COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Just some of the charities supported this year

Below are snapshots from just some of the activities backed and charities adopted in 2022-23. Above: Cadets from 1 Pl and 3 Pl RSB on a sponsored walk for Erskine.

How many Christmas cards did you send?

The cadets of C Tp RA wrote cards for all the residents of Erskine - over 300 - and all were gratefully received.

Choosing a Standard Bearer

Cadets from the Bn along with cadets from the RAF Air Cadets competed in the Standard Bearer Competition for the Glasgow, Lanarkshire and Dumfries & Galloway Area of the Royal British Legion Scotland. And following the final Legion Scotland National Standard Bearing Competition in May, CSgt Scott Connor of B RHF was the runner-up and recognised as the Deputy National Standard Bearer, the youngest ever to hold

In December 2 Pl RSB provided donations to Shelter (above) and earlier in the year they also raised over £500 for the charity Combat Stress (below). For MarchinMarchcadets and Adult Volunteers were encouraged to walk or run 10 miles during March, either all in one go or spread across the month. All the money raised supports Combat Stress to treat veterans across the UK with severe mental health issues.

Cadets taking part in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award need to complete the Volunteering Section, which results in them delivering value to their communities.

For the year to June 2022 cadets from the Bn contributed 481 hours volunteering which the Award calculates has a social value of over £2,222.

Remembrance

Cadets from through the Bn were involved in Services of Remembrance in their local areas with a major parade for Invictus and Normandy Companies in Glasgow.

Working with the Ninjas

Cadets from 1 Pl RSB assisted the Strathaven Combat Crochet and Knitting Ninjas with their annual Remembrance decorations.

Every November, this immensely talented and creative group decorate Strathaven with hundreds of hand-knitted and crocheted poppies, adding a beautiful and poignant touch of colour to the town.

While detachments support many local charities throughout the year,

Annual Camp

Camp 2022 was the first residential Annual Camp for two years

Two weeks at Strensall in West Yorkshire was the first fully residential Annual Camp since pre-Covid and it was the usual mix of military skills, adventurous training, sport and recreational activities. The summer weather was kind to us and both cadets and Adult Volunteers considered it a success.

And as can be seen from the pictures, some cadets also put on their glad rags for an out-of-camp ‘fine dining’ experience.

Annual camp for 2023 is at Warcop in in Cumbria and initial planning is already underway with everyone determined to ensure that it will be as good, if not better, than 2022. Hopefully the Cumbrian weather will also be kind to us.

Committed, skilled and qualified

While much of this Review concentrates on the experience of cadets, none of that would be possible without the Adult Volunteers who work hard to ensure that the cadets are offered the wide range of activities that require their skills and experience. All ACF instructors are qualified to carry out the training they undertake and that usually means attending courses - some on week-ends, others over several days.

Much of the military skills training is delivered in Scotland by the 51 Brigade Cadet Training Team with additional week-long courses being held at the National Cadet Training Centre, Frimley Park in Surrey.

Adult Volunteers

Adult Volunteer Ranks

• Probationary Instructor

• Probationary Sergeant Instructor

• Sergeant Instructor

• Staff Sergeant Instructor

• Sergeant Major Instructor

• Regimental Sergeant Major Instructor

• Second Lieutenant

• Lieutenant

• Captain

• Major

• Lieutenant Colonel

• Colonel

Glasgow and Lanarkshire Bn

Students attending Adult Volunteer Induction Courses 2022-23

Lord Lieutenant’s Certificates awarded 2022-23

City of Glasgow

Maj Walter Kerr

County of Lanark

Maj Alan Long

2Lt Mark Maxwell

SSI James Connolly

SSI Colin Shearer

SI Cheryl Stewart

Cheryl being presented with her certificate by Lady Haughey CBE, Lord Lieutenant of Lanarkshire.

Find out about the cadets that gained Lord Lieutenant’s Certificates and other recognition on page 32.

After 5 year’s service as the RSMI of the Bn, John Terry moves to the commissioned ranks.

When a cadet becomes to old to continue to serve, some choose to train as an Adult Volunteer. See page 32.

The Lowland Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association promote the CARAS - cadet nominated awards to recognise and thank Adult Volunteers within the three cadet organisations in the Lowlands of Scotland. In the Glasgow and Lanarkshire Bn the winner was SSI Michael Cobb (below left) and the runner-up 2Lt Amy-Jo Battersby.

