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Who we are & Our aim
Starting life as TS Phoenix, the unit was stationed on Eel Pie Island in Twickenham. The unit was changed to TS Willing after its Commanding Officer, Lt.Cdr. (Sp) Willing RNVR, who was awarded the DSC for his efforts at the Dunkirk evacuation in 1940.
In 1944, the unit moved to Trafalgar School and then, in 1946, to the Kings Canadian School in Bushy Park, occupying huts vacated by the US Air Force at the end of WWII.
In 1949, the unit was able to purchase 'Longfield' in Broom Road, Teddington, the current site of our unit headquarters.
In 1963, Lt.Cdr. (SCC) P Rowles RNR took charge of the unit, when it changed its name to TS Saumarez - the Royal Navy ship adopted by the then Twickenahm Borough Council.
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Boating
TS Saumarez is based in Teddington on the River Thames, and as such we are a boating unit. We offer Powerboat training in our three Royal Navy-owned craft. With our 5m Sea Cadet dinghies, we teach Pulling (rowing) as well as Sailing, possessing three types of sailboat. The unit is also able to teach Canoeing.
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Specialisations
In addition to practical boating on the river, TS Saumarez also boasts a vast array of Sea Cadet 'shoreside' activities, such as:
Seamanship: Widely regarded as the core subject of the Sea Cadets, Seamanship teaches cadets theoretical and practical rope work skills, which include rigging, bends and hitches, splicing and chart work, all of which are incredibly useful on and around the water.
Marine Engineering: Marine Engineering teaches cadets skills associated with engines as well as electronics. They learn valuable mechanical knowledge being able to take advantage of our power boats as practical training aids.
Cook Stewards: Being able to cook is a valuable skill. Cook Steward teaches cadets the fundamentals of cooking, including kitchen hygiene as well as allowing them loose in the galley, preparing meals for special functions. Cadets are also taught how to steward in the professional ways of the Royal Navy.
Drill: The idea of 'marching about' does not sound like much fun, but teaches cadets naval drill, encourages a sense of bearing and personal pride. It also allows cadets the opportunity to take charge of squads of their peers, bringing about cofidence and leadership skills, which can be very useful in the outside world.
In addition to the above specialisations, we also offer First Aid training, Air Rifle and .22 Shooting in our 25m tunnel range and Adventure Training.
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The Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme
TS Saumarez is also actively involved in the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme, which was started by the Duke of Edinburgh in 1956 to "provide young people with an enjoyable, challenging and rewarding is programme of personal development, which is of the highest quality and the widest reach". The Award has three levels, Bronze, Silver and Gold, and TS Saumarez exercises all three. Cadets must be 14 years of age before starting the award scheme. It takes a minimum of 6 months to complete Bronze, a year for Silver and 18 months for Gold Award.
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