By Lt Jay Vernon, Merseyside ACF
Eleven cadets from South Liverpool attended the Royal Artillery (RA) Trophy held at Rollestone Camp, Larkhill, Salisbury over the course of a weekend in October. After a long drive down, the team settled into the battle camp and got some well-earned rest in readiness for the day’s competition.
Saturday morning the team was up, washed and fed by 0800hrs and ready to compete in the activities. The Royal Artillery had 11 stands in total that the cadets had to tackle. Some of the stands included: a 105mm Light Gun Run – the cadets had to pull a 2 tonne gun around a specific course in the fastest time); Obstacle Course (the cadets had to manoeuvre their way around a make shift obstacle course and throw a tennis ball through a small gap in a building to gain points); a tour of the AS90 (tank); a horse rescue exercise with the Royal Horse Artillery (the cadets had to use straps and head shields to simulate moving a horse that had fallen on its side), plus many more!
The weather was certainly against us that day as the rain was relentless. However, the cadets found the determination to carry on and push through regardless of being soaking wet.
Once the day’s activities had concluded, it was time for evening meal and a well-earned shower and down time!
Sunday arrived and it was the same routine: up, shower, changed and breakfast. The rooms had to be cleaned and handed back to the camp then it was all muster up for the final parade. The teams from up and down the country gathered along with the adult staff waiting anxiously for the results. WO2 Richie Brockway, the recruiting Sergeant Major for the Royal Artillery, thanked all participating units and then it was results time! Merseyside Cadets achieved second place out of 11 teams nationally which is fantastic!
Lt Jay Vernon, Merseyside Army Cadets, said: “The team fought off counties from up and down the country to attain second place and were an absolute credit to Merseyside Army Cadets. They conducted themselves with professionalism, and demonstrated courage, teamwork and sheer grit as they tackled each stand.
“Regular soldiers commented on their conduct, bearing and knowledge base during activities, which was extremely encouraging and shows the level of training that’s delivered within the Merseyside County.”
For more information about Merseyside ACF visit https://armycadets.com/county/merseyside-acf/
