05/06/2026
Volunteer's week - meet the team
Mr Richard Sleath is a long standing member of Leicester Sea Cadets having served as a cadet, uniformed volunteer, chairman and member of the UMT. Outside of cadets Richard enjoys spending time with his grandchildren and cycling.
"I joined as an adult instructor in January 1969, I had been a Marine Cadet since late 1963. I had some great experiences as a Cadet. My first week course was at HMS Pembroke, located in Chatham Dockyard in late 1965, a cookery course. Then in the late summer of 1966, I joined a party of Sea & Marine cadets on an Educational cruise, on board the MS Dunera. We sailed from Southampton,with Royal Marine Band playing us off, with siganture tune " A life on the Ocean Wave" . Whilst at sea, the school children had to attend classes. But the party of cadets stood watches on the bridge and engine room. Our final destination was Genoa, when we left the ship, to fly home to Gatwick, all for a SCC price of £20.
I then did 5 years as an adult uniformed instructor, attending some fantastic training courses,. Royal Marines Eastney, Loch Ewe for my Adventure training, and a week at the RM SBS base, to gain my canoeing training. I left TS Tiger in September 1973, as I was getting married.
I wasn't away for long, as I was persuaded to join the UMT, which I did for the next 20 years. I thought I had finished my volunteering, but in late 2013, the Eastern Area Officer wrote to me, (he addressed me as a friend of Leicester Sea Cadets) as the Unit had been closed. We re opened the unit in Early 2014.
I volunteer, as I had a fantastic time as a Cadet and a uniformed instructor, so just trying to help the cadets of today. So they can have as much adventure and fun that I experienced."
