Combined Cadet Force

Wednesday 16th March 2022

Two years ago, on Tuesday 17th March 2020, everything and everyone was ready for the CCF’s Annual Inspection to go ahead as planned the following day. The stands were set, the guests were committed, the parade rehearsed, and the guard thoroughly drilled. The Inspecting Officer, Maj Gen Felix Gedney, was set for his arrival the following morning. Meanwhile, case rates climbed, and were monitored by those at CCF HQ, as across the country. At around 8pm, the call came in from 11 Brigade Headquarters to Contingent Commander, Sqn Ldr Jonathan Harber: Inspection Day was to be cancelled with immediate effect.

Two years hence, Wednesday 16th March 2022 saw the much-anticipated return of Inspection Day – the first for three years. It was a delight to be able to host the event once again, and just another of the many examples of the much-vaunted return of pre-pandemic activities. This is not to say that there were not some challenges to be surmounted in organising the event: with the generous assistance of Old Manorian Col Alex Wilson, Commander of the British Peace Support Team in Nairobi, a very senior Inspecting Officer was secured early on, in the form of Lt Gen Sir Christopher Tickell, Deputy Chief of the General Staff. Unfortunately, but perhaps not unexpectedly, events unfolding in Eastern Europe meant that the nation’s top brass were rendered suddenly unavailable for such things as days out in Kent, and so we found ourselves just a couple of weeks from the Inspection and without an Officer to stand atop the dais. Once again with the help of Col

Alex in Kenya, we were immensely fortunate to secure as our Inspecting Officer Col John Baynham OBE, Deputy Commander 11th Security Force Assistance Brigade, who joined us from Aldershot. A former commander in our parent unit, the Princess of Wales Royal Regiment, and a veteran of campaigns and projects around the world, he proved to be thoroughly good value, a perfect fit for the role on the day, and tremendous company at dinner. We were privileged to be joined by servicemen and women from across the forces, with representatives from The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery, The Princess of Wales Royal Regiment and the Household Cavalry; Officers from HMS Collingwood, HMS President, and the Principal Warfare Officer of Type 45 Destroyer HMS Duncan joining us from the Royal Navy; and personnel from RAF Northolt representing the Royal Air Force. Following the usual sumptuous lunch, the Contingent formed up on the Quad for the formal part of proceedings, with the Honour Guard giving a typically professional performance of continuity drill under the command of Company Sergeant Major Dan Cassidy (OH5). Following a breath-taking performance, Col Baynham remarked that the Guard’s turnout and display were as good as, and better than, that seen in most of the regular Army. The large assembled crowd was then treated to an afternoon of activities, with displays from visiting units including a Ferret Armoured Car kindly brought by Mr Gordon Bubb, and a laser Clay Pigeon Shoot on the Fifty; a Gun Run and boat display provided by the Royal Navy; a suite of virtual reality flight simulators and a large game of Archery Tag provided by the Royal Air Force; and an exhibition of vehicles and equipment provided by Kent Fire & Rescue Service. We were delighted that Col Baynham was able to join

us for the Annual Dinner later the same evening, where he spoke memorably on events unfolding in Eastern Europe. At the end of the dinner, he was pleased to make the following awards to senior cadets:

The Tennant Bell – for best RN Cadet: CPO Theo Collingwood (WW5)

The Dougall Trophy – for best Army Cadet: CSM Dan Cassidy (OH5)

The Wilson Trophy – for best RAF Cadet Flt Sgt Duncan Randall (CH5)

The Paterson Sword – for the cadet who has done the most to further the aims of Tonbridge School CCF: CSgt Freddie Lacey (PH5)