 

serve our country so courageously. 

More information about TA units in the 

North West is available at 

www.armyjobs.mod.uk/northwest


CHARITY BIKE RIDE 

Agroup of six members of 

NW RFCA recently 

completed a 40 mile 

charity bike ride which took them 

from Salford Quays to Otterspool 

Promenade. 

LtoR: NW RFCA Chief Executive Col Gerry Wells-Cole, Cathie Rogers, Steve Makin, John Chapman, Cilla 

Morgan and Liz Smith 

The team took just over four 

hours to complete the journey and 

raised over £900 for the Mines 

Advisory Group. 

Discounted homes for 

Armed Forces Day 

T 

o coincide with Armed 

Forces Day, Barratt 

Homes has launched a 

special discount offer for military 

service men and women. 

Any personnel employed by 

the army, navy or RAF as well as 

anyone who served in the wars in 

Afghanistan or Iraq can now get 

£500 discount for every £25,000 

or part thereof on the cost of their 

chosen property. 

For example, a home costing 

£126,000 would qualify for a 

reduction of £3,000. Dave 

Hodgson, Sales Director at Barratt 

Manchester said “This country 

rightly celebrates the 

achievements of its Armed Forces 

which many regard as the best in 

the world,” Barratt Manchester has 

more than 25 developments in 

the North West region, including: 

For more information please call Barratt’s central 

sales team on 0161 8720161 or visit 

www.barratthomes.co.uk where you can take a 

360 degree tour of available properties. 

• Keepers Chase, 

Nantwich 

• The Boulevard, 

Warrington 

• Scholars Gate, 

Leasowe 

• Clarendon Gardens, 

Bolton 

The Mines Advisory 

Group (MAG) is a 

humanitarian 

organisation clearing 

the Remnants of 

Conflict for the 

benefit of 

communities 

worldwide. 

• The Heathers, Hyde 

• Buckshaw Village, Chorley 

• Holme Park, Wigan

PRESTON MILITARY SHOW 


T 

his year’s Preston Military Show and Beating Retreat took place 

at Fulwood Barracks and once again proved to be a great 

success. Huge crowds were in attendance as was the guest of 

honour, Maj Gen Mark Mans who is to be the next Commander 

Regional Forces. The afternoon allowed the public to see all that the 

army in the North West had to offer with displays by the Regular Army 

including a Challenger 2 tank. naturally every TA unit was also on parade 

showing off its equipment and explaining to the public how they made 

such a vital contribution to the nation’s military endeavours. 

Bands from Lancashire and Cumbria ACF’s performed with great 

panache during the afternoon and cadets from the former did a sterling 

job selling programmes with all the proceeds going to the Army 

Benevolent Fund. All in all there was something for everyone including 

climbing towers, archery, paintball and the chance to sample army 

rations. 

In the early evening a reception was held for invited guests who were 

welcomed by Brig Bill Aldridge, Comd 42 (NW) Bde. There then followed 

a fanfare by trumpeters of the Band of The Kings Division, music and 

dancing from the Greater Manchester ACF Pipes and Drums and a drive 

past of military vehicles. The band then went into their music 

programme which built up into the battle sequences. 

Firstly sappers from 75 Engr Regt ran into a roadblock which they quickly 

demolished with chain saws whilst under constant enemy fire. They 

were quickly assisted by the guns of 103 Regt RA who ‘shelled’ the 

enemy and by the infantry of 4LANCS. Any unfortunate casualties were 

then swiftly evacuated by medics from C (64) Med Sqn from Chorley. 

The day concluded with a performance of the sunset ceremony by the 

massed bands. There were cheers from the crowd as the veterans 

marched their standards onto the parade and as Maj Gen Mans took the 

salute. 

