THE April 2014 BE WORTHY The monthly newsletter from Portsmouth Division RMVCC Edition 13 April 2014 Welcome to April’s edition of The Challenge! Its hard to believe that a quarter of the year has passed already, yet our cadets have been hard at work, with two field exercises and many more activities during March. In this issue we read about Phase 4 on Ex March Hare and review a worthy day at our ancestral home on Eastney Barracks. FRONT COVER CAUTLEY CUP Ex March Hare took place from Friday 7 to Sunday 9 March at Browndown Training Area, Gosport. This ex was the final chance for GD cadets to hone their field skills before their tests later in the month during Ex Long Shot – more on that in the next issue. See how Phase 4 got on in this issue. The above competition will take place at CTCRM from Friday 2 to Sunday 4 May 2014. We need 10 junior and 10 senior cadets so watch out for the Warning Order soon and volunteers to be selected. A FLAMING GOOD EVENING On Friday 21 March the cadets from Phase 2b took the short journey through Portsmouth to visit Southsea Fire Station. The visit, part of our Cadet in the Community programme, was aimed at the cadets understanding the hazards of fire and what can be done at home and in school to help prevent an outbreak. It was also an opportunity for the cadets to meet some of our local fireman and try out a selection of the equipment. Judging by the smiles on their faces and how keen they were to get stuck in with hoses and ladders, we may well have some budding fire fighters amongst our cadets. A huge thank you to Green Watch at Southsea Fire Station for a thoroughly enjoyable and very informative evening. Have you got a smoke alarm? WINGING HIS WAY ACROSS THE DANCE FLOOR On Saturday 22 March a commemorative dinner was held by the RMA at the Royal Beach Hotel in memory of the Cockleshell Heroes. With Her Worship the Lord Mayor as Guest of Honour and the Corps RSM in attendance, those members of our staff who attended enjoyed a fine evening of superb dining and entertainment. The Corps of Drums of the Band of HM Royal Marines Portsmouth provided a superb display of their skills, and four cadets from our unit provided ‘bouncers’ at the door, checking tickets and giving directions. And judging by the photo, our very own CO had a fantastic time. Royal Marines Volunteer Cadet Corps REMEMBERING THE HEROES We hear from our friends Jim Ashlin and Polly Thomas at Portsmouth RMA following the very successful parade at Eastney Barracks on Sunday 23 March… It is with great pleasure that we are able to report that it is now very clear that the unveiling and dedication of the memorial to the Cockleshell Heroes on their 70th Anniversary, which took place in November 2012, has achieved the aim of appropriately recognising the tremendous contribution they made to this country on their home soil. The Memorial has already become a poignant focal point for relatives and the people of Portsmouth. It was always the intention of the project team, headed in 2012 by Major Richard Davis (the then President of the Southern Region RMA) to ensure that this memorial would be a focus for further related activities to keep their names alive. This has manifested itself with a project by Hampshire County Council ‘Shipwrights Way’. We are also pleased to report that the Cockleshell Heroes Sculpture is now in place in front of the Rose Garden. This was an initiative by members of the public who were stimulated by the raised profile of the Cockleshell Heroes. Other initiatives are evolving. The Gala Dinner organised and managed by Polly on Saturday22 March at the Royal Beach Hotel was a great success; we were honoured to have the Lord Mayor Lynn Stagg as the principal guest along with the Corps RSM, WO1 Alistair McGill MBE QGM RM, and the Corps First Drill, WO1 Bob Henderson RM. The Corps of Drums Mess Beating was superb with the Lord Mayor sharing the tot ceremony where she failed to ‘down in one’ to great amusement. On a more serious note, Sarah Holmes from the Frankton Families arranged for the ‘Pilgrim Bandits’ to attend the Dinner which enabled them to raise a total of £852 in donations towards their expedition to replicate the Cockleshell Heroes canoe up the Gironde. On Sunday the Parade was a great Royal Marines occasion in perfect weather. It was enhanced by the fact that we were able to use the parade ground at the old RM Barracks at Eastney thanks to the good offices of Colonel Charles Ackroyd TD RD