Founded in 1934 by the late Captain Vansittart Howard RN, the corps acquired Admiralty recognition on the 4th March 1935 and established a reputation for efficiency in signals, winning several Cups and Awards in this branch. It also had a very fine band which was much in demand at ceremonies throughout the district. The Elham Valley Cadets of Canterbury Unit eventually separated and became a unit
of their own right. Almost from its inception great interest was taken by Captain G. George becoming Commanding Officer at about the same time. Sir William Wayland, became Patron, and Later, Alderman C. Lefevre OBE, Mayor of Canterbury, Become president. To these gentleman a great deal is due. Picture to the left has some of the people above. (From left to right Chaplain to deep sea fisherman, Captain G. Hewett RN, Rear Admiral C. Robertson RN, Sir William Wayland MP, Rev. Mould (Hon Chaplain), Miss Mould (Hon. Secretary)
The fine headquarters was purchased by the citizens of Canterbury, and presented to the navy league largely through the great efforts of Mr. D Harvey (Who later became Area Officer with the rank of Lieutenant Commander) and Captain G. The old unit is long gone and as of 2016 forms part of the Canterbury Christ Church University campus. In 1939 the corps suffered a partial eclipse by reason of the withdrawal of its officers and instructors for the services. The headquarters premise, with the exception of a very small portion, was requisitioned for NAAFI. Evacuation of many of the schools further increased the difficulties and that any organisation was kept together was due to the Honorary Treasurer, Mr. E. Goate and the Honorary Chaplain, the Rev. C. Stapley MA , Sub warden of St Augustine’s College. In March 1941 two naval officers in Canterbury offered their services to lecture and help generally. Mr. Goate became commanding officer in the summer of 1942, having acted in this capacity for some time. Lieutenant Commander E.C. Talbot-Booth RD RNR was appointed Executive Officer and Sub-lieutenant E. B.R. Sargent R.N.V.R. (N.L. Lieutenant) Administration Officer. Gradually order was restored out of the chaos. Then came the air attack on the city in June 1942, when a small portion of the Headquarters left to the corps was severely damaged, most of the records and the remaining equipment ruined. The air attack in October 1942 still further added to the difficulties. Two cadets were killed in these raids and several lost their homes. In November 1942, Mr. Goate had to relinquish his command owing to pressure of work and Lieutenant Commander E. Talbot-Booth took over command with Sub-Lieutenant Sargent as Administration Officer. They were granted the Honorary ranks (Unpaid) of Lieutenant RNVR and Sub Lieutenant RNVR respectively. At this most difficult juncture the Commanding Officer was called to the Admiralty, Where he remained for three months, and the entire responsibility devolved upon the administration Officer. In March 1943, the whole of the headquarters building reverted to the navy league, but air raids has caused heavy damaged, one half of the large main roof had been damaged and only temporary repairs had been effected. The gymnasium roof had been weakened and beams and wall displaced. The roof of the present club room was similarly affected. Water poured or seeped in everywhere. A little later on, still further damage was caused by cable of a barrage balloon descending upon the headquarters. In spite of this, much repair and redecoration was done. The unit moved into a new unit at Puckle lane on 14th October 1949. This is where TS Canterbury became TS Courageous. It was one of the ships that Captain G. Hewett (A Chairman of Canterbury Sea Cadets) served on and in his words “before she was turned into a floating garage” he went on to add “ he hoped that the cadets would live up to the name of the ship and be courageous in that they undertook”. The puckle lane unit had become unsafe so the unit was without a home and moved from hall to hall with equipment and stores being stored at instructor house. On # # # # # # the puckle lane was lost due to arson attack. Much of the History was lost to the fire. The grass was cut at the new unit site on Vauxhall Road by then Lord Mayor of Canterbury, Councillor # # # # # # # # # on the 26th April 2013. The new unit was officially opened on 11th April 2014 the unit was officially open by Admiral Lord West of Spithead, The Former First Sea Lord. On 26th March 2015 the command was temporarily handed from CPO(SCC) D. Sharpe to PO(SCC) J. Murphy. PO(SCC) J. Murphy took over as Officer-In-Charge on the 6th October 2015. On November 2016 the unit won the Featherstonehaugh trophy for the unit showing the most overall improvement delivering the cadets experience.