156 (NW) Tpt.Regt. were kept very 

busy with their drops vehicles and 

‘potential future recruits’ 

The Brigade Commander and his wife 

Gill welcomed all the invited guests to 

the reception 

Bdr John Holmes from 208 BTY RA (V) busy demonstrating their 105mm 

field gun

CPL. Adrian Scott was kept very busy with his 

role on the climbing wall 

The Lancashire Artillery volunteer band supported the evening 

'Sparks fly' as Sappers demonstrate how to clear 

a road block 


Soldiers from 4 LANCS prepare to give mortar and ‘fire 

power’ support 

Blesma’s Michael Worthington 'surrenders' to volunteers from 75 Engr Regt (V) 


SaBRE 

C SQUADRON RMLY 

HOST EMPLOYERS’ 

EVENING 

Maj Rupert Collis, Officer Commanding C Sqn RMLY, 

recently hosted an employers evening at Fox Barracks, 

Chester. Local Councils were well represented, with one 

of the newest, Cheshire West and Chester Council, receiving a 

Supportive Employer Certificate awarded by the Secretary of State 

for Defence. Cheshire Constabulary and Western Cheshire PCT were 

amongst other recipients. 

The guests were given a conducted tour of the squadron, 

including the training facilities and the vehicles used. Guests were 

given a presentation on the work of the unit and the Supportive 

Employer Certificates were presented by Maj Collis. The evening 

concluded with an enjoyable buffet supper and was deemed a great 

success by all. 

SUPPORTING THE 

TERRITORIAL ARMY 

HOW CAN 

YOU HELP.... 


THE 

SOLDIER’S 

CHARITY 

• Give a Donation or set up a 

Standing Order 

• Join the payroll giving scheme 

• Arrange or support 

fundraising events 

• Join a local fundraising 

committee 

• Purchase our Christmas cards 

• Make a gift in your Will 

Call: 

01772 260356 

or email: 

northwest@armybenfund.org 

Army Benevolent Fund 

Regional Office, Fulwood Barracks, Fulwood, Preston PR2 8AA 

Councillor John Ebo, Chairman of Cheshire West and Chester Council 

receiving the new Council’s certificate 

Supt Jon Betts receiving a certificate on behalf of the Cheshire 

Constabulary

CUMBRIA SaBRE COUNTY COMMITTEE REPORTS SaBRE 

Twenty eight employers 

and hosts recently 

received a warm 

welcome at BAE systems, Barrow 

in Furness, for the Cumbria 

SaBRE Committee Employers 

Lunch 

The event was hosted within 

the prestigious Directors Dining 

Room where eight certificates 

were presented by the Lord 

Lieutenant of Cumbria, Col 

James Cropper. Lt Col Ray 

Hughes gave a presentation to all 

in attendance and thanked the 

employers for their support 

towards their reservists. 

Certificates where presented to 

(left to right, top and bottom) 

HMP Haverigg, Lakeland plastics, 

South Lakeland Borough Council, 

Johnstone Control, Barrow 

Borough Council, Hayes Garden 

World, Cumbria Fire and Rescue 

Services and Oxley Development 

Company 

RNR 

NEW CO 

FOR 

HMS 

EAGLET 

Commander Mike Thomason, from Bolton, is the newly 

appointed Commanding Officer of HMS EAGLET – the 

Liverpool based HQ of the Royal Naval Reserve (RNR). 

Mike joined the Royal Navy as an Artificer Apprentice in 1980 

and he is the 27th Commanding Officer of the vessel. 

Anyone interested in joining the 

Royal Naval Reserve should visit 

www.royalnavy.mod.uk or 

telephone 08546 075555. 


UKRFA 

ALTCAR INVADED 

The United Kingdom Reserve Forces Association (UKRFA) 

annual ‘Exercise Altcar Challenge’ took place over the May 

Bank Holiday. A maximum of 48 teams can 

take part and must consist of four Volunteers each 

from the UK, Poland, Holland, Germany, France and 

the Czech Republic. 

A total of 19 stands were completed which included 

an assault course, driving skills, combat first aid, vehicle 

check point, mine awareness, boat drills, march and 

shoot, grenade stalk, map marking and the finale ‘Falling 

Plate’. 

The competition is entirely run by senior ranks and its 

main objective is to provide opportunity for international 

experience, education and personal development. 

