Issue 87 - NWRFCA - Northwest Reserve Forces & Cadets Association

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Cdt Sgt Wright said: “It was one
of the toughest and the best thing
I have done in the Air Cadets so
far. I was challenged mentally
and physically from the moment I
arrived and I’m looking forward to
passing on some of the skills and
training to the other cadets on the
Squadron.”
Officer Commanding 162
(Stockport) Squadron Flt Lt Lee
Moore said: “This is a highly
sought after course for cadets
to be accepted onto, they learn
so much about themselves and
others and it can really help
improve self confidence. I am
proud to have two excellent cadets
who have passed; they are rolemodels
for the rest of the cadets
on the Squadron.”
Leadership Training is one of
the many activities offered at
Stockport Air Cadets including
visits to RAF Stations,
Adventure Training and Flying.
The Squadron meets every
Monday and Thursday night
from 7pm at their Headquarters,
Lockwood Fold, Buxton Road,
Stockport, SK2 6LS. If you are
interested in joining, visit
www.162atc.org.uk, Telephone
(0161) 4804390 or email 162@
aircadets.org
Top gun cadets clean up
Maghull Air Cadets are
celebrating victories at the recent
Inter Squadron Field Training
Competition.
The Squadron’s teams worked
tirelessly months before the
competition and their hard work
paid off. The competition is a
showcase of what the cadet’s
train for all year. It encompasses
first aid, drill, projects, models,
full bore shooting, small bore
shooting and more. Merseyside
Wing have thirty Squadrons and
Maghull Squadron has always
done well at the Field Training
Day but this year was a particular
delight for the cadets and staff.
2348 (Maghull) Squadron
achieved 1st place in the Drill
competition overall, 1st place for
Uniform Inspection, 1st place Full
Bore Shooting competition, 2nd
in Femal sports overall, 2nd in
male sports overall, 6th in public
relations and were awarded the
Best Drill Instructor Trophy.
“This really does show how
committed our cadets and staff
are at 2348. I am immensely
proud of their achievements”,
said Flt Lt Ian Taylor,
Commanding Officer of Maghull
Squadron. “It was such a buzz to
hear our Squadron being called
as the winners of the trophies.
We all cheered and it will be a
day I remember forever,” added
Cdt Cpl Tom Mussell.
The cadets went on to
compete against other regions,
representing Merseyside Wing
in Drill and have returned with
smiling faces. They came second
in the competition and Sergeant
(ATC) Danny Doherty, the teams
Drill Instructor was brimming
with pride “They have all done
exceptionally well to be placed
second in the entire Region of
Wales & West. Roll on next year!”
For more information visit
www.maghull.org or telephone
0151 520 2348 (Monday &
Fridays only, 7pm – 10pm).
Stockport Cadets honour the fallen
STOCKPORT Air Cadets have spent the past
six months maintaining war graves in
Stockport Borough Cemetery. The team of
teenagers who are all members of Heavileybased
162 (Stockport) Squadron worked in
the Cemetery cleaning each war grave by
hand.
Stockport Cemetery contains the graves
of 162 servicemen and women who gave
their lives during both World Wars. Those
whose graves are not marked by headstones
are named on a Screen Wall alongside the
Stockport Crematorium Memorial which is
also located in the cemetery.
Earlier this year approval was sought from
the Commonwealth War Graves Commission
and Stockport Borough Cemetery to start the
work. After a few weeks the go-ahead came
through with the stipulation that each grave
stone had to be cleaned by hand using only
water and a soft brush.
The cadets got started straight away on the
project; putting in a huge amount of effort
cleaning the grave stones. Not only was
Cdt Cpls Harris Maudsley and Lewis Taylor
cleaning a grave stone
this an excellent project to assist the local
community it was also counting towards
the Volunteering Section of their Duke of
Edinburgh’s Award.
Cdt Flt Sgt Zoe Barber, (16), who has
coordinated much of the project for the
cadets said. “It has been very rewarding to
clean and tidy the graves and do something
positive to remember those who gave their
lives for the freedom so many of us take for
granted today.”
The last grave stones have now been
cleaned but the project won’t stop now as
they will require ongoing upkeep. The cadets
are also looking to create a photographic
record of all of the War Graves within the
Cemetery and small bulbs will be planted in
front of the graves in the coming months.
Officer Commanding 162 (Stockport)
Squadron, Flt Lt Lee Moore said: “I was
delighted earlier this year when the cadets
came up with the idea of maintaining the
War Graves as a Squadron Project. They’ve
put in a great deal of hard work and it is
something they should be very proud of.”
In addition to maintenance of the graves
the cadets plan to start a new Squadron
Tradition by placing a small cross in front
of each War Grave within the Cemetery
following the Stockport Remembrance
Sunday Parade each November.
48 the volunteer www.nwrfca.org.uk