CCF Annual Report 2015

by Lt Col Mike Slemen

The CCF continues to offer a tremendous range of activities. These activities, supported by Merchant Taylors’ Schools’ Staff and the Regular Services, build confidence, increase pupils’ reference points and allow pupils to glimpse life beyond the school gate.

With cadet numbers at 260, the CCF remains perennially popular and it is common for pupils to demonstrate their loyalty by staying for five full years.

During this year 23 Royal Navy cadets attended our Northern Adventure weekend where they experienced life at HMS Neptune, the RN Naval base at Faslane. This included skiing, fire fighting, a morning on the RN police patrol boats and a minesweeper. Cadets also attended the annual RN Junior Leadership weekend and the Senior Leadership weeks held at HMS Raleigh and Britannia Royal Naval College. Five cadets have since passed their senior leadership course this year. Cadets have attended various summer courses gaining RYA qualifications in dinghy sailing and power boating Level 2 as well as National Pool Lifeguard qualified cadets. Our boys and girls have once again taken part in the NW regatta and competed in Bosuns, Pico’s and toppers representing the school at a very competitive level. Weekly attendance at Crosby Marina for sailing sessions continued this year. A highlight for many cadets this year was the opportunity to fly in the Royal Navy Merlin Helicopter arranged via HMS Heron Yeovilton at the Centenary inspection – an experience never to be forgotten!
The army section continues to attract the majority of cadets who enjoy shooting, first aid, navigation, methods of instruction and military skills. The Summer Central Camp at Warcop was supported by the Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment who were able to raise the cadets’ game with both their enthusiasm and their professionalism. Many of the activities provided were of a level above what cadets would normally experience and the Adventure Training day offered a wide range of choice.

The RAF section, run by Sqd Ldr Charlie Ryan, enjoys flying and gliding out of RAF Woodvale and cadets can gain wings; this is a tremendous achievement for teenagers.The RAF section attends camps both at home and overseas over the course of the year. Last year’s UK annual summer camp was at RAF Spadeadam, Cumbria, which was a resounding success, and cadets were able to enjoy the company of their peers from St John’s School, Leatherhead. Several cadets enjoyed the activities provided by regular RAF personnel at two camps at RAF Troodos in the Atlas Mountains in Cyprus – the first at Easter, the second in July.
Another overseas camp in July saw four MTS RAF cadets attend camp in the shadow of The Rock at RAF Gibraltar. Sgt John Ball was fortunate enough to be selected for a 17 day International Air Exchange Scheme (IACE) placement in Canada during summer and finally Mr Ryan was delighted to be chosen as an adult escort for another IACE camp in Tennessee, USA.

All cadets are encouraged to involve themselves in tri-service activities: adventure training in Cumbria, shooting at the Brigade Shooting Competition at Altcar, and, of course, attaining the three levels of awards in the hugely popular Duke of Edinburgh scheme.

The focal point of the CCF year is the Inspection Day and was particularly special this year as it was the Centenary of its foundation. The 25^th June was a very special day beginning with a Church Service at St. Faiths’, with many guests, including Prince Andrew, HRH The Duke of York. During the service a new CCF Banner was dedicated to the 155 Old Boys who died during the First World War. After lunch the normal Inspection took place with the Inspecting Officer, Commodore David Dutton, an Old Boy on his first visit since he left school in 1983. The culmination of the day was a Centenary Dinner at MTGS with the many Old Boys and Girls in attendance. The Chief Guest was Dame Lorna Muirhead, The Lord Lieutenant of Merseyside, and David Dutton gave an inspiring speech.

Lt Col Mike Slemen

Army Commander’s Report 2015

by Lt Col Mike Slemen

My third year in charge of the Army Section started with a new enterprise in early October as we travelled to Nesscliff Training Camp with 45 new recruits for a weekend of fieldcraft training. Having only been 3 weeks in the CCF the recruits experienced staying out overnight after building their own “bashas”. Over the weekend they also had the chance of experiencing Archery and gained a qualification in “Heartstart”.

Capt. Marie Molloy was in charge of the new Recruits section, ably helped by Capt. Helen Irwin. Throughout the year the basic skills of Drill, Fieldcraft, Navigation and Skill at Arms were taught. The highlights for the cadets include three training days at Altcar in December, March and June where they practised their new skills in the field. The third training day where they stay out overnight, making their own “bashas” and patrolling in the dark is their highlight of the year and culminates in a morning ambush where they fire blank ammunition for the first time. They are then awarded their Red Star to show that they have passed their Army Proficiency Certificate and finished the Recruit Syllabus.

Capt. Ian McKie was in charge of the Apex Section (Year 10) where the cadets move on to more advanced skills from the Recruit year as well as being introduced to Signals and First Aid. As they will have started their Duke of Edinburgh Award at the end of year 9 this fits in well with the Expedition Training necessary for their Practice and Qualifying Expeditions for the Bronze Award. The December training day for them concentrates on Signals and allows them to gain their Crossed Flags Badge which is awarded for Basic Signals. The February Navigation day sees them travel to Beacon Park near Skelmersdale to spend the day Orienteering and following a designated route on Beacon Fell. Their third training day sees them working at Platoon level and culminates in an exciting Platoon Attack with large amounts of blank Ammunition.

The Advanced Infantry (Year 11) ably led by Lt. Harry Parker is an important year in which the cadets are taught Leadership and Teaching as they move towards becoming NCO’s in the 6^th form. Training day 1 in December sees them teaching cadets for the first time as they practise on the Recruits with Fieldcraft lessons.

Adventure Training is an important part of the syllabus for all sections ably led by Capt. McKie and assisted by Capt. Molloy and Lt.Col. Irvine. Usually a week at Easter provides opportunities for years 10 and 12 either in the Lake District or Snowdonia. Unfortunately this did not take place this year due to clashes with other School trips but hopefully it will return next year.

Throughout the year Shooting has a high priority and is ably led by RSMI Brett assisted by Lt. Irwin and Fl Lt Helen Irwin. The cadets have the chance to shoot the L98A2 GP rifle on the ranges at Altcar and those who show ability move onto the Cadet Target Rifle and the Contingent Shooting Team. This year we had a relatively young inexperienced team who nevertheless did as well as could be expected at the CSAAM held every year at Altcar and organised by 42 Brigade.

The end of term saw us move to Warcop in North Yorkshire for the Annual Central Camp with 34 cadets of all ages and 6 staff. The weather was glorious and the camp particularly well run by our own 42 Brigade. There were many highlights throughout the week as can be seen in the Cadets reports and it was probably one of the best camps I have ever attended so far in my 27 year army career.

The last event of Camp is our own Final Parade during which Promotions are made and Prizes given.

Promotions: All L6th NCO’s were promoted to Cpl. before camp and James Ablett was promoted to Under Officer coming from University to help out.

Prizes: Best Recruit on Camp   James Harper

Best Recruit Shot           Wesley Saunders

Best Cadet                       Jacob Foster

Best Shot                         Tom French

Best NCO                         Toby Maitland

Finally my thanks must go to all the cadets and staff as well as 42 Brigade and especially Sgt Peter McBride, a member of 42 Brigade CTT who brought his expertise to Thursday nights and the Training days throughout the year.