Annual Camp 2009

Oxfordshire Army Cadet Force held its Annual Camp at Strensall in Yorkshire.

Day 1 - Sunday 9 August 2009

312 cadets and 85 adults arrived at Queen Elizabeth Barracks, Strensall on Sunday 9 August 2009 at the start of the two weeks Annual Camp. The weather was fine, if a little overcast. Sunday was spent settling in to their new 'home' and discovering the layout of camp.

Day 2 - Monday 10 August 2009

On Monday 10 August training started in earnest with some cadets from Quebec and Nivelle going to Ellerton Lake for a day's kayaking, whilst the remainder of the two companies, plus Calais and Somme remained in or around the camp undertaking their training. The activities undertaken by Calais and Somme cadets, known collectively as Area North, were shooting on an indoor DCCT range, Archery, Obstacle Course, First Aid Training and practicing Skill At Arms. Quebec and Nivelle, known collectively as Area South, did Paintballing, Command Tasks, Clay Target Shooting and First Aid. That finished with all cadets participating in various Physical Training or sporting activities.

Tuesday 11 August is scheduled to be another busy and challenging day.

Cadets work together to complete a command task

The cadets and barrel may not touch the ground

Cadets await instructions on the parade square

Cadets open fire from a concealed position

An NCO teaches rank structure in the Battalion

Day 3 - Tuesday 11 August 2009

Having settled down into a routine, training continued on Tuesday 11 August with most of the activities being the same as Monday, but involving different groups of cadets. More cadets from Quebec and Nivelle went to Ellerton Lake for a day’s kayaking, whilst the remainder of the two companies, plus Calais and Somme remained in or around the camp to continue their training. The activities undertaken by Calais and Somme cadets, were shooting and Skill at Arms, particularly LSW for the senior cadets. Quebec and Nivelle continued with Paintballing, Command Tasks and Clay Target Shooting, finishing with sports. Calais and Somme’s day ended with preparation for the 2 day exercise, with the senior cadets deploying in the evening.

Wednesday 13 August is scheduled to be another busy and challenging day with Calais and Somme Companies deployed on exercise.

Cadets work together to stay out of the water

Day 4 - Wednesday 12 August 2009

Training continued on Wednesday 12 August with Nivelle and Quebec undertaking kayaking on Ellerton Lake, paintballing, command tasks and obstacle course in the camp area, plus clay target shooting and full-bore target shooting at the nearby ranges. The cadets continue to rotate through these activities, so that they do different activities each day. Calais and Somme continued with preparation for their exercise, with the remainder of the two companies deploying during the day.

Watch videos of cadets completing the obstacle course and flying in a helicopter.

Thursday 14 August sees the Battalion being visited by the Hon Colonel, Brigadier Mogg, SERFCA staff, the Deputy Mayor of Bicester and other visitors. Calais and Somme will be returning from their exercise late afternoon and Nivelle and Quebec will continue with Cadre training.

The choppers land on the playing field at camp

Making new friends on the obstacle course

Day 5 - Thursday 13 August 2009

Calais and Somme’s two day exercise came to a conclusion with a grand battle between the senior cadets and the remainder of the cadets of the two companies. Nivelle and Quebec mainly had a day of shooting, thus ensuring that the cadets classified/reclassified at their various star levels. Today was the two companies’ final day of kayaking on Ellerton Lake. A number of visitors came to Queen Elizabeth’s Barracks today to see the cadets in action. Amongst those visiting was the Honorary Colonel, Brigadier Nigel Mogg, late of the RGJ.

Friday 14 August sees Calais and Somme Company starting their non-military part of the camp package, while Nivelle and Quebec continue with target shooting.

The Honorary Colonel meets Bugle Major Higgs

A cadet uses foliage to camouflage himself

Every cadet carries their full personal field equipment

A safety supervisor assists with a stoppage

A serjeant undertakes her battle appreciation

Two cadets lie hidden at a sentry position

Cadets fire the L98A1 rifle on the range

Day 6 - Friday 14 August 2009

All four companies, Calais and Somme and Quebec and Nivelle continued with cadre training and shooting.

A cadet by the window to the Area Office

Day 7 - Saturday 15 August 2009

As yesterday, cadre training and shooting continued.

Day 8 - Sunday 16 August 2009

The entire Battalion attended a service in the Garrison Church at Queen Elizabeth Barracks, Strensall in the morning, followed by a March Past the Deputy Commandant, Lt Col Pollock, lead the Battalion Corunna Bugles. The afternoon was given over to sports and the Battalion swimming Gala. In the evening, Quebec and Nivelle deployed to the exercise area to start their two day exercise.

Day 9 - Monday 17 August 2009

Calais and Somme Companies continued with kayaking, clay target shooting, full bore shooting, paintballing, archery and cadre training. Quebec and Nivelle continued with field training.

Day 10 - Tuesday 18 August 2009

As yesterday, Calais and Somme continued with adventurous and military training, including instruction on the LSW, while the exercise for Quebec and Nivelle culminated in a grand finale where many cadets fired blank ammunition. A number of visitors came today, including the Bicester Garrison Commander and staff from the Army Cadet Force Association Marketing and Communications unit.

Wednesday 19 August sees all four companies on their full day of training, with Battalion Prize Giving in the late afternoon.

A cadet takes out his paintballing target

Day 11 - Wednesday 19 August 2009

Today was the last day of training for all four companies. The mix of training was as per the previous day, although Quebec and Nivelle did .22 shooting as well. The Battalion Team to take part in the Rifles cadet competition held a practice on the training area. All cadets packed their military field kit, to be ready to be loaded on lorries for the return to Oxfordshire. The day concluded with the Annual Prize Giving where awards were presented by the Deputy Commandant, Lt Col Pollock, to cadets and adults for their achievements throughout the year.

The Deputy Commandant presents an award on Final Parade

Day 12 - Thursday 20 August 2009

All four companies had their day out, leaving the camp clear of most personnel and enabling the Battalion staff, plus some company staff, to start the packing of the majority of equipment to be shipped back to Oxfordshire. Calais and Somme went to Eden Camp, a museum based in an old Second World War camp for Italian and German POWs, and then on to Scarborough. Quebec and Nivelle went to Lightwater Valley, a theme park. When everyone had returned, a BBQ was held - and very good it was too.

Day 13 - Friday 21 August 2009

An early start for everyone with the loading of the final items to be returned to Oxfordshire, plus cadet bergens etc. The hand-back of the parts of Queen Elizabeth Barracks assign to us for the duration of camp was completed ay 1015 and the coaches departed Strensall about 1100 for the long journey back to Oxfordshire.

So ended Oxfordshire (The Rifles) ACF Camp 2009.

Camp 2010 will be from 14 to 27 August 2010 at Penally Camp in South Wales.

We hope to see many of you there.

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