DL, Chairman of Marine Gate Residents. I was aware, looking across the parade that it epitomised the CGRM’s paper ‘Harnessing the Corps Family’ as all aspects of ‘The RM Footprint’ were present; a troop of serving RM from Bordon, RMA, RMA National Standard Bearer plus many other Standards, RMR, RM Band, RM Cadets, Submariners, members of the Parachute Association, all taking place in the front of the Corps Museum. I would like to highlight the contribution of the Portsmouth RMVCC in terms of their marching contingent but also their great support though their VIP and working parties. It really was a fitting tribute to the memory, courage and professionalism of the Op Frankton team and made even more poignant with the family members in attendance. Of course this commemoration was juxtaposed to a celebration of our 350 Anniversary. It was so important to get the parade correctly managed ‘Royal Marines style’ due to the VIP attending, including Dame Mary Fagan DCVO. The Royal British Legion Riders were again in attendance, and added pageantry to the arrival and departure of the VIP’s. As always the RM Band made a huge contribution to the conduct of the parade. The success of the Parade was assured due to the support, advice and planning of the Corps RSM and Corps First Drill. The all ranks party in the Portsmouth RMA managed by Polly and her terrific staff was a great success, which included a very good buffet put together by Keith, the owner of the’ Quartermasters Kitchen’ from the Corps Museum. Although not wholly a RM350 anniversary event, it was the first major parade of 2014 and in every aspect represented and celebrated the finest Corps in the world. Read on for more words and pictures about this special parade… Portsmouth Division THE HARE THAT MARCHES We hear from CSgt Andy Wright about the final exercise before Phase Training tests… The penultimate exercise for the phase 4s was at Browndown Training Area. The aim of this exercise was to practice them in extraction of orders, writing a set of recce patrol orders and carrying out the patrol. But the weekend started with ‘shooting’ on the DCCT range on Whale Island, an indoor ‘laser’ type range. We had 2 hours of some excellent grouping practice and some that needs a little more improvement. The range was run by Mr Trev Coleman, a civilian instructor at the Naval Military Training Unit (NMTU) on the Island who gave up his time for free and conducted some great practices which will be developed as the months go on. ▲ Phase 4 cadets practice their section battle drills It was then to the G10 store to draw equipment for the exercise and get our kit packed, followed by a brief for the exercise and the issuing of the battle picture and orders. This was all done for once in record time and we were away by 2100 hours. On arrival at Browndown we quickly moved into the rooms in the hangar, but it there was no rest for the Ph4s as they had some work to do and set about, in their pairs, writing the orders and constructing a model for the patrols the next day. Around midnight they finally got their heads down – they will need all the sleep they can get. Reveille, wash (well I think they did), breakfast then out to the area where we brushed up on section formations, fire and manoeuvre, target indication and fire control orders. This blew the cobwebs off and we had some good drills and skills. Back in for a quick stand easy during which they put the finishing touches to their orders and the model and at midday in pairs they delivered the orders . There were many points to be corrected, but as this was their first go it was no surprise. Once finished we set out on the patrol which we used as a remind/teach again but all in all nothing that was too bad. Once finished it was back to the building to collect bergens then patrol to the north area were we met up with the phase 3s who were to act as the rifle sections for the remainder of the exercise. The rest of the afternoon was spent practicing occupying a harbour; later after some scran we went into a “walk through talk through” of an ambush and after this back in to the harbour. Both phases then received a brief on the ambush for the night and commanders for each group were ‘pinged.’ Just prior to dark it was a move out to the ambush site and occupation of the ambush; this was done without too much fuss, although phase 4 do have an issue with comms cord - it does seem to fight back! All quiet, hardly any fidgeting, signal from the right cut off group............ambush sprung, job done and an orderly withdrawal and extraction to the harbour position where it was heads down. At 0530 hrs (yes there are two ‘five thirties’ in the day guys) it was up and stand to, followed by a much needed breakfast. Bergens were dumped and it was time for Section Battle Drills. We started with some walk through/talk through as this was new to many, the phase 4s taking control of their sections. It was soon realised why you have to be fit, especially for a Bootneck. This was finished off by a blank firing practice. All suitably ‘chin strapped,’ we patrolled back to the hangar, still practicing our skills, and once all NSPs were conducted it was back on the bus for Whale Island. It was a steep learning curve for the junior NCOs of phase 4 but they worked well and with the experience of preparing and issuing orders, I know they will conduct themselves well on their test ex. Royal Marines Volunteer Cadet Corps RETURN TO EASTNEY Well done to our cadets who attended the Cockleshell Heroes Commemorative Parade at Eastney Barracks on Sunday 23 March… With the sun shining bright and a cool breeze wafting in off the Solent, the cadets, old comrades, Booties and Standard Bearers were all ready for what proved to be a fantastic commemorative parade. The Band of HM Royal Marines led the assembled detachments (eventually, step off was a little later than planned) on to the parade ground at our former home, RM Eastney. This is the first time, we think, that any RM parade has taken place on the Eastney parade ground since the RMVCC marched out in December 1991. Dame Mary Fagan DCVO arrived in style, escorted by the Royal British Legion Riders, along with Brigadier R Magowan CBE RM. After the inspection, the names of the Cockleshell Heroes were read out and a brief service of remembrance held, as well as Brigadier Magowan giving a moving address It was now about 45 minutes since the parade started and legs were beginning to stiffen up. Thankfully, it was time to ‘move to the right in column of route’ and march past. Putting on a superb display of marching the cadets did us proud. Light refreshments were served in the RMA Clubhouse, giving the ‘Corps of the past’ and the ‘Corps of the present’ time to speak with the ‘Corps of the future’. ▲ Portsmouth RMVCC Colours proudly on parade along with the Old Comrades of the RMA and Para Association ▲ Sizing off prior to marching on Portsmouth Division ▲ Marching to the parade ground FORTHCOMING EVENTS The following important events are fast approaching in the Portsmouth Division diary: Date Event Involved Tue 15 Apr 14 Easter Leave All personnel Fri 18 Apr 14 Easter Leave All personnel Responsible Comments Good Friday 25 to 27 Apr 14 Ex First Steps R Coy 141 plus R Coy 132 cdts Trg Offr Bramshott Common Sun 27 Apr 14 ANZAC Parade Cdts to volunteer CSgt M May Milton Cemetery 2 to 4 May 14 Cautley Cup Cdts to volunteer CSgt G Thomas CTCRM Fri 9 May 14 Summer Parade All personnel First Drill Sat 10 May 14 Portsmouth Cup Nominated cdts 2IC Check the Forthcoming Events page on the website for further information. STANDING ORDERS Inform your OC Coy, OC Phase or activity lead instructor if you are not able to attend a training night or other activity. This can be done by letter or email from your parent or guardian. Keep the Administration Office updated with your personal, emergency contact and medical information. Use our forms (see website) to send in updated details. Ensure that parental consent is obtained before attending any activity where such consent is required (for example weekend exercises or field gun displays). Regularly check www.royalmarinescadetsportsmouth.co.uk for the latest events and news. Make sure your uniform fits properly, is clean and ready to wear. Pay particular attention to your ‘blues’ uniform and check it fits well before any ceremonial parade. Report to the Clothing Store if you need items of uniform exchanged. Pay your subs each month and keep your pass with you at all times. How to get in contact with RMVCC Portsmouth: • By email: • By telephone: • By writing to us: [email protected] 023 9253 7495 RMVCC Portsmouth, 158 Building, HMS Excellent, Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO2 8ER The views expressed in ‘The Challenge!’ do not necessarily reflect those of the RMVCC or MOD. Meet The Challenge! © Royal Marines Volunteer Cadet Corps All Rights Reserved 1 Apr 14 Registered Charity Number 1146419