School unit joins Surrey cadets
It was a significant day for the Surrey Army Cadets yesterday. It was the day they welcomed the Army Cadet Force (ACF) of the Royal Alexandra and Albert School to the Surrey Unit. To mark the occasion, Cadet units from around Surrey gathered in the School’s grounds at Gatton Park to parade before senior officers.The Surrey ACF band led the cadets in a march past Gatton Hall and the Cadets of the Royal Alexandra and Albert School then received their new berets and cap badges from Colonel Mulder. After the official ceremony, cadets were able to take a closer look at the military vehicles that had been brought to Gatton Park by the local reserve unit.
Headmaster Paul D Spencer Ellis said “I am delighted that this School’s Army Cadet Force is joining Surrey which is vibrant and well led. The Cadets look forward to training with them and we are happy to make Gatton Park, with its woodlands, grassland and wilderness, available for cadet training exercises. The local Cadet units have made us very welcome and it is wonderful to have so many young people at Gatton Park tonight to share this historic occasion.”
The Royal Alexandra and Albert School ACF is one of very few ‘closed ACF units’. This means that only pupils from the School can join and it only meets during term time. Cadets meet twice a week and are led by Second Lieutenant DJ Bennett. DJ Bennett was once a pupil at the School and distinguished himself by winning the prestigious Connaught Medal whilst at the School. Since leaving the Royal Alexandra and Albert School he has developed a successful carpentry business.
19th September 2014
