CCF on Parade for the Queen

Forty senior members of the School’s CCF were thrilled to have the opportunity to participate in  a very special day for Redbridge.  The cadets were amongst those chosen to line the route taken by the Queen and HRH the Duke of Edinburgh through Valentine’s Park on Thursday 29 March.   The day went very smoothly and all the hours spent practising standing to attention, polishing boots and making sure hair was up to army standard were worthwhile.   The Cadets were surrounded by cheering groups of children from Redbridge primary schools, many of whom were keen to take the Cadets’ photos!

The day was especially memorable for Warrant Officer Harriet Bartlett as she was chosen to be one of five representatives of the uniformed groups to assist the Queen’s entourage: “We had to keep the crowds back, collect flowers and, as the most senior in rank, I was responsible for giving orders to stand to attention. I had been very nervous beforehand, but soon relaxed.  It was a very memorable day for me: a real privilege.”  Flight Lieutenant Stuart Hunn said that “It was an honour to be involved in yesterday’s events in this historic Jubilee year; all pupils did themselves, the Contingent and the School proud!”

This is not the first time that Bancroft’s CCF has been involved in a Royal occasion.  The Queen’s father, George VI,  visited the school in 1921 when he was the Duke of York to review the cadets.