This week, the CCF was proud to perform Mr Grindlay’s final CCF Parade. This involved the Guard of Honour, which is a military tradition showing respect to the individual for which the parade is being held.

Cadet Warrant Officer Loy (Lower Sixth), Head of Corps, who led the parade, reports on the event below:

“Being a member of the Guard of Honour involves many hours of practising the drill movements as well as ensuring immaculate uniform. The Guard of Honour is a selection of cadets drawn from the Third Form to the Lower Sixth across all three services.

Along with the Guard of Honour, both the CCF Standard (carried by Cadet Flight Sergeant Davis) and the Royal British Legion Standard (carried by Cadet RSM McInulty) were present.

The parade was held as a mark of respect and thanks to the Headmaster, Mr Grindlay, as he leaves his post as Head of the CCF. During the parade, Mr Grindlay inspected the Guard of Honour, gave a short speech and took the salute. This was followed by Major Prem leading three cheers for the Headmaster.” 

Major Millbery, the Contingent Commander, said:

“I have a privileged position at events such as these. I stand next to the Headmaster and look out over the CCF. It is times like this that I am filled with pride at the commitment shown by the cadets, especially when there are many other pressures on their time, which does little to dull their diligence and willingness to learn new skills.  There is an adage in the Army, ‘my weapon, my kit, myself’ and, looking out on the cadets, I see a slightly different version – ‘my School, my CCF, myself’, where all of the cadets have come together with a sense of pride and belonging to pay their respects and thanks to our Headmaster.

Thanks must go to Major Prem for the time and effort that he has put into imparting his knowledge and experience to the cadets and preparing and training them and to CWO Loy for driving the parade forward. Thank you also to the three heads of section – CPO Forknall, RSM McInulty and F/Sgt Davis (all Lower Sixth) for corralling, motivating and organising the cadets and finally, to all of the cadets who participated in the Guard of Honour. My thanks also to Cdt Godfrey (Third Form) who presented the Headmaster with a gift from the CCF.

The final thank you must go to the Headmaster, Mr Grindlay for his support for the CCF here at Sutton Valence School.”

You can watch the Guard of Honour here.