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Sunday 02nd September 2012

Cadets and Staff attended the 2012 Merchant Navy Day Parade at Holyrood Church today. Holyrood church in Southampton was damaged during the Second World War by enemy bombing raids and after the war was designated as a permanant memorial to the Merchant Navy and it's members who have dedicated their lives to the Merchant Service.

The Merchant Navy Association where extremely grateful for all of the cadets and staff for the support of the National Merchant Navy Day which is actually September 3^rd every year. September 3^rd was chosen as the Merchant Navy Day as it was September 3^rd 1939 when the SS Athenia was sunk by German U Boat off the coast of Ireland. She was the first Merchant vessel to be lost during World War 2.

Today was a proud moment for the Unit as we paraded two standards for the parade, for the first time the Standard of the recently dissolved Southampton Branch of the Royal Naval Association paraded alongside the Unit’s own Sea Cadet Standard. Both carried by cadets who were part of the Unit Colour Party that competed at the National Drill and Piping Competition 2012.

Monday 27th August 2012

Five cadets took to the water in Kayaks on the River Itchen between Mansbridge and Woodmill to assist the Lions Club with their annual Duck Race.

The cadets were taked with keeping the ducks on track, which was no mean feat as the lucky ducks made it in to the main flow and zoomed off towards the finish line at Woodmill. The other not so lucky managed to wedge themselves in the banks, trees reeds almost anywhere a plastic duck can dissapear.

The cadets worked hard and well with the ducks being recovered and returned to the Lions.

The day was finished off a further four hours on the water in Sailing Boats, Power Boats, Rowing Boats, Canoes and of course Kayaks.

Sunday 19th August 2012

A small platoon of Cadets and Junior Sea Cadets attended the annual service held at St. Mary's Cemetry Southampton to commemorate those who gave their lives during the Raid on the German occupied French port of Dieppe.

Accompanied by a similar sized platoon from the Warsash Unit all of the cadets stood up well to the midday sun that blazed down during the service. For those who are unfamiliar with the history here is a short explanation:

The Dieppe Raid, also known as the Battle of Dieppe, Operation Rutter and, later, Operation Jubilee, was a Second World War Allied attack on the German-occupied port of Dieppe. The raid took place on the northern coast of France on 19 August 1942. The assault began at 5:00 a.m. and by 10:50 a.m. the Allied commanders were forced to call a retreat. Over 6,000 infantrymen, predominantly Canadian, were supported by limited Royal Navy and large Royal Air Force contingents.

6th August 2012

The three cadets that started their Cook Steward third class course two weeks ago completed the course on Sunday by preparing and serving a buffet lunch for the Band Staff who were on board at the unit practicing with the band. The Commanding Officer, not one to miss a free lunch also turned up.

The lunch was well received and the cadets all passed their course. Well done.