The Girls were the best too ... National Drill Champions

They didn't have Rifles like us lads, but they were easily our equal at drill. A few years after we were crowned champions. The Girls won the National Drill Competition, commanded by Tracey Boulton.

1985 winning Guard - waaaaaaa

My 1st Camp - no it wasn't that one ;-)

My 1st Camp, with the Cadets, was the area below Maiden Castle at Bickerton.

It was in good old fashioned canvas tents, with rope up doors.

I think it was around 1980 - a few names I can remember from back then, and probably on the camp, were - Derick Moran, Eddie Hamel, Kev Wilcox, Kev Stubbs, John Sturmey, Ashley Mills, Anthony Buckley, Steven Garratt - I do remember Graeme Malam was there. apologies for any Spellings :-)

When we got there, we found that a large contingent of Army Cadets were already there - we soon got invited to join in thier Night Exercises.

It was the only time that I went there, from then on it was the Easter Camp at Wimbolsley Wood near Winsford.

View from Maiden Castle

Remembrance...

Another great turnout...
Huge crowd at the square, maybe due to it being the mildest November I can remember.
and many at the Unit, afterwards (including a few that we haven't seen for a great many years) - Toasting absent friends, cheering on the young cadets and of course "Band Practice"

But let's not forget what the day is about...

Our own moment of remembrance for Paul Reece, Killed in Ulster in 1979 - aged only 19. To some an actual friend, but for most of us a poignant reminder of the true meaning of the day.

Death Slide

On Wednesday, I am taking my Daughter to GoApe. Should bring back many memories of our antics many years ago, in particular the Assault Course at "Easter Camp".
The highlight was the Death Slide (Nowaday's known as Zip Wire), I've already seen the zip wire at Delamere and although 4 or 5 times longer and considerably higher, what amazes me was that we "nearly" got away with no accidents and we had no such thing as a harness...

There's me in 1981 - look no harness (wouldn't be allowed now)

I say "Nearly" no accidents - there was of course Phil Doody's broken leg, but most often remembered was Eric Edge's son biting has tongue off, when he fell from it.

T.S.Ambuscade 70 years old... well nearly

TS Ambuscade becomes 70 years old in 2012 , even though we have an unofficial reunion on every Remembrance Day we think an official reunion for the unit's 70th birthday is a good idea !! 

We have yet to suggest it to the relevant people but if anyone has any ideas to have an event we would love to hear .

We plan to have a formal evening with the present cadets staff and commitee on a Friday eve, then on the Saturday to have the reunion with the ex cadets with a disco and buffet ! If anyone has any more suggestion let us know .

Also HMS Ambuscade Association are holding a major Reunion in Crewe to coincide with the 30 year anniversary of the Falklands Campaign. Do you want to suggest or arrange anything with them ?

So 2012 could be a big year for all of us !

Obviously dates and venues need to be confirmed

T.S.Royalist

On Holiday, in Weymouth, I watched a Tall Ship sail into harbour - T.S.Royalist.
I never sailed on her, but saw her a few times and know a few cadets that did go to sea.

Does anyone remember ...

Before this... ?

Part of the Railway Works used to be there - at one time 40 thousand people, or so, were employed there.
When it came down, a local group of railway enthusiasts collected memorabilia (Some is probably in the heritage centre now).
One prize was a narrow gauge turntable, part of the factory production line track. It must have been a couple of tons and there was no access for heavy lifting equipment.
What's this got to do with the cadets?....

We were asked what we could do. A group of us took some Wooden Spars, Rope and Purchases (Tackles) and rigged a set of Gyns and lifted the Turntable out of the ground. (good old fashioned Naval Seamanship put to task)
What is a set of Gyns?

Wanna see some real snow....

John Sturmey, Ian Wilkinson, Simon Allen and Myself went for some Adventure Training practise in the Goyt Valley (probably winter of 90/91).

We each had our own jobs - Simon's was to check the Weather... he excitedly told us Snow !!!

When we got there, it was a lovely Sunny day. :-( he got a lot of stick, until we did get a little bit of snow...

Within about 1/2 hour of the top picture being taken, we had to take shelter in the woods to have some grub... 

 After only a couple of hours, visibility was down to 50 feet (you can just make out the head torches...)

We were out for around 6 hours, and by the time we got to the car it was snowed in under a foot of snow.

We had to walk out of the valley to Buxton Train Station and get a Train home.

