Leadership and control were the order of the day as Hereford cadets from two county schools lined up side by side for their biennial Combined Cadet Force (CCF) inspection.
Pupils from Hereford Cathedral School and Whitecross High School were on parade at the Suvla Barracks in the city when they were inspected by high ranking personnel.
The inspecting personnel included Lady Darnley, Lord Lieutenant of Herefordshire, Air Commodore Richard Atkinson CBE (former HCS pupil), Rear Admiral Philip Wilcocks CB, DSC, DL (currently a Governor at HCS) and Captain Sarah Hunter-Choat (a former HCS pupil and daughter of Brigadier Hunter-Choat).
During the inspection there was a special presentation of the Hunter-Choat Pace Stick in honour of Brigadier ‘Tony’ Hunter-Choat (1936-2012).
Cadet Gawain M RAF was on hand to receive the Pace Stick from the Reviewing Officer, Air Commodore Richard Atkinson CBE, while Captain Hunter-Choat proudly looked on. Brigadier Hunter-Choat’s wife, Linda and their other daughter, Felicity were also in attendance.
Gawain is the first recipient of the Hunter-Choat Pace Stick which was commissioned for the Contingent Warrant Officer and Gawain’s name will be engraved on the Pace Stick as will all the future CWOs.
He is the most senior Warrant Officer for the CCF and oversees the weekly running and discipline within the Cadets.
The School’s SSI Paul Reeves said: “Gawain has been my right hand man for the past year and he has done an exceptional job.”
Hereford Cathedral School pupil, Georgina S RAF was recognised as the best CCF Cadet and she received the Carless Trophy from Lady Darnley.
Headmaster Mr Smith said he was extremely proud of the cadets. He added: “It was an excellent biennial inspection. The CCF continues to be a popular and vibrant extra-curricular activity for many pupils giving them the opportunity to acquire skills such as confidence, self-reliance and teamwork. The cadets from both Whitecross High School and Hereford Cathedral School were a credit to the contingent and impressed all the inspecting officers.”
Hereford Cathedral School’s CCF is one of the oldest in the country with Royal Navy, RAF and Army Sections. In 2013, as part of the Government’s Cadet Expansion Programme, HCS partnered with Whitecross High School.
Click here to view a Facebook album of photos from the Biennial Inspection.