The North West teams did exceptionally well and at the 

final parade. Lt Gen Parker, Commander Regional Forces, 

made presentations to overall runners-up Royal Marines 

Reserve (Merseyside). Teams from 75 Engr Regt and 33 Regt 

also won trophies. 

Each year many friends are made which unites Volunteers not only 

from the UK, but also our Allies from across the Continent. 

The Falling Plate 

General Nick Parker with representatives 

from some of the various teams 


General Parker presenting RMR Merseyside with their trophy, Cpl. Mark Warrener ( 

Captain ), Cpl Dave Holmes, and Pte’s John Cadwallader and Richard Longle 

‘GAS, GAS, GAS!'


ROYAL BRITISH LEGION 

Forces sweetheart soprano Hayley Westenra and Poppy Man with 

personnel from HMD (SE) helps The Royal British Legion launch its 2008 

Poppy Appeal from Basra: 

In our work we 

provide financial, 

social and emotional 

support to Service people, 

past and present, and their 

dependants. We do this 

because we believe a 

career in the Armed Forces 

differs from any other. 

Service people agree to 

sacrifice certain civil liberties to follow orders and to place themselves 

in harm’s way in the defence of others. 

In return, our Nation promises to help and support them and their 

families when they need it most – when it doesn’t do this the Legion 

steps in. 

We are a major campaigner for improvements to legislation, public 

policies and statutory services. Our nationwide network of volunteers 

and staff work locally – often with partner organisations – to help those 

in need. We provide funds for those living in poverty and help for 

others to live independently. 

We provide residential care for vulnerable, older people and offer 

services to improve the quality of life for isolated or excluded people 

and families. We also help others to develop their vocational skills to 

find sustainable 

employment. 

GUARDIANS OF 

REMEMBRANCE 

We are the Guardians of 

Remembrance – we inform 

people of all ages about 

the importance of 

remembering those from 

the British Armed Forces 

who have made the ultimate sacrifice, and those who fought and are 

fighting still for the freedom we enjoy.

COMPETITIONS 

Top Tunes! 

See if you can find 10 differences in our spot the difference competition and you could be in with a chance to 

win a £25 gift card from HMV. Simply circle the 10 differences and send it to the usual address at the bottom of 

this page by 21 October 2009. Good Luck! 

SEND YOUR ANSWERS TO: 

The Volunteer Competitions, Concept PR, 419 Lord Street, Southport PR9 0AG 

Fax: 01704 549 177 or email: office@concept-communications.com 

Don’t forget to include your name, address, unit/detachment and a contact telephone number! 


New 

competition 

launch 

Following the valuable 

feedback we received from 

our recent reader survey, 

the next issue of The 

Volunteer will see the 

launch of a new 

competition entitled – 

SPOT THE COMBAT 

FROG. 

We would like to take this 

opportunity to introduce 

the star of the show, 

Combat Frog 

The competition will invite 

you, the reader, to 

vigilantly study the 

magazine and locate this 

little green creature who 

will be carefully hidden 

within the magazine’s 

pages.

And the winner of our Spot the 

Volunteer competition is…! 

….this submission taken at 

Bala Hissar Fortress, Kabul, 

Afghanistan. Starring Pte 

Chris Crompton of 235 Sqn 

156 (NW) Tpt Regt and Col 

Peter Rafferty, Deputy 

Colonel (South) The Duke of 

Lancaster's Regiment and 

former Commanding Officer 

The King's and Cheshire 

Regiment. 

Congratulations to Peter 

Rafferty who is now the 

lucky winner of a £10 

voucher for Marks & 

Spencer. 

Thanks also to the runnersup, 

‘The Germans in 

Normandy’ reading The 

Volunteer in 1944 at the 

Liverpool Military Show. 

Please keep your pictures coming in. 

It’s great to see how far The Volunteer is 

reaching! Entries can be sent to the editorial 

team using the details on page 58. 

