Royal Pageant at Ely

Royal Pageant at Ely for Cambridgeshire Army Cadets

100 lucky cadets from Cambridgeshire Army Cadet Force joined their counterparts from the Air Training Corps, Sea Cadet Corps and the Combined Cadet Force to take part in an historic royal pageant at Ely on 8th June to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Territorial Army^.

The event, held at historic Ely Cathedral, was part of ‘TA100' celebrations happening across the nation aimed at recognising and appreciating the selfless commitment of volunteer reserve soldiers past and present and the support that has been provided to them by families, friends, employers and communities during the past century.

Following a commemorative service led by The Dean, The Very Reverend Michael Chandler, one hundred regular soldiers from 1st Battalion, The Royal Anglian Regiment headed a parade through the streets of Ely comprised of Territorial Army servicemen and women, veteran's organisations and cadets from all around the county. With bayonets fixed and colours flying they marched proudly before HRH The Duke of Gloucester KG, GCVO, Colonel in Chief of The Royal Anglian Regiment, who took the salute.

Several other honoured guests including the Lord Lieutenant of Cambridgeshire, Hugh Duberly Esq., CBE, Major General Simon Lalor TD HAC, ACDS (Reserves & Cadets), and The Right Reverend David Conner, Bishop to HM Forces & The Dean of Windsor, were also present to demonstrate their support.

Hundreds of cheering supporters lined the route and then attended Cross Green to hear tributes to members of the reserve forces past and present from HRH The Duke and Major General Lalor. Once the formalities were concluded the Duke visited the various static display stands provided by participating units in the cathedral grounds to talk with those who took part. Together with Mr Duberly and Major General Lalor His Royal Highness also met this year's Lord Lieutenant's cadets from each of the cadet forces.

Cadet Warrant Officer Julia Robson (18) from Oakington Squadron ATC, Cadet Petty Officer Niall Cullum (17) of Cambridge Sea Cadet Corps and ACF Cadet Staff Sergeant Robert Prince (17) from Comberton near Cambridge were delighted to meet the reviewing officers. Julia, a student at Cambridge University, said "I have been in the ATC for five and a half years and I have just been appointed as a Lord Lieutenant's Cadet. I am greatly looking forward to more events like this".

Colonel Roger Herriot, Commandant of Cambridgeshire ACF said of the event, "It has been a great privilege to share today with so many serving and past members of the Territorial Army". "Young people will always benefit from appropriate role models, and the clear messages of duty, honour and loyalty which the Territorial Army strives to maintain are excellent examples to follow. It is also especially pleasing that so many organisations were represented"

The event was chosen to coincide with the annual commemorative service held at Ely Cathedral by veterans of the Cambridgeshire Regiment and was complimented with military music provided by cadet musicians from Cambridgeshire ACF and Kimbolton School CCF in addition to the Corps of Drums of 1st Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment. Inside the Cathedral music was provided by the City of Ely Band.

For the past six years in particular members of the Territorial Army have made considerable personal sacrifices and provided indispensable support to our armed services worldwide. The Cambridgeshire Regiment - originally formed in 1908 - was a former TA regiment long since disbanded, and the veterans now maintain strong links with the modern Royal Anglian Regiment which recently returned from duty in Afghanistan having lost nine of their comrades^.