Campbeltown Sea Cadets 60th Anniversary
Celebrating 60 Years of Campbeltown Sea Cadets 1955 - 2015
Celebrating 60 Years of Campbeltown Sea Cadets
1955 - 2015
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Celebrating<br />
60 Years<br />
CAMPBELTOWN SEA CADETS<br />
1955 - 2015
Acknowledgements<br />
We wish to thank former members<br />
of <strong>Campbeltown</strong> <strong>Sea</strong> <strong>Cadets</strong> for<br />
providing some of the<br />
photographs and newspaper<br />
articles from <strong>Campbeltown</strong><br />
Courier. Information also came<br />
from the booklet ‘<strong>Campbeltown</strong> –<br />
remembered 1942 – 1982.
About us<br />
<strong>Campbeltown</strong> <strong>Sea</strong> Cadet Unit<br />
was formed in 1955. For the last<br />
six decades, hundreds of young<br />
people in Kintyre have benefited<br />
from the <strong>Sea</strong> <strong>Cadets</strong> and<br />
although the Unit has seen its<br />
fair share of highs and lows,<br />
today <strong>Campbeltown</strong> <strong>Sea</strong> <strong>Cadets</strong><br />
continues to play an important<br />
role in the community. Despite<br />
the Unit being one of the most<br />
remote in the Northern Area,<br />
with a strong group of staff and<br />
volunteers, the Unit still<br />
managed to accomplish some<br />
amazing achievements and has<br />
defied the disadvantages of<br />
being in a remote area.<br />
The cadets originally met at the<br />
Boatshed at the Quarry Green,<br />
then at the old TA Hall (now<br />
demolished). Following the<br />
demolition of the TA Hall the<br />
Unit met for a short period in the<br />
Heritage Centre and currently<br />
parades at the Cadet Hall at<br />
Hazelburn.<br />
Our History<br />
In September 1955 No 480 Unit of the<br />
<strong>Sea</strong> <strong>Cadets</strong> Corps was formed and later<br />
granted the name Training Ship<br />
<strong>Campbeltown</strong>, to honour not only the<br />
town of its birth, but also the heroic<br />
ship’s company of the lost destroyer.<br />
The name HMS <strong>Campbeltown</strong> has a<br />
distinguished record of Royal Navy<br />
service during World War Two, with<br />
honours for the Battle of the Atlantic,<br />
1941-1942, and the legendary raid on<br />
St Nazaire in1942, known as Operation<br />
Chariot where she was deliberately<br />
blown up in an attempt to destroy a dry<br />
dock in occupied France. Commanded<br />
by Lieutenant Commander Stephen<br />
Beattie during the raid for which he<br />
received the Victoria Cross for his<br />
gallantry and leadership.<br />
Since 1989 the new HMS<br />
<strong>Campbeltown</strong>, a Type 22 frigate,<br />
regularly visited <strong>Campbeltown</strong> and<br />
strong links were forged between the<br />
Royal Navy and local community. She<br />
was decommissioned in 2011.<br />
.
1955<br />
A challenging beginning.<br />
“Don’t turn down the <strong>Sea</strong> <strong>Cadets</strong>” was the<br />
headline in the December 1955 edition of<br />
the <strong>Campbeltown</strong> Courier. The newly<br />
formed <strong>Campbeltown</strong> <strong>Sea</strong> <strong>Cadets</strong> was<br />
seeking to rent the former lifeboat house<br />
at Quarry Green to hold parades, but was<br />
rejected by the Town Council. Councillor<br />
Anderson said <strong>Campbeltown</strong> was a<br />
seaport town and it was most important<br />
that the sea cadets should have facilities<br />
for training. The Provost agreed this was<br />
a matter of some public interest and<br />
suggested the matter should go back to<br />
the committee for further consideration.<br />
“They are a public-spirited body and they<br />
are going to do a lot of good in the town.<br />
I think this should be reconsidered.”<br />
January 12 th 1956 edition of the Courier:<br />
‘Town’s <strong>Sea</strong> <strong>Cadets</strong> – Answer is still<br />
“No”’. The application was again turned<br />
down.<br />
Finally, the <strong>Sea</strong> cadets were offered the<br />
let of the lifeboat house later that year.<br />
Photo courtesy of Steve Partridge
<strong>Campbeltown</strong> <strong>Sea</strong> <strong>Cadets</strong> – Present day<br />
At the end of November the Unit had their annual Prize Giving evening to<br />
celebrate the achievements of cadets who have excelled in various areas.<br />
However, the icing on the cake is the Unit being awarded the prestigious Burgee<br />
for 2015, the highest recognition of achievement to a unit in the <strong>Sea</strong> Cadet Corp.<br />
Commanding Officer Donnie Cameron said, “I am absolutely delighted the Unit<br />
has been awarded with the Burgee and so proud of all the <strong>Cadets</strong>, staff and<br />
volunteers. This could not have been achieved without the hard work and<br />
dedication of every member of <strong>Campbeltown</strong> <strong>Sea</strong> <strong>Cadets</strong> and all of them are a<br />
credit to the town and to their families. <strong>Campbeltown</strong> Unit has been helping young<br />
people gain vital skills for the last 60 years and with local and national support,<br />
we hope to be able to do so for many years to come.”