Spring Competition Winners 

£500 Cheshire 

Passport 

Congratulations to Ryan and Scott Warburton, 14, from Birkenhead, 

who answered all three questions correctly to win the Cheshire 

Passport. You and your family will soon be able to visit over 25 top 

Cheshire Attractions, so please make sure you let us know about 

your journey. 

Get Kitted Out 

Congratulations to Warrant Officer John Hedges from Merseyside 

ATC who will soon be the owner of a new genuine issue DPM 

Assault Vest worth £75 from All Arms. John correctly identified that 

All Arms is based in….London. 

Music To Your 

Ears! 

Congratulations to Kerrie McLaughlin from Merseyside ACF who is 

the successful winner of issue 78’s wordsearch competition. 

Congratulations also to Sl Kershaw from Greater Manchester ACF 

who managed to identify all 10 differences in our Spot the 

Difference competition. 

Well done to the both of you who will soon receive a £25 HMV gift 

card each. 


John Bull Clothing 

11 Hildyard Row, Catterick Garrison DL9 4DH 

John bull clothing are a 

quality supplier of 

merchandise to the forces 

worldwide. 

Our many suppliers are 

Altberg, Snugpak, Karrimor, 

Camelbak, Helly Hansen, Under 

Armour, Gerber, Exped, Buffalo 

and Seal Skin. 

We also specialise in 

presentations pieces such as 

bronze & painted statues, 

decanter sets & pace sticks. 

We offer both online & 

telephone enquires and 48 

hour delivery if items in 

stock. Please ring our shop 

for prices. 

Call us on 01748 833614 

MENTION the VOLUNTEER 

MAGAZINE to receive 

10% MILITARY 

DISCOUNT 

www.johnbullclothing.com 

www.webtex-online.com www.snugpakclothing.com

CADET ASSAULT BOOT 

SIZE 3-13 £32.99 

CADET CAMO VEST 

FROM £34 

RANK SLIDES £2.50 PER PAIR 

SPECIAL OFFERS 

CADET POCKET BOOK 

£6.99 

SKILL AT ARMS 

£5.99 

COMBAT 47 BOOT 

SIZE 3-13 £32.99 

TROOPER 65 RUCKSACK 

£34.99 

TEL NO: 07805 694360 

SALES@CADETSUK.COM 

WWW.CADETSUK.COM

DIRECTORY 

Cheshire 

FOX BARRACKS 

Liverpool Road 

Chester 

CH2 4BU 

Combat (RAC) 

Thursday 

Tel: 01244 381050 

TA CENTRE 

Myrtle Street 

Crewe 

CW2 7HQ 

Combat (Infantry) 

Tuesday 

Tel: 01270 650017 

TA CENTRE 

Stanney Lane 

Ellesmere Port 

CH65 9AH 

TA Medical Services 

Tuesday 

Tel: 0151 355 0505 

CROWN GATE BARRACKS 

Crown Gate 

Runcorn 

WA7 2UR 

IT Comms 

Tuesday 

Tel: 01928 715809 

PENINSULA BARRACKS 

O’Leary Street 

Warrington 

WA2 7QS 

Engineering 

Tuesday 

Tel: 01925 636519 

UBIQUE BARRACKS 

Peelhouse Lane 

Widnes WA8 6TH 

Infantry 

Tuesday 

Tel: 0151 257 2470 


TA 

Lancashire 

SOMME BARRACKS 

Moss Street 

Blackburn BB1 5JT 


Tuesday 

Tel: 01254 682528 

TA CENTRE 

Canterbury Street 

Blackburn BB2 2HS 

IT Comms 

Tuesday 

Tel: 01254 262444 


Tuesday 

Tel: 01254 262444 

SIR MATTHEW FELL HOUSE 

Parkinson Way, 

Blackpool FY4 2AZ 


Tuesday 

Tel: 01253 349229 


Tuesday 

Tel: 01253 349229 

ALEXANDRA BARRACKS 

Caton Road 

Lancaster LA1 3NY 

Logistics 

Tuesday 

Tel: 07826 914960 


Tuesday 

Tel: 01524 843210 


Tuesday 

Tel: 01524 843210 

University Officer Training 

Tuesday 

Tel: 01524 843210 

KIMBERLEY BARRACKS 

Deepdale Road 

Preston PR1 6QB 


Tuesday 

Tel: 01772 260654 

TA CENTRE 

Devonshire Road 

Chorley PR7 2DJ 


Tuesday 

Tel: 01257 247934 

Specialist (Intelligence) 

