On October 21 1805, the Battle of Trafalgar took place. It was an important British naval victory and remains a significant anniversary in the calendar annually.
On Sunday, October 16 this year, the morning was bright and sunny and 400 young cadets celebrated the historic 205th anniversary in London with marching bands, club and cutlass display and formal parading, including five cadets from TS Rye.
PO (SCC) Phil Whiteman, Commanding Officer TS Rye, commented:
“I have been very proud of the five cadets from Rye who took part in this year’s national Trafalgar Parade. They had all worked incredibly hard on their own personal drill and uniform so they looked their best on the day. They left Rye on Friday morning to travel to Ashford for two days of intensive training. They were joined by cadets from across the country to form a display showing off a variety of skills, including drill, physical training, and the massed band of the corps. The salute for the day was taken by Rear Admiral RN Judith Terry OBE, followed by a march along the Mall past Buckingham Palace to their final destination of Wellington Barracks. This was such an achievement for the five cadets from Rye: they were the first cadets in the unit’s near seventy-year-old history to represent us at such a prestigious parade in the nation’s capital.”
The Secretary of State for Defence, Dr Liam Fox, said the Sea Cadets were well-drilled and that they should be proud of themselves. He held them up as true rôle models for young people and that cadets’ organisations show society at its best, working together without boundaries.
Kyle Hatcher from Rye Harbour, aged 14, was one of the five chosen to represent Rye and he told me about his experience: “The marching was a thrilling thing to do. You don’t get to do that sort of thing every day. It was an honour to be chosen. My highlight was the march past at Buckingham Palace.”
I asked Kyle why he joined the Sea Cadets. “It was something interesting to do. I have learnt many skills and how to be more disciplined. It gives me a chance to work with a team and I have learnt how to tie ropes, how to drive a power-boat, mastered rowing and it is a good social thing to be part of. I enjoy meeting new people and getting to know people I wouldn’t have met otherwise.”
At the moment, Kyle is a Marine Cadet, and wants to progress through the ranks and learn more and take on more responsibilities. Phil Whiteman runs a tight ship at TS Rye but it is obvious that it is a brilliant place for youngsters of today to come together and learn and have fun and whenever I have attended there has been a real buzz of purpose and activity.
Phil added this about Kyle: “He started as a Sea Cadet and transferred into the Royal Marine Cadets around a year ago, where he has flourished and grown exponentially in confidence.”
Image Credits: Lt Cdr Ray Mitchel .
As the great grand parents of Kyle we would like say how proud we are at what he’s achieved over the last couple of years, congratulations to Phil and his team on what they do at TS Rye for all the youngsters of Rye.
As a former Royal Marine I can appreciate the effort required for a good turn out, well done to you all.
So proud of these youngsters
Brilliant. Ship shape and Bristol fashion!
What a proud moment for all those involved on the day, the sea cadets in Rye and those who run the group!