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THE SEA CADETS CORPS WAS DISBANDED AT THE END OF THE SPRING TERM 1965. This was a rather sad end to a wonderful tradition. Reading the reports below one is struck by the commitment and professionalism of the
staff involved and the enthusiasm of the boys, who must have learned a lot about so many disciplines. Whatever happened afterwars, WHS will
always be strongly associated with its London Nautical School heritage which was carried on throughout the 50s and early 60s. Only a limited
number of boys were involved in the Sea Cadets, but we all respected the organising team and and admired the activities that took place. |
ANECDOTES AND MEMORIES OF THE SEA CADETS WELCOME. PLEASE SEND TO ME OR LEAVE IN THE "COMMENTS" SECTION ABOVE. |
14-1 |
Summer 65 |
64-65 |
13-2 |
Winter 64 |
63-64 |
13-1 |
Spring 64 |
63-64 |
12-2 |
62-63 |
12-1 |
| Summer 63 |
62-63 |
11-2 |
61-62 |
11-1 |
Summer 62 |
61-62 |
10-2 |
Winter 61 |
60-61 |
10-1 |
60-61 |
9-2 |
| Winter 60 |
59-60 |
9-1 |
59-60 |
8-2 |
| Winter 59 |
58-59 |
8-1 |
58-59 |
7-2 |
Winter 58 |
57-58 |
THE SUMMER TERM is always a good one from the point of view of the Sea Cadets and this one has been no exception. Our usual close liaison with the Sailing Club has been maintained with the happy result that the Unit now holds a national trophy - the "Rater" Cup for dinghy sailing. This cup was presented to the Corps this year by the Thames Sailing Club and six teams went from this Unit to Surbiton to compete for it. Jones and Leeson were in the final race which was won by Jones. In swimming, the Unit retained the Zone Swimming Trophy, defeating our nearest rival, the Ipswich Unit, by a handsome margin. A large number of cadets represented the Zone at the Area Championships and six cadets, viz., Brown, Glass, Leeson, Wilds, Bratt and Lewis represented the Midland Area at the National Championships held on Saturday, 26th July. In addition, Leeson and Lewis won the "Doray" Cup for life-saying - a Midland Area trophy - and subsequently gained the Bronze Medallion of the Royal Life-Saving Society. This is particularly commendable in that the whole enterprise was carried out on their own initiative and unaided. So successful was this excursion into the life-saving field that it is hoped to include it as a regular part of the instructional programme in the future. At long last the range is in use and we expect to start competitive shooting in the S.C.C. winter postal league competition. So far, no outstanding shots have appeared - indeed, the experience of one class in particular seemed to indicate that a number of cadets who are not yet wearing spectacles ought to be doing so! However, not every class has been on the range as yet so there is still the possibility of a natural marksman appearing. The 25-ft. cutter is still in boatyard hands, but Admiralty approval has been given for the necessary expenditure on it and it is expected to be ready not later than September. Because of the many other commitments at week-ends, it was possible to have only one training cruise this term, during which an emergency signal mast was rigged on Collimer Point and the Unit's pendants flown therefrom. In addition, an amendment was made to the chart of the Orwell estuary by Parker and Cockshott. This was not as easy as it sounds, as it involved swimming ashore with a hand-bearing compass, notebook and pencil - and keeping all three dry - prior to taking bearings to fix the position of a new beacon visible from the river. As always at the end of a School year we have to say good-bye to a number of cadets, some of whom have been in the Unit almost since its beginning. We wish them every success in the future and hope that those who are still eligible to do so will continue their membership of the S.C.C. by joining a unit at home. S.G. |
7-1 |
Spring 58 |
57-58 |
IN SOME ways, this has been a frustrating term. The long-awaited range is still incomplete; the cutter is still in dockyard hands; we have not yet had our annual Admiralty Inspection which was postponed at the very last minute from 3rd March to an indefinite date in the future because of the indisposition of the inspecting officer. On the positive side, Frobisher and Grenville classes were examined for Able Seaman and the following passed in the order shown:- Weinberg, Stirling, Williams, P. G., Cockshott, Chapple, Webb, Griffiths, Turner, Vinall, Wort, Hassett, Parker, Leach, O'Loughlin, Gentry, Prendergast. Jervis class of seven new-entries was embodied on 22nd March. Twenty-eight cadets completed their swimming test during the term and have received swimming certificates and badges. In addition, much good work has been done in the Seamanship Hut, rehabilitating the instructional apparatus; in particular the work of O. S. Olney and Maelzer on the model derrick deserves special mention. Under Mr. Smith's guidance, a start has been made at furnishing a "floor" for one of the whalers, which will make it much more comfortable for pulling and sailing. In conclusion, the text of a letter of commendation from the Vice Admiral Commanding Reserves is published below. It tells its own story. "I am delighted to commend the Woolverstone Hall Unit for the progress made throughout 1957." Points which still require attention are the qualification of badgemen - 70% of eligible candidates are required - and improving the balance of the Unit by some of the senior cadets qualifying as Petty Officers. "I appreciate all the good work which has been done and hope that the unit will continue to strive for the pendant standard which it so narrowly missed in 1957. G. THISTLETON-SMITH - "Vice Admiral" |
