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

THE OFFICIAL FREE MAGAZINE OF THE RESERVE FORCES AND CADETS IN THE NORTH WEST 

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CADET ANNUAL CAMPS IN PICTURES 

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THE 

COMBAT 

FROG 

IN OUR NEW 

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CADETS TO THE RESCUE / HEROES WELCOME IN SEFTON / NEW £5M TRAINING FACILITY

EMPLOYERS’ DAY 

AT HALTON 

SEE PAGE 58 

COVER STORY: 

ANNUAL CAMP SPECIAL 

SEE PAGE 37 FOR FULL STORY 

Contents 

›› 10 EX PAGEANT OF POWER 

75 ENGR REGT 

›› 12 ARMED FORCES DAY ›› 17 PADRES TAKE TO THE SKIES 

207 FD HOSP 

›› 22 BACK FROM AFGHANISTAN 

4 MERCIAN 

›› 24 EX BOMB BURST 

33 SIG REGT 

›› 53 EX COLD MEXICAN 

C SQN RMLY 

Write to the editor. 

All contributions for The Volunteer should be 

sent to The Editor, Reserve Forces and Cadets 

Association for the North West of England and 

the Isle of Man, Alexandra Court, Alexandra Drive, 

Liverpool, L17 8YE. Tel: 0151 727 4552. 

Website: www.nwrfca.org.uk. 

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

should be submitted in Word Format with clearly 

captioned photographs emailed by high resolution j-peg. 

A hard copy should also be sent where possible. 

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. 

ABOUT THE RESERVE FORCES AND CADETS ASSOCIATION 

FOR THE NORTH WEST OF ENGLAND AND THE ISLE OF MAN 

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. 

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 

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www.nwrfca.org.uk THE VOLUNTEER 3

EDITORIAL 

Once again, this edition of the 

Volunteer in the North West reflects 

the huge variety of activities, 

achievements and ambitions of our reservists 

and cadets in the North West. From the High 

Atlas via a Cheshire stately home, on a bed 

flying around Blackpool to capering cadets in 

Stand 

with 

me! 

Canada – what fun we all had this summer!! 

And long may we continue to do so. 

But it has not all been light-hearted as the 

pictures taken on 4 MERCIAN’s recent tour in 

Afghanistan so vividly remind us. They reflect 

the essential support that our reserves provide 

to the Country’s war effort and the professional 

way in which they conduct themselves. 

Unfortunately our lives are now being 

affected by grim warnings over financial 

restraint. Writing of the current round of costsaving 

measures in the latest edition of TAQ, 

Director Reserves (Army) notes: “I certainly do 

not underestimate the impact that these cuts 

have had on many of you”. And Brig Mike 

Wharmby, Gen Sec of the ACFA, writing in the 

current Army Cadet magazine, observes: 

“...there may be challenging times ahead for 

the Army’s cadets........in the face of this the 

ACF must do as it always does when times are 

hard – focus on the essentials.” 

However, despite these gloomy forebodings, 

the chains of command, ably supported by 

North West RFCA, are doing all that they can to 

ensure that essential training is maintained 

and that our volunteers of every hue are 

properly employed and retained until some 

form of financial stability returns. 

Whilst not wishing to continue in a 

pessimistic vein, it was with great pride and 

not a little sadness that we said farewell to 33 

Signal Regiment at the recent Disbandment 

Parade at Huyton. Compliments were prolific 

at the ceremony which was generously laid on 

by the Borough of Knowsley but a couple of 

the points made by the Honorary Colonel in 

his farewell speech caused just a little 

discomfort to the MPs who were present! 

Finally we record with sadness the death of 

Colonel Mary Creagh in her 90th year. A 

shortened obituary appears in this journal 

which probably does not do justice to 

describe the enormous impact she had on the 

TA and Cadets on Merseyside and on society 

in general. Will we ever see her like again?! 

Do your bit to support the 

brave Service men and 

women serving today and 

those who fought for our 

freedom. 

If you can spare just a few 

hours to collect, please 

volunteer to help your local 

Poppy Appeal this year. 

We can organise times and 

locations to suit you and 

you’ll meet lots of other 

interesting Poppy People! 

Please call 0800 085 5924 

or visit www.poppy.org.uk 

Registered Charity No. 219279 

For our 

Armed Forces, 

past and 

present. 

4 THE VOLUNTEER www.nwrfca.org.uk 

OBITUARY 

COLONEL (HONORARY) MARY CREAGH 

OBE TD BA JP DL DAME COMMANDER 

(with star) OF THE EQUESTRIAN ORDER OF 

THE HOLY SEPULCHRE. 

Colonel Mary Creagh, 89, of Formby, 

Liverpool, died on 15 September 2009 at 

Southport Hospital. 

Colonel Creagh was born in 1919, 

daughter of the late Harold and Ivy Creagh. 

She was educated at Notre Dame Convent, 

Birkdale, and the University of Liverpool, 

graduating with a BA Diploma of Education. 

She was Company Secretary to Peter Marsh 

& Sons, Bootle, Merseyside, from 1947 to 

1985. 

Colonel Creagh served with the Territorial 

Army from 1950 to 1965, attaining the rank 

of Lieutenant Colonel, and received the OBE 

for her services to the Territorial Army. She 

was an important member of the then 

North West TAVRA (now North West RFCA) 

and a member of many Association 

Committees, as well as being adviser for 

the United Kingdom ACF and CCF 

Association Committee. She was also the 

Honorary Colonel for Greater Manchester 

ACF from 1986-1991. 

Amongst her many roles, she was a 

former High Sheriff of Merseyside, a 

Deputy Lieutenant, a JP, the Lord 

Lieutenant’s Representative for the Duke of 

Edinburgh’s Award Scheme and Deputy 

Chairman of the Merseyside Army 

Benevolent Fund Committee. She was also 

a prominent member of the Royal British 

Legion and until recently President of the 

Formby Branch. 

Her interests were travel, gardening, 

reading and above all PEOPLE. 

She left behind a wealth of good works 

and memories and will be very sadly 

missed.

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PEOPLE & PLACES 

LtoR: Col Martin Amlot, Very Rev Justin Welby, Brig Mike Griffiths, Councillor Mike Storey and Lt Col Ray Hughes. 

Dedication of New Standard 

Volunteers from 4 LANCS paraded at 

Liverpool Anglican Cathedral for the 

dedication of a new standard for the Liverpool 

branch of the King’s Regiment Association. 

The service was conducted by the Very 

Reverend Justin Welby, Dean of Liverpool, 

and the occasion was supported by Brig Mike 

Griffiths, Colonel of the Regiment, Col Martin 

Amlot, Regimental Secretary, Lt Col Ray 

Hughes, CO 4 LANCS, and Councillor Mike 

Storey, the Lord Mayor of Liverpool. 

Memorial 

for a TA Hero 

By Kgn Houghton, D Coy 4 LANCS 

Six soldiers from D Coy 4 

LANCS travelled from 

Ardwick Green TAC to 

Hyde Town Hall to represent the 

Regiment for the unveiling of a 

blue memorial plaque 

commemorating the bravery of a 

Manchester Regiment soldier, Cpl 

Kenneth Horsfield, during World 

War II. Here Kgn Houghton tells 

the story: 

“Cpl Horsfield was a TA soldier 

who served with the 9th Bn, The 

Manchester Regiment before 

being seconded to the SAS. On 

August 18, 1944, Cpl Horsfield 

was working in Italy, helping to 

prepare supplies to be dropped to 

Yugoslav Partisan resistance 

forces when an explosion 

occurred, killing three men and 

injuring three others. Cpl 

Horsfield, who was working 

nearby, was one of the first on 


the scene. After seeing a man 

lying trapped inside the burning 

building, Cpl Horsfield went in to 

try to rescue him, with total 

disregard to his own safety. He 

did this knowing a second 

explosion was imminent, and 

had ordered others at the scene 

to retreat to a safe distance. 

“Cpl Horsfield was 

posthumously awarded the 

George Cross (GC), the highest 

award for conspicuous courage 

out of battle as published in the 

London Gazette on 23rd March 

1945. On 7th April 1945 he 

featured as one of ten 

Personalities of the Week and 

People in the Public Eye in the 

Illustrated London News. At his 

funeral, attended by 350 

mourners, a choir of 20 Yugoslavs 

sang. Cpl Horsfield was buried in 

Bari War Cemetery in Italy. 

Cpl Draper, Kgn Houghton, Cpl Mills, Kgn Nicholls, Fus Tse, 

and Kgn Ryan at the unveiling ceremony 

“The unveiling was a quite 

sombre occasion, but mixed by an 

obvious sense of pride in the 

soldiers’ actions. Cpl Horsfield is 

the only person from Hyde to 

have been awarded the George 

Cross and it was good to see that 

the bravery of a soldier had not 

been forgotten in the community 

where he had grown up. 

“After providing a guard of 

honour during the unveiling we 

had our pictures taken with 

several dignitaries and family 

members and were treated to very 

tasty lunch and some drinks, 

before making our way back to 

Ardwick. During the course of the 

day I found myself reflecting on 

the courage shown by a man who 

at the time was younger than I am 

now. Hopefully, the blue plaque 

will spark the same reflection in 

others and remind us of the 

sacrifice made the by men and 

women in uniform during both 

World Wars and in conflicts since.”

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PEOPLE & PLACES 

What a joy 

for DLOY 

D (DLOY) Sqn RMLY has a new Recruit. Jade 

Doherty, 18, from Winstanley, Wigan is 

pictured celebrating with her parents Lynn 

and David after successfully passing her basic 

training course at the Army Training Centre, 

Pirbright. 

Jade wanted to seek new challenges and 

joined D Sqn RMLY in January 2009. She 

was impressed with what the TA had to offer 

in as far as developing her skills, meeting 

new friends and gaining experience in a wide 

range of areas not normally found in normal 

day to day life. She said “I really enjoyed my 

course at Pirbright although it was arduous at 

times. I met many new friends who I still 

D Sqn RMLY are based in Wigan. For more 

information contact Capt Jimmy Aspinall on 

01942 248882. Or for more information about 

joining the Territorial Army go to 

http://www.armyjobs.mod.uk 

keep in contact with today and would 

encourage anyone considering a TA career to 

contact their local TA centre. I absolutely love 

it and have learned so much in such a short 

period of time”. 

Jade wants to travel to different countries 

and knows that opportunities exist for her to 

do so in the TA. She has just started her sports 

and exercise science degree at Edge Hill 

University and knows her time will come. 

Jade is following the path of a Combat 

Medical Technician (CMT) with D Squadron 

and is due to attend a CMT 3 training course 

soon. 

Hot new 

job for TA 

Soldier 

Lt James Pearson from 59 Sig Sqn, 33 Sig 

Regt has been selected as the new Chairman 

of Greater Manchester Fire Authority and at 

the age of 27, Lt Pearson is officially the 

youngest ever boss of a fire authority. 

James said, “I am committed to our vision 

of making Greater Manchester a safer place 

by being a modern, community focused and 

influential fire authority.” He was elected to 

Trafford council in June 2004 as the youngest 

person ever to serve on the council, then 

appointed to the Fire Authority in 2005. 

James will now be under the watchful eye 

of his mother, Janet – who, like her son, is 

also a Trafford Councillor. 

2Lt Pearson receiving the top student sword on his Troop Commanders Course, presented by Brig David 

Hargreaves, Comd 2 Sig Bde. 

8 THE VOLUNTEER www.nwrfca.org.uk

L to R: Lt Col Rory Bruce, CO RMR Merseyside, Col Sir David Trippier, 

Former Chairman NW RFCA, Lt Col Charles Hillock, present Chairman 

NW RFCA and Col Gerry Wells-Cole, CE NW RFCA. 

The oldest Mortar 

Platoon in Town 

Celebrations for RMR 

Commandant General 

Royal Marines, Major 

General Garry 

Robinson, made a 

special visit to Altcar 

training camp to mark 

RMR Merseyside’s 60th 

Birthday. 

To mark the occasion 

Maj Gen Robinson 

(pictured) presented a plethora of 

awards including; nine 

Afghanistan Campaign medals, 

Long Service medals to members 

of the Liverpool detachment and 

two special commendation 

presentations to WO2 Alan Starr 

and Sergeant Pete Watts, holder of 

Disbandment of 33 Signal Regiment (V) 

a Military Cross from action in 

Iraq. 

A ‘Stationers Tankard’ was also 

presented to Sergeant Andy 

Parkinson for the best Junior Non 

Commissioned Officer on a Senior 

Command Course. 

• 33 Sig Regt (V) is due for closure on the 31 March 2010. The Regiment itself 

consists of the RHQ plus 4 Squadrons: 

• 42 Signal Squadron - Contact Capt Steve Booth on 01612573377 or 

e-mail 33sr-42sqn-psao@mod.uk; 

• 55 Signal Squadron - Contact Capt John Hughes on 01514898331 or 


• 59 Signal Squadron - Contact Capt Bob Parkinson on 01515254214 or 


• 80 Signal Squadron - Contact Capt Chris Hopkins on 01928715809 or 

e-mail 33sr-80sqn-psao@mod.uk 

All the above units will be disbanding as of the 31 March 2010. If anyone who has 

made a presentation to any of the units and would like to reclaim it, please do so 

by the 31st January 2010. After this date the items will be auctioned and the 

monies raised will be donated to charity. Please contact the TA Centre direct. 

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 


75 ENGR REGT 

Exercise 

Pageant 

of Power 

The general public get a close look at the soldiers’ equipment 

Earlier this year 75 Engr 

Regt (V) found 

themselves embarking 

on both construction and combat 

engineering tasks in the form of 

Exercise Peninsula Pageant of 

Power. The exercise was based at 

Cholmondeley Castle which was 

to be host to the Cholmondeley 

‘Pageant of Power’, a festival of 

man’s driving ambition for speed, 

power and associated big boy’s 

toys. The Regiment had two 

weeks prior to the Pageant in 

which to prepare the ground for 

vehicle and pedestrian access 

and to construct a bridge for 

pedestrians. 125 Fd Sqn RE (V) 

was tasked as the lead sub-unit 

for the exercise with Maj Michelle 

Brown RE (V) in command of the 

overall Military Works Force 

(MWF). 

The Regiment had the task of 

preparing and constructing a 

Non Equipment Bridge (NEB) 

capable of carrying up to 20,000 

people over a 15 meter wide wet 

gap – thus the planning stage 

was a very long and meticulous 

procedure with many design, 

safety and logistical constraints 

to overcome. 

The construction of the NEB 

was a planner’s nightmare. 

