Twenty five army cadets spent their half term holidays on an intensive five day signals course at the cadet force county headquarters at Waterbeach near Cambridge between 13^th and 17^th April to earn the coveted ‘Crossed Flags’ signals badge.

 

L to R: Radio Cadets - Alice Dale (15), Robert Holt (17), Natalie Dubois (16)

The cadets, aged 13 to 17, came from all over Cambridgeshire and for the very first time four lads from Suffolk Army Cadet Force also joined in the challenge. They all learned military radio skills taught by a team of eight adult instructors under the watchful eye of Tony Hall (48) the County Signals Officer, who in his working life is Managing Director of Prima Ltd., a specialist electronics company based in St Ives.

 

The course, which focused on how to use personal radios, cabling, voice procedures and erecting lines and masts, was open to all local army cadets with an interest in signals and two girls from Thomas Deacon Academy in Peterborough - one of the very first cadet force units set up in state schools in the country in support of the national government youth development initiative – rose to the challenge.  

 

Natalie Dubois (16) and Alice Dale (15) both live in the city and leapt at the chance to train with other cadets from the area. “It’s great to take part in different types of training that give you skills that you can actually use”, said Lance Corporal Natalie. “The cadets is about fun and achievement and anyone aged 12 to 18 can take part”.  Also on the course from Peterborough was Robert Holt (17) who has now left school and is looking to join the army in the near future – he won the course award for most improved cadet. “This will give me knowledge I need for a head start” he said. “The army isn’t for everyone, but I want to give it a go so I joined the army cadet force at Fletton first. If you want to make a go of your life you need to do something positive”.

 

The course proved to be a huge success and on the final day presentations of trophies, qualification badges and certificates were made by the Deputy Chief Executive of East Anglia Reserve Forces & Cadets Association, Lt Col Jackie Allan, TD.   St. Neots cadets did extremely well with Cadet Ryan Warner (16) winning the coveted cup for top cadet of the course and the award for best endeavor being shared by Cadet Carl White (13) and L/Corporal Rebecca Grogan (16). Winning individual shields for success in the quiz competition were – L/Corporal Tom Harris (16), Cadet Gregory Jackson (15) and Cadet Chris Nicholls (14) from St Neots, with team mate Cadet Matthew Fairbrother-Burton (14) from St Ives.

Alice Dale (L) and Natalie Dubois (R) learn signaling skills

“It’s been a great week”, said Tony Hall. “We are extremely grateful for the support of Sergeant Karl Dabell of the Territorial Army, Major Eddie Isaacs from Beds & Herts ACF and Officer Cadet Rachel Cox from Birmingham University Officer Training Corps”. “With their help these youngsters gained skills that will benefit them throughout their lives.”