Wednesday 

Tel: 01384 394543 

9630hall1@armymail.mod.uk 

Greater Manchester 

TA CENTRE 

Old Street 

Ashton Under Lyne OL6 7SF 


Tuesday 

Tel: 0161 480 4714 

Engineering 

Tuesday 

TA CENTRE 

Nelson Street 

Bolton BL3 2RW 

Combat (Artillery) 

Tuesday 

Tel: 01204 362111 

Specialist (Band) 

Thursday 

Tel: 01204 362111 

TA CENTRE 

Castle Armoury, Castle Street 

Bury BL9 0LB 


Tuesday 

Tel: 0161 764 3351 


Tuesday 

Tel: 0161 764 3351 

TA CENTRE 

Manchester Road 

Clifton M27 6TA 

Tel: 0161 794 3222/0161 727 

8117 

Engineering 

Wednesday 

TA CENTRE 

Oldham Road 

Failsworth M35 0BH 

Engineering 

Tuesday 

Tel: 0161 683 3200 

TA CENTRE 

King’s Road 

Manchester M16 7RS 


Tuesday 

Tel: 0161 232 4985 

TA CENTRE 

Norman Road 

Manchester M14 5LH 

Tuesday 

IT Comms 

Tel: 0161 257 3377 

TA CENTRE 

Belle Vue Street 

Manchester M12 5PW 


Tuesday 

Tel: 0161 230 6710 

RMP (Military Police) 

Wednesday 

Tel: 0121 553 4518 

TA CENTRE 

Ardwick Green 

Manchester M12 6JH 


Tuesday 

Tel: 0161 272 6207 

UNIVERSITY BARRACKS 

Boundary Lane 

Manchester M15 6DH 

IT Comms 

Tuesday 

Tel: 0161 228 2187 


Wednesday 

Tel: 0161 228 2185 

HALDANE BARRACKS 

Haldane Road 

Salford 

Manchester M50 2TR 

Logistics 

Tuesday 

Tel: 0161 736 3930 

TA CENTRE 

Greek Street 

Stockport SK3 8AB 


Tuesday 

Tel: 0161 480 4714 


Tuesday 

Tel: 0161 480 4714 

TA CENTRE 

Woodhouse Lane 

Wigan WN6 7NQ 

Combat (RAC) 

