Northumberland Cadets Participate in National Remembrance Events

Cadets from Northumberland have been chosen to represent their national organization during Remembrance Day services held in London. The Northumbria Army Cadet Force (ACF) participated in the Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall and also marched in the Remembrance Day parade. This festival served to commemorate the men and women who fought in World War Two, including those involved in the D-Day landings and the Normandy campaign. Cadet Sgt Emma Brash stated: “It’s a really big event and I want to show how proud I am of all those who served and all the work the ACF does.” She further mentioned that her preparations for the event had spanned several months. A number of cadets, originating from Cramlington, were present at the Royal Albert Hall, where they assisted guests by directing them to their seats and sold poppies. The group of 20 teenagers participated in the Remembrance Sunday parade, which proceeded past the King towards the Cenotaph. The King and Queen, accompanied by other members of the royal family, attended the Royal British Legion’s annual festival. This year’s commemoration honored those who fought 80 years prior, in 1944, specifically mentioning D-Day, the Normandy campaign, Monte Cassino and Kohima in Italy, and Imphal in East Asia. Numerous veterans from these specific campaigns were present at the event. Cadet Cpl Taylor Knight informed BBC Look North: “It’s an honour to be there to represent my friends and the people around me in the cadets but also people like my dad in the army.” Cpl Knight’s father had served in Bosnia and South Sudan during the course of his military career. She expressed: “I would love to follow in my father’s footsteps.” Cadet Cpl Drew Bryson commented that military service “runs deeply” through his family. He added: “I’m looking to join the forces as well so it does mean a lot to me.” He further stated: “It’s quite an emotional time of the year and a good time to remember those who have died before us.” Lt Andrew Elliot noted that the Northumbria ACF’s previous participation in the event was in 2016. He remarked: “It’s unlikely it will be any time soon again, so it is a really great privilege for those taking part.”