InJanuaryIgottowear mycadetberet(having beingfirst issued with itasacadet6yearsago)onmy firstuniformnightasthenew Detachment Commander of 5 PlScotsGuards. Itfeltsurrealputtingitbackontodo theroleI’vealwayswantedsinceIwas 13.

Everwishyoucould gobackand tell your younger self - dreams do sometimescometrue?

SI Breige Jamieson OC 5 Pl Scots Guards

Around The Battalion

First presentation of Memorial Trophy

Last year we carried the story of the David Timmins Memorial Trophy and this year the first cadet to be awarded the trophy is Cdt Callum Paterson. An extract from his citation is shown below. Callum is pictured with David’s mum Cathy and Brig (Retd) Chris Murray, Colonel Commandant, Royal

Cdt Callum Paterson joined A Tp RA aged 16 in December 2021– a bit older than is usual for a recruit.

Since joining he has excelled in a number of areas including sport when in his first year he had won gold medals at the Scottish Athletics Championships for 100, 800 and 1500 metres and for Cross Country.

At the UK Championships he achieved gold at 800 and 1500 meters and silver in the 4x100 metres relay. A gold medal was also achieved for Orienteering and a silver one for Cross Country.

Callum is also involved in the wide range of detachment activities having attended Annual Camp; the Proclamation of King Charles III in September and the Remembrance Day parade. He was also involved in the Poppyscotland charity collections.

For a cadet who has not yet completed a full calendar year his attitude and contribution have been outstanding and for this reason he was nominated to become the very first recipient of the Cpl Davey Timmins Memorial Trophy.

Cadets at the Defence School of Communications and Information Systems, Blandford, in February for signals and CyberFirst Defenders courses.

The CyberFirst course increases awareness of cyber security, and develops practical skills which helps promote STEM careers for the cadets in the years ahead.

Glasgow.

Keeping on the right side of the law

Visiting a local emergency service

3 Pl RSB were hosted in January by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service in Motherwell.

The firefighters showed the cadets their kit, let them have a go at the hoses, explained all about their role and gave them an insight into careers in the emergency services.

Out by the Clyde

A group of cadets from 6 Tp Scots DG paid a visit to BAE Systems’ Govan site in November for a tour of HMS Glasgow.

The new Type 26 Frigate, which was approaching its final stages of construction on Glasgow’s River Clyde, will be part of a new fleet set to partially replace the Type 23 Frigates currently employed by the Royal Navy. The cadets had excellent brief about the ship and what its duties will be after launch, as well as an update on the shipyard itself.

He was also the best shot on the course!

Nursing scheme for Army Cadets

The Battalion is one of two in Scotland to trial the Royal College of Nursing Prince of Wales Nursing Cadet Scheme which gives young members of youth organisations an introduction to potential careers in nursing.

Supported by His Majesty The King when he was Prince of Wales, the scheme aims to develop and prepare young people aged 16 to 25 years for life: to develop an interest in a healthcare profession and to support them towards employment in nursing. The scheme runs alongside the Army Cadet Syllabus, combining guided online and experiential learning. This includes learning modules and a clinical observational placement within their local health care region.

Once they have completed this, cadets submit a portfolio of reflection and gain a completion certificate. They are then supported to take decisions on next steps, which can include a level 2 or 3 related diploma, a foundation degree or an undergraduate nursing degree.

The NHS is funding the scheme and Adult Volunteers in the Bn are delivering the training. So far this year three training weekends have been completed and as we go to press the nursing cadets are undergoing clinical placements at a local hospital (pictured left).

Ithinkthehighlightofthecourseisgettingto learn about what it would be like to have a careerinthehealthsectorandhowyougeta placementandputyourskillsintopractice.I’mstillin school but I’ve applied for Paramedic Science at universityandIthinkthiscoursewillreallyhelpmewith thisapplication.

Scottish First Aid Awards

Four members of the Bn were nominated in this year’s St Andrews First Aid Awards:

• Cpl Nadine Miller – 4 Pl SG

At a Company Weekend Nadine identified another cadet as being unwell. Within a few minutes the casualty lost consciousness. Nadine put her in the recovery position while an ambulance was being called. On the arrival of the paramedics Nadine gave a calm measured hand-over.

• Cdt Amelia Adams and LCpl Perry Cavinue – 4 Pl SG and 3 Pl RSB

Amelia and Perry were shopping when a female shopper collapsed and suffered a seizure. The staff in the shop did not know what to do so the cadets stepped up and took control, working together to ensure that the area was safe and kept free of customers. The cadets remained calm and were reassuring to the shop staff and members of the public.