Changes and adaptations were 

75 Engr Regt (V) build a bridge over leech-infested waters 

introduced hour by hour as a 

myriad of problems were 

encountered - but ultimately 

conquered by the team. Those 

‘hands on’ members, down and 

dirty in waist deep muddy water 

were no strangers to frequent 

attacks by both indignant swans 

and hungry leeches - the arrival 

of rubber waders brought some 

surprising fashion gurus out of 

the woodwork, wishing they 

were on the catwalk rather than 

waist deep in water! 

The team also had to prepare 

the ground for heavy traffic from 

both civilian cars and heavier 

military armour, so Capt Dave 

Law with the aid of Cpl “Smiler” 

Arnold constructed a culvert 

crossing. 

All in all an excellent set of 

challenging and rewarding tasks 

that allowed the troops to 

conduct realistic and testing 

training. Commanders at all 

levels faced and overcame 

technical and logistical problems 

which became a thoroughly 

enjoyable and ultimately 

successful exercise. 


156 (NW) TPT REGT 

If at first you don’t 

succeed, try once Morgan 

Dominic Morgan’s application to join a north 

west Army unit was once rejected on the 

basis that he didn’t possess a driving licence – 

hence the reason for the satisfied smile on his 

face having now taken command of the same 

Army unit 25 years later! 

A former pupil at St Anselm’s College in 

Birkenhead, Lt Col Dominic Morgan is the new 

Commanding Officer of 156 (North West) 

Transport Regiment RLC. As a teenager living 

on the Wirral, Dominic Morgan once enquired 

about joining 156 Transport Regiment’s 

squadron in Birkenhead: “Having got the 

taste for the Army, through being an Army 

cadet, I wanted to join the TA, so I went to my 

nearest TA centre and was politely turned 

down because I didn’t have a driving licence! 

That’s all changed now – we take people 

without driving licences and teach them to 

drive – but it is funny that here I am now, 25 

years later, in command of the same unit that 

once rejected me!” 

Lt Col Morgan has served all over the 

world, including in Germany, Hong Kong, 

Northern Ireland, Afghanistan and the Balkans 

and is now keen to spread the message of the 

benefits a career in the Army. He said 

“Because of their training and experiences, 

soldiers gain lots of skills, many of which are 

transferable to civilian life. For TA soldiers 

these skills can be career enhancing; a civilian 

employer of TA soldiers will also benefit 

through having more rounded, confident 

individuals. 

“Additionally our TA soldiers are paid for 

every day they train with us. If they don’t 

have driving licences, we will also train and 

qualify them to drive military vehicles, 

including HGV – which is a bit different to 

when I wanted to join!” 

If you are interested in joining 156 Tpt Regt, 

either in Allerton, Birkenhead, Bootle or 

Salford, ring 0151 729 2031 for a no-obligation 

chat with the recruiting team. Information is 

also available at 

www.armyjobs.mod.uk/northwest 

G Sqn 23 SAS is continuing to train and are in your area. 

We are holding a selection 'look at life/Recruit Induction Day' on Saturday 28 November 

starting at 0830hrs in Manchester. Put your skill to the test. Register now on 0161 862 9237. 


ARMED FORCES DAY 

Armed Forces Day 

Celebrations for the first 

National Armed Forces 

day took place all over 

the country earlier this year with 

Veterans and the Military fully 

supporting the occasion. 

Regionally two parades were 

held in Southport and Liverpool 

which were both supported by 

the Lord Lieutenant of 

Merseyside, Dame Lorna 

Muirhead. 

In Southport onlookers saw a 

Parade through the town which 

led to a service at the town 

centre Cenotaph. The day ended 

with a march past the Town Hall. 

Liverpool’s celebrations were 

hosted at the historic St. 

Nicholas Church. Following the 

service onlookers witnessed a 

march past to the Town Hall 

where a reception was held with 

the Lord Mayor, Councillor Mike 

Storey. 

Sea Cadets march through Southport 

Now officially an annual event, 

the next Armed Forces Day will 

take place on Saturday 26 June 

2010, so look out for further 

information in forthcoming issues 

of The Volunteer or visit 

www.armedforcesday.org.uk. 

Soldiers assist a Veteran in Liverpool 

The University Air Squadron outside Southport station 


Association 

Standards carried 

by veterans 

TA soldiers outside Liverpool’s Town Hall 

Soldiers dress for work 

As part of the Armed Forces Day celebrations a 

number of Soldiers from across the North West wore 

their TA uniform to their civilian workplaces. 

The idea was generated as a bid to illustrate the 

diverse background of our reservist forces and how 

they live and work among us in society – combining 

their everyday civilian lives and ‘day jobs’ with a 

commitment to serving as paid, part-time soldiers in 

their spare time. 

Pictured taking part is Lance Corporal Jade 

Anthony, 4 LANCS, serving drinks at The Baron’s 

Rest pub in Astley Village, Chorley. 

For more information about the TA in north west 

England see http://www.armyjobs.mod.uk/northwest 

or http://www.tanorthwest.com/ 


MSUOTC 

Ex 

Bavarian 

Lion 

Forty five officer cadets 

spent two weeks at Drei 

Muhlen - a beautiful 

hotel that is now an Army 

Adventurous Training Centre in 

the picturesque village of 

Wertach, Bavaria. Throughout the 

fortnight there were tears from 

some rock climbers as they 

conquered a fear of heights, 

huffs and puffs from the 

mountaineers on several peaks 

in the area as well as a few 

expletives from the novice 

kayakers taking in excess water 

on the River Iller. 

MEC AWARD 

Activities were rotated so that 

the maximum number of cadets 

could gain their Summer 

Mountaineering Proficiency (SMP) 

and Kayak Foundation Course 

(KFC). The climax was the 

Bavarian Kletterstiegs (a 

challenging mixture of walking 

and climbing during which you 

are clipped to the mountain via a 

steel cable). The trip was a 

resounding success with a 

marked improvement from all 

who participated and more 

potential instructors for the future 

in MSUOTC. 

Going the distance! Morale is high on the CFT 

CIOR MILITARY PENTATHLON 

LtoR: Brig Aldridge, OCdt Patel, High Sheriff Mr Christian Wewer 

and Lt Col Anderson 

OCdt Prakash Patel has received the 2009 Military Education 

Committee Centenary Award for his contribution to student activity 

in a university service unit. The award was presented by the High 

Sheriff of Greater Manchester, Mr Christian Wewer, Brig Aldridge, 

Comd 42 (NW) Bde and Lt Col Anderson, CO MSUOTC also attended 

the presentation. The award was in recognition of Prakash’s 

continuing personal and financial support to the SKSN school for 

disabled children in India as well as his enthusiasm and effort in 

raising the profile of the TA in his local Asian community. After three 

years service in MSUOTC he has now graduated and is currently 

training to be a police officer. 

OCdts Gillard (left) and Skoda fly the flag at the CIOR Military Pentathlon 

Two members of MSUOTC were 

selected to join the UKRFA (United 

Kingdom Reserve Forces 

Association) squad at the 

Confederation of Reserve Officers 

(CIOR) Military Pentathlon held this 

year in Sophia, Bulgaria. The three 

day competition consists of pistol, 

rifle shooting, Law of Armed 

Conflict (LOAC) and first aid on day 

one. A land and water obstacle 

course is on the second day and an 

orienteering event on the third day. 

The squad competed against other 

NATO teams within certain 

categories. First place eluded them 

but the experience was invaluable 

and military pentathlon training is 

now firmly in the sports diary for 

the unit. 


CHARITY 

RUNS 

OCdt Katie Reid enjoyed two weeks working with 26 CTT (and the delicious food) 

Fun in Fremington 

ANNUAL CAMP 2009 

Annual camp sizzled for MSUOTC this year as 

temperatures hit a high of 28 degrees. All the 

cadets were tested on their basic military and 

leadership skills with exercises ranging from hill 

walking on Exmoor, a range package on 

Dartmoor and the Final Exercise (FTX). 

The Combat Fitness Test (CFT) became a battle 

against dehydration and heatstroke, yet twice the 

usual number of cadets voluntarily pushed on to 

complete the eight mile ‘operational’ distance - 

with a few blisters to show for their efforts! And, 

by the second week everyone was well into their 

stride. The Admin staff pulled all the stops out 

with constant troop moves by road, assisted by 

the popular Lynx Helicopter crews from 815 

Naval Air Squadron. 

As dawn stirred on the final morning of the 

FTX Major Hartshorne, the Exercise Director, was 

looking forward to some sleep while Lt Col 

Anderson was looking back on her first camp as 

the Commanding Officer of MSUOTC. It was 

smiles all around as the cadets completed their 

‘final attack’ and tucked into a hearty post FTX 

breakfast – Haggis and fresh fruit included! 

OCdt Benson has a bad hair day on the FTX! 

Cadets R Us 

ACF & CCF ANNUAL CAMP ASSISTANCE: 

This summer again played host to Cadet Camp season and once more a handful of volunteers from the 

unit assisted with the training. For the CCF camp eight officer cadets teamed up with 26 Cadet Training 

Team for a fortnight of fun (and hard work of course!). They ran several leadership stands and an 

observation post where the cadets had to find hidden objects in a field. It was difficult to judge who 

benefited most from the training experience but with a few social events thrown in to entertain the 

troops, a good time was had by all! 

OCdts Bagley, Tooth and Kwan 

ready to run 

10km through the streets of 

Sheffield - that was the challenge 

three students set themselves to 

raise money for Help for Heroes. 

The race, sponsored by BUPA, 

took in the sights of Sheffield 

including Hillsbrough, the River 

Don and the Sheffield Wheel. 

The team carried bergens with 

15kg of weight and ran the 

course under Combat Fitness 

Test (CFT) conditions. The final 

time was 1hr 24mins which, for 

the purposes of personal pride, 

beat a team from the RAF police 

dog section who were also 

running with bergens! £385 was 

raised for the charity. 

OCdt DaveTooth then went on 

to join OCdts Mealor and Wright 

on the Para 10 mile run hosted 

by Pegasus Company (P Coy) at 

Catterick Garrison, North 

Yorkshire. For those in the know, 

the run followed a similar route 

to that undertaken by those who 

attempted P Coy week. The event 

consists of two separate runs, 

the first in sports kit and trainers, 

and second is for those who 

choose to accept the “P Coy 

Challenge”. This consists of 

running the course in military 

style boots with a bergen 

weighing just over 16kg. The 

event was a massive success 

with over a 1000 competitors 

crossing the finish line. 


REGIONAL TRAINING CENTRE 

RTC 

make 

a jump 

for it 

Twelve soldiers from 42 

(North West) 

Brigade's Regional 

Training Centre (RTC) have 

taken part in a parachute jump 

with a difference. All but two 

had never jumped before and 

nerves were running high as they 

WO2 Hennessy with daughter Brogan 

The team celebrate after the jump 

mentally prepared themselves for 

the 3,500ft jump at the home of 

the Army Parachute Association 

in Wiltshire. But a small number 

of soldiers in particular had more 

than one reason to be nervous. 

Col Sgt Stephen Murray had 

been ‘encouraged’ to take the 

plunge by his soon-to-be-wife, 

Sgt Paula McKay. Sgt McKay 

already had one jump under her 

belt and gave the groom an 

unforgettable wedding 

present….by paying for his jump. 

Commenting before the big 

moment Col Sgt Murray said 

'' She'll be disappointed, I have 

just changed my will and it's all 

going to Help for Heroes!''. Sgt 

McKay added ''We are deeply 

competitive. I have still done one 

more than him, whatever he 

says!''. 

The only other person not 

jumping for the first time was 

WO2 Paul Hennessy, an Instructor 

at the RTC and a member of the 

Parachute Regiment with over 

200 military jumps to his name. 

But on this occasion he was 

particularly nervous, as his 

daughter, Brogan Hennessy, who 

is currently training with the RAF, 

was jumping for the first time. 

SOUTHPORT AIR SHOW 

Over 80,000 people gathered on 

the seafront to witness this 

years’ annual Southport Air 

Show. Now in its 17th year, the 

popular two-day show featured 

breathtaking aerial displays and 

was described as one of the most 

spectacular and successful air 

shows yet. 

The crowd witnessed thrilling 

sequences from the Guinot 

wingwalking team as well as the 

Royal Navy Black Cats and the 

Swift glider display team. But 

undoubtedly the best crowdpleasers 

were the legendary 

Vulcan bomber, the 21st 

century’s most technically 

advanced fighter the Typhoon jet 

(otherwise known as the 

Eurofighter) and the worldfamous 

Red Arrows. 

Due to the TA’s operational 

commitments there was a 

reduced ‘khaki’ display this year. 

However besides the Duke of 

Lancaster’s Regiment Recruiting 

Team and the Careers Recruiters, 

there was one excellent display 

by Volunteers from 156 (NW) 

Transport Regt RLC (V). The 

display, which was in support of 

the Soldiers Charity, the Army 

Benevolent Fund (ABF), attracted 

lengthy queues all weekend as 

the public waited to either sit in 

the DROPS Vehicles, have their 

faces camouflaged or buy 

‘named’ Dog Tags. 

It was an exhausting but 

rewarding show, with excellent 

leadership from WO2 Amanda 

Keating and a large amount of 

support from the Merseyside 

Army Cadets from their 

Recruitment Trailer to cadets 

collecting for the ABF. 


207 FD HOSP 

Padres 

take to 

the skies 

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No…it’s a Padre!! Padre Ian Hall, from Pendlebury, pictured hands on heart with his very own ‘Red Devil’ on board, Lance Corporal Steve Cardwell 

Five volunteers from ‘207’ 

participated in a Tandem 

Skydive and raised at 

least £3,500 (and still counting) 

for the Army Benevolent Fund 

(ABF). Even though it required 

them to turn to some devils (Red 

Devils that is), the team of 

volunteers included Padre Ian 

Hall who organised the event, 

Padre Mick Thompson, Lieutenant 

Tracy Heath and Privates Lisa 

Smith and Matthew Newport. 

The skydive itself took place in 

glorious weather conditions at 

Langar Airfield in Nottingham 

and, despite the initial 

apprehension by all, it turned out 

to be a truly wonderful day and 

most worthwhile experience. In 

the words of Padre Hall and 

echoed by all of the participants, 

he said: “It’s fair to say that it’s 

like no experience I have had 

before. Sitting at the edge of a 

plane strapped to a Red Devil, 

waiting to plunge 13,000 feet isn’t 

something you experience every 

day. The fall of about 50 seconds 

before the parachute is pulled is 

exhilarating to say the least and 

is followed by relief and a feeling 

of peace and tranquillity as you 

slowly drift and arrive back to 

earth approx 5 minutes later. 

However, what is most satisfying 

is that the team has raised a 

substantial amount of money for 

the ABF.” 