6-2 |
56-57 |
6-1 |
Spring 57 |
56-57 |
WITH THE ENROLMENT of Frobisher and Grenville classes, the Unit strength is now 58, which is a satisfactory figure, and represents what is probably the maximum possible for the efficient instruction of the Unit. It is too soon to say whether it will be possible or desirable to enrol a new entry class during the Summer term. The Unit's annual Admiralty Inspection was carried out on March 4th, by Cdr. Luckett, D.S.C., R.N., the Area Officer. He expressed himself well-pleased with what he saw and gave the impression that, if the Unit played its part in Zone and Area sporting activities during the year, we could probably look forward with some confidence to the award of an Efficiency Pendant for the year's work. In the same week, the Unit received a 'Letter of Commendation' from the Vice-Admiral Commanding Reserves, for the year 1956. The Letter of Commendation is a second-best to a pendant - we hope that this year we will not have to be content with 'second-best'. At the same time, it should be borne in mind that the award of pendants is on a competitive basis within Areas, and that in the Midland Area, to which this Unit belongs, are to be found some of the best units in the country, so that the competition is extremely strong. At the end of March, examinations for Leading Seaman and Able Seaman were held, with the following results: Passed for Leading Seaman: Cunningham and Cochrane Classes: Campling, House, Williams, P. A., Stanton. Drake and Duncan Classes: Doo, Fraser-Smith, Howes, Sandland, Williams, P. L., Bailey, Leeson, Stringer, Wilds. Passed for Able Seaman: Lewis, Mason, Freeman, Bratt, Grimson, Stephens, Ashdown, Dilley, Perkins, Tilley, Glaysher, Cullen. These results are very satisfactory and the successful candidates in Drake and Duncan classes deserve special congratulation, in that they took the examination only three days after the earliest date on which they were permitted to do so by Sea Cadet Regulations which lay down a minimum of 9 months between passing for Able Seaman and examination for Leading Seaman. At the end of the Christmas term, the Unit acquired the 25-ft. motor cutter which had been so long expected. On arrival, its condition was not at all what we had hoped for, and since then much time and money has been spent on making it seaworthy and presentable. Now, however, it is looking as though it will be a useful addition to the Unit's equipment, and we hope to have it in the water and do trials on it before these notes appear in print. An addition to the Unit's activities this past term has been the formation of a 'special section' with the aid of Under-Officer Byford, who is attached to the Unit as an Instructor. The object of the section is to create a small body of cadets who will be capable of looking after themselves on land as well as on water - in effect, a kind of 'Combined Operations' training. Also, four cadets have been seconded to the Mechanical Training course which Mr. Thomas conducts on Monday afternoons. During the Easter holidays, Cadets Bailey, Fraser-Smith and House were awarded the Air Badge after a week's course at the Royal Naval Air Station at Bramcote. It is hoped that more cadets will be inspired to go away to the Navy for some of these week-long training courses, during which cadets are victualled by the Service at no cost to themselves, and receive training which should be both useful and entertaining. There are also sea-going cruises in Naval and Merchant vessels available for any cadet who has passed his Able Seaman examination and wants to do something in his holiday which is both unusual and useful. Finally, as Commanding Officer of the Unit, I must place on record my thanks to S/Lt. Poole, Mr. Smith and Mr. Chandler for their cheerful and unstinted help and co-operation. Also I must thank the Leading Seamen of Anson, Beatty and Benbow classes who have been doing a great deal of instructing this last term. It is only as a result of their help that it has been possible for the Unit to expand as it has done. I look forward to the day when we have some Cadet Petty Officers from these classes; when we have some crossed anchors in the Unit, we may fairly be said to have 'come of age'. S.G.
