D Coy News
Annual Camp 2009 - D Company Perspective
Saturday 8th August - Day one of camp 2009 and most of the cadets were up and about by 05.30 preparing to be at their detachment locations to catch the coach to camp for 07:00hrs. Some six hours later they hit the ground at Castlemartin Camp in Pembrokeshire. |
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They were met by the Company Sergeant Major who ensured that every cadet was taken to their billet and show their bed. The accommodation was very good with cadets billeted in 4 man or single rooms with plenty of cupboard space. |
Straight into uniform the cadets then paraded before their Company Commander in 100 acre wood, where they were informed about the week’s programme and told what was expected of them throughout the week. The Battalion paraded at 2000hrs for the Commandant’s welcoming address, after which the cadets had the rest of the evening to settle in and discover the camp amenities. |
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Sunday morning came as a culture shock to those cadets on their first camp - up at 0630hrs, washed, into uniform, rooms cleaned and then march to the cookhouse for breakfast at 07:30, room inspections at 08:15hrs so everything has to be clean, blankets folded, beds made and kit packed for the day. |
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At 0900hrs the Cadet CSM is marching the Company off to the RSM’s parade. The cadets are put through their paces for half an hour and practice for the parade at the end of camp. 09:30 and it’s off to training,... |
Sunday was the company’s military skills training package which included section attacks, paintball CQB, navigation, duties of a sentry, cooking in the field and other basic skills needed for the forthcoming exercise. |
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Training lasted until 16:00hrs then it was pack up stores, clean weapons and get back to camp for dinner followed by sports competitions and some free time in the NAAFI. |
Monday was the adventure training day and a chance to wind down before the exercise. The majority of the cadets had chosen to go on the water sports package, leaving the rest to the mountain bikes, climbing wall, archery and coastal walk. |
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The water activities took place on Llys–y-fran Reservoir. Cadets spent the day Kayaking, Open Canoeing, KataKanuing (double hull vessels) and Sailing. The water option was probably the best as the weather had started off wet and as they were going to get wet anyway it did not make much difference. Luckily the rain soon stopped and by afternoon the cloud had started to clear. |
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Back on dry land the mountain bikers set off on a course from the camp to the coast and back while a second group practiced their archery skills and scooting up and down the climbing wall!. The weather cleared up in the afternoon so they all went for a cliff walk. |
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We all met back at camp prior to evening meal then it was all systems go into the exercise phase of camp with briefings and kit packing. |
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The exercise would take place on the spacious training area behind the camp where the Company would take on a group of desperados in the form of senior cadets, hell bent on making our lives a misery with their dastardly planning. Tuesday morning and it was nice sunny and looked a good day for a field training exercise (FTX). |
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The cadets still had to make their beds, clean the floors and face room inspection and RSM’s parade but they were soon moving out of camp with their kit on their backs making for the Tank Park where they would receive stores and prepare for the battle ahead. |
About 11:00hrs the leading units set off to attack a reported weapons factory at Trenorgan Farm, they came across the enemy in the fields in front of the factory and a fire fight soon erupted and, after several brief skirmishes, the enemy were sent hustling from the farm. |
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The enemy’s weapons hoard was discovered by SI Davis and cadets then faced the massive task of casi-vacing him back to the Coy medical post back in camp. Once the compound was completely clear we could finally settle down for some lunch. After losing the farm the enemy were a little miffed and kept harassing and in the afternoon it was time for one Platoon to advance and clear the ground in front. As they advanced they came across the enemy training ground in an old quarry where they conveniently captured all their tents and so were ensured a dry night whatever happened. |
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After several small skirmishes, the area around the farm was finally cleared of enemy and two platoon advanced forward to the quarry leaving Coy HQ at the farm. In the meantime the enemy had set up a new base somewhere on the training area and it was not until 21:30hrs that it was discovered, just in time for one final attack before a well earned rest. Both Platoons set out in the dark to RV just before the rebel base at Gerald’s Haunt, a remote spooky derelict building in the middle of the area. |
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It took some time in the dark to get everybody in position for the attack. Both attacks went in but the enemy managed to hold on to the position, just. Back to the tent city in the quarry and looking forward to a good night’s sleep. A pity that nobody realised not all the enemy had been at their base when we attacked, although, as we soon found out as we snuggled down for the night, bang, bang, bang the enemy attacked. |
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Wednesday - We survived and dawn was soon upon us and it was wash, breakfast and out on the ground trying again to locate the enemy.Sometime during the night they had left their base and it took quite a while to locate them by some old trenches in the far corner of the training area. This time the whole Company attacked and we won the day. We got into camp about 16:00hrs after a water fight in the trenches, both days of the exercise had been sunny and warm so we were lucky. A Company had advanced and taken over our positions so we had a bit of R & R on our hands. |
