News

The Unit is proud of its long association with the London Branch of the CFVA.  This relationship is conducted via the Unit’s PASA (Parents’ and Supporters’ Association). On Sunday PASA laid on a buffet for the CFVA. The event went very well with the veterans and their families enjoying the get-together.  The CFVA branch Secretary wrote: “Have had nothing but appreciative comments about Sunday and I am charged with thanking all concerned”.

The Coastal Forces Veterans’ Association exists for Royal Navy veterans who served in vessels too small to support their own associations, such as motor launches, motor gun boats and motor torpedo boats. Their most famous single action was Operation Chariot, the raid on the dry dock at St Nazaire on the night of 28^th March 1942. The dock was put out of action for the rest of the war, denying major German warships repair facilities on the Atlantic. Five Victoria Crosses were awarded to those who took part in the raid.

Photo (courtesy of Sue Moss): Part of the memorial to those lost during Operation Chariot. This is located in Falmouth from where the raid was launched and to where the survivors returned. 

Cadets from the Unit took part in the District Athletics Competition. A disappointingly small team came a very creditable fourth.

Photo: Shannon Whitten winning the Senior Girls Shot Put.

Our Unit President, Alderman and Sheriff of the Corporation of London Jeffrey Evans paid the Unit a visit. The tone was informal and intended as a reward to the Cadets, who had endured a succession of ceremonial events. The cadets were given a spin in the Sheriff's Rolls, this was followed by a fun quiz.

Photo: Jeffrey, Cadets and the Rolls.

In 1919 the Admiralty, at the request of the Navy League, recognised the 34 Boys Naval Brigades. A condition of the recognition was the requirement for the Units to have an annual efficiency inspection carried out by a serving Royal Navy officer. At the same time the Boys Naval Brigades became the Naval Brigade Sea Cadet Corps- later to drop the “Naval Brigade” part of the title.  Ninety four years later……

Photo: Cadets in foreground, left to right, Dariusz Wozniak, India Steel, Imogen Singer and Dawid Wozniak are presented with Basic Campcraft Badges by the London Area Officer, Commander John Greene RN.

The inspection involves far more than the ceremony on the parade night. Leading up to the 9th July administrative aspects of the Unit such as health and safety, child protection, training outcomes and so on, are audited. The Unit had an outstanding result from the inspection, receiving the highest award possible. This represented a massive effort from  all members of the Unit, but our  Commanding Officer, Paul Townsend, must be singled out for his outstanding and enduring commitment to the Unit.

The annual Northern London District Adventure Training Competition is a weekend of competitive, outdoor activities designed to test both brains and brawn. Our relatively young and inexperienced team came a creditable fourth.

Photo: Able Cadet Savior Onuorah trailing Ordinary Cadet Yasmine Leblebici in the Endurance Race.