HRH Duke of Gloucester visit
HRH The Duke of Gloucester visited Octavia Hill’s Birthplace House, Wisbech on 26th September 2024 to mark Octavia’s legacy from 1889 when she established the first Independent Army Cadet Unit.The Cambridgeshire Army Cadets Corps of Drums played as the Duke inspected a Guard of
Honour made up from the local Wisbech Army Cadet Force Detachment. Trustees, Volunteers and Guests had the opportunity to meet the Duke.
The Duke was given a presentation by Col (Retired) Mark Knight MBE DL on the history of the Birthplace House the before touring the National Army Cadet Force Museum, opened in 2023 by WO2 Johnston Beharry VC COG, along with a tour of other rooms in the House.
Children from nearby Cambian Wisbech School had the opportunity to watch and meet the Duke on Centenary Green.
The ACF Museum displays a range of uniforms, traces the ACF time line from 1889 to the present day, manuals, and a “touch screen” for videos, photographs and You Tube links.
The National Museum idea was first created by Colour Sgt Tim Scargill, Sussex ACF but Covid prevented its implementation until Wisbech born, Col (Retired) Mark Knight MBE DL, joined Tim in delivering and completing the project. Mark spent 45 years with Cambridgeshire Army Cadet Force before retiring as its County Commandant.
Col (Retired) Mark Knight MBE DL, Chair of Trustees, said
We are delighted to welcome the Duke to the House as it marks the legacy of Octavia Hill particularly with her work with the Army Cadet Force.
The Lord Lieutenant of Cambridgeshire Julie Spence OBE CStJ QPM said
It was brilliant to welcome the Duke of Gloucester to the National Army Cadet Force museum in Octavia Hill’s house especially as she was the pioneer of the Army Cadet Force ensuring it was open to all youngsters not just those from public schools. The Duke was impressed by the amount of work that gone into creating the museum and enjoyed meeting some of today’s Cambridgeshire Cadets
coverage from the Wisbech Standard
coverage from the Fenland Citizen
All photos by Roger Rawson