207 FD HOSP 

Medical 

care 

military 

style 

A team from University Hospital of South Manchester NHS Foundation Trust carry a 

casualty (or some heavy drums in this case!) from the battlefield. 

A number of civilian employees 

from various North West 

hospitals have taken part in an 

activity weekend at Altcar 

Training Camp. The teams 

swapped their white coats for 

training gear and carried out a 

number of Army-themed 

activities designed to test brain 

and brawn, as well as 

encourage teamwork and 

leadership. 

The weekend was organised 

by 207 (Manchester) Field 

Hospital (V) as part of a drive to 

help civilian healthcare 

professionals gain a better 

understanding of the first-class 

medical care afforded to soldiers 

Anthony Hall (aka The Hulk), a 

diagnostic radiographer at North 

Manchester General Hospital. 

serving on operations. 

Teams from the Royal 

Blackburn Hospital in Lancashire, 

North Manchester General 

Hospital in Crumpsall and the 

University of South Manchester 

NHS Foundation Trust in 

Wythenshawe took part. A 

spokesman for the Army in the 

North West said: “The hospital 

challenge offers an ideal 

opportunity to show NHS staff 

and employers what we do in our 

field hospitals, as well as giving 

the hospital staff a chance to have 

some fun in a different 

environment. The activities 

stretched both their bodies and 

their imaginations.” 

207 has bases in Stretford, 

Ashton-under-Lyne, Stockport, 

Blackburn and Bury and the 

majority of it’s men and women 

work in civilian life in the same 

NHS hospitals and allied 

healthcare organisations, but then 

give up their spare time to serve 

as paid, part-time soldiers. They 

deploy on operations to provide 

the full range of medical support 

to our soldiers – and often save 

lives. 

If you are interested in joining a 

TA field hospital, more information 

is at www.armyjobs.mod.uk/ 

northwest. Or contact 207 Fd Hosp 

direct on 0161 232 4985. 

AMSTAP Competition 

After a busy and hectic period of 

preparation, a team of ten plus 

two reserves led by Captain Jo 

Fothergill participated in this 

years’ Army Medical Services TA 

Patrol (AMSTAP) competition. 

The team arrived at the 

Sennybridge Training Area the 

evening before the competition 

and were met by very nice 

weather. Unfortunately, the next 

morning the weather conditions 

began to deteriorate quite 

dramatically, with a deluge of 

strong winds and rain confronting 

all of the competitors. As a result 

of this, four teams were forced to 

withdraw and the remaining 

teams were also finding it difficult 

to compete. 


Nevertheless, the team 

continued and on came third in 

the final days’ competition, Speed 

March. This achievement was all 

the more remarkable because 

although injury had reduced 

them to five members, they still 

managed to carry the 

Commanding Officer (85kg no 

less) up a hill and through a 

stream despite him getting 

extremely wet in the process. 

Despite the atrocious and 

testing weather conditions the 

team to their credit were able to 

complete the whole competition 

and Capt Fothergill said “I can 

only applaud the overall effort 

and enthusiasm of the team both 

individually and collectively in 

The CO pays a compliment by saluting the team for their undoubted efforts 

throughout the competition 

completing what was without doubt a most testing and physically 

demanding competition.”

207 FD HOSP 

The ‘207’ and RMA team pose for a final group photograph together to commemorate their achievements 

Ex Northern Toubkal Warrior 

Led by Capt Alan Fortuin, a team of 

twelve Territorial Army Medics from 

‘207’ carried out a ten day, 100km 

summer mountaineering expedition – with 

the highlight being conquering Mount Toubkal 

in Morocco, North Africa’s highest mountain. 

After completing nine months of arduous 

training that included a series of climbs in 

England, Scotland and Wales, the team finally 

arrived in Morocco were they met up with 

members of the Royal Moroccan Army 

(RMA), 1st Battalion of Skiers, for a joint 

Summer Mountaineering, Adventure Training 

Exercise in Morocco’s High Atlas Mountains. 

remote Berber villages along the way, 

navigating rough, single track paths, which in 

some places had been washed away by the 

storms. 

The high point of the trek was the 4167m 

ascent of Mount Toubkal. The team set off in 

the early hours with the first obstacle being a 

swollen river, the crossing proving more 

difficult as the only light came from head 

torches. Safely across, the team continued 

the ascent – keeping an ever watchful eye for 

any signs of altitude sickness. Once at the 

summit the team were rewarded with the 

most spectacular views of The High Atlas 

Mountains and a sense of having achieved 

personal and team goals. Following a testing 

descent the team enjoyed a well earned rest 

in the Toubkal Refuge before returning to 

Marrakech and then back home. 

The team arrived in Marrakech to 

temperatures of 42 degrees Celsius and 

lightning storms, torrential rain and hail (and 

they say the weather in Manchester is 

bad?!). The following ten days saw 

challenging treks of up to eight hours and 

15km each day, to heights ranging from 

700m to 4167m that included stopping at 

Cpl Tristan Jackson and Sgt Neil Maher checking 

that the team have effective communications 

We did it... As the team celebrate with the Armed 

Forces Day Flag at the summit of Mount Toubakal 


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208 FD HOSP 

Hospitals recognised for 

life-saving role in Afghanistan 

The Army has praised 

the support of staff 

from University 

Hospital Aintree and Walton 

Hospital for helping save lives in 

Afghanistan. 

Seven staff, including doctors 

and nurses, are currently 

volunteers with the Liverpoolbased 

Territorial Army medical 

unit. 

The reservists swap hospital 

life in Fazakerley or Walton for 

tours of duty on the Afghan 

frontline, dealing with military 

and civilian casualties. 

Some medics fly direct into 

battle areas to give emergency 

treatment to wounded soldiers as 

part of the MERT (Medical 

Emergency Response Teams). 

A picture entitled 'Safe Return' 

was painted by local artist, Tom 

Kelly, showing TA medics in 

action. The large print was given 

to the Trust in recognition of its 

support during a short 

presentation at University 

Hospital Aintree which was 

attended by the Mayor and 

Mayoress of Sefton, Councillors 

Alf Doran and Gillian Cuthbertson. 

Colonel Peter Jackson, 

Commanding Officer of 208 

(Liverpool) Field Hospital (V), said: 

“We are indebted to the support 

we receive from the hospitals 

helping provide first-class medical 

care to our soldiers on the 

frontline.They couldn’t do that 

without the support of their 

employer back at home. 

“Everybody who joins the TA 

medics does so in anticipation 

that they can go and give care to 

the sick and wounded, often in 

arduous and harrowing 

circumstances. The staff from 

Aintree have been absolutely 

James Birrell (left) receives the print from Col Peter Jackson 

fantastic. They should be very 

proud of themselves and the Trust 

should be proud of them.” 

James Birrell, Chief Executive 

of Aintree University Hospitals 

NHS Foundation Trust, which runs 

both hospitals, said: “Life-saving 

skills developed here at the 

hospitals are being used in a 

crucial way in Afghanistan and 

elsewhere. This is a voluntary 

decision by our staff and we give 

them our full support. 

“We value our association with 

the TA and look forward to further 

developing this relationship. I’d 

like to thank the Army on behalf 

of our staff for this magnificent 

print - it will take pride of place in 

our Clinical Sciences Centre.” 

The Trust is given up to 18 

months’ advance notice of staff 

called up and the Ministry of 

Defence pay for cover. Volunteers 

consist of consultants, surgeons, 

nurses, doctors, radiographers, 

biomedical scientists, 

anaesthetists, general medics, 

healthcare assistants, burns 

specialists and paramedics. 

Anyone wishing to find out more 

about TA medics can ring the 208 

(Liverpool) Fd Hosp (V) on 0151 488 

6655. For more information on Tom 

Kelly visit 

www.tomkellyfineart.com 


4 MERCIAN 

4 MERCIAN return 

from Afghanistan 

Volunteer soldiers from 4 

MERCIAN have returned from a 

six month deployment in 

Afghanistan. The company mobilised in 

January to carry out pre-deployment 

training before setting up as the Bastion 

Force Protection Company of Op HERRICK 

10. 

The role required them to protect Camp 

Bastion airfield and logistics base from a 

range of threats including mortars, suicide 

bombers and surface to air missiles. As 

well as foot patrols, the company patrolled 

up to 20 miles away from the Camp using 

a number of vehicles to manoeuvre 

through the harsh desert terrain. 

Entitled Normandy Company, they were 

the first company to conduct joint patrols 

in this area with the Afghan National Army 

and the US Marine Corps. Other tasks 

included the Immediate Reaction Force 

(IRF) which provided armed escorts to 

medical evacuation and bomb disposal 

teams operating throughout Helmand. 


During the second month of the tour 

Normandy Coy was joined by 65 soldiers 

from the RAF Regiment and RAF Police 

which allowed two platoons to relocate into 

the “Green Zone” as part of the Welsh 

Guards battle group, in time for Operation 

Panther’s Claw. The company also worked 

closely with the Welsh Guards, regular 

colleagues from 2 MERCIAN and the 

Afghan National Army. Tasks included 

providing security to local nationals during 

the run up to the national elections and 

running a series of cash for work projects - 

including paying local skilled workers for 

rebuilding infrastructure to improve living 

standards of Afghans (such as rebuilding a 

school and the provision of drinking water 

and mains electricity). 

Throughout this period, the Immediate 

Reaction Force continued to perform vital 

work evacuating casualties from throughout 

Helmand, often in conditions of great 

danger. Normandy Coy will travel with 

families to London towards the end of 

November to receive their operational 

medals from HRH the Prince of Wales who 

is the Colonel in Chief of The Mercian 

Regiment. 

4 MERCIAN has TA centres in Widnes, 

Stockport, Mansfield, Crewe. For further 

information please contact Captain Austin 

Miller on 01902 303804 or 07970578510 or e-mail 

4mercian-bhq-roso@mod.uk. 


33 SIG REGT 

Ex BOMB 

BURST 

By WO2 (YofS) Tony Murphy 

The Prime Minister laughs at tasks on the Bomb Burst list 

after meeting Cpl Matt Riley and Cpl Tommy Turner 

As part of their final 

camp, soldiers from 33 

Sig Regt (V) took part in 

Ex BOMB BURST. For the sake of 

secrecy a false cover story was 

provided to all participating 

soldiers that they would 

be carrying out a three 

day battlefield tour. The 

real story was that they 

were about to embark on 

a number of unusual 

leadership tasks in 

groups of three all over 

the country. 

The first group from 

33 Signal Regiment (V) 

paraded and were told 

for the first time that 

they were about to 

embark on Ex BOMB 

BURST. The exercise 

would require them to 

be split into teams of 

three, strip searched and 

given back only the 

civilian clothing they 

were wearing, and their 

military identity cards. 

They would then be 

provided with an official 

letter describing the 

exercise to any person 

they may come across 

on their travels and a list 

of 35 tasks to be 

completed. The tasks 

ranged from swimming 

with sharks, meeting a 

politician, flying an 

aeroplane and many 

more. Photographic or 

video evidence was to 

be provided of all 

completed tasks. 

Absolutely every task 

would require 

negotiation with 

members of the public. 


Everything from accommodation 

to camera acquisition would 

require good negotiation and 

confidence skills. The teams 

were then put on a coach and 

dropped at various city locations 

Cpl Tommy Turner Hugging a Sealion 

around the country. 

There were members of the 

Regiment who had served for 

more than 20 years whose faces 

were an absolute delight when 

briefed with the task ahead. 

Each team was briefed to be 

back at Darlington train station 

on day three of the exercise 

between 12.00pm and 4.00pm in 

the afternoon. As this was the 

first group they were 

sworn to absolute 

secrecy so that the 

next group could 

deploy as surprised as 

they were. 

The Regimental Ops 

team knew that there 

had to have been 

some leaks about the 

exercise but hoped 

that the body searches 

for money and hidden 

credit cards, SIM cards 

and mobile phones 

would lighten this fact. 

This is where we 

found that you can 

trust no one in matters 

of survival. The one 

person that you would 

never expect to hide 

anything was a man of 

the cloth. The Padre 

was searched with 

other members of the 

Regiment and found to 

be clean as a whistle. 

However, he must 

have either had a 

divine message or just 

a sheer hint of guilt, as 

he owned up to 

possessing a load of 

money hidden inside 

the sole of his shoe. 

The money was 

quickly taken away. 

What this did for the 

second groups search 

regime you can only 

imagine!

Final Regimental Photo Exercise Summer Falcon 2009 

Lt James Pearson about to take a flight 

One of the Teams swimming with sharks 

The teams had an emergency 

contact number for a 

permanently manned Ops room 

and were told to ring in with 

current location, and that all was 

good each evening. Every phone 

call provided entertainment and 

excitement for the Ops room 

staff. 

As with the first group the 

second was just as surprised 

when told of the task ahead. 

After a rather rigorous search 

they were sent away to their 

respective areas of the country. I 

have served in the Army for over 

20 years and never had as much 

pleasure in hearing the stories 

on return of each syndicate from 

the exercise. No group slept in 

less than a 5 star hotel during 

their time away and the sheer 

effort put into the tasks was 

exemplary. One member of the 

Regiment was heard to say that 

the sheer kindness and trust in 

them shown by members of the 

public had reaffirmed his faith in 

human kindness. Below are just 

a few of the hundreds of photos 

brought back from the Soldiers, 

NCOs, SNCOs, and WOs of 33 

Signal Regiment (V). 

Exercise Bomb Burst was a 

fitting way to show the 

dedication, determination and 

sheer professionalism that each 

member of 33 Sig Regt (V) has 

given to every exercise, event 

and tour of duty. 

It has been my absolute 

pleasure to work with the 

Regiment and would like to add 

that I and other members of the 

newly formed Signal Squadron 

send our best wishes to all 

those members of the Regiment 

that are moving on to pastures 

new. 

Cpl Cas Caswell with the winners of Britains Got Talent, Diversity 

SSgt Dave Griffiths Kissing a Camel (and enjoying it) 


ACF NEWS 

Rocky Mountain 

Canadian Exchange 

Report by Lt Claire Edgerton 

My trip began back in January when 

I received the fantastic news that I 

had been selected to attend the 

Rocky Mountain Canadian Exchange 2009 as 

the Senior Escort Officer. This was even more 

great news to me as I had attended the 

Whitehorse programme in Canada the 

previous year so I was excited to return again. 

But this time I would be going to the Rockys’ 

which was a more demanding course located 

in Alberta. 

Prior to our deployment, the British 

Contingent met at the Royal Military Academy, 

Sandhurst (RMAS), where we got to know 

each other and received all of the initial 

briefings. This was an amazing location for the 

cadets and a fantastic opportunity for me to 

meet face to face with Lt Quentin (aka ‘Q’), the 

other escort officer, and the twelve cadets that 

had been selected from the many who had 

applied for this very prestigious course. The 

cadets were from across the United Kingdom, 

representing England, Ireland and Scotland. 

