Ahead of Armed Forces Day tomorrow, the Volunteer Cadet Corps joined together with other examples of duty and service, past, present and future to celebrate and pay tribute to our Armed Forces. 

Our Cadets from across six Portsmouth Area Units had the privilege of meeting D-Day Veteran Joseph Cattini, Falklands Veteran Mark Smith and Gulf Veteran (and still serving) Cmdre Rex Cox RN for a Q&A session about their time and experiences throughout the campaigns in which they were involved in. 

Veterans and Cadets boarded the restored F8 landing craft, used in the Falklands, HSL102, which rescued airmen during the Battle of Britain, and MGB81, used at Normandy on D-Day. They then toured around the harbour, taking in sights of Portsmouth’s historic and commercial dockyard, before landing on the slipway.

Captain (VCC) Louis Colpitts, Executive Officer (Support) said “it was honour to be with our cadets today, fascinated by the stories and experiences of the Veterans and taking in the sights of Portsmouth on such historical vessels. It’s important our young persons learn about history from their illustrious and respected forebears”

Cadet Paffett, Portsmouth Division RMVCC said “this has been the best opportunity given to me. To be on a ship that was part of WW2, with someone who served in WW2. I don’t want to be the last generation that gets to experience this”.

We give thanks to Portsmouth Naval Base Property Trust and to Portsmouth South MP and Shadow Armed Forces Minister Stephen Morgan for the opportunity to be part of this event to mark #ArmedForcesDay