Issue 87 - NWRFCA - Northwest Reserve Forces & Cadets Association

People
& places
Kevin bids FAREWELL
After being a Cadet Administrative Assistant (CAA) with
Greater Manchester ACF for 26 years, Mr Kevin Whelan
has finally bid farewell to his work colleagues.
He began working for what was then, the Territorial
Auxiliary Volunteer Reserve Association (TAVRA) on the
1st July 1985, and he officially retired on 15th July 2011.
In addition to his main CAA role, Kevin was also
employed as a Storeman, County Armourer, MTO, and
lately, a self-taught expert in IT. He was the instigator
of many schemes that benefited his County, and he has
many Commandant’s Commendations to his credit.
Prior to joining Greater Manchester ACF, Kevin had a
very successful career in the Regular Army as a Stores
Specialist within the Royal Army Ordnance Corps,
and achieved the rank of Warrant Officer Class II. He
travelled extensively, and unlike today, where there
seems to be only limited opportunities for travel, he
managed to wangle his way for a full tour to Singapore.
He also served in most of the European countries.
TA top of the class
Maj Tom Cornmell, the Cadet Executive Officer, presenting
Kevin with a Silver Cadet statuette prior to him being
dined out by his work colleagues. He had previously been
presented with a Bronze Soldier Statuette, by the Deputy
Chief Executive of NW RFCA.
Congratulations are in order for a local
TA soldier who has come top of his
infantry training course beating over a
hundred other soldiers.
Private Chris Howell, 28, who works
in HR at Astrazeneca in Alderley Edge,
joined D Company 4 MERCIAN in April
2010, and undertook his basic training at
Regional Training Centre Donnington.
His initial training took him 6 weekends
to train as a Phase One trained soldier.
Private Howell said:” It was a hard course
especially at weekends when I’d finish
work on a Friday evening but well worth
it”.
After completing Phase One the former
pupil from Kings School, Macclesfield,
had to undertake 3 Infantry specialist
weekends and then attend the 2 week
Combat Infantrymen’s Course at the
Infantry Training Centre Catterick.
It was whilst at Catterick that Chris
competed with 100 other aspiring
Infantry soldiers from across the UK to
make it to the top of the class.
On his time at Catterick he said : “It
was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do
in my life, little sleep, constantly on the
move, but it makes you appreciate the
little things like central heating.”
Private Howell is now settling into
his new role as a rifleman in an Infantry
platoon. But he has not stopped there
and is currently seeking a Territorial
Army Commission.
2nd Lt Matt Styles, Platoon Commander
at Crewe said : “Congratulations are in
order for Private Howell, He has shown D
Company’s hard work ethos and will fit
in well with the platoon”.
Veteran tankies support cadets
The Merseyside ACF RTR
Detachment based at Formby
receive great support from both the
Royal Tank Regiment Association
(RTR) and the Royal British Legion.
The RTRA, having previously
presented them with a Standard,
recently made presentations of
trophies to both the Unit and the
Outstanding Cadet of the Year,
Cdt Cpl Thomas Medcalf. The Unit
received a silver trophy of a Tank
and Cpl Medcalf will have his name
engraved on a hand carved wood
replica of a Valentine Tank.
The Unit and veterans.
6 the volunteer www.nwrfca.org.uk