Eleven Ealing Students Play Their Part in the Coronation
St Benedict's Combined Cadet Force lead crowd up the Mall
The Cadets got a prime view from Admiralty Arch. Picture: St Benedict's School
May 17, 2023
Eleven school students who are members of St Benedict's Combined Cadets Force (CCF) got to play an important part in the Coronation of King Charles III.
The monarch had stipulated that Cadets be involved in the Coronation processions and the Ealing based group, which is a partnership between St Benedict's and Cardinal Wiseman Schools, was chosen to represent 30,000 from across the country.
They were part of a contingent of 178 Cadets which also included the Army Cadet Force, Royal Air Force Air Cadets and Sea Cadets Corps.
Their role meant they were given the honour of leading crowds up the Mall and they got a prime view of the procession at Admiralty Arch and subsequently the Royal Family at Buckingham Palace and the fly-past.
Sgt Mark Cattell, who is in Year 13 at St Benedict’s, and LCpl Christel Menezes Botelho, in Year 12 at Cardinal Wiseman, described the experience.
They said, “Being involved in such a historic moment was a once in a lifetime experience and won’t be forgotten by any of us. The Coronation was awe-inspiring and allowed us to see the very best of the British and Commonwealth armed forces all working cohesively as one unit. After an early start at Ealing Broadway, we arrived at Victoria Station and were escorted to Wellington Barracks. During the Coronation Processions, we were standing near Admiralty Arch, where we had an incredible view of all the troops, as well as of the Royal Family. Then we walked down The Mall to Buckingham Palace; three of us were given the privilege of leading the Company front, representing the whole Contingent and the CCF. At the Palace gates we again had an amazing view of the Royal Family and the fly-past.”
The crowds being led up the Mall. Picture: St Benedict's School
Captain Shaun Hullis, Contingent Commander of St Benedict’s CCF, said, "It was humbling to be invited to send Cadets to represent the Army Sections of the CCF at the Coronation, and heartening to see them still bubbling with enthusiasm and joy after the long weekend. They were wonderfully looked after by a team of adults from Regional Command, HQ London District, and the Cadet Training Team. Until our Cadets saw the photographs afterwards, they had no idea of the size of the crowd which they were leading up The Mall - an immense privilege, and delivering on the King's personal request that Cadets be prominently included in this most special of days."
St Benedict's Combined Cadets Force at the Guards' Chapel. Picture: St Benedict's School
The two Adult Volunteers who accompanied the Cadets were both former students at St Benedict’s: Sgt Instr Peter Allwright and Lieutenant Andrew Hutchinson. SSgt Instr Hussain Sadiq – also a former St Benedict’s student - was involved in the parade itself with other members of the Honourable Artillery Company (HAC), wearing the iconic red tunic & bearskin.
St Benedict’s School CCF was founded in 1930 and has been in continuous existence since.
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