CCF Contingent Commander Wins Top Award
Congratulations to Rob Hitching who was one of 43 London Reservists and Cadet Force Adult Volunteers to be recognised by the Lord Lieutenant for Greater London for outstanding service to London’s Reserve and Cadet Units. He was named as recipient of the GL RFCA Award to the Most Outstanding Combined Cadet Force Contingent Commander 2017. The award was presented by the Lord Lieutenant of London, Sir Ken Olisa OBE at the Greater London Reserve Forces’ And Cadets’ Association Lord Lieutenants’ Awards held on 15 March. The event was held at an Army Reserve Training Centre in Bloomsbury, central London.
Major Hitching, who has served as our Contingent Commander for ten years, was awarded the on the basis of a glowing citation from SSI Damien Pascal. The citation highlighted his tireless work and commitment and “determination to ensure that the Cadets get the very best experience that can be squeezed into a very busy school calendar.” The CCF is a very popular component of our co-curricular programme; with a significant proportion of L4s joining each year, with retention rates remaining high through to the U6. Mr Pascal went on to write, “The programme offered is diverse and challenging and much appreciated by the approximately 100 cadets of all ages and experience who attend. The programme is varied and ensures that every level of experience is catered for and plenty of opportunity is given for more senior cadets to develop their skills of leadership. He will always also go that extra mile to ensure the programme is full and exciting.”
I think it’s fair to say that my years in the CCF would not have been half as good without Major Hitching. He has always been fully supportive of all the cadets and helped them to get the most out of the CCF calendar. Whether it be mountain biking in the Lake District, commanding an attack in Folkestone or canoeing in Canada, Major Hitching is the driving force and without him it would not be possible. His award is well deserved.
Ben Harris, U6, Contingent Sergeant Major
Not only is Major Hitching our Contingent Commander, but he is Housemaster for School House, with pastoral responsibility for two hundred pupils, and teaches Geography and Politics. “That he seems to manage both equally effectively and impressively is a testament.” (Damien Pascal)
The citation concluded, “I would say Bancroft’s School CCF is an incredibly lucky school to have such an Officer in charge of their Contingent.” Any of our staff and pupils who have been involved in the CCF will readily echo this sentiment.