CCF pays tribute to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

The School’s CCF commemorated the passing of Her late Majesty The Queen with a special tribute during the first full parade of term last Wednesday (14 September).

An Honour Guard of senior cadets was assembled at short notice by Major Martin Brennan, CCF Adjutant and former Regimental Sergeant Major of the Irish Guards.

With the 200-strong CCF formed up on the Quad, the Guard marched onto parade to take up position in front of the dais. Following some words by Sqn Ldr Stefan Hargreaves, CCF Contingent Commander, Simon Armitage’s commemorative poem Floral Tribute was read and a two-minute silence kept by cadets and those members of the school community in attendance.

A Royal Salute was offered, after which the Guard was commanded to ground arms and the parade ordered to remove headdress: the drill necessary to facilitate three hearty cheers for His Majesty The King. The Contingent and assembled company also sang the first verse of the National Anthem.

Sqn Ldr Hargreaves said: “I’m pleased the cadets had the opportunity to mark this momentous and memorable occasion, as we live through an historical transition of both Sovereign and Commander-in-Chief. It was a touching act of commemoration and I’m certain that the cadets will remember it for many years to come.”

A larger Guard of Honour will perform a sequence of continuity drill during next year’s CCF Inspection Day, which will take place on Wednesday 15 March.