• SI Seámus Ferry – B Pl RHF

Seámus heard screaming and looked out of the window to see a neighbour who had tripped and fallen down a storm bunker. He ran down five flights of stairs to assist. He assessed the situation and attempted to keep the casualty calm. Seámus then called the emergency services and remained with the casualty until the ambulance arrived – assisting the recovery of the casualty.

The winner was announced on the 31 March at the Radisson Blu, Glasgow and while none of our nominations won, they had a great night. Our picture shows the finalists with the Commandant.

WhenIwas promotedtoLance Bombardier speechlessand,to behonest,itwas thebestfeeling ever!Itmademe feel honouredand itgavemelotofnewresponsibility andmoreofaleadershiprole. Thedetachmentrecentlymovedtoa newbuildingandrestartedrecruiting, whichmeantIwasthefirsttobe promotedwiththefreshstartandto bepartofthehistoryofBTpRA.

I remember this year...

Joiningcadetswas oneofthebest thingsIhaveever donewithmylife frommeeting lotsofnewpeople togaining confidencetodo thingsIneverexpectedtodoandI havemademywayuptheranks seniorcadetof

Ihavegainedmanyuseful qualificationsandIamtakingpart intheRCNCadetNursingScheme.

These are just a few of the thoughts of the many cadets who have experienced fun, friendship, action and adventure with the Glasgow and Lanarkshire Battalion during the period of this Review.

Our apologies to those who are not quoted here, but hopefully their experiences are fully reported in words and pictures on our previous pages.

Myfirstannual campwasan amazingexperience.Itwasjust afterlockdownand itwasgreattoget outofthehouse againandmake newfriends. Ilovedalltheactivities,especiallythe fieldcraftexercise.

Iwasamemberof theScottish seniormalerugby teamthisyearat theUKChampionshipsatAltcar. It wasamazing.Lots ofgoodgames andwebeattheWelsh82-0!

Wewereamixedteamwith membersfromtheotherScottish battalionsandwehadgreatteam spiritandmorale.

Iwasselectedfortheteam followingseriesoftrainingdays whenIgottoknowtheother cadetsandabitaboutwherethey allcamefrom.

Ihavealwaysenjoyedplaying rugbyandwasdelightedIcoulddo thisandwinagoldmedalinaUK competitionintheArmyCadets.

Beingpartofthe PipesandDrums

Detachmenthas givenmethe opportunityto attendmusic campstohelp developmyskills andgivenmethechanceto performatsomeamazingevents andvenueswhichwouldnothave beenpossiblehadInotbeeninthe ArmyCadets.

PerformingintheChristmas MarketsinAberdeenCityCentre wasanamazingexperienceand it’ssomethingI'mveryproudto havebeenpartof. Iwillbepreformingagainthisyear attheBeatingRetreatinApril, whichisanamazingeventonthe esplanadeofEdinburghCastle. Thereisnobettervenuefora publicperformance.

Ifoundmy SilverDukeof Edinburgh’s Award expeditiontobe enjoyablewhile alsobeing somewhat challenging.

ThepartsofmyexpeditionI enjoyedthemostwaswitnessing thegreatoutdoorsandgettingthe chancetoworkwithateamwho showedgreatspiritandenthusiasm. Aswewalkedwewereabletowork togetherasateamtoovercome themanyobstaclesthatwefaced, whetheritwasnavigatingthe route,orjusttryingtocooka simplemeal.

Ifeltakeensenseofcomraderyand belonginginmygroup.

Thelandscapewasamazinganditis somethingIwouldhavelikelynever experiencedifIneverdoneDofE. Overall,myDofEexperiencewas mostenjoyableanddefinitely somethingIwouldrecommendto all.Iwasabletodevelopskillsand workonmyphysicalfitnesswhichI amveryhappyabout.

Iamgratefulfortheopportunity andtheexperiencethatDukeof Edinburgh’sAwardhasgivenme . Bdr David Whyte, D Tp RA.

It always feels good to be recognised

This Review focuses on what the Battalion delivers, not only for its own cadets and Adult Volunteers, but also for the wider community. However, it is good when we can report that an organisation we have supported over a number of years gets back to us and says ‘well done’.

The Bn were presented this year with one of Poppyscotland’s Centenary Awards for our contribution to the charity over the years.

The Youth Uniformed Group Award was made to the Commandant in Glasgow city centre on the Saturday before Remembrance.

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award has also recognised the Battalions hard work.