After a few short days at RMAS, we were all 

more than ready and 

extremely eager to get to 

the Rocky’s to begin our 

summer adventurous - 

spirits were very high! 

We landed in the 

Rockys’ and most 

definitely the nerves were 

beginning to show in us 

all, but more in readiness 

for the challenges we 

were about to face over the next six weeks. 

The camp was located off the main highway 

and surrounded by beautiful scenery, looking 

out to vast mountainous terrain that encircled 

the area. We were briefed on what to expect 

during our stay and pre-warned of our first 

test - the physical fitness assessments. These 

were to take place the following day and for 

all cadets and officers to complete. 

The standard of the British cadets was 

extremely high and I was very proud to see 

the majority of our cadets scoring the very 

highest marks and standing 

out to be extremely 

physically fit at such an 

early stage. 

The course ran over a six 

week programme and was 

broken down into one week 

cycles, each with a different 

activity. The cycles 

consisted of a week’s 

mountain bike programme 

that was, for me, one of the best activities. 

Personally I think it was the most physically 

demanding and definitely took its toll on the 

bottom (cycling shorts highly 

recommended!!). 

Climbing was one of the activities that I was 

most looking forward to. Hosted in some of 

the very best locations that Canada has to 

offer, the week finished with a difficult multipitch. 

For me this experience was made all the 

more special because I teamed up with one of 

British cadets, Toni, so the experience could be 

shared together. 

The leadership package was an 

opportunity for the cadets to learn about 

coaching styles and demonstrate their 

abilities to lead others whilst under their 

command. This incorporated command 

tasks, navigational challenges and a rescue 

exercise. 

Another phase was a hike, which I was 

fortunate to complete twice. It took us 

through some of the most beautiful scenery 

you could ever imagine and, on one 

particular occasion, we had a glacier to our 

left and a busy forest to our right - 

staggeringly different terrains, but so closely 

located. The evening sunsets were some of 

the most breath-taking we had ever 

experienced. 

The group take time out to pose in the stunning surroundings 

The canoeing and kayaking were exciting 

experiences for the cadets as some had 

never been on water before, not to mention 

white water! Completion of this task showed 


“Pick Axe? Check!” The team prepare themselves for the rough terrain (and any grizzly bears) 

both mental and physical courage for some of 

the cadets who conquered their fears. The 

phase included a swim test and jumping into 

glacier fed freezing water, perfect for testing 

everyone in the cold conditions!!! 

The glacier was one of the biggest 

attractions to this particular course and 

something none of the British contingent had 

ever attempted before, so all saw this as a big 

highlight of the course. There were numerous 

glacier locations used, all with their own 

challenges and sights to see. It was a huge 

accomplishment for us all to be able to 

summit the very top of some of the highest 

peaks in Canada, this was definitely one of my 

most memorable moments and I was, again, 

able to share this with two British cadets; 

Nathan and Georgia, who where both 

completely speechless at the views from the 

very top. 

We all quickly adapted to the Canadian way 

of living and found camp routine easy to 

follow. The camp was not only English 

speaking Canadians but many were French 

speaking so all cadets were encouraged to 

communicate in their opposing languages - 

which worked extremely well. The Canadian 

people were enormously welcoming to us all 

and the British cadets were made to feel like 

mini celebrities by their fellow international 

cadets. 

When we were not being physically active 

with the demanding cycles, the cadets had 

other organised events to enjoy, including 

visiting the Calgary Stampede, museums and 

the zoo. 

During the last days at camp a final parade 

was held where command positions were 

given to those cadets who had achieved the 

highest scores and performed the most 

outstanding throughout the summer. The 

British cadets were very well rewarded, 

attaining seven of the appointed positions! 

One cadet in particular, Heidi Silcox, was 

appointed as the Deputy Commanding Officer 

(DCO), the highest position possible to be 

given to a British cadet. 

Then time came to leave the camp, which 

was a very sad and emotional moment for the 

cadets. The friendships they had forged with 

both the Canadian cadets and one another are 

some that will last a lifetime, and although the 

cadets were excited to return to home to see 

their families, they could not help but regret to 

say goodbye. 

From the camp we flew to the country’s 

capital, Ottawa. This enabled us to experience 

a different side to the Canadian culture and 

visit some of Canada’s famous buildings. We 

watched the Changing of the Guard at the 

parliament buildings and had some free time 

to get those last minute gifts. 

The Canadian exchange programme is a 

fantastic opportunity for both ACF and CCF 

cadets, for many being a once in a lifetime 

opportunity. But not only can cadets take up 

the challenge, it is also open to adult 

instructors that wish to be escort officers. This 

enables you to partake in the same activities 

as the cadets. So if you’re up for the 

challenge then definitely go for it! 

On behalf of everyone, I would personally 

like to thank Col Edwards for giving us this 

truly memorable experience. It will be one 

that I’m sure we will all reflect on for years to 

come. 

Thank you and well done to all those who took part this year: COURSE CADETS - Sgt Maj Toni Brown, Sgt Alexander Paraskeva, Cpol Angus Burns, CSgt Heidi Silcox, Cpl 

Kathryn Miller, Sgt Matthew Dryburgh, Cpl Nicholas Subba Row, Sgt Jamie Webb-Bowen, Sgt Maj Kyle Scott, Sgt Nathan Jobling and Cpl Georgia Rought Whitta. 

STAFF CADET - Reg Sgt Maj Sophie Armstrong ESCORT OFFICERS - Senior Escort, Lt Edgerton and Junior Escort, Lt Quentin 


CADET NEWS 

Cadets and 

CVQO – a 

winning 

formula 

Army Cadet Leader 

and school teacher 

Glyn Potts from 

Our Lady’s School, 

Royton, Oldham, 

recently attended 

the Scottish 

Learning Festival, 

Glasgow, as a 

special guest speaker. 

Along with Head Teacher Roger Whitaker, he 

talked about how vocational learning for young 

people and their leaders can, and has, literally 

Deputy Head Carol Spillane with some Public Service pupils 

changed lives through cadets and the Cadet 

Vocational Qualification Organisation (CVQO). 

By night Glyn is an Army Cadet Force Leader 

in Manchester, but by day he is Head of the 

Public Services Department at the school and 

has successfully introduced some of the 

vocational learning aspects of cadet life. So 

much so, that in just over twelve months 

pupils’ behaviour and achievements have 

made a massive turn around and the school 

has transformed itself into a sought after centre 

of learning excellence, with a new state-of-theart 

school building approved. 

Glyn reflects on the past year and says 

“Sadly many young folk leave school without 

reaching their potential. The cadet forces have 

always provided a learning syllabus which 

especially suits practical learners more so than 

the usual school curriculum. With CVQO a 

cadet can gain four GCSE or Standard grades 

as part of their cadet learning in their parade 

evenings”. 

With Glynn’s cadet force knowledge and 

links to CVQO he identified the means to 

support the real needs of their pupils. From an 

Ofsted ‘Unsatisfactory’ report in 2004, Our 

Lady’s now sits in the national top 100 

secondary schools for GCSE achievement. 

Sharp shooting cadets Cdt Sgt Alex Thomson and Cdt Sgt Thomas Travis 

Cadets right on target 

Two cadets from Greater Manchester Army 

Cadet Force have been named Best Male 

and Female shot after competing in the 

2009 County SAAM shooting competition 

held at Holcombe Moor. 

Cdt Sgt Alex Thomson and Cdt Sgt 

Thomas Travis emerged victorious after 

being pitted against cadets from all five 

companies within GM ACF. Each Company 

comprised two teams of four and 

participant’s ages ranged from 14 to 18. No 

5 Coy were announced overall winners. 

Following their win Cdt Sgt Thomson and 

Cdt Sgt Travis teamed up to represent GM 

ACF in the recent Brigade SAAM held at 

Altcar (featured on page 30) 

Glyn adds “CVQO and cadets to me are the 

‘Heineken’ of education …reaching the parts 

that others don’t. Without the resources, admin 

and support that CVQO have provided our 

school would not be in such good shape and, 

more importantly, many young people up and 

down the land would not have come anywhere 

near fulfilling their potential.” 

With the changing Ofsted focus on care, 

guidance and external opportunities for young 

learners, many schools are sitting up and 

taking notice of what’s happening with Royton’s 

innovative and forward thinking team. 


New £5m training 

facility for cadets 

A digital image of how the training facility will look 

The Lord Lieutenant of Greater 

Manchester, Colonel Warren Smith, 

officially made the first dig to 

commence work on the new £5m Weekend 

Training Centre and GM ACF Headquarters at 

Holcombe Moor Training Camp, near Bury. 

This works project has been commissioned 

by the Directorate of Infrastructure and the 

project is being managed by the NW RFCA. 

The facility will consist of two buildings; one 

to house the County Headquarters of GM ACF 

and its staff, the other will provide the 

Cadet 150 

GREATER MANCHESTER 

8th February - County parade at 

Manchester Cathedral to 

celebrate the Queens accession 

to throne 

26th June - Pipes & drums at 

beating the retreat Fulwood 

Barracks 

28/31st May (TBC) - County Parade 

at WETC Ramsbottom 

15th August-2nd September - 

Leadership & sponsorship of 

Namibia expedition 

CHESHIRE 

5th June - Cadets and family day 

at Dale camp/Fox Barracks 

4th September - Beating 

retreat/Parade at Chester Castle 

square followed by a cocktail 

party 

LANCASHIRE 

26/28th February – Normandy 

Weekend Training Centre, complete with 202 

bed spaces to accommodate cadets from the 

area at weekends and, occasionally, during 

the week. Junior Soldiers from the Army 

Foundation College in Harrogate are also 

likely to make considerable use of the new 

facility during weekdays, as a base while 

using the military training areas at Holcombe 

Moor. 

Conlon Construction Ltd will deliver the 

project, with a 52-week contract period. 

Completion is due by September 2010. 

Coy tree planting at Leck 

24th March - Lancashire County 

Council (LCC) Evening Reception 

6th June - Church Service at 

Blackburn Cathedral 

20th June - Armed Forces Day, 

Blackpool 

26th June - Brigade Beating 

Retreat, Fulwood 

October (TBC) - Military Skills 

Competition, Halton TC 

MERSEYSIDE 

22nd-24th May - Cadets at 

Liverpool Military Show with 

Cadet Tattoo in the arena 

5th June - Lord Mayors annual 

parade. Whole County on parade 

with Drumhead service at the 

Town Hall 

19th June - Families day 

(location TBC) 

18th September - Cocktail party 

at Altcar 

26th September - CCF Assemble 

and March 

Date TBC - Freedom of the City 

of Liverpool 

ISLE OF MAN 

5th July - Tynwald Parade 

CUMBRIA 

1st January - Ex "Reiver 

Rendezvous" Hadrians Wall 

march West to East 

30th March-30th October - Tree 

planting across the County 

2nd-5th April - Easter Camp plus 

parents and guests 

15th-16th May - Standard 

Dedication at Carlisle Catherdral 

31st December - Ex "Southern 

Gathering" March to Southern 

border and meet Lancs & Yorks 

ACF 

Date TBC - Freedom of the City 

Colonel Gerry Wells-Cole, Chief Executive 

NW RFCA, said: “This exciting new project is 

precisely the sort of facility that is required by 

an expanding Greater Manchester Army 

Cadet Force. The current facility at 

Ramsbottom is wholly inadequate and 

outdated and this new facility will provide the 

youth of Greater Manchester with state-ofthe-art 

accommodation located next door to 

a training area where cadet military and 

adventurous training can be carried out. We 

are delighted that the Lord Lieutenant 

Colonel Warren Smith, who is also the 

Honorary Colonel of GM ACF, agreed to mark 

this very special occasion by ‘Turning the Turf’ 

for the commencement of this new project.” 

Greater Manchester ACF has 45 

detachments across the county. The facility 

will also be used by other youth organisations 

such as the ATC and the SCC. 

For more information on Greater Manchester 

ACF call 0161 237 3739 

As part of next year’s Cadet 150 celebrations a number of events have been scheduled 

throughout the region. An outline list is detailed below with further information available in 

forthcoming issue of The Volunteer and on www.cadet150.org or www.nwrfca.org.uk 

Carlisle 

Higher Formations 

2nd June - Reception 

10th June - Edinburgh Beating of 

Retreat and 'tattoo' displays 

26th June - Preston Military 

Show, Fulwood Barracks 

15th or 22nd July - Garden Party 

at Buckingham Palace 

Summer Holiday Period - First 

Aid, Lesotho Expedition, Pipers, 

Patrol Competition, International 

Exchange 

Late August - Beating of Retreat 

at Balmoral, Ballater 

11th-17th August - Duke of 

Edinburgh's Award Gold 

Residential, Cadet150 

21st October - Trafalgar Day 

Celebrations 

7th November - Remembrance 

Service 


CADET NEWS 

Overall Champions Cheshire ACF 

Brigade Cadet SAAM... 

Cadet ‘Top Shots’ 

Champion male cadet, Cpl Seth Snape 

Another presentation made on the day was to Lt Claire Edgerton who received an ACF Certificate of 

Efficiency. The certificate was signed by Lt Gen Sir Nick Parker, Commander Regional Forces and was 

presented by Brig Aldridge for her outstanding dedication and support to the ACF. 

This year’s annual Brigade Cadet Skill at 

Arms Meeting held at Altcar Training Camp 

saw an excellent turn out of 42 CCF and ACF 

teams with nearly 200 cadets taking part. 

Good weather contributed to some 

excellent shooting which was also witnessed 

by invited guests that included Commanding 

Officers of TA Units. Brig Bill Aldridge, Comd 

42 (NW) Bde, made the presentations with 


Cheshire ACF being the Overall Champions. 

The individual Champion Cadets were LCpl 

Charlotte Langan of Birkenhead School CCF 

and Cpl Seth Snape of Lancashire ACF. Brig 

Aldridge expressed his thanks for the 

support of the Altcar staff, the Officers and 

Instructors plus Capt Colin Deegan and his 

Cadet Training Team who ran the 

competition. 

Champion female cadet, LCpl Charlotte Langan

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CADET NEWS 

Outstanding 

achievement 

awarded 

As reported in the last edition of 

The Volunteer two North West 

Cadets recently travelled to 

London for the annual Duke of Westminster 

Awards Ceremony for CVQO (The Cadet 

Vocational Qualification Organisation). The 

prestigious award is an annual competition 

organised by CVQO to recognise the most 

outstanding cadet from four cadet forces. 

