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17th September 2007

Read story from the perspective of Mr C Wiggins
Read story from the perspective of Cdt Alex McKeegan

The Jewel In Our Crown

23 cadets from 134 (Bedford) Squadron had an evening to remember at the Tower of London on Saturday 15th September. The cadets held an evening parade to mark Battle of Britain Day. The parade was held in the courtyard between the infamous White Tower and the Jewel House, which houses the Crown Jewels.

The Battle of Britain, is remembered each year on 15th September, this allows 'the few' to be remembered. The Battle of Britain continued from 10th July - 31st October 1940. It was the first major battle fought entirely by air forces and was fought to retain air superiority over Britain. Sir Winston Churchill summarised the battle when he said "Never in the field of human conflict, was so much owed by so many to so few'

The Squadron On Parade

Squadron Leader Alan Wiggins performed the important role of reviewing officer. Sqn Ldr Wiggins, who was a Commanding Officer of Bedford Squadron from 1981 to 1996, now holds the position of Regional Media & Communications Officer for Central and Eastern Region.

Yeoman Warder Bob Loughlan on his guided tour...

The parade concluded with a Yeoman Warder playing 'Sunset' on a bugle before the cadets performed a march-past with Sqn Ldr Wiggins taking the salute.

As soon as the parade was over, the cadets were treated to a personal tour of the Tower of London by Yeoman Warder Bob Loughlan. The cadets learned of the many previous roles of the tower, and the many historical figures that had come to the tower - many to never leave alive. Bob Loughlan, who himself was a former Air Cadet from Suffolk, had served with the RAF Regiment in the Queen’s Colour Squadron and had also acted as the Chief of Air Staff's Warrant Officer. Although he claimed to still be learning the history of the Tower, he demonstrated an impressive recall of names, facts and figures as he guided the cadets around.

...where the cadets learned about the history of the Tower...

On concluding the tour, Bob said "I was very impressed with your standard of drill, I wish you well with your future careers, you're a great bunch, well done".

The final treat for the cadets was to witness the 'Ceremony of the keys'. This 700 year old tradition is the oldest, still practised, military tradition in the world, and dates back to a time when soldiers were needed each day, to clear the Tower of the numerous street traders and beggars that had set up temporary residence. It is held every single night of the year at 23:00. The cadets were amazed to see that the key of the Tower is afforded the same respect as Queen Elizabeth.

...With a few ghost stories

Sqn Ldr Wiggins said of the evening "I was pleased and delighted to be invited to be the reviewing officer at such a prestigious occasion. Again, Bedford squadron have excelled by holding the first known Air Cadet Squadron parade at the Tower of London. They are to be congratulated on their initiative as well as their continued flare for helping, yet again, to publicise the Air Cadet Organisation.

 

 

 

Report by Cadet Alex McKeegan

As the old bells sounded the lateness of the hour, 134 (Bedford) Sqn stepped foot on yet another drill square to make their mark on Britain's rich history.

The Air Cadet Organisation boasts the ability to offer many different activities to cadets throughout the country, but on the 15th of September Air Cadet history was once again made by 134 (Bedford) Squadron as they paraded on the historic grounds of the Tower of London.

After hours of preparation, 23 cadets with 4 staff, boarded the minibuses to make the long journey to the Tower of London. The aim was to parade in the grounds of The Tower of London and then observe the 'Ceremony Of The Keys'. However many of the cadets had never been to London before and so on route they were treated to sights such as St. Paul’s cathedral and the famous London office building 30 St Mary Axe, often nicknamed "The Gherkin.

The Squadron Banner Party

With a few commands ringing out across the grounds, the Squadron set off. As the cadets turned the corner, marched over the famous cobbled courtyard and entered the parade square, nothing could be heard but the hard stamping of feet.

Once on the parade ground the squadron was inspected by Squadron Leader Alan Wiggins and observed by the Yeoman Warder Bob Loughlan who was to be our guide for the evening. Mr Loughlan had recently transferred to the tower from the Queen's Colour Squadron.

Flt Lt Mark Robinson with the Squadron on parade

After the parade, which was deemed a complete success by all, and a chance for the group to pose for photos, the cadets were treated to a fifty minute VIP tour of the Tower. This included sights such as traitor’s gate and the many areas of historic accommodation and prison cells that are found within the compound.

The final honour of the night for the cadets was to observe the 'Ceremony Of The Keys” this ceremony has taken place in the tower at sunset every day for over 700 years. The cadets watched in fascination as the ceremony took place and the tower doors were shut and locked with the same key that has been used to secure the tower and its possessions for hundreds of years.

With this completed the cadets just had time to hear a final spine tingling ghost story before making there way back to the mini-busses and back home.

After the parade, the Cadets pose in front of Tower Bridge

Overall the event was deemed a fantastic success by all. Cadet Powell, who had never been to the tower before said “It was fantastic, to know we will go in the history books for this makes me so proud to be a cadet.”