Middlesex and North West London ACF

20/07/2026

BFS Day 4

Our final day began with a more relaxed start, giving everyone some free time to explore Ypres after breakfast. Unsurprisingly, the city’s famous chocolate shops proved to be a popular destination, while some of the staff and cadets took the opportunity to visit the beautiful St Martin’s Cathedral before we continued our journey.
Our battlefield visits then took us to Langemark German Military Cemetery, where Sgt M and Cpl K delivered a thought-provoking lecturette exploring not only the history of the cemetery but also the politics surrounding its creation and the way Germany remembers the First World War. From there we visited Hill 60, where Cpl M explained the significance of this fiercely contested position, before continuing to Spanbroekmolen, the Pool of Peace. Here, SSgt S spoke about the enormous mine detonated beneath the German lines in June 1917, leaving behind the vast crater that today serves as a peaceful place of remembrance.
As we travelled, LCpl F also took the opportunity to give the lecture on Thiepval that we had missed during our visit there, helping to round off everything we had learned over the previous few days.
With the coach’s air conditioning failing, we made the decision to leave a little earlier for Dunkirk to ensure we caught our ferry without any issues. It made for a warm journey, but everyone remained in good spirits, and before long we were back in Dover and then on to Hammersmith, arriving home hot, tired, and with plenty of stories to tell.
Over four days, our cadets have represented both ANZUK and their countries with maturity, curiosity and great respect. They have stood in places of immense historical significance, taken part in moving acts of remembrance, and formed friendships that will last long after the trip has ended. Thank you to all the staff who made the visit possible, and to the parents and families for your support. It has been a privilege to share this experience with such an outstanding group of young people.

20/07/2026

BFS Day 2

Day 2 was another full and memorable day on the Somme.
We began with visits to the 1st Australian Division Memorial and the preserved trench system at Newfoundland Park, where it was easy to appreciate just how close the opposing lines were and the conditions the Newfoundland soldiers faced. Cpls W and B shared their considerable knowledge with us, helping us to understand the flow of the battle.
From there we visited Villers-Bretonneux Military Cemetery, the Sir John Monash Centre and the Australian National Memorial. These sites gave us a real insight into Australia’s contribution on the Western Front and the sacrifices made during the fighting in this area. The interactive displays at the Sir John Monash Centre brought the Australian experience of the Western Front to life through personal stories, immersive film and touch-screen exhibits, helping us connect with the soldiers behind the names. We were also privileged to take part in a short wreath-laying ceremony, which brought home the enormity of the sacrifices made here.
Our final visit of the day was Carrière Wellington in Arras, descending into the tunnels used by Allied troops before the Battle of Arras. It was fascinating to see how the underground network was prepared in complete secrecy and to imagine the tension felt by those waiting below ground before going into battle. It was hard to believe that around 24,000 troops spent up to a week in these tunnels before the attack.
This evening we finished the day with a private remembrance service, in uniform, at the Thiepval Memorial. As dusk approached, we remembered those with no known grave beneath the names of more than 74,000 British and Commonwealth soldiers who fell on the Somme and have no known resting place. After the service the cadets wandered through the graves, introducing themselves to the unknown soldiers. It was a quiet, moving end to a day that none of us will ever forget.

19/07/2026

BFS Day 1

After a painful 0410 reveille, we were soon on our way to the coach that would take us to France. Unfortunately, there were delays on LeShuttle from Folkestone, meaning we arrived later than planned, but we were soon back on schedule and getting stuck into our itinerary.
Our first stop was Sunken Lane, near Beaumont-Hamel, one of the most moving locations on the Somme. On 1 July 1916, British soldiers waited here before advancing into the Battle of the Somme. Today, its peaceful surroundings stand in stark contrast to the tragic events that unfolded here over a century ago.
Two of our cadets, LCpl B and Sgt A, gave us a comprehensive account of the fighting that took place here and explained the lessons learned from the costly tactical mistakes made on that day.
We then travelled through the beautiful Somme countryside to the Lochnagar Crater. Created by a huge mine detonated beneath the German lines on 1 July 1916, the crater is almost impossible to appreciate until you stand beside it. Around 100 metres across and 30 metres deep, its sheer size is a stark reminder of the immense scale and devastation of the First World War.
Cpl K gave a moving description of what it must have been like to serve with the Royal Engineers’ Tunnelling Companies, who spent months digging the tunnels and laying the explosives beneath the German positions. When the mine was detonated, the explosion was so immense that it was reportedly heard as far away as England and remains one of the largest non-nuclear explosions ever deliberately created.
Tired but inspired after a full first day, we headed to our accommodation in Albert, enjoyed a traditional French bistro dinner, and turned in for an early night, ready for an even bigger day tomorrow.