Looking back<br />
1975 was TS <strong>Campbeltown</strong>’s first<br />
Efficiency Pennant.<br />
In 1978 the Unit received its fourth<br />
consecutive Efficiency Pennant and<br />
was presented with its colours by a<br />
former commanding officer of the<br />
Unit, Lieutenant Commander R.H.<br />
Craig, RD, RNR.<br />
A new dimension was added to the<br />
Unit early in 1979, with the<br />
proposed formation of a Girls’<br />
Nautical Training Contingent. It<br />
was two years later that this first<br />
Contingent received its official<br />
recognition.
1965 1975 1975<br />
1976
1979<br />
1979 proved to be a momentous<br />
year, seeing the start of a drum and<br />
bugle band and the weekly<br />
performance of the Ceremonial<br />
Sunset on the Old Quay through the<br />
summer.<br />
Cadet Petty Officer C. McLellan<br />
achieved the highest marks in the<br />
area for his advancement<br />
examinations, and was presented<br />
with the Ben Line Award before<br />
leaving the Unit to enter the Royal<br />
Navy.<br />
This was also the year the Unit<br />
received its first Burgee. The<br />
Burgee, a flag hoisted to the top of a<br />
ship’s mast, was awarded only to<br />
those units showing highest<br />
standard of efficiency. It recognises<br />
the quality of training offered to the<br />
cadets and the administration of the<br />
group including how well the<br />
activities run each year.
1980<br />
A historical visit by two officers<br />
from the <strong>Sea</strong> Cadet Unit<br />
Campbelltown, Australia. At a<br />
Ceremonial Sunset, the newly<br />
formed Kintyre Unit’s drum and<br />
bugle band made their first public<br />
performance. Led by leading<br />
drummer, LS Allan Shaw and their<br />
leading bugler, LS Derek Pope,<br />
they put on an impressive display.<br />
Lieutenant Lionel Mower,<br />
commanding officer of the<br />
Campbelltown Naval Reserve<br />
Cadet unit inspected the guard<br />
during the ceremony.
1980 – 25 th <strong>Anniversary</strong><br />
Commander Graham Shaw,<br />
commander of the Northern Area<br />
visited the Unit for their annual<br />
assessment and prize giving.<br />
With JS Deborah Brodie, the<br />
winners were (from left): LS Alan<br />
Shaw – best dressed; LS Duncan<br />
Waterman – best Cadet; AB David<br />
Barrett, who gained the newly<br />
awarded County Garage Cup for<br />
the most promising Cadet in 1980<br />
and LS Andrew Carter who<br />
received the Sailing Trophy for<br />
being the Unit’s best helmsman.<br />
(Front row) LS Kevin Buglass, who<br />
captured the Port Division of the<br />
Unit and JS Thomas Graham,<br />
whose fastest tying of a bowline<br />
knot won first place.
