A* Cambridge University Student Returns to PRS

Trafalgar Day 2016
Ryan Comley - Year 11 Chequers 4
Ryan Comley was one of over 500 young Sea Cadets to attend the 2016
Trafalgar Day Parade in London. The actual day of the event this year was
on Sunday 23rd October, but as a Marine Bandsman, and a ‘pre-selected’
bandsman at that (well done!) he was required to attend the practice
sessions from Wednesday 19th to Friday 21st. This is the highlight of
Ryan’s six year association with the Reading branch of the Sea Cadets.
Marine Cadet
Ryan Comley
The Parade is held annually in honour of Admiral Lord Nelson's historic
victory at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805.— more of that later — and is
supported by all cadets and not just those of a maritime persuasion!
This year the Cadets marched from The Mall to Trafalgar Square,
and put on a physical training display and a National Band display.
Cadets and other guests also laid wreaths at the base of Nelson's
Column, which is beautifully portrayed in the photo below.
Ryan is a member of the Sea Cadets National Band and although he
attended PRSs’ Remembrance ceremony (photo below), he was
committed to a ‘week-long’ band course in Plymouth for a week, so
missed the main 11th November commemorations.
Ryan is thoroughly committed to the Cadets and his drum skills, so much
so, he is in the process of joining the Royal Marine Band—good luck Ryan!
Marching from St James's Park
along The Mall
Ryan leading the cadet team at PRS
on Remembrance Day
So, what's it actually all about—quick facts? The Battle of
Trafalgar took place on the 21st
October 1805 and was part of
the Napoleonic Wars (1803-
1815). Nelson’s fleet of 27
vessels took on a combined
Franco-Spanish Fleet of 33. The
battle raged off the coast of
Spain (Cape Trafalgar) in over 5
hours of fighting, the British devastated the enemy fleet, destroying 19 enemy
ships, with the loss of no British ships, but 1,500 seaman were killed or wounded during the heavy engagement. Sadly,
although a great victory over the coalition and Napoleon, Bonaparte, Vice Admiral Lord Nelson, was shot by a sniper and
fatally wounded, and later died. However, this action and victory at the Battle of Trafalgar ensured that Napoleon's plan to
invade Britain was thwarted. Both the column in and square were created in his memory. The musket shot that allegedly
killed Nelson can be seen in Buckingham Palace and his body is entombed in St Pauls Cathedral in London.
This was a great victory for our maritime forces and the navy (in their own words) look on the day as ‘an act of remembrance
rather than just a celebration of victory, remembering the loss of the country’s greatest ever naval leader and the lives of men
10
Sea Cadets lined up next to
Nelson’s Column, Trafalgar Column
www.princesrisborough.bucks.sch.uk Winter 2016
Enjoy & Achieve