Page 69 - Old Ratcliffian Magazine 2017

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The Contingent passed into the good hands of George Friendship subsequently, he was awarded an MBE. Others have gone on to reach Ronald Ward (54): “I remember attending the first ever CCF THE CCF IN THE RATCLIFFIAN MAGAZINE OF 1916
soon after his arrival on the Ratcliffe scene in 1983 (an experienced high ranks in a variety of branches, and amongst them are some of camp at Catterick, where our drill was highly commended by the
serviceman, having spent 25 years in the Regular Army in Germany and the female members of the Contingent. Furthermore, those who panel of judges, despite being beaten into fourth place by some The Ratcliffian magazine predates to 1887 - forty years after the
Malta before joining Ratcliffe); and then, on his retirement in 1996, contributed to this article - Peter Doran and Clem Maginniss - each of the top public schools in the country.” opening of the College in 1847. In its 1916 edition, the magazine
the helm passed to Squadron Leader Geoff Bolton RAF, before we saw describe the tremendous effect that the opportunities granted by the describes the opening of the new ‘Corps’, under the leadership
the arrival of the Contingent’s present glorious leader, Mark Balmbra, CCF had on their lives after Ratcliffe. Clem has continued cadetting as Shortly after his CCF services at Ratcliffe, Ronald was called of Capt Brockington. Below is an excerpt from its description of
in 1998. a Commandant of Norfolk AFC, and Peter, despite never taking up a up for National Service, where his rifle skills, learnt at Ratcliffe, the construction of the CCF hangar:
career with the RAF, noted how rewarding the variety of activities that earned him a ‘first class shot’ and a narrowly missed ‘marksman’
Over the years, Ratcliffe CCF has produced and nurtured a considerable he experienced have been to him. title – the top classification. “Much has been done. The Corps has been clothed, armed (not
number of (mainly) Army officers, but also several for the RAF and too dangerously), and provided with the necessary handbooks
Royal Navy. Amongst these, a fair number of bravery awards have been So, with a somewhat chequered, but honourable, history, the John Firmin (58): “I recall that my rifle number was J2242. This
won – for example, by Major Shaun Brogan (62), recently deceased, in Contingent has served the College and the wider community well, and of instruction. The rifle range is nearly completed, and there
Oman in the late 1960s (an MC not officially gazetted for some years it has been a launch pad for many a promising military career. number was stamped both on the rifle and on the bolt, and the lack but the wooden arches which, when erected, will render it
after it was won, for security reasons); he went on to command the two had to match when used. Funny how you remember silly impossible for the most erratic and irresponsible person to shoot
territorial SAS regiment. Liam Cradden (88) was involved in Operation Br Nigel Cave (72) details like that.” anything other than timber and targets – which is consoling.”
Barras in Sierra Leone during Tony Blair’s intervention there and,
THE CCF CENTENARY REGIMENTAL DINNER
THE CCF AND BEYOND: MEMORIES FROM ORS

Ian Warrington (80): “The best moments of the CCF were during
visits to the RAF stations in the midst of the Cold War – there was
a definite buzz then.”