Luke Finnigan, 18, and Elizabeth (Libby) 

Anderson, 17, were two of five cadets selected 

from the 215 nominated nationwide and 

attended the luncheon ceremony at the 

Cavalry and Guards Club in London. 

Luke is a Leading Cadet from Huyton with 

Roby Sea Cadet Corps and was presented 

with the Learning & Skills Council Prize for his 

Libby Anderson (second from left) and Luke Finnigan (second from right) with other winners outside Number 10 

commitment to others both within and 

outside the cadet organisation. He said “It 

was the best decision I ever made. Achieving 

these qualifications proved to me that I could 

get something worthwhile. I never thought I 

could achieve something like this, I feel quite 

overwhelmed,” 

Libby is a Cadet Company Sergeant Major 

(CSM) at Chester’s King’s School CCF 

(Combined Cadet Force) and was presented 

with the Directors’ Award for her commitment 

to others both within and outside the cadet 

organisation. She said “I saw the programme 

as a great opportunity to further my 

qualifications in a way not otherwise 

available. This award has added a whole new 

dimension to BTEC and cadets in general and 

I am very proud. I am happy that everyone is 

so pleased for me and it’s a great thing to be 

involved in.” 

After the ceremony the cadets headed to 

the Cadet Training Centre in Frimley, Surrey 

and the following day they departed for their 

three week South African expedition with nine 

other runners-up. There they undertook an 

environmental awareness course in Kwa Zulu 

Natal and a cultural project working with and 

teaching orphaned children. In addition they 

visited Rorkes Drift, Isandlwana and took part 

in a walking safari. 


ACF NEWS 

Kirsty with her mum, sister, friends, cadets and staff at the finish line with Paul Booth, MC for Cancer Research UK North West 

Lieutenant sets pace 

at Race 

for Life 

Lieutenant Kirsty Topham is a member of 

Greater Manchester Army Cadet Force and 

has helped out at her local Cancer Research 

Race for Life since it started six years ago. 

Held at Alexandra Park in Oldham, this year 

was to be no different for the Lieutenant, 

until she was diagnosed with breast cancer 

at the age of 27. 

In between undergoing chemotherapy 

treatment sessions, the ACF instructor 

received a call from Jane Leggett, the North 

West Race for Life event organiser, who 

kindly asked her to be this years’ guest of 

honour. Kirsty accepted and proudly carried 

out the official countdown to the race start. 

Lt Kirsty Topham presents her cheque to Cancer Research UK 

Kirsty herself was determined to 

complete the 5k course and joined 2,600 

other women in the grey skies and rain whilst 

a group of GM ACF cadets handed out water, 

medals and goodie bags. 

Along with help from her mum and sister, 

Kim, Kirsty made it round the course and 

single-handedly raised a massive £2,143.41 

for the worthwhile charity. 


ACF NEWS 

Greater 

Manchester 

ACF Visit 

York 

Whilst planning the recent Annual Camp at Wathgill, the 

Commandant of GMACF was determined that an educational 

day-out in the historic city of York was called for. Ably 

assisted by County PR Officer Peter Hilton, much of this task was 

made easier by the willing co-operation of the staff at the National 

Railway Museum, whose education team never blanched at the 

prospect of being suddenly the hosts to over 600 cadets and their 

4 Company (from Salford and South Manchester) pose in front of some of the engines 

alongside the Commandant, Col LES Webb and Jon Pridmore of the NRM 

adult instructors. Along with the three-day exercise, the York trip was 

found to be the highlight of many cadets’ annual camp and the tieup 

with the National Railway Museum a continued educational 

opportunity for the cadets. 

Brig Aldridge found time from his busy schedule to visit the cadets of GM ACF during their Annual Camp. Amongst the varied activities, Brig Aldridge 

(himself a former Fusilier) inspected the Fusilier-heavy 1 Company on their Minden Day Parade and 4 Company on their Field Training Exercise. 

The Brigadier with the ‘Enemy’ (Manchester and Salford UOTC) 

The Instructors cadre on FTX 

Instructors Training Cadre, GMACF Annual 

Camp - By Sergeant Instructor Matt Hilton 

One of many activities at this 

year’s GMACF Annual Camp was 

an Instructors’ course led by 26 

Cadet Training Team assisted by a 

number of GMACF instructors. 

The course focused on four key 

subjects within the ACF’s training 

syllabus; drill, map and compass, 

skill at arms and fieldcraft. Those 

on the cadre had to prepare one 

lesson for each of the subjects and 

then teach the actual lesson. Prior 

to the preparation on lessons, the 

cadre were taught a lesson on 

each subject so as to get a taste of 

would be a good lesson. 


As an additional exercise, 26 

CTT setup a NAVEX across the 

Catterick training area. Not only 

did this boost student’s 

knowledge of map and 

compass it also offered a good 

chance to meet the various 

people from different 

companies. 

Overall those on the course 

enjoyed it. There were a few 

nerves amongst the cadre, 

however, after the first 

assessment – drill - many 

looked forward to the other 

subjects. 

The Class of ’09 – the new instructors parade at the end of their course 

The highlight of the cadre was 

the 24 hour exercise in the field 

during which the cadre slept in 

the field.

ACF NEWS 

Army 

Cadets to 

the rescue 

Members of the Southport and West 

Lancashire branch of the Normandy 

Veterans Association attended the final 

annual Service and Parade at York with 

hundreds of other veterans from across the 

country. 

Unfortunately, due to sickness, the local 

veterans had no Standard Bearer and in a 

bid not to disappoint, Merseyside ACF 

Southport Detachment came to the rescue 

with two of their cadets stepping forward to 

assist. After a week long rapid training 

course hosted by the Royal British Legion, 

the cadets proudly paraded at York Minster 

with 40 other NVA standard bearers. 

Stretford 

Army Cadet 

defeats 

Argonaut 

Earlier this year a lucky cadet from Stretford was selected as one of the 

Senior Expedition Company for the Canadian adventure training 

programme. 

Cadet Corporal James Raven is pictured 

at the service before he and the other 

Standard Bearers paraded through York led 

by the Band of the King’s Division. The 

enjoyable day ended with a Salute being 

taken by the Lord Mayor in company of 

senior military officers. 

Hosted by the Canadian Army Cadet Force in Nova Scotia, the 

gruelling seven week programme entitled Exercise Argonaut saw Cdt 

Sgt Aimee Spencer work alongside Canadian cadets in weeks of testing 

expeditions and training sessions. 

Amongst a long list of experiences, Aimee canoed (and swam!) down 

white water rapids, before sea-kayaking off the shores of St. John’s and 

Deer Island. Along the way she witnessed at close hand the wonders of 

the Canadian wildlife including seals, whales and porpoises, and one of 

the dangers – a great whirlpool. Climbing and trekking were also on 

the list of activities, by the end of which Aimee had acquired a raft of 

new experiences and friends in the Canadian ACF. 

Cdt Sgt Spencer is pictured with her father, Detachment Commander SSI Spencer 


ACF NEWS 

Matthew 

tells 

minister 

how it’s 

done 

The Minister chatting with Matthew Keegan 

The Rt Hon Kevan Jones MP, Under 

Secretary of State for Defence and Minister 

for Veterans, recently visited Frimley Park’s 

National Cadet Training Centre, Surrey, 

during the prestigious Cadet Leadership 

Course (CLC). 

Cadet Sergeant Major Matthew Keegan 

of Royton ACF Detachment at Our Lady’s 

RC High School was one of the lucky cadets 

to gain a place on the demanding course 

and has been able to bank this type of 

cadet learning activity towards his CVQO 

BTEC First Diploma in Public Services, 

which is worth four GCSEs. Matthew had 

the opportunity to chat with Mr Jones 

during the visit and said “The obstacle 

course was tough, but it has been a great 

week.” 

Matthew Keegan and team celebrate after competing the tough obstacle course 

The Minister toured the CTC Frimley Park 

and met staff and instructors responsible for 

the running of the centre and delivery of 

events. He said “This only reinforces my 

view that we need to spread the Cadet 

experience more widely to allow as many 

young people as possible to benefit” 

The National Cadet Training Centre opened 

in 1959 and has provided top class training for 

the last fifty years on leadership, instructional 

techniques and duty of care to the adult 

volunteers of both the Army Cadet and 

Combined Cadet Forces and to Britain’s best 

and most senior cadets of all three Services. 

Emotional goodbye 

for Commandant 

The Merseyside ACF Annual Camp at Barry 

Buddon was an extremely sad and emotional 

occasion for the Commandant Colonel Ian 

Walton, as it was his final Camp after being in 

the post for five years. Col Walton was guest 

of honour at a special dinner which included 

the Honorary Colonel, Dame Lorna Muirhead, 

and the CO of 156 (NW) Tpt Regt RLC (V) Lt 

Col Dominic Morgan. County Executive Officer 

Maj Tony Kirkpatrick made several leaving 


presentations on behalf of the County. 

For his retirement Col Walton has purchased 

a dog which he hopes will now take up his 

spare time and with this in mind, he was 

presented with a Deerstalker hat, shepherds 

walking stick and a pair of binoculars. 

Col Richard Goodwin has now assumed the 

role of Commandant. 

Maj Kirkpatrick presents gifts to the Commandant


Maj Mike Davidson (centre) selecting Senior Cadets for the Shooting team using the Target Rifle at Wathgill Ranges 

Cumbria ACF 

Annual Camp 

This year Cumbria ACF’s two 

week annual camp took place at 

Deverell Barracks in North 

Yorkshire. 

Unlike the last few years much 

more time was devoted to 

military training and gaining 

Army Proficiency Certificate 

qualifications. Minor field 

training exercises were used both 

for testing and preparation for a 

major three day exercise on 

Ripon Parks training area. During 

the exercises the young people 

were led by cadet NCOs who 

were given real responsibilities 

during all aspects of the training. 

Communications were provided 

by cadets who had passed the 

radio users course earlier in the 

year. 

The reduced adventure 

training package was provided by 

the Kings Division recruiting 

team with command tasks and 

initiative exercises all designed to 

test and develop stamina, 

determination and leadership. In 

addition six senior cadets were 

able to complete their qualifying 

Duke of Edinburgh Award gold 

expedition in the wilds of the 

Yorkshire Dales. 

Cumbrian Mayors were invited 

for a briefing day and visited 

cadets from their own areas 

during training. During their 

‘downtime’ the cadets socialised 

in the canteen and spent some 

time at Lightwater Valley theme 

park and the Leeds Armoury. The 

camp concluded with a sports day 

during which all the cadets took 

part in a three mile cross country 

run and competed, within their 

age groups, in football, volley ball 

and tug of war. 

“Give us a hand!”....Realistic casualty simulation enhances First Aid tests 



CCF 

Annual 

Camp 

Over 400 cadets attended this year’s North 

West Combined Cadet Force Annual Camp 

held at Warcop. 

The paintball exercise was very realistic 

The two week camp was hosted and 

administered by 156 (NW) Transport Regt 

RLC (V) and included CCF cadets from Caldy 

Grange, Audenshawe, Sandbach, Arnold 

School, Kirkham and Birkenhead. 

The camp was a double challenge for 156 

(NW) Tpt Regt RLC as they also had their 

own Annual Camp in Germany over the 

same period. The very comprehensive 

programme was run by Capt Phil Stuart, 

Brigade SO3 (Cadets) plus his Cadet Training 

Teams. They were, in turn, supported by 75 

Engr Regt (V), 33 Sig Regt (V) and 4 LANCS. 

Visitor days were held on Tuesdays, which 

gave Headmasters the opportunity to see their 

pupil cadets involved with the different 

activities. Brig Bill Aldridge, Commander 42 

(NW) Bde, also visited for a day. 

Cadets Laura Trevett and Molly Yates, both 13, express their verdict of their first camp 

St. Bees CCF Cpl Saoirse Jennings-Adams 

on the signals exercise 

Watermanship was very popular 



Sandbach CCF after completing the assault course with Kingsman Ashley Richardson 

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Annual 

Camps 

at Barry 

Buddon 

Highlights from both Lancashire and Merseyside ACFs annual 

camps which took place at Barry Buddon. 





Lancashire 

ACF Annual 

Camp 

SPECIAL VISIT 

Annual camp also saw a visit from Brig Bill Aldridge, 

Col Gerry Wells-Cole, Chief Executive NW RFCA, and 

Hon Col, Lady Ann Shuttleworth. All were given a tour 

of the activities being carried out and took every 

opportunity to speak to cadets and staff. 

Brig Aldridge coaching on the Skill at Arms Wing 

SERVICE OF 

REMEMBRANCE 

Also on the final day of camp a Service of 

Remembrance was held at the 45 Commando 

Falklands Memorial Garden. The service was 

organised by Corunna Company Commander Maj 

Steve Whittaker and was attended by senior officers 

and cadets. 

The service was conducted by Canon Alf Hayes, 

the ACF’s padre, who in his role of Padre in the 

Regular Army served in the Falklands during the 

battle for freedom. Cdt RSM 

Alex Green read from the 

Bible before Cdt LCpl Gavin 

Burns laid a wreath in the 

Corps colours and a two 

minute silence was observed. 

Col Gerry Wells-Cole shares a joke with Cdt Sgt Louise Smillie 

In addition to the personal 

connection, 45 Commando 

have been extremely helpful 

to Lancs ACF by allowing 

them to use RM Condor as a 

base for their adventure 

training. 

The Commandant of Lancs 

ACF, Col Hilary Williams, said: 

“Our cadets were conducting 

Fieldcraft exercises just 

across the road from the 

Memorial Garden and it 

would have unforgivable not 

to pay our respects and 

remember the sacrifice made 

in the cause of freedom by 

young men not much older 

than our cadets.” 


LtoR: Canon Alf Hayes, Maj Steve Whittaker, Col Hilary Williams, staff and cadets

Corps of Drums ready to lead the parade 

FINAL PARADE 

The Final Parade for Lancashire ACF at Annual Camp was an opportunity to 

mark the achievements of several cadets and staff. Cdt Sgt Hannah Grainger 

and Cdt Sgt Christopher Plummer were presented with ACFA Certificates of 

Good Service by the Commandant, Col Hilary Williams. 

SSI Matthew Taylor 

SSI Amanda Lund, Detachment Commander at Brierfield was awarded the 

shield for Best Instructor and Col Williams presented SSI Matthew Taylor, 

Galgate Detachment, with his Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award. 

SSI Amanda Lund 

NEW CADET RSM 

Lancashire Army Cadet Force had a change over of Cadet Regimental Sergeant 

Major whilst on Annual Camp at Barry Buddon. Outgoing Cadet RSM Adam 

Flewitt (pictured left) is leaving for university and handed over control to the 

incoming Cadet RSM Alex Green (pictured right). 