Following the restrictions of the Covid pandemic, the Battalion worked hard in 2022 to get the Award underway again and as a result we:

• Have the second-equal highest percentage of eligible cadets registered for the Award in the UK at 48%.

• And are the ‘most improved county’ in the UK measured by an increase in Award completions.

Our picture below shows Lt Col Robert Lockhart, the Brigade DofE Cadet Adviser, presenting the certificate to Lt David Green the Bn DofE Officer and the Commandant at Dechmont CTC.

Takingontheresponsibilityofbeing the Cadet RSM for the Bn issomethingIamimmenselyproudof. Ithas inspired me to guide and motivate othercadetstobetheverybestthey canbe. Ihavealsobeenabletobuild a resilient mindset through the different challenges and tasks that comewiththerole.

Itakegreatprideinbeingresponsible for leading and coaching the othercadetswithintheBn. Iencourageeverycadettoachieveallthey canasIlookatbackatmytimein the cadets that included gaining Master Cadet; currently being the Lord'sLieutenant’sCadetforLanarkshire;becomingoneofthebestsmall boreshots intheUK;enjoyingthe experience of many Annual Camps and,ofcourse,makinglotsoffriends alongtheway.

I am very grateful for the many opportunities that I have had as a memberoftheACF.

I was appointed the Lord Lieutenant’sCadetfortheCityof GlasgowatAnnualCamp2022and after speedily sewing the badge ontomyblankingplate,Iworeit withgreatpride.

Sincethen,Ihavehadanumberof dutiestoperformincludinghaving lunch with the Princess Royal in the City Chambers and meeting the King at the opening of the refurbished Burrell Collection. Ialsohadtheamazingprivilegeof being the Guard Commander for the proclamation of the King in George Square, which was the largestparadeoutsideLondon. I also attended an event of the Incorporation of Masons of Glasgow where I was presented with the Lady McDonald Award and received a cheque - along withadeliciousmeal!

After Covid restrictions were relaxed,IwasinvitedtotheCity Chamberstobepresentedwithmy official certificate by the Lord LieutenantoftheCityofGlasgow, JacquelineMcLaren.

Looking ahead I have been told that I will be given the honour once again of being a Guard Commander in Glasgow at the King’sCoronation.

Iamverymuchlookingforwardto that.

Army Cadets has been my best fiveyears. I’vemetsomanynew peopleandmadesomanygood friends. Thecadetshaveallowed me to gain many qualifications, such as CVQO, BETC, Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and Young Leaders.

Annual Camp is great and after camp2022IwentonanOutward Bound course. I was the only cadet in the Battalion chosen to goonthiscourseanditwasthe best two weeks ever. I met so many people from all over the world that I am still in contact with and gained so many new skills.

Myadvicetocadetsisalwaysgo in any course offered to you because everything you do in cadetscanbeputonyourCVand willhelpyouinlaterlife.

ItimedoutofcadetsinOctober andIamcurrentlyintheprocess ofbecominganAdultVolunteer, sothatIcanhelpcadetstohave theverybesttime:thesameway Idid.

PI Jacqueline Scollan

AfterbeingwiththeGlasgowand Lanarkshire Bn for many years, I was appointed Deputy Commandantin2022andthepastyearhas been a very challenging, but rewardingone.

OurBattalionstrivestogiveevery singlecadet theverybestCadet Experienceandtheintroductionof the new Army Cadet Force Syllabus is helping us to deliver that.

Since we started back to normal trainingandplayingcatch-upafter Covid,ourrecruitingisbacktoan all-time high and we have increased the number of senior cadetsandappointedanewCadet RSM.

Our two-week Annual Camp at Strensallin Yorkshire was amost enjoyable experience for all involved - the Teambuilding Package in particular was a favourite.

AnnualCampthisyearwillbeabit closer to home at Wacrop in Cumbria where we will be introducing APC star-based training,afirstforthisBattalion. Iamverymuchlookingforwardto theyearahead.

Lt Col Donna Laird Deputy Commandant

favouritetimeoftheyear. Yes,it’sa challengetogetusallthere,butit’s allworthwhilewhenweare.

We, the Professional Support Staff play a vital part in all that the Battaliondoes,andwillcontinueto work in harmony with the Adult VolunteersinsupportoftheCadet Experience whilst continually remindingourselvesthatweallhave aparttoplayindevelopingothersas wellashelpingourcadetsgrowinto well rounded individuals, whilst enhancingtheirlifeskills ‘Individualtalentcanwingames,but teamwork,commonsenseandgood communicationswinschampionships’.

