Tonbridge cadets put on excellent display as CCF Inspection Day makes welcome return
More than 200 Tonbridge cadets took part in the School’s CCF Inspection Day on Wednesday 16 March.
This year’s event, an Army-led service attended by parents, staff, friends and public, welcomed Colonel John Baynham OBE, Deputy Commander 11th Security Force Assistance Brigade, as Inspecting Officer.
In a distinguished career, Colonel Baynham, pictured right, has completed tours of Northern Ireland, the Falklands and Iraq, served on a humanitarian mission to Rwanda and is the author of Army Field Manual – Tactics for Stability Operations. On promotion to Colonel, he deployed as Commander British Forces Somalia on Operation TANGHAM, for which he was awarded the OBE.
Guests included members of The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery, The Princess of Wales Royal Regiment and The Household Cavalry, and Officers from HMS Duncan (a Type 45 destroyer), HMS Collingwood, HMS Excellent and RAF Northolt.
The Parade, which included a substantial display of continuity drill by the CCF Honour Guard, was commanded by the School’s Warrant Officer Class II Company Sergeant Major Dan Cassidy (OH5).
Cadets were joined by those from Hayesbrook School, Tonbridge’s partner school in the Cadet Expansion Programme.
Former Tonbridge student Lt Tom Brown (PH 2009-14), a British Army Officer who in 2020 was presented with Sandhurst’s highly prestigious Sword of Honour, was among those attending.
Afternoon activities, following the Parade and Inspection, included a Royal Tournament-style Field Gun Run, a laser clay pigeon shoot, archery and the opportunity for boys to try out a virtual reality flight simulator.
Other attractions for visitors to peruse on the School Quad included a boat display and an antique Ferret armoured car.
Squadron Leader Stefan Hargreaves, Contingent Commander for the School’s CCF, said: “All our cadets put on a truly excellent show, the result of their dedication, hard work and commitment. It is wonderful to see CCF Inspection Day taking place here at Tonbridge once more, after its absence due to Covid, and I extend my thanks to all our guests, and to the CCF officers, for making today such a special and memorable occasion.”
The following awards were made on CCF Inspection Day:
The Tennant Bell (Royal Navy)
Chief Petty Officer Theo Collingwood (WW5)
The Dougall Trophy (Army)
Warrant Officer Class II Company Sergeant Major Dan Cassidy (OH5)
The Wilson Trophy (Royal Air Force)
Flight Sergeant Duncan Randall (CH5)
The Paterson Sword for the best overall contribution to the CCF
Colour Sergeant Freddie Lacey (PH5)