19/07/2026

On day 5, it was time to say goodbye to Bovington and the engagement team who had given us such a good experience.
We then boarded the buses and headed to the Army Aviation Centre at Middle Wallop, where we were met by a former MXNW cadet, Major Brij Nijjar, formerly of 191 Heston, now Operations officer and pilot at 7th regiment Army Air Corps. 7th regiment flies the Apache AH-64E, the most advanced attack helicopter in the world, so our day was firmly based around this platform.
During the day, we were able to see the personal flying and safety equipment used by its crew and fly and fight the aircraft in the simulator. Under the supervision of the ground crew we were able to have a closeup tour of the helicopter and a full run-through of the weapons systems where the cadets were able to load the helicopter with dummy hellfire missiles and the hydra-70 rockets.
However, the highlight for most of us was being taken by the station fire-crew to a remote corner of the airfield to practice our fire fighting skills on a mock-up of a helicopter used for training purposes. The mock-up was set ablaze and cadets were able to extinguish the flames and rescue the casualty using the high power hoses.
Sgt A (208 Willesden) said “ Not many people get to experience taking on an aircraft, so it was brilliant to get this opportunity and to do this alongside trained specialist airfield firefighters was brilliant the It was then time to head back to CTC Hammersmith and prepare for the BFS on Friday.

19/07/2026

On Day 4, the contingent remained at Bovington to explore more of the Royal Armoured Corps and the Combat Manoeuvre Centre. We were fortunate to receive tours of several vehicles operated by the various regiments of the Royal Armoured Corps, including the Challenger 2 Main Battle Tank (MBT) and the new Ajax reconnaissance vehicle. This was an outstanding experience, and hearing about the vehicles from the soldiers who operate and fight in them provided a unique insight into their capabilities and the role they play on the modern battlefield.
We also had the opportunity to use the Dismounted Close Combat Trainer (DCCT), a virtual shooting range that gave our visitors a greater understanding of the British Army's weapon systems and how they are employed. It also sparked some friendly competition, and it was great to see our Australian and New Zealand counterparts achieving the marksmanship standards expected of the British Army.
Following this, we travelled the short distance to The Tank Museum, home to over 300 armoured vehicles spanning more than a century of military history. The collection ranges from the British Mark I tank, first introduced in 1916, through to the Challenger 2, offering an impressive overview of the evolution of armoured warfare.
One of the cadets reflected:
"It was a great experience at the Tank Museum, and I enjoyed learning about the history of tank warfare in the British Army."
After dinner, a small Australian contingent travelled to the village of Affpuddle after one of the Australian cadets discovered that his relative, Harry Bishop, was buried there in a Commonwealth War Grave. The visit was a particularly moving experience, and he reflected:
"The experience of visiting a relative from my family who served in the First World War was breathtaking. Being able to visit his grave truly made me reflect on the bravery, courage and determination he showed in fighting for his country. Being the first Australian in my family to visit his grave made the experience incredibly significant, not only to me but also to my family and the peers who joined me at Affpuddle Church."

19/07/2026

Day 3 saw the ANZUK contingent leave London for the first time as they travelled to the Combat Manoeuvre Centre at Bovington Camp in Dorset, home of the Royal Armoured Corps. Our hosts kindly gave the group a tour of the three training schools based at Bovington: the Signalling School, the Driving and Maintenance School, and the Gunnery School.
The cadets were given the opportunity to experience the training delivered at each school through a range of advanced simulators—the same ones used to train British Army recruits. They took turns in gunner, commander and driver simulators, gaining a fascinating insight into modern armoured warfare while having plenty of fun along the way.
Cpl M (202 Acton) said: “It was great fun trying the simulators and being able to experience what it would be like to drive and fight in one of these vehicles. I especially liked the Ajax simulator in the Gunnery School.”
That evening, the contingent received a warm welcome from Dorset Army Cadet Force at their headquarters in Dorchester. The Dorset staff gave an informative presentation about their county and the British Army Cadet Force to our Australian and New Zealand visitors. The cadets were then shown the equipment used by the ACF, including the GP rifle and the .22 rifle, before spending time socialising with their Dorset counterparts. It was an excellent opportunity to exchange experiences, make new friendships, and gain a different perspective on life in the British Army Cadet Force.

14/07/2026

https://acctuk.org/story/clay-target-shooting/

Discover how an ACCT UK grant helped cadets build confidence, learn discipline, and achieve national success with clay target shooting.

12/07/2026

Cadets from 232, 233 and 234 Detachments, accompanied by 2Lt Boyd-Little, proudly represented the King's Royal Rifle Corps (KRRC) cap badge at the Royal Green Jackets' 60th Regimental Anniversary in Wi******er.
The event brought together serving soldiers, veterans and members of the regimental family to commemorate six decades since the formation of The Royal Green Jackets. It also marked the final parade to be held at Sir John Moore Barracks before the site closes, making the occasion particularly significant.
The cadets were honoured to take part in this historic event, representing the traditions and heritage of the KRRC while engaging with members of the wider regimental community. It was a memorable day that highlighted the enduring links between the Army Cadet Force and its affiliated regiments.

12/07/2026

Cadets from 20 Company and 23 Company supported the Household Division's Military Musical Spectacular on Horse Guards Parade.
Throughout the event, cadets manned the ACF recruitment stand and staffed the entrances, selling programmes to members of the public. Their professionalism and enthusiasm helped showcase the Army Cadet Force while supporting one of the British Army's premier ceremonial events.
The cadets had the opportunity to enjoy the spectacular performances. Highlights included the debut appearance of The Band and Bugles of The Rifles alongside The Band of the Brigade of Gurkhas, whose combined performance delivered an outstanding musical display. Cadets also had the privilege of witnessing the UK debut of the renowned Top Secret Drum Corps from Switzerland, whose precision and energy captivated the audience.
A huge thank you to all the cadets and adult volunteers who gave their time to support this fantastic event. Your hard work and dedication were greatly appreciated and helped make the week a great success.