Wednesday 

Tel: 01942 248882 

UNITED KINGDOM SPECIAL 

FORCES RESERVE 

Manchester 

Tel: 0161 862 9237

Cumbria 

TA CENTRE 

Holker Street 

Barrow in Furness 

LA14 5RA 


Tuesday 

Tel: 01229 821722 

TA CENTRE 

Burma Block 

The Castle 

Carlisle 

CA3 8UR 


Tuesday 

Tel: 01228 526187 


Tuesday 

Tel: 01228 526187 

TA CENTRE 

Harrington Road 

Workington 

CA14 3XD 


Tuesday 

Tel: 01900 872484 

Merseyside 

TA CENTRE 

Wexford Road 

Birkenhead 

CH43 9TF 

Logistics 

Tuesday 

Tel: 0151 652 2392 

TA CENTRE 

Harrowby Road 

Birkenhead 

CH42 7HT 

Engineering 

Tuesday 

Tel: 0151 652 3406 

RG Masters VC 

TA CENTRE 

30 Pelham Drive 

Bootle 

L30 4XN 

Logistics 

Tuesday 

Tel: 0151 530 2783 

ALAMEIN BARRACKS 


Huyton 

L36 3RW 

IT Comms 

Tuesday 

Tel: 0151 489 8331 

AINTREE BARRACKS 

Long Lane 

Liverpool 

L9 7AT 

IT Comms 

Tuesday 

Tel: 0151 525 4214 

THE BRIGADIER PHILIP 

TOOSEY BARRACKS 

Aigburth Road, 

Liverpool 

L17 9PH 


Tuesday 

Tel: 0151 727 4455 

CRAWFORD HALL 

Mather Avenue 

Liverpool 

L18 6HF 


Wednesday 

Tel: 0151 729 2031 

TA CENTRE 

Mather Avenue 

Liverpool 

L18 6HF 

Logistics 

Tuesday 

Tel: 0151 242 2044 

TA CENTRE 

Townsend Avenue 

Liverpool 

L11 5AF 


Tuesday 

Tel: 0151 226 7000 

Specialist (Band) 

Thursday 

Tel: 0151 270 1177 

CHAVASSE HOUSE 

Sarum Road 

Liverpool 

L25 2XP 


Tuesday 

Tel: 0151 488 1540 

JUBILEE BARRACKS 

Prescot Road 

St Helens 

WA10 3UB 


Tuesday 

Tel: 01744 22255 


Tuesday 

Tel: 01744 22255 

TA 

DIRECTORY 

Combat 

(Royal Armoured Corps) 

Trained to operate the 

Army’s latest Challenger 

Main Battle Tank. 


Providing Field Artillery 

Batteries trained to operate 

the very latest high-tech 

equipment. 

Engineering 

Helping maintain and repair 

the Army’s immense range 

of technical equipment and 

assist the Army to live, move 

and fight and prevent the 

enemy from doing the same. 

IT Comms 

Operate and maintain the 

Army’s field 

communications. 


Trained to use the latest 

machine guns, riffles, 

mortars and Anti Tank 

Missiles. 

Logistics 

Responsible for distributing 

the Army’s multitude of 

stores and equipment. 


Providing essential medical 

support across all medical 

disciplines. HR, 

Administration and Finance. 

Looking after the Army’s 

pay, personnel records and 

administration. 

Specialist (Intelligence) 

Collecting, collating and 

analysing information on 

enemy movements, 

strengths and intentions. 


Main centres in Manchester 

and Liverpool. 


DIRECTORY 

Merseyside 

Merseyside ACF 

St George’s ACF Centre 

Hightown 

Merseyside 

L38 7JD 

Tel: 0151 929 2069 

Altcar Training Camp 

Email: ceomside@merseyside 

armycadets.com 

Netherton 

Southport 

Crosby 

Bootle 

Hightown 

Aintree 

Everton 

Knotty Ash 

Kirkby 

Huyton 

Newton Le Willows 

Prescot 

St Helens 

West Derby 

Childwall 

Birkenhead 

Upton 

Hoylake 

Wallasey 

Moreton 

New Ferry 

Irby 

Old Swan 

Kirkdale 

Dingle 

Aigburth 

Allerton 

Speke 

Norris Green 

Isle of Man 

Isle of Man ACF 

Tromode Road 

Tel: 01624 671210 

Douglas 

Isle of Man 

IM2 5PA 

Email: 

