On Sunday 13th November 2011 the Basingstoke Sea Cadets attended the annual Remembrance parade at the War Memorial in Basingstoke. The day started rather warm compared to previous years and the predicted weather. All of the cadets assembled in the car park at the top of town for a final inspection and the choosing of the best dressed cadet who, by tradition has the honour of laying the wreath. This year it was given to O/C J.SMITH. Final inspection done we formed up to join the rest of the parade; I took my place at the front as the Standard Bearer. Once all of the corps and veterans had joined the parade we set off for the march down to the War Memorial with the Salvation Army Band keeping the whole parade in step. When we reached the Memorial I left the parade and took my place with the other Standard Bearers. The service began with a two minute silence and a fly over by the Chinook pilots from RAF Odiham. We were doing well up till now with no cadets dropping out from feeling faint; but alas this was not to last, and after several minutes of fighting it the heat just got the better of me and I was forced to drop out. Whilst O/C J.SMITH laid the wreath, I was attended to by CPO Dyer and PO R.Wake.
I recovered sufficiently to resume my role as Standard Bearer for the March Past with the Mayor of Basingstoke taking the salute. We had a good turn out on the day; and all juniors and cadets did the unit proud.
A/C M.SMITH
