The Sea Cadets have been in Stoke on Trent since Thursday 3rd March, 1938, receiving a warrant of affiliation as the '1st Stoke on Trent Navy League Sea Cadet Corps', opening at the school which stood on Cannon Street Hanley (now demolished), named TS Jervis at that time.
It is the third oldest unit in the Sea Cadets North West Area. The name is a link with Admiral John Jervis 1st Earl of St Vincent who was born at Meaford near Stone on 9th January 1735. Following his death in 1823, now lies at St Michaels church Stone.
In 1955, the Marine Cadet Detachment was opened, being one of the first five in the country.
The unit HQ was originally at Cannon Street School Hanley, and stood close to where the Jaguar & Harley Davidson dealerships are today.
The first CO recalled in the 1950’s was Lt Cdr Horace Arrowsmith. The first remembered Marine Detachment Commander was Lt (Jock) Halliday.
In 1962, the unit moved to its present location at the TA centre Ivy House Road, officially opened by Commodore McBeath in October 1963, named TS Jervis II the Co was Lt Cdr Arrowsmith. The 1st Lt, was Lt Chadwick.
In 1969, the Girls nautical Training Corps (GNTC) was founded at the unit. In 1980, the GNTC ceased to exist and the girls became part of the Sea Cadet Corps. The unit was re-named T.S. Talent in the 1980's after the submarine HMS Talent with which it is affiliated.
In 2010, the Marine Cadet section of the SCC was re titled ‘Royal Marines Cadets’ following approval by HM the Queen.
In 2022, Stoke-on-Trent Sea Cadets was awarded the Queens Volunteer Service Award.
Unit Co.’s Marine detachment & GNTC Commanders
| Unit CO | MDC | GNTC |
|---|---|---|
| c. 1950's Lt Cdr Horace Arrowsmith | ||
| 1966/76 Lt Cdr Chadwick | Lt Halliday |
2nd Officer J E Grocott |
|
1976/77 Lt Alan Bennett |
Lt Hurst |
3rd Officer G Stone |
|
1977 Lt Paul Birch |
Lt Bloor |
3rd Officer C Kelso |
|
1980 Lt George Simpson |
Lt Harris |
|
|
1983 Lt Ray Briggs |
Lt Scarrat |
|
|
1985 S/lt Ron Usher |
Sgt Allen |
|
|
1985 Lt Alan Grocott |
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|
1986 CPO Bernard Titley |
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| 1988 CPO later S/Lt Barry Hood | ||
|
1991 Lt Gary Frazer |
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| 1994 CPO later S/Lt Alan Grocott | ||
| 2002 Lt John Taylor | ||
| 2004 CPO Bev Bostock | ||
| 2013 PO later S/Lt David Eivers | ||
| 2016 | Sgt Johnson |
There have been Sea Cadet units in Stone, Kidsgrove, Middleport, they have gone over the years, and the Stoke on Trent unit is the only one in North Staffordshire. We have cadets who come to us from as far away as, Biddulph, Leek, and Newcastle.
Staffed by volunteers, today the Sea Cadets is a youth charity, each individual Sea Cadet unit such as Stoke on Trent exist wholly on the kind donations of the local people and businesses. Those donations pay for everything from the building maintenance and bills through to all the training the cadets do.