The 1981<br />
In 1981 the Unit received its second<br />
Burgee, which was presented in a<br />
ceremony by round-the-world<br />
yachtsman, Lieutenant-Commander<br />
Robin Knox-Johnston, CBE, RNR.<br />
But the best was yet to come when<br />
their continued variety and<br />
excellence of their activities led to<br />
the award of the coveted<br />
Stephenson Trophy for the<br />
Champion Unit of Northern Area.<br />
HMS Bickington, the Unit’s affiliated<br />
ship visited <strong>Campbeltown</strong> and the<br />
ship’s company and cadets joined<br />
together for an impressive march<br />
through the town and combined<br />
ceremonial divisions.
The 1982<br />
40 th anniversary celebrations of the Royal Navy raid on the French port of St Nazire. It was during this raid that the<br />
destroyer HMS <strong>Campbeltown</strong> was blown up, destroying the dock gates. <strong>Cadets</strong> and officers are pictured sitting<br />
under the ship’s bell from the destroyer.
The 1982<br />
A memorable trip to France, where the<br />
Unit took part in the 40 th anniversary<br />
celebrations of the raid on St Nazaire<br />
by HMS <strong>Campbeltown</strong> raid. The ship<br />
in the background is not just any old<br />
naval ship, it is the Royal Yacht<br />
Britannia.<br />
The 6 days trip saw cadets travel from<br />
<strong>Campbeltown</strong> to Portsmouth then on to<br />
France. <strong>Cadets</strong> had the opportunity to<br />
tour the HMS Vernon, HMS Victory<br />
(the oldest naval ship in the world), and<br />
HMS Euraylus among other activities.
1985<br />
The Unit’s annual Prize Giving<br />
Best Cadet - LS R McGregor<br />
Most Promising Cadet - OS N, Willerton<br />
Endeavour Trophy - JS G McLauchlan<br />
Marksman - PO D Harvey<br />
Sailing Trophy - JS C Scally<br />
Mementoes on departure from the Unit were<br />
presented to Cadet Petty Officer David Harvey<br />
and Leading <strong>Sea</strong>man James Thomson.
1985<br />
Seven cadets with Sub Lt<br />
Graham Woodley were special<br />
guests aboard HMS Dulverton.<br />
Thanks to the Royal Navy’s<br />
invitation to them to spend<br />
some time on one of the<br />
world’s largest fibre glass<br />
vessels. HMS Dulverton sailed<br />
out of <strong>Campbeltown</strong> Loch with<br />
the VIPs, James Thomson,<br />
Ross McGregor, Iain Rich,<br />
Donald McLeod, Graham<br />
Harvey, Kenneth Henderson<br />
and Michael Russell all aboard.
1986<br />
Trafalgar Night, the night when the<br />
Royal Navy, worldwide, celebrates<br />
Nelson’s victory of Trafalgar. The Unit<br />
celebrated with a dinner at the Ardshiel<br />
Hotel. During the evening, John<br />
McTaggart was presented with a gift to<br />
commemorate his sixteen year<br />
involvement with the Unit.<br />
1986<br />
Commander John Rainer of the Royal<br />
Navy Mine Countermeasure Squadron<br />
presented the Unit with a Pennant for<br />
their annual assessment, through<br />
Cadet David McGregor.
1986<br />
Double victory: where the<br />
shooting and pentathlon<br />
teams both achieved first in<br />
the national competition.
1986<br />
Annual Inspection being carried out<br />
by Commander DM Sandford RN,<br />
Northern Area Officer of the <strong>Sea</strong><br />
<strong>Cadets</strong> Corps.
1986<br />
Chief Officer Hope Gosse, WRNS, officer<br />
in charge of the Girls Nautical Training<br />
Contingent in the UK, paid the Unit a visit.<br />
Pictured here with the Girls’ Nautical<br />
Contingent and Third Officer Kate Jackson.<br />
1987<br />
An Ambassador for her country – Jillian<br />
Hanna was chosen from the entire UK<br />
Female <strong>Sea</strong> Cadet contingent to<br />
represent the organisation at an<br />
International Cadet Camp in India.
1988<br />
<strong>Cadets</strong> Peter Ferguson and Angus Dryden<br />
on board TS Royalist while on a visit to<br />
<strong>Campbeltown</strong>.
1989<br />
Annual Presentation took place at<br />
the TA Hall. The Unit welcomed the<br />
Squadron Commander C Meatyard,<br />
Royal Navy.
