CCF Centenary Celebration Dinner On an evening in June, the RGS dining hall was finally set for the much anticipated Mess style dinner at which a wide range of guests were to celebrate what is now the NRGS Combined Cadet Force in its Centenary year
The night began with a smooth cocktail of sherry accompanied by jazz piano (played by the current CSM (Cadet Sergeant Major) M R Barlow (53-64), where current and past cadets mingled with each other and with affiliated guests. It was commented on by several of the younger cadets how humbled they were to be able to converse with such a variety of generations, the actual range being from the 1930s to the present. Everyone had a story to tell and all spoke so warmly of their experiences, friends, and skills gained from their time all those years ago. The photo boards and albums proved popular amongst many who spotted poses of their younger selves from many years ago cooking, marching and commanding others in the cadets. Photos of Lt Col B Banerjee (78-85) could be seen commanding the Guard of Honour parade for the Lord Mayor in his CSM year, a proud tradition still ongoing, with this year’s parade being commanded by the current incumbent, Matthew Walton. Due to new laws preventing cadets carrying weapons in public, this year the parade had to be carried out round the back of the main hall adjacent to the rugby pitch. Finally the dining hall was ready, and after a warning order from Barrie, our catering superintendent (also ex Catering Corps), the guests took their seats. The tables were set to perfection, the mess silverware provided by 201 Northern Field Hospital glowing in the candlelight, and every detail from the red and blue napkins, chairs and candles to the swords on the top table being addressed appropriately. A short grace was said by C/Sgt (Colour Sergeant) Oliver Lennard, a current cadet.
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