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5-2 |
| Autumn 56 |
55-56 |
Since these notes last appeared the Unit has bidden farewell to twelve senior A.B.s who have left school. I hope that some of them will continue their association with the Corps by joining S.C.C. units in their home districts. The Inter-House Cadet Cup competition was completed - with some difficulty - by the last week of the summer term. Johnston's won the cup by a very convincing margin. The detailed results are appended. It will be noticed that Johnston's scored very heavily on "Advancement" because three of our four Leading Seamen are from that House. A.B.s in other Houses - please note. The following cadets were rated A.B. as the result of examinations held on 16th July: Bailey R., Boyd, Collyer, Doo, Fox, Leeson, Fraser-Smith, Howes, Sandland, Stringer, Walmsley, Wilds, Williams, P. L. The present strength of the Unit is: Leading Seamen 3, Able Seamen 32, Ordinary Seamen 12. Four cadets - Hunton, Dawson, Byrde and Tyrrell were amongst the representatives of the Midland Area at the S.C.C. National Swimming Championships which were held in Jersey on 21st and 22nd July. They formed the Relay team, and in addition Hunton swam in the 100 yards free style and Tyrrell in the 200 yards free style. Unfortunately, they had no successes to report, but at least they had the fun of the return trip to Jersey by destroyer and a four-day stay in the island. Efforts are being made at the moment to obtain an old engine from a car or boat for instructional purposes. If and when we get one, our training programme will be extended to clude mechanical training. |
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5-1 |
Spring 56 |
55-56 |
SINCE THESE notes last appeared four Able Seamen, Glass A., Brown, Moss and Hunton have passed the examination for and been rated Leading Seaman. This event marks an important stage in the development of the Unit. It is hoped that some of these Leading Seamen will be able to take the examination for Cadet Petty Officer at Portsmouth during the summer holiday. In January, A.B. Byrde, Daniel, Dawson and Glanville braved the weather and went to Portsmouth for a week's Gunnery Course in H.M.S. Excellent, as a result of which they were awarded 1st Class Gunnery Badge. Apart from the normal instructional syllabus, the chief activity during the Spring Term was the preparation of the whalers and pinnace for use during the summer. Maynard and P. A. Williams with their crews worked steadily, often in very cold weather, to have the whalers ready for the end of the term and they succeeded, so that the boats were ready for use right from the start of the Summer Term. The pinnace has had a complete refit and engine overhaul and is now in first-rate condition. The Sunday Training Cruises which were, of course, discontinued during the winter months have now been resumed. A full programme of cruises was planned and the first two of this term, on May 6th and 20th, were carried out in the whalers, and much valuable experience in sailing was gained. On March 19th, Cunningham and Cochrane Classes were examined for Able Seaman, and the following Cadets passed and rated: House, Phelps, Campling, Rosen, Williams, A. P., Maynard and Stanton. There was unfortunately no Shooting until the beginning of this term and it has not been possible to enter for any competitions this year. However, plans for the range here are now completed and it is hoped that next September will see the range in use. Swimming has been a popular activity this term and so far twenty Cadets have passed their Swimming Test, thus becoming entitled to wear the S.C.C. badge on their swimming trunks. In competition, our team at the Zone Swimming Gala at H.M.S. Ganges on June 3rd gained equal points with the Ipswich Unit, thus sharing the Zone Swimming Trophy which has been held by the Ipswich Unit since it was presented five years ago. The following Cadets were selected to represent the Zone at the Area Swimming Gala at Banbury on June 16th: Byrde, Tucker, Munro, Dawson, Tyrrell, Leeson, Stringer and Campling. Unfortunately, Byrde and Munro will be unable to go so that their places have been taken by Hunton and McMaster. The annual Admiralty Inspection took place on Monday, May 28th. The Inspecting Officer, Cdr. Luckett, DSC., RN., spoke very highly of the smart turnout of the Unit and of the tandard of seamanship knowledge displayed, but he was not so complimentary about the ceremonial side of Unit activity. This needs, and will receive attention during the coming year. In the competition for the Inter-House Cadet Cup, the only part of the competition so far completed is Corners' seamanship evaluation. The remainder of the competition will be fitted in where possible during the term. A small week-end camp of twelve boys was held at Wrabness on the Stour from June 1st to June 3rd. The success of this camp, which was enjoyed alike by Cadets and Officers, was due in no small measure to the assistance