History
Over a Century of Service and Development
The Volunteer Cadet Corps traces its origins to 1901, when Royal Marines officers in Eastney, Portsmouth established the first cadet unit, designed to create meaningful activities for the children of service families.
Over the decades, the VCC has grown into a respected, MoD-sponsored youth organisation, operating from Royal Navy and Royal Marines establishments across the country.
Today, we continue to uphold the proud traditions of naval service while preparing the next generation of young leaders.
Timeline of the Volunteer Cadet Corps
1901
Formation of the Royal Marines Artillery Cadet Corps (RMACC)
First VCC unit as Royal Marines Artillery Cadet Corps formed at the Mission Hall in Prince Albert Street, Eastney; thereon parading at RM Eastney, Capt William Bathurst Harkness RMA (Adjt RMA Eastney) commanding
1903
Formation of Plymouth RMLI Cadet Corps
Capt Morris RM commanding (Adjt RM Stonehouse)
1904
Formation of HMS Victory RNVCC
On 29 July 1904, the RNVCC was formed at HMS Victory Barracks (now HMS Nelson) in Portsmouth, inspired by the success of the RMACC.
1905
Chatham Division RMLI
Formation of Chatham Division RMLI Cadet Corps
1913
First Recorded Use of the Title ‘Volunteer Cadet Corps’
The term ‘Volunteer Cadet Corps’ appeared in official records, marking the formal recognition of the organisation.
1929
Gillingham Fair Fire Disaster
A tragic event where four Royal Naval Cadets lost their lives during the Gillingham Fair in Kent.
1948
Royal inspection at HMS Pembroke
HM King George VI inspects RN and RM Cadets on parade during visit to HMS Pembroke in Chatham
1951
Gillingham Bus Disaster
Twenty-four Royal Marines Cadets from Chatham RMVCC killed in road traffic accident on Dock Road when bus drives into column of cadets on a dark foggy evening marching to watch a boxing tournament
Mid-20th Century
Renaming to Royal Marines Volunteer Cadet Corps (RMVCC)
The RMACC was re-titled as the RMVCC, reflecting its evolving role within the Royal Navy’s youth organisations.
1970s
Integration of Female Cadets
The RMVCC began admitting girls, transitioning from separate girls’ units to a unified corps. However, some divisions, like Portsmouth, only accepted girls from the mid-1990s.
1977
Queen's Silver Jubilee Inspection
Plymouth Division RMVCC attend HM The Queen’s Silver Jubilee Inspection of the Royal Marines at Plymouth Hoe (on parade and as programme sellers), Capt K W E Osbourne RM commanding
1977
Lympstone Division RMVCC formed
Over 100 boys attended, Lt Wally Preston RM commanding and WO1 (RSM) Bill Neilson (ex Adjutant at RMVCC Portsmouth) as Adjutant; Comdt CTCRM agreed to sponsoring the new unit.
1979
HMS Sultan RNVCC formed
HMS Sultan RNVCC formed
1992
Royal parade at Royal William Yard
Cadets from Plymouth Division RMVCC parade at Royal William Yard and are inspected by HM The Queen and HRH The Duke of Edinburgh
2001
VCC Centenary Parade
Held at HMS Excellent, attended by HM Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire (Mrs Mary Fagan), CGRM (Maj Gen Robert Fry) and Lord Mayor of Portsmouth; Portsmouth Division RMVCC Colours re-dedicated
2012
Cockleshell Heroes Memorial unveiled
Cadets from Portsmouth Division attend the unveiling of a memorial to Operation Frankton and the Cockleshell Heroes at the Royal Marines Museum, Eastney, in the presence of Lord Ashdown
2014
RM350 commemorations
RMVCC joins RMSCC and RMCCF to march through London and parade at Buckingham Palace for RM350 commemorations in the presence of HRH Duke of Edinburgh, Captain General; Cdt CSgts Devon Smith and Joe Oldfield from Portsmouth Division RMVCC form the Banner Escorts.
