Earlier this week, 12 CCF Navy cadets from CLS were invited to take part in various events to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day.
10 cadets marched as part of the Uniformed Youth Contingent representing Cadet and Youth Uniformed organisations, whilst two other cadets sat in the Royal Box.
Accompanied by the band of the Boys and Girls Brigade, the cadet contingent marched to Parliament Square to form the parade. After the iconic ringing of Big Ben, the service began, the cadets listened to Timothy Spall read Churchill’s victory speech before watching the handover of the Torch for Peace. The cadets then marched back to Birdcage Walk before rejoining the procession and marching down the Mall to salute HM The King and the Veterans in the Royal Box.
On Thursday, two CLS pupils, represented CCF Navy cadets as part of the procession of objects into Westminster Abbey, as part of the Service of Thanksgiving. A group of 8 cadets were also invited to watch the service from inside the abbey. It was a huge honour for both cadets to be invited to take part in the service and to be able to speak to some of the remaining veterans from the Second World War. The service was incredibly moving, and its importance was not lost on any of the cadets present. On the same evening, the cadets were invited to attend the VE Day Concert on Horseguards Parade.
