CCF Biennial Inspection
On Thursday 4th May, Bloxham School CCF welcomed Brigadier Bill Wright as inspecting officer for the biennial inspection, which is a highlight of the CCF calendar.
Brigadier Bill Wright is deputy commandant of the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, the army’s initial officer training centre. He is also uncle to two current Bloxham School pupils.
At midday on Thursday, the contingent paraded at Park Close and spent the morning having kit checks and practising their drills under the guidance of WO2 Phil Smithson. When the Brigadier arrived he was escorted to Park Close by Capt Nigel Evans and Maj David Cooper, where he was met by Cadet Sgt Ben K who brought the parade to attention while the Brigadier carried out the inspection, taking the opportunity to talk to a number of junior and senior cadets. He was then introduced to the CCF staff and volunteers.
Following the inspection the staff and cadets retired for lunch before the rotation of activities in the afternoon.
The Brigadier spent two hours touring the CCF facilities and visiting a number of stands where he watched and spoke to cadets who were involved with a first aid training scenario; 0.22 shooting with the L98 A2 cadet GP rifle with conversion kit on the Bloxham’s 25 yard indoor range, where the Brigadier himself fired a good grouping; a skill-at-arms lesson with senior cadets being instructed on the use of the Light Support Weapon which would be used later in the day; new 3rd form cadets being instructed in basha building and field rations by senior cadets on Hobb Hill.
The final part of the day was a blank firing demonstration of a section attack by senior cadets. The section prepared for battle and started patrolling when they were attacked by an enemy using the LSW. Once the enemy was located, smoke grenades were thrown to form a screen, allowing the section to react to the fire and, having suppressed the enemy, attack the position. The Brigadier took considerable interest and followed the attacking Charlie fire team as they made the final assault.
The Brigadier addressed the contingent on Hobb Hill, talking about leadership and teamwork and what role the CCF could play in their personal development. The day concluded with a debrief meeting with the Headmaster.