1990<br />
Eight members of the Unit met<br />
HRH Prince Andrew, the Duke of<br />
York (right), when they sailed with<br />
HMS <strong>Campbeltown</strong> from<br />
Liverpool to Plymouth.<br />
From the right are J Glover, I<br />
Smith, C Irvine, Lt G Woodley, R<br />
Lee, G Macpherson, PPO K<br />
Henderson, J O’Brien and Lt W<br />
Sheridan, the observer in the<br />
helicopter.
Fast forward to 2008<br />
In 2009 the Unit received<br />
their first Efficiency award<br />
since 1988 in the form of a<br />
Pennant, which was<br />
received again in 2010.<br />
<strong>Cadets</strong> had the opportunity to<br />
step inside a helicopter from<br />
HMS Gannett.<br />
Trafalgar Sunday<br />
On board TS John Jerwood
2011<br />
For the first time since 1988 TS<br />
<strong>Campbeltown</strong> was awarded a<br />
Burgee as a mark of excellence.<br />
It was presented to the Unit at its<br />
annual prize giving.<br />
OC James Arbuckle,<br />
photographed here, was<br />
awarded the Jubilee Rose Bowl<br />
for best cadet.<br />
The Decommissioning of HMS <strong>Campbeltown</strong><br />
In an emotional farewell, HMS <strong>Campbeltown</strong> slipped her moorings and sailed past<br />
the heart of the town for the final time. The events held during this celebratory<br />
goodbye started with a grand parade through the town - echoing what happened<br />
when the ship first visited the town in 1989.<br />
Commander Keri Harris always knew this would be an emotional day for the<br />
townsfolk and crew and said: “It is hard to imagine any other small town in the<br />
British Isles providing such a busy and exciting programme of events for a<br />
warship. There have been many highlights, but for me the town parade and<br />
church service held in the ship’s honour were the most moving; they brought into<br />
focus the sense of loss being experienced by the town as HMS <strong>Campbeltown</strong><br />
prepares to decommission early.”<br />
The ship’s motto is ‘Victoria Fortes Sequitur’ which translates as ‘Victory through<br />
Strength’.
2011<br />
Training at HMS Raleigh
TS <strong>Campbeltown</strong><br />
Today, the Unit may be smaller<br />
in numbers compared to its hay<br />
day. Nonetheless, it continues<br />
to inspire young people to<br />
achieve and to excel in life. It<br />
continues to promote the core<br />
values of the <strong>Sea</strong> <strong>Cadets</strong> of<br />
Respect, Loyalty, Self-disciple,<br />
Commitment, Honesty and<br />
Integrity. <strong>Cadets</strong> are given the<br />
opportunity to broaden life<br />
experiences, to learn key life<br />
skills and achieve qualifications<br />
in a range of areas, all of which<br />
boosts their confidence as they<br />
prepare for the rest of their<br />
lives. There is now a good<br />
number of cadets in the Unit all<br />
undergoing the <strong>Sea</strong> Cadet<br />
training programme involving:<br />
adventure training, waterborne,<br />
leadership, teamwork,<br />
community activities and<br />
promoting the core values.<br />
Photo courtesy of Sarah MacDonald Photography
2014<br />
<strong>Campbeltown</strong> <strong>Sea</strong> <strong>Cadets</strong><br />
celebrated an exceptional<br />
year of achievements at<br />
their Annual General<br />
Meeting and Prize Giving.<br />
The unit is also delighted to<br />
have achieved an efficiency<br />
award for the 6 th consecutive<br />
year. This is an annual<br />
assessment on the<br />
achievements and<br />
accomplishments of cadets,<br />
as well as the administration<br />
and safety of the unit. Also<br />
for the first time in the<br />
history of the unit, a cadet<br />
took part in the annual<br />
Trafalgar Day Parade,<br />
joining the Massed Band of<br />
the <strong>Sea</strong> <strong>Cadets</strong> in Trafalgar<br />
Square, London. Equally<br />
impressive is Able Cadet<br />
Iain Cameron, being the first<br />
cadet to achieve a RYA<br />
safety boat qualification and<br />
the only person in the unit to<br />
qualify to teach sailing.
