Merchant Taylors' CCF Inspection Day
On Friday 26 April, the CCF Contingent celebrated Inspection Day, the highlight of the training year. Our principal Inspecting Officer was Colonel Clint Read RM, who is the Commanding Officer of Northwood HQ.
Merchant Taylors' CCF Inspection Day Prizes 2024
Trophy | Title | Nominations |
Dryad Trophy | Best New Recruit in Drake Division | Junior Cdt Aanya Patel |
Henderson Trophy | Achievement Award in Collingwood Division | Able Cdt Caitlin Hopson |
Captain's Salver | Commendation Award in Nelson Division | Able Cdt Olivia Gough |
Anderson Trophy | Meritorious Service to the Royal Navy Section | CPO Samreet Dhillon |
Cross Trophy | Outstanding Service to the Royal Navy Section | WO Sarah Harrison |
Sextant Trophy | Best at Navigation | Able Cdt 3* Oliver Isherwood |
Elder Cup | Best New Recruit in 'B' Company | Cdt Albert Vasvani |
George Cup | Best Cadet in 'A' Company | LCpl Ryan Prabhakar |
Heath Cup | Outstanding NCO in B Coy (B Coy NCO) | CSM Olivia Watson |
Cadre Cup | Outstanding NCO in Army (A Coy NCO) | CSM Jessica Scholl |
Sturge Cup | Outstanding Service to the Army Section | RSM Jay Shah |
Harrier Trophy | Best New Recruit in the RAF Section | Cdt Thomas Haria |
RAF Cup | Proficeincy Award | Sgt Dominic Lones |
Robin Thomas Memorial Prize | Best NCO in the RAF Section | Sgt Panav Goyal |
Mark Weber Memorial Award | For Achievement in the RAF Section | FS Mehma Shergill |
25 Squadron Award | RAF Section Commendation | Cdt Siya Patel |
RAF Plate | Outstanding Service to the RAF Section | CWO Jenany Sureshkumar |
Commanding Officer's Award | Outstanding Service to the Band | Sgt Panav Goyal |
Forbes Cup | Outstanding Contribution to the Band | Sgt Ciaran Davies |
Mulhouser Cup | Highest Individual Shot | Cdt Christoph Zwart |
Oxford Cup | Runner Up Individual Shot | Cdt Zachary Ward |
Robinson Cup | Intersection Competition - Shooting | Army |
Hopkinson Trophy | Intersection Competition - Drill | Army |
Holtzapffel Challenge | Intersection Competition - Archery | RAF |
Brecon Trophy | Intersection Competition - Tug of War (Male) | Army |
Tug of War Shield | Intersection Competition - Tug of War (Female) | Army |
Cyril Wintle Bequest (Binoculars) | Best All-Round Cadet in the CCF | Cdt Daniel Zaborsky |
Merchant Taylors' Company Award | Best All-Round NCO in the CCF | CSgt Adam Taylor |
Inter-Section Competition Cup | Intersection Competition | Army |
School Staff Instructor Award | Outstanding Contribution | Cdt Christoph Zwart |
Joint Partnership Sword | Under Officer Award | CUO Zoe Wright |
ANZAC Day is a yearly commemoration of the achievements of the soldiers of the Australian and New Zealand army corps who fought at Gallipoli in the First World War. It was an attempt by the (then) First Lord of the Admiralty, Winston Churchill, to shorten the war by invading the Ottoman Empire via the Gallipoli peninsula. It is widely considered to be the beginning of Australia and New Zealand’s national consciousness and the start of their road towards independence. The school is invited to the commemoration because several OMTs were awarded Victoria Crosses (the highest award in Britain and the commonwealth for gallantry) for their actions during the campaign. It is a hugely important celebration in Australia and New Zealand, and it is a true honour to be invited to participate.
ANZAC Day on the 25th Of April 2024 began with a kit inspection. This was fairly standard, and we all passed. After a short brief, we began our walk to Moor Park Station. This gave us all a chance to share some jokes: morale was high. After a short train journey and a walk, we arrived outside St. Paul’s cathedral in London. It is a magnificent piece of architecture, designed by Sir Chrisopher Wren, and is a perfect example of how beauty can come out of destruction (the previous cathedral having been destroyed in the great fire of London in 1666).
After a short brief by the Contingent Commander, we were brought to attention and stepped inside the crypt of the Cathedral. We were tasked with lining the route that His Royal Highness, Prince Edward, the Duke of Edinburgh would enter the service through. This was done, and His Royal Highness seemed impressed with the turnout and bearing of the cadets, even complimenting a few cadets. After the service, which involved a moving rendition of the last post, we were once again tasked with lining the route out of the service. This went smoothly, and the Cadet Under Officer even got to talk to the Duke.
We then left the cathedral and began a short walk and a train journey to the Cenotaph, for the remembrance service. After a short walk, we reached Horse Guards Parade and the area that we would be waiting in before the parade. I had the opportunity to converse with a former member of the Australian Parachute regiment, who was in our platoon for the parade. It was an excellent chance to understand the significance of the commemoration to many. After a short brief by the parade commander and a short wait, the Band of the Royal Marines began playing, and we marched on.
The service was watched by many hundreds of people, and the school was very much in the public eye. After the service, which included the silence for the war dead and the laying of wreaths, we once again marched off. Photos were then taken on Horse Guards Parade, to the general amusement of passers-by and some German tourists. We then walked back to the Underground, and returned to the school. Overall, ANZAC Day is an excellent opportunity for anyone who is given the chance to attend, combining ritual, remembrance, and optimism to great effect. They will never be forgotten.
