CCF Annual Inspection 1968
A report from the 1968 issue of the Bostonian magazine written by Norman Haworth
The Annual Inspection of the Contingent was held on a warm, sunny day in May, and Group Captain J R Rogers RAF, spoke highly of the enterprising nature of the demonstrations. It was pleasing to see strong support from parents and friends. A Parachute Descent Trainer proved to be a popular innovation, and we are most grateful to the CO of the Parachute Company at Lincoln, who kindly made available the necessary instructors and equipment, and also to Messrs Wm Wright (Boston) Ltd, who erected the jumping tower for us at very short notice.
Few of the many spectators were able to see the watermanship practices carried out by the prospective members of the RN Section on the Witham above the Sluice, using army assault boats, loaned for the purpose by No 15 Cadet Training Team at Leicester. A small outboard craft, expertly managed by Cpl D J Roy and provided by Boston Marina, was used as a safety boat during the demonstration.
However the RAF Section was able to lay on a similar display, using their own inflatable dinghies, close at hand in the school swimming pool.
The Royal Artillery Section gave a polished demonstration of a crash action with the 25-pounder field gun, which was followed by a display of radio and telephone expertise by the Royal Signals Section. "Live" conversations by wireless with Wikipedia:Emanuel School|Emmanuel School, London]] [sic], Queen Elizabeth College, Guernsey [sic], and Sherbourne School in Dorset [sic], were fed into the public address system for all to hear. Unfortunately the crackle of atmospheric disturbance, so familiar to our cadet operators, made the transmissions unacceptable to untrained ears, and the enterprise was not readily recognised as the technical achievement that it was.
The infantry assault course provided ample evidence of spirit and determination, and courage too, and a total of nearly 80 cadets and prospective cadets, made a parachute descent during the afternoon.
Certificates and awards
Army Proficiency Certificates
14 December, 1967
- M Bates, M Blake, G Brown, C Brummitt, J H Davies, C T Leachman and P Rainforth.
16 February, 1968
- C D Bates, P Chapman, D W Cridland, D I Garner, S H Hawkins, P J Howarth (credit), A N Lusher, P Leonard, P McCrae, P C Raisen, M Sands, J C Sankey, D A Stott and D P Woodthorpe.
RAF proficiency Certificates
4 December, 1967
Certificate 'T' Signals Classification Test
- Cpl P J Baxter, L/Cpl R C Chaplin and L/Cpl D Cridland.
January, 1967
- A/L/Cpl S Ekins (Army Catering Corps Training Centre)
Course Certificates
31 March - 6 April, 1968
31 March - 5 April, 1968
- 31 Command Workshop REME
- L/Cpl J H Davies, Cadets S H Hawkins, P J Howarth, C T Leachman, P Leonard and P C Raisen.
1 - 10 April, 1968
- Eastern Command Cadet NCO's Leadership Course
- Cpl M A Crow, [[L/Bdr S J Golec and J/Cpl C N Halliday (RAF)
3 - 10 April, 1968 and 27 July - 3 August, 1968
- School of Artillary, Larkhill
- L/Bdr G J Miller (Advanced), L/Bdr M J Bates (Elementary and Advanced), L/Bdr G T Brown (Elementary and Advanced), L/Bdr D Garner (Elementary and Advanced).
5 - 11 April, 1968
- Army School of Physical Training
- L/Cpl P J Baxter and Cadet R C Chaplin
3 - 10 April, 1968
- Arduous Training Team (1968) Skiddaw
- Sgt J N Rayner (RAF), Cpl N J Kuznir, L/Cpl M L Priestley, Cadets A N Lusher, T J Pearson (RAF), M A Povey, P Rainforth, R D Sismey and D K Wells (RAF).
7 - 13 April, 1968
- Sea and Harbour Training. Dartmouth Trg Sqn
- Cpl D A Piggott (Army) and J/Cpl D A Roy (RAF).
10 - 16 April, 1968
- Overseas Camp, RAF Station Wildenrath, Germany
- Cpl I C Moore, J/Cpl B J Mowbray, J/Cpl M J Woods, Cadets J R W Dungworth, D Johns and E W Murray (all from RAF Section).
12-21 April, 1968
- RAF Continuous Gliding Courses
- J/Cpl C N Halliday, Cadets M K Lewis and D Johns.
Trophies
W L Alecander Efficiency Trophy: Gannock's House
Brigadier Rice Shooting Trophy: Laughton's House
Ayre-Robinson Trophy for the best cadet recruit: Cadet G R W Owen.