ceo@isleofmancadets.com 

Castletown 

Port Erin 

Douglas 

Ramsey 

Onchan Peel 


Army Cadet Force 

Cumbria 

Cumbria ACF 

The Castle 

Ypres Block 

Carlisle CA3 8UR 

Tel: 01228 516222 

Email: ceo@cumbria 


Brampton 

Castle 

Eden Grove School 

Harraby 

Longtown 

Whitehaven 

Morton 

Penrith 

Wigton 

Barrow 

Dalton 

Workington 

Kendal 

Millom 

Ulverston 

Walney Island 

Windermere 

Dalston 

Aspatria 

Cleaton Moor 

Cockermouth 

Keswick 

Maryport 

Lancashire 

Lancashire ACF 

Fulwood Barracks 

Tel: 01772 717078 

Preston PR2 8AA 

Email: ceo@lancashire 


Penworthan 

Lostock Hall 

Blackburn 

Leyland 

Lancaster 

Barnoldswick 

Heysham 

Morecambe 

Hornby 

Galgate 

Chorley 

Brierfield 

Ormskirk 

Skelmersdale 

Preston 

Blackpool 

Fleetwood 

Accrington 

Thornton 

Lytham St Anne’s 

Kirkham 

Preesall 

Burnley 

Haslingden 

Greater Manchester 

Greater Manchester ACF 

University Barracks 

Boundary Lane 

Manchester M15 6BL 

Tel: 0161 237 3739 

Email: ceo@manchester 


Radcliffe 

Crumpsall 

Rochdale 

Heywood 

Middleton 

Hulme 

Bury 

Ramsbottom 

Shaw 

Oldham 

Ashton 

Stalybridge 

Denton 

Hyde 

Bellevue 

Royton 

Stockport 

Cheadle Hulme 

Bredbury 

Reddish 

Ardwick 

Rusholme 

Sale 

Flixton 

Streford 

Salford 

Clifton 

Chadderton 

Tyldesley 

Farnworth 

Wigan 

Hindley 

Leigh 

Failsworth 

Levenshulme 

Bolton 

Eccles 

Pipes and Drums Det 

Broughton 

Cheshire 

Cheshire ACF 

Fox Barracks 


Chester 

CH2 4BL 

Tel: 01244 390252 

Email: ceo@cheshire 


Chester 

Runcorn 

Macclesfield 

Penketh 

Crewe 

Woolston 

Abbots Park 

Halton 

Birchwood 

Northwich 

Tarporley 

Ellesmere Port 

Congleton 

Croft 

Weaverham 

Sandbach 

Neston 

Knutsford 

Widnes 

Stockton Heath 

Winsford 

Frodsham 

Wilmslow 

Warrington 

Nantwich 

Alsagar 

RNR/RMR 

RNR/RMR RNHQ Northern 

England and IOM 

East Brunswick Dock 

Sefton Street 

Liverpool 

L3 4DZ 

Royal Naval Reserve 

Merseyside 

Wednesday: 0151 707 3311 

Royal Marines Reserve 

Merseyside 

Tuesday: 0151 707 3411

Wales and 

West Region 

Headquarters 

DCAE Cosford, 

Boyle Block 

Wolverhampton 

West Midlands WV7 3EX 

Tel: 01902 372393 Ext 7904 

Email: 

atcrhqwwrc@cosford.raf.mod. 

uk 

HQ Merseyside Wing 

Stoddart House 

RAF Woodvale 

Formby 

Merseyside L37 7AD 

Tel 01704 872287 Ext 7245 

Email whq-merseyside 

ado@atc.raf.mod.uk 

Squadrons 

7F (City of Liverpool) 

Squadron 

90 (Speke) Squadron 

273 (Wallasey) Squadron 

281 (Southport) Squadron 

306 (Runcorn) Squadron 

310 (Widnes) Squadron 

316 Leigh) Squadron 

400 (Birkenhead)Squadron 

440 (1st Manx) Squadron 

472 (Hoylake) Squadron 

610 (City of Chester) 

Squadron 

611 (Woodvale) Squadron 

969 (St Helens) Squadron 

1026 (Ormskirk) Squadron 

1074 (Ellesmere Port) 

Squadron 

1123 (Hooton Park) 

Squadron 

1128 (Crosby) Squadron 

1175 (Prenton) Squadron 

1439 (Skelmersdale) 

Squadron 

1908 (Bootle) Squadron 

1913 (Knotty Ash) Squadron 

1966 (Wavertree) Squadron 

1982 (Huyton) Squadron 

2184 (Upton) Squadron 

2275 (Walton) Squadron 

2348 (Maghull) Squadron 

2359 (Woolton) Squadron 

2369 (Kirby) Squadron 

2375 (Neston) Squadron 

Air Training Corps 

North Region 

Headquarters 

RAF Linton-on Ouse 

York YO30 2AJ 

Tel: 01347 847461 

Email: ACORegHQ- 

NorthARC@linton-onouse.raf.mod.uk 

HQ East Lancashire Wing 

TA Centre 

Castle Armoury 

Castle Street 

Bury BL9 0LB 

Tel: 0161764 2686 

Email: whqelancswgao@atc.raf.mod.uk 

Squadrons 

80 (Bolton) Squadron 

247 (Ashton) Squadron 

292 (Eccles) Squadron 

317 (Failsworth and Newton 

Heath) Squadron 

319 (City of Salford) 