Offshore Voyages<br />
<strong>Cadets</strong> Jo Chinn, Connor Chinn, Yvonne Graham, Connor Ewart, Cameron Wilkes and<br />
Suen Yee Walker took part in offshore training on the TS John Jerwood and enjoyed a<br />
fantastic week’s voyage around the West Coast and Isles of Scotland.<br />
<strong>Cadets</strong> were trained in navigation, bridge team duties, seamanship, deck work, engineering,<br />
cook/steward and experienced all the duties needed to operate a vessel at sea. <strong>Cadets</strong><br />
were also given shore leave to explore some of the islands and had the opportunity to sail<br />
past the famous Corryvreckan whirlpool. Cadet Arbuckle was on the TS City Liveryman and<br />
Cadet Cameron was on the TS Vigilant for their offshore training.<br />
Lord Lieutenant’s Cadet<br />
Friends and family were invited<br />
to a special presentation<br />
ceremony of the Lord<br />
Lieutenant’s Cadet to Petty<br />
Officer Cadet Ewan MacArthur.<br />
The certificate and badge were<br />
presented by the Lord<br />
Lieutenant of Argyll and Bute<br />
Patrick Stewart MBE WS. Petty<br />
Officer Cadet MacArthur is the<br />
first Lord Lieutenant’s Cadet<br />
from <strong>Campbeltown</strong> unit.
Tri-Service Cadet Band<br />
Cadet First Class Suen Yee Walker joined young musicians<br />
from the Army and Air Training Corps for the Tri-Service Cadet<br />
Band Camp at Barry Buddon, Dundee.<br />
During the course of the week they performed in the Gardens<br />
of Holyrood Palace for the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Gold<br />
Presentations, a Beating Retreat in Montrose to welcome HMS<br />
Montrose to the town, the Naming Ceremony of the HMS<br />
Queen Elizabeth in the presence of Her Majesty and finally<br />
performing at the Armed Forces Day Celebrations in Dundee.<br />
Trafalgar Day Parade<br />
Sunday 19 October marked the 209th annual<br />
national Trafalgar Day parade in Trafalgar Square,<br />
London. Cadet First Class Suen Yee Walker joined<br />
more than 500 young people from across the UK<br />
aged 13 – 17 from <strong>Sea</strong> <strong>Cadets</strong>, Army Cadet Force,<br />
Air Training Corps and Combined Cadet Force took<br />
part in a spectacular display and parade. Crowds<br />
were treated to performances including physical<br />
training, pipes and drums by Air <strong>Cadets</strong> and an 80-<br />
strong <strong>Sea</strong> Cadet Massed Band.
WWI Parade in Oban<br />
On Saturday 20th September, three cadet units<br />
<strong>Campbeltown</strong>, Oban and Lochaber joined<br />
together to commemorate the centenary of World<br />
War One with a parade in Oban. Also on parade<br />
were the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, RBLS,<br />
Scots Guards, Argylls, ATC, Army <strong>Cadets</strong> and<br />
Boys Brigade & Girl Guides.
Boating<br />
<strong>Cadets</strong> took to the water for their boating training<br />
throughout the summer months and into the autumn.<br />
<strong>Cadets</strong> were at various stages of training, from basic<br />
competency to being able to take charge of a boat<br />
and inexperienced crew. Several boats were used:<br />
the Trinity 500, a pioneer rowing boat, a safety boat<br />
and Pico sailing dinghies crewed by senior cadets<br />
who were giving a taster session of sailing to cadets<br />
who had not sailed previously. Apart from rowing,<br />
cadets also learn various other aspects of<br />
seamanship and boat handling.