Cdt RSM Green had the honour of being the Lord-Lieutenant’s Cadet last 

year and is looking forward to further representing and serving Lancs ACF. His 

first duty was to accompany the Commandant Col Hilary Williams, as she took 

the salute at the final parade march past. 

Cdt Sgt Christopher Plummer, Accrington Detachment 


ATC NEWS 

Blackpool Cadets are no push-over! 

A number of cadets from 

177(Blackpool Airport) 

Squadron Air Training Corps 

have taken part in a sponsored 

bed push to raise money for St 

Dunstan’s, a charity for blind exservice 

personnel. 

Following last year’s 

successful roller coaster 

challenge, the cadets took part 

in the Cadet Challenge for a 

third successive year and 

pushed the bed the required 

13.1 miles. The bed had the 

body and superstructure of a 

Royal Navy warship, the nose 

cone, wings and tail plane of an 

RAF Typhoon and the turret and 

gun barrel of a tank. The front 

section was dedicated to the 

memories of Henry Allingham 

and Harry Patch, the last two 

British World War One veterans 

who died earlier this year. 

Joined by St Dunstaner’s Maria 

No sleeping on the job! Some of the squadron pose with the bed 

Pikulski and David Stottard, the 

cadets set off in the pouring rain 

along the route which would take 

them from the airport, along the 

seafront promenade and through 

the Town Centre to the Norbreck 

Castle Hotel. Lunch was kindly 

provided by the hotel before the 

group made their way back to the 

airport – collecting money from 

passers-by. 

The Squadron would like to 

thank all who helped make the 

walk possible: Blackpool Borough 

Council, Radio Wave, Norbreck 

Castle Hotel and The Chaseley 

Care Home. 

On 12 February 2010 177 

(Blackpool Airport) Sqn will 

celebrate its 70th Anniversary. 

The squadron will be hosting a 

formal military style dinner and 

prize giving at Blackpool’s 

premier hotel The Imperial with 

the Guest of Honour being a 

senior serving RAF Officer. 

Flt Lt Andrew Nickson said “I 

would like as many cadets, 

parents, ex cadets and Squadron 

Staff to attend as possible and 

any surviving members of the 

original 177 Sqn RAF who flew 

Beaufighters in Burma are more 

than welcome.” 

Further details are available from 

the Squadron on 01253 403664 or 

oc.177@aircadets.org. 

177 Blackpool Airport Squadron 

meet at the Airport every Monday 

and Thursday evening at 7:30pm. 

To join come along any evening 

for a visit and a talk with the 

Squadron Staff or visit 

www.177sqnatc.co.uk 


ATC NEWS 

East Lancashire Air 

Cadets Remembered 

Memorial plaque 

A combined Battle of Britain Parade and 

Remembrance Ceremony took place at Bury, 

Lancashire, the home of 1036 (Bury) Squadron. This 

year’s event was special because the squadron had 

been able to install and dedicate a more permanent 

and fitting memorial at Bury Parish Church to the 

three Air Cadets who lost their lives in the helicopter 

accident on 12th August 1993 at Llyn Padarn in 

North Wales whilst on Annual Camp at RAF Valley. 

Amanda Whitehead and Mark Oakden’s family 

representatives were present, as were staff and 

cadets from Horwich Squadron who represented 

Chris Bailey from 1471 (Horwich) Squadron. 

Bury Squadron marching band at the Battle of Britain Parade 

The Plaque of Remembrance wording, the same 

as at the lakeside of Llyn Padarn, reads “They left 

the surly bonds of earth and touched the face of 

God”. 

The commemoration was attended by Wg Cdr 

David Forbes RAFVR (Retd) DL who stood in to take 

the salute and who also laid a wreath on behalf of 

Greater Manchester’s Lord Lieutenant, Col Warren 

Smith. Also present were her Worship the Mayor of 

Bury, Councillor Sheila Magnall and Officer 

Commanding, East Lancashire Wing ATC, Wg Cdr 

Steve Molloy. 

Wreathes were also laid by representatives of The 

Royal British Legion, The Royal Airforces Association 

and the Air Gunners Association, Manchester. 

Following the ceremony the parade marched to East 

Lancashire Wing Headquarters at Castle Armoury 

led by Bury Squadron’s band. 

Wreath laying by cadets and representatives of RAFA and the Air Gunners Association 

‘Last Post’ played by members of 

Bury Squadron Marching Band 

Raising Standards after ‘Last Post’ 


ATC NEWS 

The Sound 

of Silence 

A Corps of Drums and a haunting solo bugle 

are the highlights of a Military Band. 

Unfortunately 177 (Blackpool Airport) 

Squadron ATC have to march to someone 

else’s beat as they do not have their own band. 

The Squadron was formed in 1940 and has 

never had a band, but after returning from 

their fourth visit to the Edinburgh Military 

Tattoo, cadets and staff are determined to 

change that. 

Sgt Steve Kent, who was a cadet bandsman 

with 2354 (Layton) Squadron, said “The Tattoo 

was amazing. We stayed again at HMS 

Caledonia where both the RAF band and RAF 

Regt MRT display team were billeted. From 

the RAF Central band to the Secret Swiss Drum 

Corps we were in awe of the Bandsmen from 

all over the world.” 

Sgt Kent continued “The Corps would be 

based on twelve musicians and we have been 

Something seems to be missing.....Cadets Mark “Tommy” Akins, Matthew Cullen, Mark Boon, Michael 

Phipps and Ricky Wilcock begin band practice 

quoted a set up cost of around £1,700. We 

would greatly appreciate donations of 

unwanted instruments or even people’s time to 

instruct the band. 

Cpl Ricky Wilcock said “I have some drums 

at home but it is a very basic set, I have taught 

myself a few pieces but to have proper 

instruction would be great”. Sgt Kent followed 

by saying “To be able to supplement Veterans 

events and Parades with an Air Cadet Band 

would be a great addition to what we do and 

the activities that we can offer our Cadets. It 

would be our dream to play the Last Post at the 

Battle of Britain Parade or on Remembrance 

Sunday.” 

CCF NEWS 

Cadets 

right on 

target 

Out of 32 teams, Merchant Taylors School 

CCF proved that they were the ‘Top Guns’ in 

the annual County of Lancaster Rifle 

Association competition. The group 

emerged victorious from the competition, 

held at Altcar, and was presented with the 

top prize of the prestigious Red Rose 

Challenge Trophy. 

The competition is run by a civilian 

association to promote good shooting 

within the cadet organisations and there is a 

good chance that the winning team will go 

on to Bisley to compete against the best. 

Team coach RSM Simon Brett (right) with the sharp shooting cadets 


CCF NEWS 

Capt Diane Dobson with some of the Senior Cadets: Stephanie Hill, Laura Stockton, Victoria and Libby 

Anderson, Jenny Hardy, Helen King and Jordan McSagley-Parsons 


Regimental 

Dinner 

The historic King’s School at Chester, founded 

by Henry VIII in 1541, held a Regimental 

Dinner for the Senior Cadets in their 

Combined Cadet Force. Half of them are now 

at University but they returned specially for 

Cdt Coyne and his trusty cycle 

the Dinner. Guests of Honour for the evening 

were the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress, 

Councillor John and Miriam Ebo, who were 

welcomed by Headmaster Chris Ramsey and 

the Contingent Commander Squadron Leader 

Capt Alan Joseph with Pipe Maj Joe Kerr 

Karen Shapland. The evening was arranged by 

Captain Alan Joseph and Pipe Major Joe Kerr 

played the top table into the Dinner. 

Cycle 88 miles? 

Get on yer bike!! 

A cadet from Bury Grammar 

School Combined Cadet Force 

recently cycled 88 miles, 

raising £1,000 for Help for 

Heroes. 

Cadet Joseph Coyne, 14, set 

off from Bury Parish Cenotaph 

and rode all the way to the war 

memorial in Hawkshead. After 

setting off at 5.00am, Cdt 

Coyne completed the course in 

7hrs 35mins and arrived in the 

picturesque Lake District town 

at 12:35am the same day, 

proving his rigorous training 

had well paid off. 

He said “My aspiration is to 

join the Armed Forces so Help 

for Heroes was relevant to me. 

The weather couldn’t have 

been better – it was only a little 

cold in the morning, dry and 

wild throughout and only 

drizzled in the last five miles of 

the journey. I enjoyed myself 

throughout – especially at the 

beginning and the end. The 

only exception to this was the 

A510 which I found a little 

boring.” 

Contingent Commander Maj 

Robert Rylance said “Joseph 

joined us in September 2008 

and has a keen interest in all 

things military. Joseph shows 

great potential as a member of 

the armed forces, and 

everyone at the CCF could not 

be more proud of him!” 

Image courtesy of the Bolton News & Bury Times 


SCC NEWS 

Kirsty’s on 

board for African 

adventure 

A dream opportunity to visit 

disadvantaged children in South 

Africa has been offered to one 

lucky Southport Sea Cadet, but 

she desperately needs your help 

in order to get there! 

Leading Cadet Kirsty Rothwell, 

16, battled her way through the 

two day rigorous nation-wide 

selection process to be chosen 

alongside 59 others to visit 

youngsters in Lesotho next 

August. The weekend included 

team building exercises, 

interviews and lectures and 

Kirsty said “It was a very hard 

and tiring selection process and I 

was up against hundreds of 

cadets from all four cadet forces. 

Kirsty, who is currently 

studying towards her AS levels, 

now has the opportunity to not 

only help children in desperate 

need and teach them English, 

but to also take part in various 

adventure sports including 

kayaking and mountain 

climbing – as well as 

experiencing the exotic wildlife 

that South Africa has to offer. 

But before she sets sail, Kirsty 

needs to raise £800 in order to 

go on the trip. She said “I have 

been in the cadets for six years 

and this is a great opportunity to 

experience something new. I’ve 

never been to Africa so it would 

be a great experience and the trip 

CPO Tim Petford with Cdt Kirsty Rothwell 

of a lifetime. I’ve got to raise 

£400 by December and another 

£400 by the following April – it 

would mean so much to be able 

to go and any donations made, 

no matter how much, will be 

greatly appreciated!” 

CPO Tim Petford said “I wish I 

could get more cadets on it, but 

she’s certainly worth her place. If 

I could pick one of my cadets to 

go, she would be the one to pick 

– Anything we ask of her she 

does. She’s a brilliant cadet.” 

Kirsty has a number of 

fundraising activities planned 

and her local church has offered 

to host a coffee morning in order 

to raise the much needed funds. 

If you would like to make a 

donation please call 01704 

231812 or e-mail 

kirstykr@hotmail.co.uk 

Image courtesy of the Southport Visiter 

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SCC NEWS 

Sea 

Cadet’s 

wave of 

success 

Huyton with Roby Sea Cadets are 

riding on the crest of a wave of 

successes. 

Firstly the cadets took part in 

the TS Derby competition. Both 

the Junior and Senior girls teams 

stormed the competition 

managing to retain their 

respective trophies and the Junior 

boys showed that training pays off 

by winning the trophy back after 

losing out last year. The senior 

boys also added to their medal 

collections by coming second in 

their league. 

Secondly the cadets pulled their 

Huyton with Roby Sea Cadets celebrate after taking part in the TS Derby competition 

way to victory at the North West 

area regatta with the Junior girls, 

Junior boys and Open girls pulling 

teams achieving the area treble. 

For the third year running three of 

Huyton’s pulling headed to the 

Excel centre in London to 

represent the area at the national 

competition. 

All teams demonstrated 

improvement since the same 

stage of the competition last year. 

The Open girls team achieved a 

respectable fourth place, while the 

Junior girls earned their first 

national medals by coming third 

and gaining bronze. 

The Junior boys, who were 

knocked out at the district 

competition last year, came 

blasting back and achieved a silver 

medal at the competition in Victoria 

Docks, London. The Open boys 

attended as part of the paddlesport 

squad and managed to achieve 

silver medalist positions. 

Sea Cadets assist with RNLI boat naming 

Cadets and staff from Whitehaven unit TS BEE 

recently took part in a naming ceremony for 

the new lifeboat at St Bees Lifeboat Station. 

Following a request for support, the unit’s 

Commanding Office Lt Peter Lucas RNR was 

pleased that the cadets had been able to 

support the ceremony. “It was an honour to 

have been invited and there was never any 

Whitehaven Sea Cadets and the crew of St Bees Lifeboat Station stand in front of their new Atlantic 85 

lifeboat, Joy Morris MBE 

Joy Morris MBE powers away 

from her launch trolley 

doubt that we would attend.” said Peter. “The 

RNLI, which relies entirely on volunteers and 

voluntary donations, provides a vital service 

and we were pleased that we were able to 

give our support.” 

The new Atlantic 85 lifeboat was named Joy 

Morris MBE in honour of the late Mrs Morris, 

who had supported the St Bees Lifeboat 

Station for nearly 40 years until her death in 

June 2007. The lifeboat was named by Joy’s 

son, John Morris, who said that his mother 

would have been extremely proud, and 

perhaps a little humbled, by the honour. 


SCC NEWS 

Sea 


cook up 

a treat 

Cadets Matt and Courtney show off their cookery skills with celebrity chef Nick Martin 

Meeting celebrity chefs, 

providing tea for the 

jet ski display team 

and helping guide visitors on a 

tall ship were all in a weekend’s 

work for Whitehaven Sea Cadets 

at the town’s Food Festival 2009. 

Visiting tall ships are a regular 

feature at the Festival and this 

year was no exception, with three 

of the magnificent vessels in the 

harbour and open to visitors. 

Unfortunately, the Zebu (tall 

ship) was left short handed for 

the weekend and was almost 

forced to close….until the cadets 

stepped in! “We had a call from 

the Festival Company who 

explained the problem and asked 

if we could provide two or three 

cadets and a member of staff to 

help with the tours.” said the 

unit’s Chairman, Chas Tinkler. 

“The cadets were more than 

On Saturday 28th November 

The Band of Her Majesty’s 

Royal Marines Scotland is 

performing a fundraising 

concert in the town’s Civic Hall. 

The concert is being staged by 

Whitehaven Sea Cadets with 

proceeds being split between 

the Sea Cadets and the local 

Royal British Legion. Tickets 

for the concert cost £12 (£10 

concessions) and are available 

direct from the Sea Cadets 

(email rmband09@tsbee.org.uk 

or phone 019467 27350), from 

local shops including The 

Flower Basket in Lowther 

Street, or from the Civic Hall 

box office. 


happy 

to lend a hand and we 

organised a rota to ensure that 

the ship was properly crewed 

and able to take visitors.” 

