Cadets on the march

In commemoration of their 75th anniversary, the St Vincent and the Grenadines Cadet Force held a drill competition at the Kingstown Netball Court on Saturday.{{more}}

The day saw four units of the force, namely the First Battalion Kingstown Unit, Marine Unit, Georgetown Unit and the Second Battalion Kingstown Unit fighting for supremacy in the foot drill, and foot and rifle competitions.

In the foot drill segment, the Georgetown Unit came out on top by displaying precision marching and footwork.

For the foot and rifle drill, the First Battalion Kingstown came out victorious, while the Second Battalion Kingstown Unit and Marine Unit had to settle for the second and third spots, respectively.

The Cadet Force was started in SVG in 1936 at the Boys Grammar School with 14 boys, under the leadership of Dowding Stuart Cozier.

The Force became affiliated to the Army Cadet Force of England in 1937.

In 1969, membership was extended to students of all secondary schools in Kingstown. The name was then changed from the Boys Grammar School Cadet Corps to the St Vincent Cadet Corps.

Females were recruited into the Corps in 1974 and the first batch of female cadets were enrolled in 1975.

In 2008, Cadet units were established in Barrouallie, Georgetown, and Bequia.

Addressing the parade, Commandant Lieutenant Colonel Dwight Lewis said the organisation has come a long way since its inception. He said 75 years in any organisation is a “very significant achievement”.

He noted that celebration of the anniversary began a year ago with a series of activities to mark the historic milestone.

Lewis commended those persons who worked towards helping to build the Cadet Force to what it is today.

He, however, noted that after 75 years the organisation remains homeless.

“It is indeed a painful thing to be homeless after 75 years,” he said.

He noted that they have received promises of headquarters, but added that they are still awaiting those promises to be fulfilled.

“Perhaps, we are the only cadet force in the world without a home.”

Acting Deputy Commissioner of Police Michael Charles also delivered brief remarks.

Major St Claire Leacock, parliamentary representative for Central Kingstown, Lennox John, and Assistant Superintendent Carlos Sampson also attended the event. (KW)