News

Army Cadet Leader invested at the Palace

Ashford man, Colonel Ian Denison OBE, former Commandant of the Middlesex and North West London Army Cadets was invested on 14th February by HRH Prince of Wales with an OBE, awarded in the New Years Honours List. Ian and his family travelled to Buckingham Palace where the investiture took place.

He has given 34 years of volunteer service to the ACF, including the last six as Sector Commandant - one year’s volunteering for each of the 34 ACF Cadet Units that he commanded in Middlesex & North West London. The Sector stretches from Staines and Uxbridge in the West, to Barnet in the North and Victoria in Central London.

On first hearing the news he said “It’s a great personal honour to be recognised in this way, but my achievements make only a small contribution to the team that makes the Army Cadet Force such an excellent organisation for young people. The real powerhouse of the movement is in all the Detachments, scattered all over London, where the “Cadet Experience” is delivered so expertly, every week”

He joined the ACF as an adult leader in July 1977 and was posted to the Chelsea Detachment, cap-badged to the London Irish Rifles, based at the Duke of York’s Headquarters in Chelsea. He served there as a Detachment Commander and, subsequently, as a Company Commander for units in the Heathrow area. He spent some years as the Sector’s Training Officer before taking up the role of Deputy Commandant and then Commandant of Middlesex & NW London ACF in 2006. Commenting on his time, he says “Over the past 34 years I have had a great time, met a large number of life-long friends and attended every one of the two-week Camps, each summer but, most importantly, I hope that I’ve played a small part in developing numerous young people into being better citizens. I have really enjoyed everything I have done in all the various roles that I have held within the ACF.”

Colonel Denison is married with a grown up family, and lives in Ashford (Middlesex). In his “day job”, he is a senior manager with the UK Border Agency at Heathrow Airport, where he has worked for the past 23 years. He is also the Chair of Governors at The Matthew Arnold School, in Staines.

He ended his tour of duty as Commandant on 31^st December and handed over to Lieutenant Colonel Mark Hodson TD. Colonel Denison has been appointed as the Army HQ ACF Training Advisor. He joined the staff at the National Cadet Training Centre (CTC) at Frimley Park on 1 January. The new job is geared to provide advice on all aspects of ACF Training, both design and delivery, to the CTC’s Commandant and the Training Development Team. In the Spring, he will also take on the role of Chairman of the Tri-Service Cadet Committee for the Reserve Forces and Cadets’ Association for Greater London.

Colonel Ian Denison OBE

Colonel Denison with his wife Alison

The first London Borough with Royal Status signs the Armed Forces Community Covenant

The Royal Borough of Greenwich became the first London Borough granted Royal Status, to sign the Armed Forces Community Covenant at a ceremony held at the Royal Artillery Barracks in Woolwich on 7^th February 2012.

The Borough of Greenwich has just been awarded the Royal Status were keen to sign the Covenant as soon as possible in order to make the event a double celebration for them and the Military.

The Mayor, Councillor Jim Gillman, Leader of the Council Chris Roberts, and representatives from all three of the Armed Forces, joined other members of the Royal Borough, to sign this historic document.

Leader of the Council Chris Roberts, who addressed all the guests present, said “Greenwich Borough has over 300 years of history with the Armed Forces, and the DNA is part of the town of Woolwich.” He added, “We were keen to sign the covenant early and reaffirm our strong relationships with the Navy, Army, and Air Force.”

Commodore Martin Atherton Naval Regional Commander for the South East, said, “This has been a wonderful event. Today has been a double honour for Greenwich, our opportunity to acknowledge their Royal Status and being able to sign the Covenant.” He added, “On behalf of all the sailors soldiers and airman, thank you for what you are doing on our behalf, we are indebted to you.”

Representing the Army was Colonel R Elvidge from London District. Group Capt S Davie RAF Liaison Officer and Col Hugh Purcell Chief Executive of Greater London Reserve Forces and Cadets Association represented members of the Reserve Forces and Cadets in Greater London. Representing the Armed Forces in Woolwich were Lieutenant Colonel Crawley Commanding Officer 2 PWRR; Lieutenant Colonel Brockman Commander Woolwich Station and Major Edward the Commanding Officer of the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery who marked their official arrival at Woolwich Station by riding through the streets of Woolwich earlier on the day.”

The Armed Forces Covenant is a statement of mutual support between the civilian and local armed forces communities. It aims to encourage respect and support for service personnel and their families, as well as reservists, veterans and cadet groups. On a practical front it aims to help integrate the armed forces community into local life and can provide access to public services as well as concessions and discounted private services.

The signing of The Royal Borough of Greenwich

Commodore Atherton and the Mayor Councillor Jim Gillman

60th Anniversary of HM The Queen’s Accession to the Throne – Gun Salute Fired by The Honourable Artillery Company at HM Palace and Fortress, The Tower of London on Monday 6th February 2012

The Honourable Artillery Company (HAC), the City of London’s Territorial Army regiment and the oldest regiment in the British Army, will fire a 62 round Gun Salute from Gun Wharf at HM Palace and Fortress, The Tower of London on Monday 6^th February at 1.00pm on the occasion of the 60^th anniversary of HM The Queen’s Accession to the Throne – the Diamond Jubilee.

The soldiers will be drawn from One Squadron HAC; the Battery Commander will be Major Anthony Bagwell HAC and the Battery Captain, Captain Richard Jakeman HAC. The Inspecting Officer will be HRH The Prince Michael of Kent GCVO, Royal Honorary Colonel of the HAC.

The HAC will leave their barracks at Armoury House and drive through the City of London to the Tower of London; the Guns are the regiment’s Colours and so are afforded the appropriate respect throughout the route. When the Guns arrive at the Tower, they are ‘brought into action’ on Gun Wharf adjacent to the River Thames; at exactly 1.00pm 62 rounds will be fired at 10 second intervals.

Whilst a Royal Salute normally comprises of 21 rounds, the number is increased by 20 rounds when fired from a Royal Palace – in this case the Tower of London – and by an additional 21 rounds signifying the loyalty to the Monarch by the citizens of the City of London; hence 62 rounds in total.

Gun Salute Fired by The Honourable Artillery Company

White City Army Cadets win Senior Boys Cross Country Competition

Over 130 teenage Army Cadets from all over North and West London converged on Horsenden Hill, Perivale on a freezing Sunday morning 29^th January to take part in the annual cross country running competition. Junior and Senior Boys and Girls events were run over the 5 Kilometre course in bitterly cold but bright conditions with over twenty teams competing.

Eighteen year old Cadet Lance Corporal Jamal Hounam of Shepherds Bush struck gold as she took first place in the Senior Boys run. Jamal has been in Army Cadets since 2008.

In addition the 204 White City Detachment (Para) cadets (pictured) also won the Senior Boys Team prize.

Lt Colonel Mark Hodson TD, Commandant of the Army Cadet Sector in North West London presented the awards. He said “This is an excellent turnout for the cross country event. It’s tremendous that so many of you have turned out to take part in the competition –you have all done well, those who won and those who took part ".

Winners from this event will go forward to represent London at the Regional and National Cross Country Championships later this month.

Cadet Lance Corporatl Jamal Hounam receiving his trophy from Lt Colonel Mark Hodson

204 White City Detachment (Para) cadets won the Senior Boys Team Prize

Uxbridge Army Cadet wins Senior Girls Cross Country Competition

Sixteen year old Cadet Corporal Rhianna Murphy of Hayes struck gold as she took first place in the Senior Girls run. She is a pupil at Bishop Halt School and joined Army Cadets two years ago.