Another attraction at this 

years’ Festival was 

demonstrations by several 

celebrity chefs including Jean 

Paul Novelli, Nick Martin and 

Ainsley Harriott. Two of the 

cadets went along hoping to 

show Nick a Marine Cadet 

ration pack and watch his 

show... only to end up on stage 

with him, cooking chicken chilli 

with rice – from the ‘rat pack’ – 

and seafood risotto from fresh 

ingredients. 

Meanwhile, in another part of 

the harbour cadets were 

keeping the Xtreme JetSki 

display team ready for action 

with flasks of hot tea. 

Petty Officer Stuart McCourt, 

the cadet unit’s First Lieutenant, 

said that it had been a busy but 

very enjoyable weekend. “Most 

of our cadets and staff were 

away on annual camp and this 

left us with only half a dozen or 

so cadets. But, when they 

weren’t cooking or sampling the 

food, they were trying their 

hand at archery, riding on 

Segways and trying on deepsea 

diving equipment.” 

To round off the weekend, 

Ainsley Harriott took time to 

make a special visit to the Sea 

Cadets’ stall, where he spent 

about a quarter of an hour 

Ainsley Harriott with Whitehaven Sea Cadets 

The Xtreme JetSki display team get a warming cuppa from 

Sea Cadets Courtney and Anne-Marie 

looking at the display, chatting to 

cadets, signing autographs and 

having his photograph taken. And 

what did the cadets think of 

Ainsley? “He’s really nice and 

very friendly” said one cadet, 

“and much taller than he looks on 

TV.”

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C SQN RMLY 

Midlands 

Challenge 

Six members of C Sqn RMLY passed out at 

Nescliffe Camp having completed 31 days of 

recruit training. 

The RMLY ran Cassino Platoon, as part of 

Midlands Challenge. The course combined six 

weekends of Phase One TSC(A) and 15 days 

Phase One TSC(B) recruit training in to one 

intensive course. Of the 47 who started the 

RMLY run course, 40 passed off. 

Most improved recruit Tpr Parsonage was 

congratulated by Col MFT Green 

Rear LtoR: Tpr Adam Challoner, Tpr Michael Parsonage and Tpr Chester Pitt 

Front LtoR: Tpr Nicholas Daniells, Tpr David Mottershead and Tpr Ryan Boardman. 

Litani Day Garden Party 

Earlier this year the Cheshire Yeomanry 

Regimental association held their annual 

Litani Day Garden Party at Eaton Hall, 

Chester, following kind permission granted 

by Maj Gen The Duke of Westminster, who 

himself once commanded the Sqn. 

Litani relates to the River Litani in 

Lebanon where the Cheshire Yeomanry 

fought a mounted action against the Vichy 

French during WW2, and in so doing 

became the last British regiment to fight on 

horseback. 

Through the hard 

work of both serving 

members and the 

Association, close to 

£2,000 was raised 

for the Yeomanry’s 

Benevolent fund. 

First Troop presenting the Pennant to Maj Rupert Collis 

1959 First Troop leader, 

Lt JA Fox 

Also present on 

the day were Mr 

Dougie Hall who 

fought at the Litani 

River and members of 

First Troop C Sqn 

Cheshire Yeomanry who in 1959 won Best Troop 

at the Regimental Camp, also held at Eaton Hall. 

Eight members from the original ten 

gathered once again and displayed 

memorabilia from life in the Cheshire Yeomanry 

in the 50’s. The Troop also presented the current 

OC, Maj Rupert Collis, with a specially 

commissioned Pennant commemorating the 

event. 


Members of the Sqn feel the burn on the Fire Team assessment run in 

Ex COLD 

MEXICAN 

Soldiers from the squadron have taken part in Ex COLD MEXICAN. 

Hosted at Catterick, the weekend consisted of a small arms range 

package followed immediately by a Regimental inter Troop test. 

The package included the Fire Team Assessment and a two mile run 

with full kit. The Troop Tests included a number of stands testing MATT 

and OPTAG skills. Regt Troop Tests were won by Third Troop C Sqn. 

The weekend was a great way for the soldiers to build up and 

prepare for the Shoot House taking place in Germany, as well as their 

deployment to Op HERRICK in 2010. 

Driving Test Success 

Double for REME 

Two soldiers from the REME serving with C Sqn RMLY have 

successfully passed their Cat B Car licence test. Cfn Colin Cadman and 

Paul Stallwood both took the week long course taught by the Sqn 

SSM, WO2 Speed and are pictured at Fox Barracks, Chester. Cfn 

Cadman has just bought his first car and is looking forward to taking 

the family away for weekend outings. 


C SQN RMLY 

Normandy Veterans 

Association - Wirral 

and Chester branch 

SSM Les Speed, SQMS Tim Copley, Sgt “Bomber” 

Harris, Cpl Wayne Crabbe and LCpl Craig Tew 

escorted members of the Wirral and Chester 

Branch of the NVA to France for the 65th 

Anniversary of the D Day landings. 

The veterans parade through Normandy 

They set off from Chester and travelled via ferry 

from Portmouth to Ouistreham. Staying near 

Bayeux, the group travelled to most of the well 

known battle grounds before they attended the 

Commemorative Parade. The soldiers also visited 

the beach landing sites where they stood alongside 

the veterans who had first set foot on the sand 65 

years ago, to the day, to liberate Europe. 

As well as moving, the trip was extremely 

informative, with the soldiers hearing first hand 

accounts from those that had fought their way 

ashore that day and in the coming weeks as they 

pushed the Germans back inland. 

SSM WO2 Les Speed and SQMS Tim Copley pictured on the beach with two veterans 


The Royal British Legion is the leading UK charity 

providing direct, practical support for our 

wounded heroes and bereaved Armed Forces 

families. The past 12 months of bloody conflict 

have increased the need for our help both today 

and for years to come. 

Since 2003, the Legion provided financial help to 10,000 Service 

personnel and recent veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as 

representing one-third of all the appeals for higher compensation 

payments for injuries suffered in Afghanistan. The Legion's campaigns 

have led to increased compensation awards which have 

placed an extra £7.5 million in the pockets of the most seriously 

injured. 

The Legion currently spends more than a £1 million a week in its 

work helping over 130,000 other members of the Armed Forces 

Family – dependents, veterans and the bereaved. This year it hopes 

to extend its reach more than 160,000 beneficiaries. It's hoped the 

Poppy Appeal will raise £31 million, matching last year's record total. 

The Royal British Legion’s 2009 Poppy Appeal targets support for the 

wounded and bereaved of Afghanistan with a sobering poster campaign 

featuring a young war widow and a Royal Marine double 

amputee. 

Using the motto, “For their sake, wear a poppy,” the Poppy Appeal 

poster campaign also for the first time features a coffin being repatriated 

from Afghanistan. 

The Royal British Legion is the nation's leading Armed Forces charity 

providing care and support to all members of the British Armed 

Forces past and present and their families. It is also the national 

Custodian of Remembrance and safeguards the Military Covenant 

between the Nation and its Armed Forces. It is best known for the 

annual Poppy Appeal and its emblem the red poppy. 

The Legion provides financial, social and emotional support to millions 

who have served or are currently serving, as well as their 

dependants, through Poppy Support- the name given to the Legion’s 

collective welfare services. Last year, the Legion provided direct welfare 

help to over 100,000. 

As well as providing welfare support, the Legion has over 400,000 

members, and actively campaigns on issues affecting the serving 

and ex-serving community. www.britishlegion.org.uk 

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LORD LIEUTENANTS’ 

AWARDS 

Awards for 

exceptional 

service 

As reported in the last edition of The 

Volunteer various cadets from Greater 

Manchester, Lancashire and Cheshire were 

recognised for their exceptional service at 

the Lord Lieutenant awards. This issue it is 

Cumbria and Merseyside’s turn. 

Cumbria’s Lord Lieutenant Colonel James 

Cropper presented his certificates at 

Cumbria‘s Police Headquarters in Penrith. 

Petty Officer Cadet Liam Little, 16, from 

Maryport, was appointed Lord-Lieutenant's 

Cadet for 2009/10. Liam is a member of 

Training Ship Caesar - the Maryport Sea Cadet 

Corps and will assist the Lord-Lieutenant at 

service related functions and events. 

His citation, read by Colonel Gerry Wells- 

Cole, Chief Executive NW RFCA said: “He is 

an asset to the Sea Cadet Corps and his unit. 

LtoR: Cadet Flight Sergeant Simon Barker, Regimental Sergeant Major Instructor William Bilcliff, Colonel 

James Cropper, Lieutenant Paul Robinson and Petty Officer Cadet Liam Little 

He sets an excellent example and is fully 

deserving of the appointment”. 

Cadet Flight Sergeant Simon Barker, 17, 

from Appleby, received the Lord-Lieutenant's 

Certificate of Merit. Simon is a member 

of 2192 (Appleby) Squadron, Air Training 

Corps and his citation read “He is always 

smartly turned out and at ease working with 

cadet and adults alike. He is a credit to his 

Squadron, his Wing and the Air Training Corps 

as a whole.” 

Regimental Sergeant Major Instructor 

William Bilcliff, 62, from Silloth, and 

Lieutenant Paul Robinson, 42, from Kendal 

were both awarded the Lord- Lieutenant's 

Certificate. William is the Senior Warrant 

Officer of the Cumbria Army Cadet Force and 

his citation read “William has maintained the 

detachment often single-handedly and has 

built up strong support from the local 

community. The service he has given to both 

the ACF and to his community is fully 

deserving of the award.” 

Paul serves as Deputy District Officer for 

Cumbria District of the Sea Cadet Corps and 

his citation read “Paul revamped the 

organisation and administration, arranged 

working parties and established a 

management committee. Extra staff were 

recruited - and as a result, the unit now has a 

secure foundation” 

Merseyside’s Lord Lieutenant Dame Lorna 

Muirhead presented her certificates at the 

RG Masters VC TA Centre in Bootle. 

Sea Cadet Corps Petty Officer Cadet 

Beverley Marriette, 16, from Huyton, was 

presented with her Badge of Office and 

Certificate of Appointment as Lord- 

Lieutenant's Cadet for 2009-10. 

Beverley is a member of Huyton with 

Roby’s TS IRON DUKE and her citation read 

“Beverley is an outstanding cadet and a 

great credit to her Corps, her Family and 

Merseyside. She has outstanding leadership 

skills and such enthusiasm for cadet and 

community activities that this not only 

motivates her fellow cadets but also 

demonstrates to them what can be achieved 

with determination and commitment.” 

Company Sergeant Major Peter Taylor- 

Rudd, 17, from Bootle, and Cadet Warrant 

Officer Simon Routledge, 19, from Ormskirk, 

were awarded the Lord-Lieutenant's 

Certificate of Merit. Peter recently joined the 

Sefton squadron of 156 (NW) TPT Regt RLC 

and his citation read “Peter is smart and well 

organised – and has played a leading part in 

the relocation of his Cadet detachment from 

Strand Road TA Centre to the newly built 

LtoR: Cadet Warrant Officer Simon Routledge, Petty Officer Cadet Beverly Marriette, Dame Lorna Muirhead, 

Lieutenant Commander (SCC) Paul Rycroft and Cadet Company Sergeant Major Peter Taylor-Rudd 

Centre in Pelham Drive. He is fully deserving 

of the award.” 

Simon is a member of 1026 (Ormskirk) 

Squadron of the Air Training Corps and his 

citation read “Simon has achieved an awful 

lot during his time as a cadet and he is fully 

deserving of the award.” 

Lieutenant Commander (SCC) Paul Rycroft, 

52, from Allerton, was presented with the 

Lord-Lieutenant's' Certificate. Paul is the 

District Officer for the nine Merseyside 

detachments of the Sea Cadet Corps and his 

citation read “Paul has given outstanding 

service to the Sea Cadet Corps over many 

years and is fully deserving of the award.” 


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SaBRE 

The 4LANCS amphibious section attack 

Employers’ 

day at Halton 

The 4th Battalion of the Duke of Lancaster’s 

Regiment recently organised a splendid 

display at Halton Camp near Lancaster. They 

staged an amphibious section attack from the 

river then into the camp itself. More than 60 

visitors, including a good number of young 

people, were treated to this spectacular action 

at close quarters. When everyone regained 

their breath, a delicious BBQ was served to 

the visitors and the TA participants. 

The Chairmen of 

both Cumbria and 

Lancashire Employer 

Support Committees, 

Gordon Moore and 

John Eastham 

respectively, thanked employers for attending 

and for the support they give to their Reservist 

employees. Lt Col Andrew Kennedy, CO 

4LANCS, added his thanks and presented six 

Ian Gibson and Heather Davis from Lancashire County Museums with Gordon 

Moore and John Eastham at the Halton Demonstration 

Employer Support Certificates to C J W 

Metcalfe, D Stoker Group, Lancashire County 

Council, Pendle Borough Council, Ribble 

Valley Borough Council and Rossall School. 

Employers and Reservists at No 10 

The Prime Minister hosted employers and 

Reservists from around the country at a garden 

reception at the world-famous No 10 Downing 

Street. Five employers represented the North 

West including Beatrice Fraenkel, Chairman of 

Merseycare NHS Trust, Alan Brown, Governor of 

HMP Liverpool, Paul Sharples from the 

University of Manchester, Eamon O’Rourke 

from Belle Vue Leisure Centre and Jonathon 

Pugh from Shell UK. They were joined by WO2 

Kevin Shackell and CSgt Peter Roberts from the 

Royal Marines Reserve Merseyside and Captain 

Keith James of 170 (Infra Sp) Engr Gp RE (V). 

All were introduced personally to the Prime 

Minister and Defence Chiefs who took a great 

interest in both Reservists and employers and 

thanked them for their commitment. 

WO2 Kevin Shackel, Eamon O’Rourke, Alan Brown, Ian Rankine, NW SaBRE Director, Beatrice Fraenkel, 

Jonathon Pugh, Capt Keith James, CSgt Peter Roberts and Paul Sharples 


SaBRE 

Heroes welcome in Sefton 

This “Heroes Welcome in Sefton” campaign 

was launched in June 2009 by the Mayor of 

Sefton Councillor Alf Doran. It is a scheme 

whereby businesses offer Service men and 

women discount on production of a military 

identity card. The Mayor (pictured), a keen 

supporter of the Armed Forces, was determined 

to help its members in any way he could. He 

particularly wanted the Borough of Sefton to 

recognise, in a tangible way, the fine job that 

Reservists do in supporting their regular 

counterparts. 

The Borough is already signed up as a 

supportive employer and has received a 

Secretary of States award in recognition of the 

commitment to Reservist employees. 

Councillor Doran said “I wanted to go further 

than just Council employees and help all 

service men and women in the Borough. This 

is an opportunity for businesses to offer 

something in return for the commitment of 

these extraordinary people who give of their 

own time to this very worthwhile second 

career.” 

