Sea cadet unit celebrates 70th anniversary

Jun 25 2012 by Camilla Goodman, Buckinghamshire Examiner

sea cadets

A STRUGGLING sea cadet unit has been going for 70 years this month.

Chiltern Sea Cadets, based in Bellingdon Road, Chesham, was founded in June 1942 at Germain Street School to help the Navy to recruit new members.

At its height the unit had about 30 members and several leaders, but today it is struggling to survive with only seven cadets and two leaders.

One of the founding members Brian Brown, 85, of Fuller's Close, who is still very much involved with the unit, said: "I'm pleased to see it still going but it's unfortunate to see it in single figures.

"Youngsters today have so much technological ability with computers and so they're not interested in anything else like traditional cadets and things like that. They are content just sitting and browsing the internet.

"I enjoyed my time with the cadets, I learnt skills that I carried with me for a life time. I would urge youngsters to join up and give it a go."

Mr Brown took the skills he learnt in the sea cadets, such as Morse code, with him to his career in the navy where he worked in communications.

Mr Brown said he thought the cadets was so popular back in 1942 because of the appeal to get a uniform with the war going on.

Mr Brown said he wanted to join the sea cadets because his older brother was in the navy.

The unit is throwing a 70th anniversary reception on Saturday, September 8 at 7pm at the unit.

Mr Brown is urging as many past members as possible to come along to the bash.

He said: "It would be lovely to get people together again. I'd urge people to go along if they used to be in the cadets and hopefully some founding members will come. There's not many left in Chesham, perhaps two of three, others have died or are no longer in the area so maybe relatives could pass on the message."

If you are interested in going to the reception or joining the unit as a cadet or volunteer call 01494 793 035 or email chilternscc@tiscali.co.uk.