Cadets
Our Westminster City School Army Cadet Unit gives young people access to fun, friendship, action and adventure. We inspire our cadets to aim high, providing the skills, values and attitudes to go further in life.
The ACF is a national, voluntary, uniformed youth organisation. If offers challenging adventurous and educational activities, some with a military theme but all designed to help participants develop and thrive. The ACF is sponsored by the British Army but is not part of it - there is no requirement on cadets to join any of the armed forces.
Westminster City School Army Cadet Unit - history
There has been a cadet unit at our School for over 100 years. The cadet corps played a major part in the life of our School and had over 50 members. Cadets were part of the Queen’s Westminster Rifles (QWR) and many Old Boys served in this regiment during the First World War. Sadly, many never returned and young men, like Jack Pouchot, served with great distinction. Our School cadet corps was disbanded in the 1960s.
Westminster City School Army Cadet Unit - today
Our cadet detachment was re-formed in 2007. We are called 234 Detachment KRRC (King’s Royal Rifle Corps), are part of Middlesex and NW London sector ACF. The KRRC is a direct descendant of the Queen's Westminster Rifles and cadets are allowed to wear the KRRC cap badge (even though the regiment is disbanded), as some KRRC cadets won a battle honour in 1901, during the South Africa war, and are the only cadets ever to do so. Only three other cadet detachments have this honour, as well as being able to call our cadets Riflemen instead of ‘cadets’
We parade every Wednesday, 3.45pm to 5.45pm.
After joining the cadets, participants are issued with a uniform free of charge. This uniform remains the property of the army and must be handed back when you leave. Cadets are expected to look after the uniform and arrive smartly presented in uniform for parades. You are required to purchase your own boots.
Cadets are placed under no pressure to join the armed forces, nor can a cadet be forced to fight in the armed services in any way.
All cadets follow a curriculum including the following proficiency subjects:
- Drill
- Map and compass/navigation
- Skill at arms
- Fieldcraft
- Shooting
- First aid
- Adventurous training
- Physical achievement
- Military knowledge
Cadets normally go on at least four weekend camps per year including Christmas, Easter, first aid and fieldcraft. The main event of the year is a two-week annual camp during the summer holiday. There are also sporting events such as football, athletics and cross-country, and ceremonial events like Remembrance Sunday.
Cadets are expected to attend all parade nights and weekend activities. To gain maximum benefit from being a cadet, a degree of commitment is required and this should be borne in mind if you are a member of other clubs or sporting activities.
Army Cadet Force (ACF) background
The ACF can trace its beginnings to 1859 and is a nationwide voluntary youth organisation supported by the British Army. The ACF motto is “to inspire to achieve”. The emphasis is very much on personal development through teamwork, self-reliance and leadership.
There are over 50,000 cadets in 1,600 detachments nationwide but only a very small proportion choose to join the armed forces when they leave.
