Somerset Army Cadet Force

A Busy Night for Frome Platoon

Written by SMI Julie Halford

Normandy Company members, Somerset Royal British Legion dignitaries, family and friends gathered at the Cadet Centre in Keyford, Frome on Tuesday 13 December 2011 for the affiliation of the platoon with the Royal British Legion. Frome are the latest of several detachments within our Battalion to share an official link with the charity, entitling cadets to wear the certified Royal British Legion badge on their brassards.

The visitors were treated to a first class rendition of well known military pieces played by the Frome Platoon element of our Silver Bugle Band. Afterwards a new Army Cadet Force Standard for Frome Platoon was blessed by the Battalion Padre, Reverend Stuart Boyd. During the short service, the Padre reminded everyone of the importance of identity and how for centuries a ‘colour’ had been used as a rallying point in battle. The honour of Standard Bearer for the evening fell to Cadet Lance Corporal Gemma Brixey.

Six probationary recruits took their Army Cadet Force oath and were formally presented with their beret badges by Normandy Company Commander Major Barry Angus, therefore initiating them as fully fledged army cadets. The Platoon had it’s own prizes to award and promotions to announce; Laura Burbage was promoted to Cadet Serjeant Major and Bugle Major Paige Starr was voted Best Cadet at Frome as well as being made up to Cadet Colour Serjeant. Cadet Corporal Daniel Bingham, who recently finished second in a South West Army Cadet Force bugle competition, was appointed Bugler to the Commandant for the next 12 months. The title of Most Improved Bandsman went to Cadet Emily Hodges and young Cadet Bethany Pang was named Champion Recruit.

Attached images by SSI Peter Russell LBIPP:

Image 1 Mr Shaun O’Connor, Chairman of Frome Royal British Legion, presenting Platoon Commander Captain Martyn Day with their Affiliation Certificate.

Image 2 Battalion Padre, Reverend Stuart Boyd, blesses the new Army Cadet Force Standard for Frome Platoon.

Image 3 Frome Platoon ‘team phot’.