RNP 2014<br />
On 27 th October, the Unit had the pleasure of<br />
welcoming Captain Peter Adams RN, Area Officer<br />
for Northern Area to their 2014 RNP. Along with<br />
the inspection of divisions, family and friends were<br />
treated to musical entertainment by cadets, and<br />
evolutions which showed the Unit’s skills and<br />
training over the past year.<br />
During the course of the evening, presentations were also made to<br />
members of staff and cadets. PO (SCC) Gannon received the<br />
Cadet Forces Medal for 12 years continuous uniformed adult<br />
service. Lt (SCC) Willet RNR received the second clasp to her<br />
Cadet Forces Medal for a total of 24 years continuous uniformed<br />
adult service. Able Cadet James Arbuckle was presented with<br />
badge for RYA Level 2 power boat and Able Cadet Iain Cameron<br />
was awarded badges for RYA Safety boat, RYA Dinghy Instructor<br />
and his <strong>Sea</strong> Cadet corps Master Coxswain qualification. Finally, a<br />
special presentation of a limited edition replica of the new Queen<br />
Elizabeth Aircraft Carrier was presented to First Class Cadet Suen<br />
Yee Walker for her involvement in both the Tri-Service Cadet Band<br />
who played for the VIP’s at the Carriers Naming Ceremony and the<br />
Massed Band of the <strong>Sea</strong> <strong>Cadets</strong> who performed at the Trafalgar<br />
Day Parade, London.
2015<br />
The Pioner Multi, a new<br />
addition to <strong>Campbeltown</strong> <strong>Sea</strong><br />
<strong>Cadets</strong>. This unique boat<br />
takes safety, durability and<br />
versatility to a new level.<br />
With a large deck space and<br />
wide bow port, it will<br />
essentially be used as a<br />
safety boat for cadets’ boat<br />
training. Funded through the<br />
Community Covenant Grant<br />
Scheme of the Armed Forces,<br />
the boat will also allow the<br />
Unit to take ex-service<br />
personnel on cruises around<br />
the Loch. Donnie Cameron,<br />
Commanding Officer of the<br />
Unit said, “We are extremely<br />
pleased with the successful<br />
application of funding to allow<br />
the Unit to purchase this boat.<br />
Not only will it improve the<br />
boat training of cadets but<br />
due to the boat’s unique bow<br />
entry system, it is capable of<br />
wheelchair access and<br />
therefore allows multifaceted<br />
use.”<br />
Photo courtesy of <strong>Campbeltown</strong> Courier
Northern Area Junior Summer Camp<br />
A total of 4 Junior cadets enjoyed a fantastic week<br />
of training at Greenock but also plenty of fun, with<br />
all of them gaining their Yellow, Green, Blue and<br />
Red modules.<br />
Photo courtesy of Northern Area Junior Summer Camp
Northern Area Archery Competition<br />
This is the first time the Unit had cadets entered<br />
into the Area’s Archery Competition. <strong>Cadets</strong><br />
Suen Yee Walker, Shona Bassett and Caius<br />
Walker represented the Highland District with<br />
the Junior Team coming second.<br />
Camping weekend<br />
<strong>Cadets</strong> had a great weekend of<br />
camping at Port Ban, where<br />
they had to set up camp, before<br />
enjoying games and activities
Photo courtesy of <strong>Sea</strong> <strong>Cadets</strong> Northern Area<br />
Commando Speed March<br />
Wanderers<br />
This year’s winner was Able<br />
Cadet Iain Cameron with a time<br />
of 57mins 17secs - a new record<br />
for the event! The trophy,<br />
donated by the Commando<br />
Association was presented by<br />
Colonel Brian Hume of HRFCA.<br />
We were delighted to receive<br />
funding from Awards for All to<br />
purchase two new Wanderer<br />
dinghies to enable sailing training<br />
to take place. Able Cadet<br />
Arbuckle managed to take the<br />
dingy for a ‘test drive’ on a<br />
beautiful autumn day.
<strong>Sea</strong> <strong>Cadets</strong> National Band Competition<br />
150 <strong>Sea</strong> <strong>Cadets</strong> aged 12 – 18 competed at a local level in 400<br />
towns across the UK to make it to Tower of London for the<br />
nationals. It was the Unit’s first to have a representative at this<br />
event. Ordinary Cadet Suen Yee Walker represented the<br />
Northern Area and performed against nine other bands from<br />
different <strong>Sea</strong> Cadet areas at the Tower of London on Saturday<br />
22nd August. Northern Area came 4th overall.
Crossing the Line Party and supporting Anti-bullying week
<strong>Campbeltown</strong> <strong>Sea</strong> <strong>Cadets</strong><br />
We wish to thank friends, family, volunteers, cadets and<br />
staff past and present for 60 good years!<br />
Thank you also to the many organisations who have<br />
supported us along the way.<br />
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