East Anglia Reserve Forces & Cadets Association

Army Cadet magazine (available online here) spoke to Helen Matthews, an above-knee amputee who tells us about her journey within the ACF and her life after limb loss.

In 2011 Helen Matthews became a left leg above-knee amputee (AKA) following years of knee problems and a total of 13 operations. She now works as the County PRO and Internet Media Officer at Cambridgeshire ACF.

You obviously love being an adult volunteer, are you happy to be back?

Yes, my Commandant has been very understanding, and with this position I can undertake light duties, such as attending to the website updates even at home whilst I recover from my latest surgery. It will be a challenge but it does allow me to be more creative. I also hope that with my amputation I can help inspire both cadets and instructors. I think it’s important to teach young people about knowing your strengths and weaknesses, and in my case disability. I want them to know that you may have to work harder but we all have the ability to achieve.

What made you join the ACF?

I had worked in the ACF many years before, originally in Bedfordshire back in 1990. With a move to Cambridgeshire and missing the ACF, I re-joined in 2005 as a way to meet people and get involved with the cadets as that’s what I love most.

As your knee condition progressed, have you been given a lot of support from your ACF colleges?

I have received incredible support from Cambs ACF through all of my knee issues. We had no disabled facilities at County HQ but East Anglia RFCA have been great and got the building up to spec so that it will be more accessible for me in my wheelchair. There are not too many disabled cadets, but it is important to remember to work with the person, not against their limitations which, I am happy to say, my colleagues do.

What inspires you?

Creative people, art, photography… I love the idea of being able to tell a story in a single image. However as much as I enjoy creating myself, I am always enthralled by what other people have made. I explain further in my blog www.theamputee.co.uk  it may have been a negative experience for me but as long as a positive comes from a negative, then it is not a negative anymore.

Source: Army Cadet Magazine

21st May 2013

Colonel Clem Maginniss, Cadet Commandant Norfolk ACF, is clear on the key aspect of his role: “Creating and sustaining a professional, diligent and enthusiastic Command Team that is able, through the Chain of Command, to deliver a safe, coherent, inspirational and focussed cadet experience in Norfolk ACF, supported by capable, effective and resilient administrative, welfare and logistic systems.”

Main issues for him are: training, personnel (adult and cadet recruiting, administration and welfare) and logistics, with his priorities being the introduction of the Adult Induction Programme, Four-Star Cadet development, and delivering the challenging annual camp for 2013.

But as with other Cadet Commandants, the recruitment of officers is high on his agenda.

“Selecting and preparing the future leaders of Norfolk ACF is the most important task I have as Commandant; a failure in this arena will create a long-term negative legacy, which will be compounded annually,” he said.

However, he recognises that as some candidates may mature later, it remains important still to continue to monitor new potential in the Adult Instructor’s Mess.

Cadet Commandants have also highlighted the value of tapping into the resource of retiring regular officers or reservist personnel for positions within the ACF.

Col Maginniss joined the Ratcliffe College CCF as a cadet in 1969 transferring to the Warwickshire ACF in 1974 as an Under Officer before joining the Regular Army. A field soldier at heart, he has commanded two specialist transport squadrons, held two regimental commands, retiring at 56 as a Lieutenant Colonel, as is now in the TA as the Staff Officer Rail with the Logistic Operational Headquarters Support Group.

Commanding 35 Officers, 123 adult volunteers, 27 detachments and 770 cadets with more than two-thirds of them in rural areas, he considers himself fortunate to have had experience of the CCF, ACF, TA and Regular Army.

That armed him with a “good feel for the cadet movement,” while his TA experience was “fundamental to comprehending the volunteer ethic” and Regular service gave him “splendid leadership opportunities, challenging operational tours, and excellent training, in a wide variety of military and civilian environments”.

As a new Commandant (he came into post just this January) Col Maginniss said he remains constantly “amazed” by the dedication, humour, zeal and enthusiasm of his cadets and added: “It is a pleasure and a privilege to be an ACF Commandant and I consider myself most fortunate to have been selected for the appointment”.

Source: Army Cadet Magazine

21st May 2013

On Sunday 5th May, four members of staff from London District SCC competed in the Maldon Mud Race to raise money to help Sea Cadets in the 11 units in the District make the most of their experiences. The money will be put towards commissioning and building a new Flagship for the Sea Cadet Corps and assisting in funding offshore voyage bursaries on TS Jack Petchey and TS John Jerwood in 2014.

Lt Cdr (SCC) Michael Chittock RNR, Lt (SCC) Gary Dodd RNR, S/Lt (SCC) Sebastian Rowland RNR and PO (SCC) Vicky Geerkens known as “The Squelchers” accepted the challenge. The Squelchers had to battle their way through the thick mud at Promenade Park racing both their fellow competitors and the tide!

Although they were covered in mud and exhausted at the end of the race, the team enjoyed the challenge and were thrilled with the money they have raised so far. Lt Cdr (SCC) Michael Chittock RNR said: “All 4 of us entered into the spirit of the day (including the muddy bit) which was helped by the crowds offering a great sense of atmosphere. A big thank you must go to all of you that joined us on the day offering their support and encouragement; it really helped and was very much appreciated by us all. It was also really nice to see 60+ people back at Maldon Unit continuing to enjoy the day with the excellent BBQ laid on by the unit for us.”

The page for donations towards the Squelchers effort will be open until the end of July and if you wish to make a contribution please visit their sponsorship page here: https://mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/squelchers

21st May 2013

A young Air Cadet from 104 (City of Cambridge) Squadron has been selected as Mayor’s Cadet for Cambridge 2013.  Cadet Sergeant Adam Brown has been chosen to assist the Mayor of Cambridge, Cllr Shelia Stuart as she executes her duties in and around the Cambridge.
 
In 1207 King John granted a charter which permitted Cambridge to appoint a reeve, or mayor. The first recorded mayor was a Hervey Fitzeustace who served in the year 1213. Cllr Sheila Stuart has been a member of the Council since 2004, when she was first elected to represent Trumpington ward. Cllr Stuart was Deputy Mayor in 2009-10 and then became Mayor in 2010.
 
Cadet Sergeant Brown will attend various functions and events alongside the Mayor around Cambridge. As well as the usual events such as Remembrance Sunday, Cadet Sergeant Brown may be invited to more unusual events too.
 
Cadet Sergeant Adam Brown said “It is a real honour to be selected as the Mayor of Cambridge’s Cadet.  I look forward to supporting the Mayor as she carries out her duties around Cambridge.”
 
Flight Lieutenant Marian Watson added “Cadet Sergeant Brown should feel proud to have been selected for such an important role.  The Squadron is a keen supporter of the community in and around the City of Cambridge and looks forward to supporting the Mayor through Cadet Sergeant Brown.”

104 (City of Cambridge) Squadron meet on Monday and Thursday evenings at our headquarters on Newmarket Road.  For more information about joining as either a cadet or member of staff please contact 01223 295324 (Monday and Thursday Evenings) or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

For the latest news and information from the Squadron you can follow us on Twitter at 104AirCadets

20th May 2013