Squadron 

352 (Burnley) Squadron 

430 (Droylsden) Squadron 

468 (Hyde and Hattersley) 

Squadron 

723 (Wigan) Squadron 

1005 (Radcliffe) Squadron 

1035 (Accrington) Squadron 

1036 (Bury) Squadron 

1099 (Worsley) Squadron 

1104 (Nelson) Squadron 

1262 (Blackburn) Squadron 

1263 (Rochdale) Squadron 

1471 (Horwich) Squadron 

1832 (North Manchester) 

Squadron 

1855 (Royton) Squadron 

1969 (Rossendale) Squadron 

2200 (Oldham) Squadron 

2200 (Saddleworth) Detached 

Flight 

2301 (Heywood) Squadron 

HQ East Cheshire and South 

Manchester Wing 

PPPA Cheadle Hulume 

(Rooms 33 and 34) 

Dairy House Lane 

Cheadle Hulme 

Stockport 

Cheshire SK8 7NU 

Tel: 0161 426 7541 

Email:whqecsmao@atc.raf.mod.uk 

Squadrons 

55 (Woodford & Bramhall) 

Squadron 

70 (Croft & Culcheth) 

Squadron 

145 (Altrincham & Hale) 

Squadron 

146 (Northwich) Squadron 

162 (Stockport) Squadron 

174 (Manchester) Squadron 

182 (North Trafford) 

Squadron 

182 (Partington) Detached 

Flight 

184 (Manchester South) 

Squadron 

201 (Macclesfield) Squadron 

202 (Winsford) Squadron 

236 (Bollington) Squadron 

284 (Cheadle & Gatley) 

Squadron 

318 (Sale) Squadron 

391 (Wilmslow) Squadron 

1196 

(Bredbury/Romily/Marple) 

Squadron 

1330 (Warrington) Squadron 

1804 (Four Heatons) 

Squadron 

1940 (Levenshulme) 

Squadron 

2056 (Knutsford) Squadron 

2137 (Lymm) Squadron 

2448 (Poynton) Squadron 

2468 (St Gregory’s School) 

Squadron 

2517 (Buxton) Squadron 

DIRECTORY 

HQ Cumbria and North 

Lancashire Wing 

Building 37 

Singleton Road 

Wheeton 

Preston PR4 3ET 

Tel: 01772 260752 

Email: whqcumbriaao@atc.raf.mod.uk 

Squadrons 

92 (Chorley) Squadron 

128 (Barrow-in-Furness) 

Squadron 

143 (Longridge) Squadron 

177 (Blackpool) Squadron 

206 (Thornton Cleveleys) 

Squadron 

341 (City of Preston) 

Squadron 

345 (City of Lancaster) 

Squadron 

455 (Morecambe & Heysham) 

Squadron 

471 (Hesketh Bank & 

Tarleton) Squadron 

967 (BAe Warton) Squadron 

1030 (Whitehaven) Squadron 

1127 (Kendal) Squadron 

1247 (Penrith) Squadron 

1264 (Windermere) Squadron 

1264 (Millom) Detached 

Flight 

1301 (Fleetwood) Squadron 

1862 (City of Carlisle) 

Squadron 

2050 (Leyland) Squadron 

2192 (Appleby Grammar 

School) Squadron 

2199 (Workington) Squadron 

2223 (Ulverston) Squadron 

2246 (Carnforth) Squadron 

2376 (Bamber Bridge) 

Squadron 

2454 (Warbreck) Squadron 

2459 (Poulton-le-Fylde) 

Squadron 

2486 (Lytham St Annes) 

Squadron

The Volunteer - NWRFCA - Northwest Reserve Forces & Cadets ...

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