All members of the Armed Forces, both 

Regular and Reserve, are encouraged to take 

advantage of the scheme. Veterans living 

within the Borough of Sefton or visiting the 

Borough, on production of their Veterans 

Badge, will also be able to claim the discount or 

service offered by the establishment they are 

visiting. 

Since the launch of the campaign, many 

Sefton businesses have applied to be part of 

the scheme, and this number is growing daily. 

To check on the members, or in fact to become 

a supportive business yourself, please go to the 

Sefton website; www.sefton.gov.uk. There you 

will find all businesses in the scheme under 

Mayoral Services. 

Current members of the scheme 

FORMBY HALL GOLF RESORT & SPA 

Southport Old Road, 

Formby, Merseyside L37 0AB 

10% DISCOUNT OF FOOD & HOTEL 

ALEXANDRA & VICTORIA HOTEL 

38 The Promenade, Southport, 

Merseyside PR8 1QU 

10% DISCOUNT ON ALL ACCOMMODATION 

CAFE DES CREPES 

Unit 4, Chapel Alley, 

Formby, Merseyside L37 4DL 

15% OFF MENU PRICE 

SIMPLY DELICIOUS - Sandwich Shop 

Unit 6, Bridle Road, Bootle L30 4XS 

10% DISCOUNT 

COLLINGWOOD GOLD - Jewellers 

39 Tulketh Street, Southport PR8 1AG Tel - 

01704 538 146 

UP TO 30% DISCOUNT 

DIAMONDS DIRECT - Wholesaler Jewellers 

107 Lord Street, Southport PR8 1PU 

Tel - 01704 531 048 

25% DISCOUNT 

COLOUR ME BEAUTIFUL 

1st Floor, The Cloisters, Halsall Lane, 

Formby L37 3PX 

£15.00 OFF COLOUR OR STYLE 

CONSULTATION 

THE BLOOM ROOM 

45 Piercefield Road, Formby L37 7DG 

10% DISCOUNT 

EMERSON MENSWEAR 

14-16 Cambridge Walks, Southport, 

Merseyside PR8 1EN 

15% DISCOUNT ON ALL NON-SALE STOCK 

B & Q (Aintree) 

Racecourse Retail Park, Aintree L9 5AN 

10% DISCOUNT ON ANY DAY APPLICATION 

FOUR SEASONS 

HOME, GARDEN & GIFTWARE, 8 Sefton 

Industrial Estate, Maghull, Liverpool L31 8BX 

10% IN STORE DISCOUNT 

WATERSIDE LODGE LTD 

Marine Drive, Southport PR8 1RY 

DISCOUNT ON WATER ACTIVITIES 

SEFTON WOMENS BUSINESS NETWORK 

The Snug, 4 Blenheim Road, Ainsdale, 

Southport PR8 2RX 

Website: http://www.swbn.co.uk/ 

FREE MEMBERSHIP VALUE £50.00, FOR 

2009. PLUS OTHER BENEFITS. 

BARRINGTONS FUNERAL SERVICE 

28 Crosby Road North, Waterloo, 

Liverpool L22 4QF 

10% OFF PROFESSIONAL SERVICES 

SARAH HALL - Injury & Pain Relief Specialist 

102 Shakespeare Street, Southport PR8 5AJ 

10% OFF INITIAL CONSULTATION & 

TREATMENT SESSIONS 

PLAY TOWN 

Unit H, Ocean Plaza, Marine Drive, 

Southport PR8 1SQ 

HEROES AND THEIR FAMILIES WILL BE 

CHARGED CONCESSIONARY RATES ON 

ENTRY, DISCOUNTS WILL BE GIVEN IF THEY 

BOOK PARTIES. 

AUTOMECH FORMBY 

Unit 10, Mayflower Industrial Estate, 67-69 

Liverpool Road, Formby L37 6BU 

£15.00 OFF AN MOT TEST (CURRENTLY 

£54.00) AND 10% DISCOUNT OFF OTHER 

WORKS 

HANDYMEN R US LTD 

22 Caledonian Crescent, Litherland, 

Merseyside L21 9QA Website: 

www.handymenrus.co.uk 

10% DISCOUNT, PLUS ZERO SURCHARGE 

FOR PROVISON OF MATERIALS (normally 

20% of total goods) - on production of 

service identification. 

TALKING HEADS 

Fleetwood House, 3 Manchester Road, 

Southport, Merseyside PR9 9EP 

COUNSELLING SESSIONS OFFERED AT 

HALF PRICE FOR RETURNING HEROES, 

NORMAL PRICE £40.00 DISCOUNTED PRICE 

£20.00 

MAGHULL 4X4 CENTRE 

Unit 26 Sefton Lane Ind Estate, Maghull, 

Merseyside L31 8BX 

ON APPLICATION 

MAGHULL DOUBLE GLAZING CO LTD 

Sefton Lane Ind Estate, Maghull, Liverpool, 

L31 8BY 

10% DISCOUNT 

REDWOOD TREE SURGEONS 

19 Bridgefarm Drive, Maghull L31 9AL 

10% DISCOUNT (negotiable) 

MELLING CARPET CARE 

52 Moorfoot Way, Melling Mount L33 1WY 

20% DISCOUNT 

GARDEN CRAFT 

17A Rimrose Valley Road, Crosby L23 9TE 

DISCOUNT ON PLANTS, ANNUALS & 

SHRUBS AND ALSO A DISCOUNT ON 

LABOUR. 

M & M BUILDING SERVICES 

38 Wallace Drive, Huyton L36 1TL 

ON APPLICATION 

CRAIG’S SCHOOL OF MOTORING 

24 Stanley Road, Formby L37 7AW 

10% OF ALL SERVICES OFFERED 


IN THE SPOTLIGHT 

A dog lover 

with 16 nieces 

and nephews 

and a military 

career 

spanning 

26 years. 

The Volunteer shines the 

spotlight on Sgt Maj Neil Law 

NAME: Neil Law 

AGE: 43 

TELIC 2 in 2003 and also 

deployed to Cyprus last 

Christmas on Op TOSCA. 

LOCATION: 

Mather Avenue TA Centre, 

Liverpool 

ROLE: 

Caretaker and Sgt Maj for HQ 

Sqn 156 Tpt Regt RLC 

LENGTH OF TIME IN POST: 

13 years as a Caretaker at the 

TAC and Two and a half years 

as Sgt Maj 

CAREER SO FAR: 

I joined the Royal Navy straight 

from school in 1982. I was 

based at both Plymouth and 

Portsmouth where I served for 

eight years. I witnessed the 

Iran/Iraq war in 1986/87 and, 

due to personal reasons, decided 

to leave the Navy in 1990. 

I joined the TA in 1991 and 

served with 75 Engr Regt (V), 

based in Oldham, where I 

stayed until I transferred to 

156 (NW) Tpt Regt (V), 

Liverpool, in 1997 to work as a 

civilian caretaker. I have stayed 

there ever since! Since my 

move to ‘156’ I deployed on Op 

During the week I have my 

‘civvy hat’ on as caretaker at 

Mather Avenue, and then 

Tuesday evenings and 

weekends I put my Sergeant 

Major hat on. Some people find 

it difficult to differentiate 

between the two positions, but 

you have to learn how to 

switch off. I love my work. Not 

only has it given me the 

chance to make a lot of friends 

but it’s also given me the 

opportunity to see the world. 

UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL: 

I live and work at the TA 

centre with my partner of 17 

years and my six month old 

Springer Spaniel, Bracken. I 

have three brothers and one 

sister and have 16 nieces and 

nephews. Christmas is very 

expensive! 

I left the Navy as I wanted to 

get married and my fiancé 

wouldn’t have liked me being 

away so much. If I had my 

time again I wouldn’t leave, I 

would join the RAF as it’s the 

only service I haven’t served 

with! 

FAVOURITE PLACE: 

Definitely Sri-Lanka. I think 

the people, culture and 

population is fantastic. I can 

definitely recommend it to 

anyone who hasn’t ever been 

(Although a week on Sunday I 

am jetting off to Sharm El 

Sheikh in Egypt. I love it there 

too!) 

FAVOURITE FOOD: 

Definitely my partner’s roast 

beef dinner! 

HAPPIEST MEMORY: 

It would have to be either 

watching my parents’ faces 

when I joined the Royal Navy 

in 1982, or giving my niece 

away at her wedding four 

years ago. 

GUILTY PLEASURE: 

The occasional cream cake. 

(Chocolate éclairs are my 

favourite.) 

FAVOURITE METHOD OF 

COMMUNICATION: 

Mobile phone. Although I do 

wish I didn’t have it at times as 

you are always contactable. 

AMBITION: 

I would like to carry on with 

the TA until I am at least 55. 

It’s a good life and it keeps me 

in the military. I also can’t wait 

want to see all of my nieces 

and nephews grow up. 

INSPIRATION: 

I’d say either Richard Branson 

or Alan Sugar – they came 

from nothing and look at them 

now! Or Freddie Flintoff – I’m 

a big cricket fan! 

FINAL WORD: 

‘Take life as it comes, enjoy the 

moment and work hard to 

achieve what you can!’ 


COMPETITIONS 

YOU WON’T FIND THESE PUZZLES IN ANY OTHER MAGAZINE! 

Try the all-new 

Fou Dou-Fuu! 

EXCLUSIVE TO 

VOLUNTEER 

READERS 

Enter this exclusive competition today and you could be in with the chance of 

winning an exclusive copy of Beyond Duty, a brand new hardback book worth £20 

Shannon Meehan is a former Lieutenant in the US Army and Beyond Duty is a true story of his attempt to 

reconcile what he has done with what he felt he had to do. Stark and devastating, it recounts first-hand the 

reality of a new type of warfare that remains largly unspoken and forgotten on the frontlines of Iraq. 

This book has only very recently been published and could be yours by simply completing this exclusive 

Volunteer puzzle. Send your entries in to the usual address 

TAKING SUDOKU TO ANOTHER LEVEL! 

HEY, Sudoku fans - welcome to a 

brand new numbers puzzle you 

won’t find anywhere else! 

That’s right - if you’re bored 

with ordinary Sudoku and need a 

fresh challenge we’ve got just the 

thing - a 3D numbers prize puzzle 

called Fou Dou-Fuu. 

It’s the creation of North-West 

puzzle creator Les Johnson and 

your Volunteer is the ONLY 

magazine to find them. 

Each edition we’ll 

EXCLUSIVELY bring you different 

varieties of these fascinating 

puzzles which take the hugely 

popular Sudoku to a whole new 

level. 

Just work your way down the 

3D grid filling in each block of six 

squares with the numbers 1-6 but 

making sure the tiles beneath 

each other from top to bottom on 

the 3D image also match up the 

numbers 1-6. So all the top left 

tiles for each tier must contain 

the numbers 1-6 too. 

For example, in the first puzzle 

the number five is on the top 

right tile of the second block of 

six squares, the bottom left of the 

fifth block and the bottom right of 

the sixth block. 

So in the top block the only tile 

it can go on is top middle! 

There, we’ve got you started. 

So how do you solve this 

issue’s 3D brainteaser? 

Now do the whole puzzle. 

Solutions in next issue. 

WATCH OUT FOR MORE BRAIN-TRAINING FOU DOU-FUU 

NUMBER PUZZLES IN THE NEXT ISSUE OF VOLUNTEER 

To advertise in the next edition of The Volunteer published 

19th February 2010 call Tony Holder on 01204 478 813 

tony@bigsparkpublishing.co.uk 

Big Spark Publishing Limited, Publishing House, 3 Bridgebank Industrial Estate, Taylor Street, Horwich, Bolton BL6 7PD 

Tel: 01204 478 813 Web: www.bigsparkpublishing.co.uk 

© Les Johnson 2008 

big spark publishing ltd 


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 31 January 

2010. Good Luck! 

New 

competition 

Following his introduction 

in the last edition of The 

Volunteer, Combat Frog has 

hidden himself on one of 

the pages in this edition. 

Think you are an eagleeyed 

reader? Then let us 

know where he's hidden 

and you will be in with a 

chance of winning a £25 

voucher. 

Send it in to the usual 

address at the bottom of 

the page by 31 January 

2010 and we’ll tell you 

where he hid himself in the 

next edition. 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! 


And the winner of our Spot the 

Volunteer competition is…! 

….this submission taken in 

Morocco on Ex TOUBKAL 

WARRIOR. Starring, from left 

to right, Moroccan guide ‘Aziz’, 

Captain Alan Fortuin from 207 

(Manchester) Fd Hosp (V) Lt 

Habib from the Royal Moroccan 

Army. Congratulations to Luke 

Shepherd who submitted the 

photograph and is now the 

lucky winner of a £10 voucher 

for Marks & Spencer. 

Thanks also to the following 

runners-up: 

NW RFCA Supply Officer Phil 

McGlashan on a recent trip to 

Universal Studios in Florida. 

SI Dean Johnson of the Isle 

of Man Army Cadet Force in his 

Eastern Airways ‘office’ at 

around 17,000ft. 

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 62. 

Autumn Competition Winners 

CHESHIRE PASSPORT 

As featured in the last 

edition of The Volunteer, 

twins from Birkenhead 

were the lucky winners 

of a Cheshire Passport. 

Ryan (L) and Scott (R) 

Warburton are pictured 

with their dad, Ian, who is an 

NRPS Staff Sergeant with 107 

Field Squadron Royal Engineers 

(V) based at Harrowby Road TA 

Centre, Birkenhead. 

The twins won their Cheshire 

Passport prize by solving the 

map reading test and their prize 

- worth over £500 - is family 

tickets (or equivalent) to 23 top 

Cheshire tourist attractions. 

Dad Ian holds the fan of 

leaflets showing the 

attractions and the lads grasp 

the precious passport between 

them. 

MUSIC TO YOUR EARS! 

Congratulations to Cdt LBdr Oakey from the Isle of Man ACF who 

managed to identify all 10 differences in our Spot the Difference 

competition and will soon receive a £25 HMV gift card. 


DIRECTORY 

TA 

Cheshire 

Lancashire 

Greater Manchester 

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 

Currently no unit 

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 

SOMME BARRACKS 

Moss Street 

Blackburn BB1 5JT 


Tuesday 

Tel: 01254 682528 

TA CENTRE 

Canterbury Street 

Blackburn BB2 2HS 

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 

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 

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 


TA 

DIRECTORY 

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 

Currently no unit 

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 

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 

Army Cadet Force 

Merseyside 

Cumbria 

Lancashire 

Cheshire 

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 


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 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 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

Air Training Corps 

DIRECTORY 

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 

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 

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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