Forward July 2015 | Page 28

SENIOR SCHOOL Cadets Cadet Unit Commemorate ANZAC Day ANZAC Day 2015 saw the centenary of the Gallipoli landings and as part of the significant whole school event to commemorate the landings, the Cadet Unit was asked to not only provide a Catafalque Party but to parade the whole Unit. In preparation for the event, CUO White and CSM Young started to work with the Unit towards the end of Term 1. The last parade day of term was spent at the boat shed working with Sister Vicki Bellinge on our final preparations, followed by intense preparations at the beginning of Term 2. On the morning of Friday 24 April, a very cold Cadet Unit assembled in the pre-dawn darkness. There were some happy faces when the boys realised that Tim and the kitchen staff had prepared hot bacon and egg rolls for them! After breakfast, the Unit formed up, dropped their jumpers and coats and waited to march on. At the end of the re-enactment of the Gallipoli landing, a quiet came over the crowd and the Unit marched on to take post, closely followed by the Catafalque Party. For the next hour and 15 minutes they stood their post without moving, in the bitter cold, and did their part to honour all of our Old Boys lost at war. Once again our young men produced an extraordinary effort and I feel they are a real credit to themselves, the Unit and the School. The next morning the CUO, CSM and Catafalque Party assembled at the Peace Memorial at the Midland Workshop site to support the ANZAC service there. The numbers attending the service have been growing every year and this year saw an even larger attendance. It was very pleasing to see so many Guildford Grammar School staff, parents, students and Old Boys in the crowd. It was very much a Guildford affair with our own Chaplain, Father Philip Raymont, leading the service and Mr Webber laying a wreath. I received many calls and emails in relation to both of these services, from a broad cross-section of people, who were all very supportive and appreciative of our young men’s efforts in support of ANZAC commemorations. Kings Park Service On Saturday 16 May, five senior cadets took part in a service at Kings Park to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the raising of the 2/16th Battalion in Northam in 1940. Despite the cold and wet weather, the cadets performed to a very high standard whilst mounting the Catafalque Party around the Flame of Remembrance. After the service, the Cadets were personally congratulated by the Governor of Western Australia, Her Excellency the Honourable Kerry Sanderson AO, as well as the current CO of 16th Battalion RWAR. The Cadets involved were CUO Declan White, WO2 Rory Young, SGT Jason Schenk, SGT James Holberton and LCPL Kane Clarke. Mr Ben Hyde OC GGSCU 28