Tuesday 7 th July 2010 was a red-letter day in the history of the Cadet movement in the United Kingdom . Over 1500 cadets and staff travelled to central London to take part in the Cadet 150 anniversary parade. The parade was followed by a garden party at Buckingham Palace hosted by HRH the Prince of Wales.

Cadets, volunteers and their massed bands came to London from across the UK to march from Horse Guards Parade down The Mall to Buckingham Palace .

A flypast by the Red Arrows accompanied the parade and, uniquely, a selection of cadets travelled in the aircraft with the pilots as part of the celebrations.

Youngsters from the Sea Cadets, the Army Cadet Force, the Air Training Corps and the Combined Cadet Force took part in the parade.

Prince Charles saluted the cadets as they marched past Clarence House, accompanied by the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Dalton, and Minister for Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans, Andrew Robathan.

The following staff and cadets represented the Warwickshire and Birmingham Wing on the anniversary parade:

• Flt Lt Diana Atkinson OC 493 Sqn
• Fg Off Simon Jennings 487 Sqn
• FS Ben Chergui 493 Sqn
• FS Stuart Hand 1368 Sqn
• Sgt Sam Quinn 1459 Sqn
• Sgt Enya Tabram 163 Sqn
• Cpl Adam Reynolds 487 Sqn
• Cpl Imogen Cush 493 Sqn
• Cpl Elizabeth Blackburn 198 Sqn
• Cpl Emma Hibbitt 198 Sqn
• Cpl Ian Johnston 1459 Sqn
• Cdt Lucy Basaran 487 Sqn
• Cdt Elloise Messiam 163 Sqn

The staff and cadets travelled to RAF Northolt on 5 th July 2010 for a practice parade and everybody, including the officers, were put through their paces on the QCS parade ground. The Air Training Corps were by far the largest contingent on the parade, numbering some 575 cadets and 93 staff. The cadets and staff were split into three sqn's and everybody had to learn how to march in rows of 8's, all had problems trying to master a wheel on the march with such large numbers!

On 6 th July everybody travelled to Horse Guards in Central London to take part in the parade. The Garrison Sergeant Major, GSM Mott was in charge of getting the 1500 cadets on parade and his imposing presence ensured that all set off on the parade at the exact time expected. All 575 cadets from the ATC were on the Mall as the Red Arrows screamed over the top of us.

All the cadets marched to Wellington Barracks which is quite close to Buckingham Palace and following a quick bottle of water, GSM Mott again marched all the cadets to the Palace and the garden party got underway.

Prince Charles and other members of the Royal Family made their way along specified routes and they talked to a number of cadets and members of staff.

At the end of the day the cadets and staff from Warwickshire and Birmingham Wing had a special treat awaiting them. One of the guests who attended the garden party had spoken earlier in the day to the Police who were guarding Downing Street . We were allowed into Downing street and many pictures were taken in front of Number 10.

lt Lt Diana Atkinson, OC 493 Sqn commented “I know that both Fg Off Jennings and I have been very impressed with the cadets from Warwickshire and Birmingham Wing. Their dress and standard of drill was exceptional and I know that everybody enjoyed the day. To be on the Mall as the Red Arrows flew over was very special. This was a once in a lifetime experience and we have enjoyed representing our Wing”.

Article Submitted by:-
Fg Off Simon Jennings RAF VR(T) For Warwickshire and Birmingham Wing
12 Jul 10