Drummers from Band of Portsmouth Division RMVCC appear on the Alan Titchmarsh show on ITV with Col E P R Cautley CMG, Col Comdt RMC, as part of RM350 commemorations
2014
Unified Title of ‘Royal Marines Cadets’
Following a tri-service parade at Buckingham Palace, all marine cadets in the UK were granted the title ‘Royal Marines Cadets’, standardising the designation across various organisations.
2014
First VCC in the rank of Lt RMC
WO1 Chris Spratt RMC (Adjutant Portsmouth Division RMVCC) becomes first VCC appointed officer in the rank of Lt RMC
2015
Cadet Competition
Lympstone RMVCC win Portsmouth Cup as best RM cadet unit in UK
2016
HMS Excellent RNVCC
HMS Excellent RNVCC reforms at Whale Island, Portsmouth
2017
VCC achieves MOD Sponsored status
VCC achieves MOD Sponsored status
2017
Arbroath Division RMVCC
Formation of Arbroath Division RMVCC
2017
VCC Commandant's Review
VCC Commandant’s Review in the presence of the Lord Mayor of Portsmouth and Second Sea Lord at HMS Excellent
2017
VCC marches in Lord Mayor's Show in the City of London
VCC marches in Lord Mayor’s Show in the City of London for the first time
2021
Chivenor Division RMVCC
Chivenor Division RMVCC formed at RMB Chivenor
2021
120th Anniversary of the VCC
The VCC celebrated its 120th anniversary, marking over a century of youth development and service.
2024
Former ComdVCC awarded MBE for services to the Volunteer Cadet Corps
Former Commander VCC, Lt Col (VCC) Ret’d Chris Spratt has been recognised by His Majesty The King in the New Years Honours List and is awarded an MBE for Services to the Volunteer Cadet Corps.
2026
Band of RMVCC Scotland
Band of RMVCC Scotland stood up at HMS Caledonia, Rosyth
2026
VCC marks its 125th anniversary on 14 Feb 2026
2026
VCC Signs the Armed Forces Covenant
2026
VCC take part in Mountbatten Festival of Music
Cadets from the Volunteer Cadet Corps proudly took part in this year’s Mountbatten Festival of Music, held at the iconic Royal Albert Hall, marking a highlight moment in the organisation’s 125th anniversary celebrations.
Cadets from across the Royal Naval Volunteer Cadet Corps and Royal Marines Volunteer Cadet Corps were honoured to perform alongside the world-renowned Massed Bands of HM Royal Marines, featuring in a specially commissioned musical piece created to commemorate the VCC’s historic milestone.
CSgt Martyn Chapman RM composed the specially commissioned march “Harkness”, named in honour of Captain William Harkness, the first Commanding Officer of the VCC – a fitting tribute in our 125th anniversary year.
2026
VCC Conducts the Ceremony of the Constable's Dues at the Tower of London
The Volunteer Cadet Corps made history on 21 Apr 2026, becoming the first youth organisation ever to conduct the Ceremony of the Constable’s Dues at the Tower of London, as part of our 125th anniversary celebrations.
A tradition that dates back over 700 years – now carried forward by the next generation.
2026
VCC takes part in the Royal Marines presentation of new colours
For the first time in history, His Majesty The King, as Sovereign and Captain General of the Royal Marines, presented new Colours to 40, 42, 43 and 45 Commando Royal Marines at Windsor Castle on 6 June 2026.
This marks the first occasion that four Commando units have received new Colours concurrently, making it a truly significant moment in Royal Marines history.
Representatives from across the Royal Marines Volunteer Cadet Corps, alongside cadets and volunteers from the Royal Marines Sea Cadet Corps and Royal Marines Combined Cadet Force, were honoured to attend and witness this prestigious ceremony.
The signing ceremony took place in the Great Cabin of HMS Victory, Admiral Lord Nelson’s flagship at the Battle of Trafalgar and one of the most enduring symbols of Royal Navy heritage.
The Covenant was signed by Rear Admiral Andrew Rose OBE, Director People & Training and Naval Secretary, on behalf of the Ministry of Defence, alongside Warrant Officer Class 2 Russ Piner RM, Commander VCC, signing on behalf of the Volunteer Cadet Corps.