of Mr. Hanson, who gave great help with the equipment. Without this help the camp could not have taken place, and all who went are most grateful for it. The Unit is to receive a 25ft. motor cutter on loan from the Admiralty. This, when it arrives, will be a most valuable addition to our fleet, as there are many operations for which the pinnace is too large and heavy on fuel to be used efficiently. The number of Cadets in the Unit has dropped to fifty, which is a much more manageable figure from the point of view of efficient instruction. We have parted company with a umber of Cadets who have found our demands too exacting, and we have now a smaller and better Unit of keen Cadets who are not afraid of a bit of hard work. A small new-entry class, Edinburgh, will be embodied on June 22nd, and another, Frobisher, on September 22nd. These classes, which will both be small, are expected to keep the strength of the Unit steady around the fifty mark, until additional instructors - Cadet Petty Officers, are available. S.G. |
4-2 |
Summer 55 |
54-55 |
Much of the Unit activity during the Summer Term was directed to preparation for our first annual Admiralty Inspection which was carried out on July 21st by Dr. Luckett, D.S.C., R.N., the Midland Area Officer. The resulting Inspection Report was very favourable, the Inspecting Officer making particular mention of the smart appearance of the whole Unit and the "alert and cheerful" manner and bearing of the Cadets. On Open Day, Cunningham and Cochrane classes gave a display, described elsewhere, of rigging sheer-legs, bends and hitches, and signals. The thanks for this very impressive display are entirely due to Mr. Matthews for his long and patient hours of work spent training the team. In addition, four all-day Seamanship Training cruises were carried out on Sundays during the term. These cruises were not without incident - during the first, there was sufficient wind and sea in Harwich harbour to cause one or two stomachs to grow uneasy, and matters were not improved by an engine failure in the harbour. Thanks to the efforts of stalwarts in the whaler, who held the pinnace against the tide, the engine was restarted before we reached the North Sea and we were able to return to our moorings without much more trouble. The subsequent cruises were comparatively free from trouble, and were enjoyed by all. During the summer holidays, the Unit sent a team, Guest, Ravenscroft and Moxham, to Bourne End, near Marlowe, to compete for the Smith "Yachting World Cadet" Sailing trophy. We had two "seconds" in heats but were unplaced in the final. A whaler crew competed in the Area pulling Regatta at Raven's Ait, Surbiton. hey were unfortunately to be drawn against the eventual winners, Luton, in the first heat, and lost by a fair margin. This term, the Unit, now down to 45 enrolled cadets, welcomes Mr. H. Smith as an addition to our instructional staff. A new-entry class, Drake, has been enrolled on probation. This class is 20 strong and we are likely to exceed our establishment, 60, at the end of this term when Drake class is finally enrolled. The Summer Postal Shooting competition was completed during the first month of term, with very satisfactory results, reported elsewhere. Unfortunately, shooting has had to be suspended for a time because of the difficulty of getting parties to and from the range during the afternoon activities period. However, the provision of a range on the premises is under active consideration, and it is hoped that within a short time we will be able to make use of many short periods of spare time for this activity. The competition for the Zone 6 Athletics trophy was held at Ipswich on 30th October. In this, we were beaten by Ipswich Unit by 3 points; 29 to 32. The results are shown at the end of this article. The runners deserve congratulation for putting the Unit on the sporting map so definitely, and it is hoped that in subsequent years with more entries in Class C (16-18 years), the trophy will find a permanent home with us. On the instructional side, the normal programme has continued,with additional whaler sailing on some weekdays and at week-ends. A start has been made with a specialist Wireless Telegraphy Class under the instruction of Mr. Evans. Cadets in Beatty and Benbow classes were examined for Able Seaman on 10th and 17th October, and the following Cadets were rated A.B. as from 17th October 1955:- Clarke, Newman, Glass (A.), Brown (G.), Dawson, Ravenscroft, Byrde, Fillery, MacMaster, Guest. Hughes, Munro, Tyrrell, Whittaker, Bauer, Hansell, Jones, Glanville, Marriott, Daniel. Examinations for Leading Seaman will be held early next term and it is hoped that all Anson Class will then qualify for that rate, so that we may have some Cadet Petty Officers next September, to assist the instructional staff.
Results of Zone 6 Athletics Class B (14-16 years):- 100 yards: 1 House; 3 Dawson; 4 Moxham Class C (16-18 years):- 880 yards: 1 Gordon-Smith. One mile: 1 Gordon-Smith; 4 Hunton S.G.