Ian now continues his experiences through his career in the
Ministry of Defence, which he has worked with for the past
thirty years, supporting the Armed Forces, both in the UK and
overseas. On April 29th 2017, an important event in the Combined Cadet to female cadets, as we were lucky enough to have the very first
Force’s history took place – the Centenary Regimental Dinner. The female cadet in the contingent as a guest at the dinner. Diana
event served to celebrate 100 years of cadets at Ratcliffe College, Ashley (86) explained to me before the dinner how she had
as well as to thank the current senior cadets for their service to the helped girls to be allowed to join:
CCF. Without their support, training would not be as varied as it is
now able to be. They give of their time to plan and teach lessons, “When I started in the Sixth Form at Ratcliffe in 1984, I was very
as well as working closely with contingent staff to ensure that the much a tomboy, and I was excited to see that they had their own
younger cadets are able to develop their skills as thoroughly as Combined Cadet Force. My father was in the RAF, and I thought
possible. Their contribution is invaluable. The dinner also provided that this might be a future career for me. I was dismayed, however,
Fr Ted Mullen (60) with his RAF CCF Section at RAF Coningsby in 1972
a good occasion to welcome back a number of Old Ratcliffians who that it was only open to boys. My brother, Matt (87), was at
were cadets during their time at Ratcliffe. Ratcliffe too, and he was an RAF cadet. Often, I would speak to
The CCF has been an integral part of Ratcliffe College for (or nag) Mr Friendship, the commanding officer, and ask about
many years, and this is evidenced by the fact that a number The evening started with pre-drinks in the Old Library, followed joining. He eventually told me that I was only allowed to join if I
of Old Ratcliffians have pursued roles in the Armed Forces or by the service of dinner, which was accompanied by a lot of was able to encourage further girls to join. One other girl from my
RAF after their time here. Memories of the CCF are, therefore, interesting conversation. This was largely down to the number year did, but she soon lost interest.”
unforgettable for many ex-pupils; below are the experiences of past cadets who joined us, especially as it was not just recent
that a few recall of the CCF, and its influence in their later lives. leavers who returned this time. It was wonderful to welcome back The other girl might have lost interest, but Diana opened up an
some of the less recent leavers, who were able to tell great stories opportunity for girls at Ratcliffe that they had previously not had
Robert Edmund (60): “Having remained in the rank of Squadron of their time in the CCF, before ‘health and safety’ kicked in! One access to. It was, therefore, pleasing to see just how well the girls
Leader for over twenty years, I cannot lay claim to having had story that kept coming up was about a certain ‘Grasshopper’ are now doing in the cadets.
an outstanding career. However, I can say that, throughout my Danni Isbell (04) receiving the John Heggs CCF Award in 2004 glider that was kept up at the hangar, and how, once assembled,
career, I remained closely involved with the applications of new cadets would pull as hard as they could on the bungee launching After the formalities, we all retired to the Sixth Form Centre café for
technologies to UK defence, and it provided me with some Danni Isbell (04): “My best memory is being part of the team of rope to watch it skidding across the airfield! Many thanks to all of a more informal opportunity to speak to each other and reminisce
assistance in sending both of my sons to Ratcliffe.” underdogs that won the Welbeck Competition in 1999 or 2000.” the past cadets who shared their memories on Facebook and by about the time spent as cadets (and CCF staff) at Ratcliffe. The
email or letter. These were read out at the dinner, along with some event proved to be very enjoyable, and it was a great success,
After securing an RAF scholarship for Ratcliffe College and Danni was later awarded the John Heggs CCF Award in 2004, of the best memories from current staff and students, and some thanks to the fabulous Catering and Housekeeping Departments.
graduating from Nottingham University with a degree in after reaching the position of Sergeant. more recent leavers. They ensured that we had everything needed to make the night a
Mechanical Engineering, Robert qualified for full membership special one, and the evening will hopefully be remembered fondly
of the Institute of Electrical Engineers, and he was thereby one Paddy O’Donnell (55): “Learning how to smarten up, become After the dinner, our Guest of Honour and new Headmaster, Jon at dinners of the future. It certainly was a worthy celebration of
of the few Chartered Engineers in the RAF under the age of part of a team, and acquire leadership skills were just a few of Reddin, very kindly spoke about the history of the CCF at Ratcliffe, such an important anniversary in Ratcliffe College’s Combined
thirty. He has been involved in numerous tasks and missions - the key lessons that CCF taught us.” and he shared a report from the archives in which the CCF is first Cadet Force history.
being responsible for the introduction of airborne laser ranging mentioned. The Head Cadets for the next academic year were
equipment on the Jaguar and Harrier aircraft, the destruction of Although his place at university exempted him from National announced, with Sophie Dring being named as Head Cadet, Michelle Reeves
components of the airborne nuclear deterrent, and working on Service, Paddy is a well-esteemed doctor who briefly did annual Nathalie Dawe as Head of Army, and Thomas Cusack as Head of CCF Captain
laser-guided bombs, to name but a few. medicals for the local Territorial Army. RAF. It was particularly significant that two of the positions went

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