Funniest thing tho' were the Police and the Locals going out for drives in thier 4x4's

My dad took me back the next day to get my car, we got out of the valley just in time before the snow started again. 

Last Harrier Jet Launch From HMS Ark Royal

Click Here for the story

Picture from Southport Air Show

Remembrance Sunday

Every year, following Remembrance at the Cenotaph, many ex Cadets get together in the Unit Bar.
There will be a Mini-Remembrance and Last Post for Paul Reece, and also the "Now" traditional "Band Practise" and "Wood's Rum" toasts - and always a few new faces to the ever increasing group of regulars.

I'll not list names here, but (if you have Facebook) take a look at the Cadets Facebook Page for some Names and Faces.

As always all Ex-Cadets are welcome at the Unit after the Parade.

Sailing at Hollingworth Lake

Hollingworth Lake

I went on my only Sailing course (April 89) - 1 of the Days there were strong winds, meaning we could not go Sailing. So the kids all went out in Canoes. While on the water, the weather changed drastically to Gale Force.
Nobody could stay upright, so they all had to get out. I had gone out in a Motor Powered Boat, and spent about an hour rescuing the kids from the Water (Obviously they all had life jackets on, but they were being blown across the lake) Most of the canoes were smashed on the Rocks at the far end of the lake.

At the end of the week, when it was time for my Sailing exam - there was no wind at all, I could only manage a Token "Lowest Grade" Qualification.

That week was most memorable for the Weather - I managed to get this shot one evening.

Wow - look who's on the Telly

Got told to check out Bargain Hunt this morning.... Dave "H" Hanley.
The show will probably only be available for a few days, on iPlayer.

Girls - National Drill Champions

A brief "chat" with Julie Millington on Facebook, reminded me of the time when the Girls won the National Drill Competition with Tracey Boulton as Squad Commander.
Sorry can't remember when or where exactly, probably '87 or '88.

Stew' versus The Quack

Bet this will bring back some memories, but I wonder if this kind of thing would be allowed now (although was it ever).
It seems only fair that Stewart is the first Victim - Sorry that you're included Anne.

Apologies for the Quality - the clip must be about 20 years old, and has been copied and converted several times.

Credit for the clip goes to, I believe, John Hyde. I have some clips from Dave Manning too. Is anybody intouch with either Gents

H.M.S.Ambuscade

Crewe Unit was Affiliated to H.M.S.Ambuscade (hence T.S.Ambuscade - T.S. is Training Ship)
We kept close ties with the ship and had many visits and even trips on her. August 1984 we helped at Navy Days at Devonport, and in June 1984 several of us sailed on her, from Portsmouth to Lowestoft...
On that trip we were followed out of Portsmouth by HMS Jupiter, but she was soon left behind when the Ambuscade went to full speed (Type 21's were among the fastest ships in the world at the time and was fast enough to Waterski)
The following day, she answered a Mayday from a Tall Ship stuck on the Goodwin sands where the Crew assisted an RAF Wessex Helicopter, and to top the trip as we were entering Lowestoft Harbour we were treated to a Red Arrow flyby.
The big news on the TV that night, however was that HMS Jupiter had crashed into London Bridge.


On occasions some of the Ship's crew were invited to the Unit, and quite often were involved in fund raising for us.
The H.M.S. Ambuscade Association, has a wealth of info about the ship and her History

Easter Camp...

Between 1981 and 1994 - we had an annual Easter Camp at Wimbolsley Wood (See Previous Post).
Although Easter is at different times each year, I only remember once when the camp was a Washout - Like this year - Great fun, but it was a pain for the younger kids, that had not been away before.
Below are a selection of Group Photo's (some Pre-Camp) - can anybody remember the Years?

1993

1993

Wimboldlsey

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Paul Reece

On the 20th March 2009, we had a Remembrance Service for Paul Reece - who was killed 30 years ago while on active duty in NI.
Paul's Family were there, some ex cadets that knew him, and a number of ex-cadets that only knew the Name (But still fealt a connection)

Following the displays - a Guard Display by the Cadets and an unrehearsed Ex-cadet Band display - there was the traditional reunion in the Mess

Old Band Photo - Incuding Paul Reece

Paul Reece - Killed while on Duty in Northern Ireland in 1979.
He is in the middle of this photo (Holding the Drum Sticks)
On the 20th March 2009, there will be a 30th Anniversary Remembrance at Crewe Unit. Followed by the customary Reunion.
If you are on Facebook, follow this link.
Remembrance Evening for Paul Reece