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4-1 |
Spring 55 |
54-55 |
At the beginning of the Spring term we were pleased to welcome Sub-Lieut. Poole, R.N.Y.R. to the Unit. A former Army officer, he is nevertheless a keen yachtsman and a member of the Waldringfield Sailing Club. He will assist the Seamanship instruction. The Unit has continued to grow in numbers. At present, there are 42 enrolled cadets who are divided for instructional purposes into three classes - Anson, Beatty and Benbow. here are also 20 New Entries - that is boys who are still in their three months' probation, which all must complete before being finally enrolled and kitted up with uniform. When enrolled, these boys will constitute Cochrane and Cunningham classes. As a result of examinations for the rate of Cadet Able Seaman on 22nd March, the following were rated Able Seamen from that date: The following have since been rated Acting Leading Seaman: Bass, Gould, Moughton, Vizard.
In addition to the normal instructional programme, activities during the Spring included boat-pulling for volunteers from the "B" classes - and there were always more volunteers han places available, in spite of the weather - and .22 rifle shooting for Anson class on Monday afternoons. The latter activity was by courtesy of the 4th Bn. The Suffolk Regt. (T.A.) whose range we are able to use through the good offices of our Chairman who commands the battalion. Teams have been entered for the Sea Cadet Corps Summer Postal Shooting League and are achieving some quite satisfactory scores on their targets. The big event of the Summer term will be the annual Admiralty inspection of the Unit by Cdr. Luckett, D.S.C., R.N., the Area Officer who represents the Vice-Admiral Commanding Reserves. The inspection will take place on 21st July. It is as a result of these inspections that Efficiency Pendants are awarded to units which reach the highest. standard of efficiency, and whilst it would he presumptuous to hope that Woolverstone Hall might gain such an award after a first inspection, that nevertheless is the target at which the Unit must aim this and every year. During the Easter holiday, three cadets went to Portsmouth on training courses - Gordon-Smith and Wilson to H.M.S. Cleopatra on a Physical Training course, and Moughton to H.M.S. St. Vincent on a General Seamanship course. Also Vizard and Hunton went on a ten-day cruise in the Merchant Navy motor vessel Ortolan, which took them to Dunkerque and Boulogne. A good time seems to have been had by all.On 28th May, the Zone Swimming Gala will take place at H.M.S. Ganges. The Unit will be represented here by Cadet Ordinary Seamen Ravenscroft, Tyrrell, Munro, Byrde, McMaster and Sullivan. It is hoped to include inter-Divisional whaler rigging and racing competitions during this term, and also perhaps some sailing and pulling against Ipswich Unit - our "chummy" Unit - whose M.T.B. lies off Pin Mill and is visible from Woolverstone. Much of the enjoyment of this term's activities will be dependent on reasonably good weather, "messing about in boats" being strictly a fair-weather occupation. |
Winter 54 |
53-54 |
"The Sea Cadet Corps is a voluntary organisation, the objects of which are to give boys between the ages of 12 and 18 sea training and such other training as will develop in them those qualities which make for good citizenship, and to help boys who wish to make their career at sea achieve their ambition. "In addition to giving technical sea training, it is the aim of the Corps to provide for the social and educational welfare of Cadets, and to concentrate on the development of character, which is of such tremendous importance to boys in whatever career they finally select. "Unit training may include physical and recreational training, squad, company and rifle drill, shooting, signals, wireless telegraphy, seamanship, swimming, boatwork and elementary mechanical training and air training."- (Sea Cadet Form 18). The Woolverstone Hall Sea Cadet Unit began its official existence on 22nd September, having as the Chairman of the Unit Committee, Mr. J. H. Smitherman; Commanding Officer, Lt. Goetzee, R.N.V.R.; 1st Lieut., Sub. Lieut. Watson, R.N.V.R. Mr. Matthews is our civilian Instructor. Twenty-one senior boys have been enrolled on probation and will be finally enrolled when they have completed three months' satisfactory service in the corps. To start with, the unit has been open to boys from the fifth and sixth forms only. It is hoped that next term it will be possible to take boys from the fourth form who wish to join. The L.C.C. has been good enough to provide the two Seamanship classrooms and their equipment for our Headquarters and the Unit has the use of the school boats for training purposes. Mrs. Smitherman presented the Unit with a Sea Cadet ensign, formerly the ensign of the Prince Rupert School Unit. S.W.G. |