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We changed into our civvies and all had a BBQ at the tank sheds, we had hoped to go to the beach but by this time it had started to rain again. After the BBQ it was back to base and down to the Naffi. Thursday proved to be another hot and sunny day. Today was range day and the company split down into groups according to experience, the junior 1 star cadets would shoot air rifle and shot guns, the older 2 star and senior cadets would shoot the cadet GP rifle, target rifle and the LSW. |
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To add to the competition the cadets on the full bore range would be shooting for the ‘Richard Bellamy Trophy’, awarded to the detachment with the highest overall score of the day and the ‘Richard Bellamy Cup’ for the cadet with the highest individual score. |
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The best shot of the day went to Staff Sergeant Pateman and the highest detachment score to Market Harborough. On return to camp we cleaned the weapons, and had dinner before entering the sports competition. We were against A and E Company and, although the smallest one on camp, our cadets were up for it and won the boy’s football and volleyball and, thanks to a great performance by Cadet Minter, the archery, putting us in a great position to win the overall sports competition that concluded on Friday with the march and shoot and tug of war. |
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Friday was the busiest day of the week and to top it all it was raining. In the morning there was the final parade practice then a quick change into sports kit for the conclusion of the sports competition. Quite a morning and very hard for a young cadet to keep up the pace, but once again D Coy were up to the challenge. |
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On the sports field, it was close. Our Tug of war teams were a little light against the opposition and the boys team were soon overcome by the teams of A and E but the girls got stuck in and came an incredible second with a gutsy and determined display. |
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This and the scoring achieved in the March & Shoot saw D Coy win the overall sports competition. |
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After lunch D Coy paraded in front of the billets ready for the Commandant’s parade. Several awards are announced during the parade and the cadets and Instructors were hopeful that D Company would collect a few of those. The Company marched onto the parade square looking very smart indeed with members of D Coy also forming the banner party and being part of the band. It was an excellent parade with the Brigadier taking the salute. |
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| At the end of the parade the Company marched back to their lines with many awards and trophies, doing very well indeed. |  |
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The competition and Awards won by D Company and its staff are listed below. All in all a brilliant camp enjoyed by both the cadets and adults. Roll on Camp 2010..... Chris DoyleMajor OC D Company |
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The Cadet Forces Medal (CFM) and Clasps are awarded to officers and uniformed adult instructors in recognition of unbroken, exemplary service in the Cadet Forces. 12 years reckonable service is required for award of the medal. 6 years further service is required for award of each subsequent Clasp. Prior to 1991, 8 years service was required for the Clasp. The medal is awarded to Captain Pip Doyle, CSM Sean Morrow, SSI Trevor Loveridge and SI Brian Doctor. |
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The third clasp, representing an amazing 32 years service, is awarded to SMI Bill Protheroe. |
| The WALTON TROPHY, was presented to LNR ACF by Capt & Mrs Walton and is awarded annually at Camp to an Officer or Adult Instructor, who has made an outstanding contribution to LNR ACF. This year, the trophy was awarded to SMI Sid Harrald who is pictured here with the previous two recipients. |  |
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The EFFICIENCY TROPHY is awarded
to the Company who has exhibited the greatest level
of efficiency in all aspects of Annual Camp Administration. Pictured left, Major Doyle collects the trophy for the 2nd year running. |
| Cadet Samson, (Mkt Harborough) was presented with the HOLLINS TROPHY, awarded annually to a Cadet in their 1st year, who is less than 15 years of age, has an exemplary record, is always well turned out and is an all round keen and conscientious cadet. |  |
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Cadet Staff Sergeant Arrowsmith awarded the ADAM MORRIS TROPHY, awarded to a cadet that has most impressed whilst on Annual Camp. |
| 2Lt Maz Marriott collectng the NTER COMPANY SPORTS COMPETITION TROPHY which s awarded to the winner of the sports competitions held throughout the week at Camp. |  |
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CSM Sean Morrow collecting the ENNALS TROPHY which is awarded to the Company or Squadron with the best APC results over the previous Training Year, based on both the number and level of APC passes achieved. |
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D Company show off their County and Company Awards. Other Awards at Company level included: |
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| D Coy Banner Party | Staff Sergeant Patemen, Escort |
| D Company Drill Team | Sgt W Juffs Team Commander Cdt Bailey Cdt Rukas Cdt Samson Cdt Bennett Cdt Smith C Cdt Kramer Z Cdt Burnage L Cdt. Barrett Cdt Young Cdt Maher Cdt Brown Cdt Burnage S Cdt Thurston Cdt Harris Cdt Measley Cdt Towns Cdt Brand Cdt Wright Cdt Frederick-Higham Cdt King Cdt Brindle Cdt Merrington |
| Billet Competition | L/Cpl Pritchard Cdt Robinson Cdt McGregor Cdt Hill |
| Sports Personality | Cdt Minter, Wellingborough |
| Best Turned out Cadet | Cdt S Barrett, Rushden |
| Top Cadet Camp 09 | Cdt Rouse, Wellingborough |
| Best Performing JNCO | LCpl Wilkins, Rushden |
| Best Performing SNCO | SSgt Arrowsmith, Rushden |
| The Bellamy Trophy | Market Harborough |
| The Bellamy Cup | SSgt Pateman |
| Special Service to Coy | S/Maj Ski, CSM D Coy 08/09 |