Maj Colin McCormack Cadet Executive Officer

More about the Cadet Experience on pages 4 -13. Community Engagement on pages 14 -17.

Annual Camp on pages 18 - 21.

Adult Volunteers on pages 22 and 23.

Iamthedetachmentcommanderat3 Pl RSB. Our detachment is on the edge of Newmains and historically hasproducedsomeoftheBattalion’s top cadets, but we struggle with recruitmentfromarural-isharea.

3 Pl RSB was my first detachment whenIjoinedtheArmyCadetsand hasaspecialplaceinmyheart.

Theplatoonhasgonefromstrengthto-strengthpostcovidandthecadets have worked very hard to get the most out of the Army Cadets. We havebuiltgreatrelationshipswithin thecommunitywhichhashelpedus withrecruitmentandfundraising Beingadetachmentcommanderisby farthebestjobtheACFhastooffer. Itishardworkandattimesitseems impossibletojuggleeverything.But intheend,itiswhereIcanmakethe mostdifferenceinawaythatdirectly affectsthecadetsthemselves. Ienjoythinkingstrategicallytocreate training programmes that will see cadets achieve. I love celebrating with them when they have accomplished something they never thoughttheywouldmanage. Ienjoy takingcadetsontheirfirstcampand seeingtheirfamiliesfaceswhenthey come home smiling because they havehadsomuchfun. Andthereare timesweaskalotofcadets.Itmight bethattheyhavetotakeresponsibilityforthefirsttime;maketheirfirst bigdecisionortakealeapoffaithbut theyareconfidentandbuzzing. BeingtheDetachmentCommanderof 3 Pl RSB, has been hard but super rewarding.Itwillbehardtotopit.

Headquarters and Training Centre, Gilbertfield Road, Glasgow, G72 8YP 0141 641 0858 lo-gl-ao1@rfca.org.uk

COMMANDANT: Col D Coulter

DEPUTY COMMANDANT: Lt Col D Laird

CADET EXECUTIVE OFFICER: Major C McCormack

584

Cadets 85 Adult Volunteers

as at 31 March 2023

AMIENS COMPANY

OC: Maj A Long

1 Pl RSB - Strathaven

2 Pl RSB - Motherwell

3 Pl RSB - Newmains

5 Pl RSB - Coalburn

6 Pl RSB - Larkhall

3 Tp RE - Airdrie

4 Pl SG - Bellshill

5 Pl SG - Lanark

INVICTUS COMPANY

OC: Maj J Reynolds

A Pl RHF - Kings Park

B Pl RHF- Cambuslang

D Pl RHF - Pollokshaws

4 Pl RSB - Hamilton

1 Pl REME - E Kilbride

2 Pl REME – E Kilbride

6 Tp Scots DG - Govan Pipes and Drums Cambuslang

30 Officers

NORMANDY COMPANY

OC: Maj W Kerr

A Tp RA - Broomhill

B Tp RA - Drumchapel

C Tp RA - Anderson

D Tp RA - Carmyle

C Pl RHF - Easterhouse

E Pl RHF - Shettleston

F Pl RHF - Maryhill

E Tp RSigs - Kelvinbridge

The Glasgow and Lanarkshire Battalion is supported by

Unless stated otherwise the pictures in this publication have been taken by the Adult Volunteers and cadets involved in the activities featured. Some of the quotations in this Review may have been shortened for editorial reasons. Reporting G&L is published by the Glasgow and Lanarkshire Battalion Army Cadet Force. Design and Production: Col (Retd) Ken Neil DL.

Fun, friendship, action and adventure is what the Army Cadets offers to young people across the Battalion.

To deliver these things it is essential that we are welcoming, inclusive, contemporary and relevant. In other words, the Army Cadets must reflect the community it serves. This requires us to create a sense of belonging and to reach out to all young people, regardless of background or ability.

The Battalion works hard to ensure that our culture and behaviours are as welcoming and inclusive as possible throughout the organisation.

INSPIRE is the focus for inclusion and diversity for the Army Cadets in Scotland. Scan the QR code to find out more.

Looking Back

Do you remember the difficult years of the Covid pandemic and how the Battalion continued to deliver for both our cadets and the community? You can read last years (and some previous years) Annual Reviews by scanning the QR code.

Looking Forward

The regular biennial displays by the Battalion have not taken place since the Covid pandemic, but they will resume again in August 2023 in a slightly different format.

Once again our visiting VIPs will have the opportunity to see what being an Army Cadet is all about.