249 Squadron members take part in Royal review

THE PRINCE OF WALES JOINED THOUSANDS OF CADETS FOR AN HISTORIC ROYAL REVIEW CELEBRATING 150 YEARS OF THE CADET FORCES.

On 6th July HRH The Prince of Wales took the salute at a Royal Review in the Mall to celebrate 150 years of the Cadet Forces in the UK. Cadets, volunteers and their massed bands from across the UK marched from Horse Guards Parade down The Mall to Buckingham Palace in a colourful parade, past Clarence House where The Prince took the Salute in honour of the anniversary.

At 2pm during the parade, the Red Arrows performed a special flypast over Central London down The Mall and over Buckingham Palace. Uniquely, cadets from across the Cadet Forces accompanied the pilots as part of the celebrations.

The celebrations continued at a garden party at Buckingham Palace to honour cadets and volunteers both past and present. The garden party was attended by TRH The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall, HRH The Earl of Wessex, TRH The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester and HRH The Duke of Kent.

Members of Sussex Wing and 249(Hailsham) Squadron were invited back to the palace. Cdt Alex Seviour age 16, who played and marched in the air cadet’s mass band, said “It has been great, to be a part of this 150th anniversary event, I’ve gained so much from being a cadet, from flying, adventure training, skills and qualifications and of course being in a band!”

Flt Lt Neil Banks Office Commanding 249 (Hailsham) Squadron, who also attended the Palace said “This was a day to remember, I have never seen so many cadets in one place at one time. They were all incredibly smart. It‘s gives me great pride to see so many young people who are self disciplined and dedicated. I’m honored to be apart of the Air Training Corps”.