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TS Alamein - Past & Present
The first Sea Cadets Units were formed in response to a perceived community need in the seaport backstreets. Sailors returning from the Crimean War formed Naval Lads Brigades to provide a lifeline for orphans of fallen comrades and the movement grew through two world wars into the vibrant network, which is the modern Sea Cadet Corps. But the ethos of the Sea Cadet remains the same – preparing young people to meet, the challenges of the future.
Portsmouth SCC, TS Alamein, Unit No. 275 of the 400 National Units of the Sea Cadet Corps was founded in 1946 and past presidents of the Unit include Viscount Montgomery of Alamein, Sir Alec Rose and Admiral Sir Lancelot Bell-Davies. Admiral Sir Ian Forbes KCB CBE is the current President.
Today the Unit comprises of over 60 Enrolled Cadets, ranging from 10 to 18 years of age. Under the Command of Lt. (SCC) Peter Pearce RNR a keen staff, all of which are volunteers.
The Unit parades twice a week and follows a full range of weekend and holiday time activities, training and sports. Lt. Cdr. Geoff Palmer RN, the Unit Chairman, leads efforts to raise sponsorship to fund Cadet places on aboard the Corps Tall Ship TS Royalist and Offshore Power Vessel, TS John Jerwood as well as for cadets to participate in the Royal Navy Gliding Award scheme.
Last year the unit Pulling Boat Handling and Sailing Boat Handling Teams took Gold Medals at the National Regatta in London while only a few weeks later the Bosun Sailing Team and Jnr Windsurfer brought home Gold & Bronze Medals from the Sea Cadet National Sailing Regatta. All teams beating off stiff competition to reach the finals.
The unit has enjoyed ‘Burgee’ status since 2003. This is awarded for achievement at both National and Area level whilst also maintaining a high level of unit efficiency. A Burgee is only awarded to the top 10% of units within a given area.
A wide range of training activities is conducted within the Unit’s structured training programme. New activates are added and developed as necessary and the overall programme continues to expand and provides suitable baselines for the cadets to build upon, both for advancement within the Corps and skills they can draw upon in later life.
Most activities gain some form of national qualification. Training is provided in a wide range of activies including First Aid, Seamanship, Communications to name but a few. Cadets are also able to participate in a waterbourne disciplines & gain RYA Qualifications in Sailing, Powerboating & Windsurfing and BCU Canoeing.
Cadets are also able to Participate in the Duke of Edinburgh Award and if over the age of 16 can gain a BTEC in Public Services
Outside the normal parade evenings and because of the unit’s location in Portsmouth there is an increasing requirement for both cadets and staff to support local high profile events as well as Civic and Royal Navy ceremonies. The Unit undertakes these commitments willingly and has on numerous occasions received due praise from Senior Military and Civic Dignities with reference to the cadet’s exceptionally high standards of dress and behaviour.
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