A SHORT HISTORY

Although there were isolated units of cadets within Nottinghamshire during the early part of the 20th century, recruitment of a properly organised ACF for the County of Nottinghamshire began in earnest in February 1942. The resulting units were largely based on existing youth clubs and similar organisations and the initial intake of recruits proved encouraging. The greater part of the City became the responsibility of the 1st Battalion, with the 2nd Battalion covering the area to the East. The North and West of the County were given over to the 3rd Battalion and an Independent Company was based around Newark. At that time we were affiliated to 8th Battalion The Sherwood Foresters (45th Foot) and all wore the Regiment's cap badge.

The next three years saw much progress and ACF service just prior to call-up for National Service proved a great bonus. The number of cadets gaining the War Officer Certificate A (the forerunner of the Star system in the current APC Syllabus) grew year on year. The years 1944-45 saw the strength of Nottinghamshire ACF top the 2,000 mark and - allowing for those who left to join the Service and those who joined the ACF for a short period only - almost double that number passed through its ranks during the period.

Training began to take place beyond the borders of Nottinghamshire. Christmas 1945 witnessed a party of cadets visiting the Sherwood Foresters in Hamburg (then BAOR) and annual camps over the next few years were held in exotic venues such as Walton on the Naze, Cleethorpes and Strensall near York. In the early days we had our fair share of distinguished visitors including Major General Urquart, of Arnhem fame, and Field Marshall Viscount Montgomery of Alemein.

In 1958, the County underwent a further re-organisation into four Areas managing a total of 30 detachments; Number 1 Area (Nottingham City), Number 2 Area (Worksop/Retford), Number 3 Area (Mansfield/Sutton) and Number 4 Area (Carlton/Newark). It is worth noting that, at this stage, the number of detachments affiliated to The Sherwood Foresters had reduced to 12.

1960 saw the Centenary of the ACF as a national youth organisation and the National Banner, presented by His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh, was paraded in various parts of the Country. Nottinghamshire was no exception and this photograph shows the Banner being inspected on Nottingham Castle Green by Her Majesty's Lord Lieutenant, the Duke of Portland.

In 1967, the 4 area commands became officially affiliated to The Robin Hood Rifles, The Sherwood Foresters Regiment, the South Nottinghamshire Hussars Yeomanry and the Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry respectively. There were then 36 detachments consisting of 49 Officers, 52 adult instructors and 775 cadets. The standard of cadets in that year can best be judged by their achievements. The Pipes and Drums of the 3rd Battalion played at the Royal Tournament and at the Cadet Training Centre, Frimley Park. The County won the senior and the Junior trophies at the Northern Command Cross Country Championships. We followed this with a resounding win at the Northern Command Football Championships. During the year 1966 - 67 no less than 36 of our cadets joined the Junior Leaders with a view to a career in the Service. Proficient, not only on the sports field, the debut performance of the Nottinghamshire ACF Band at Kedleston Hall, Derbyshire in May 1974 was a real success.

Life was not always rosy as evidenced by an arson attack on Harworth Detachment in April 1984 when the hut was vandalised, the Detachment's drums being stacked in the middle of the building and set on fire. The Detachment set about raising funds to replace this valuable kit and, with the help of parents and the rest of the village community, they managed to replace the drums in entirety. The drums remain in service today - an indication of how the ACF is accepted by (and works closely with) the Community.

In September 1984, a service and parade for the ACF in the County was held at Southwell Minster and our photograph shows the salute being taken by the then Lord Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire. In 1991 Cadet RSM Jamie Nowell was chosen for an expedition to Nepal as part of the World Challenge Expedition for British cadets. This also enabled him to complete his Gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award. Captain Jamie Nowell is now Adjutant of 1st Battalion the Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment (29th/45th Foot).

These are just a few of the achievements of an organisation that, through the hard work and dedication of its volunteer adult leaders, and the determination of its cadets to make their mark in society, has continued to uphold the current Army Cadet Force motto: 'To Inspire to Achieve'