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CONTENTS

NOTE:
ON 1ST APRIL 2001 THE TITLE OF THE NAVAL
RESERVE CADETS WAS CHANGED TO "AUSTRALIAN NAVY CADETS" (ANC)
In Australia since 1920 there have been
various titles for the Sea Cadets:
Navy League Sea Cadet Corps NLSCC (1920- 1950)
Australian Sea Cadet Corps ASCC (1950-1972)
Naval Reserve Cadets NRC (1972-2002)
Australian Navy Cadets ANC (2002 - )
Federal Council
THE NAVY LEAGUE OF AUSTRALIA
Patron-in-Chief
His Excellency Major General Michael Jeffery AC CVO MC
Governor-General of the Commonwealth
of Australia
HISTORICAL
The Navy League was established in Australia in November 1900, initially
in the form of small branches of the United Kingdom Navy League (established
1895) and since 1950 as an autonomous national body headed by an Australian
Federal Council consisting of a Federal President and representatives
of the six States, the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern
Territory as appropriate.
The Navy League was also established
in New Zealand (Auckland) 20 January 1896 and later at Wellington 14
March 1904. The United States of America adopted the US Navy League
Sea Cadets in 1902. Other countries with branches of the Navy League
were in South Africa, India, Canada, Hong Kong, all parts of the British
Empire in the early 1900s except the USA.
The Navy League of Australia has,
since the turn of the century, sought to sway public opinion and governments
to understand the need for Australia to address strategic maritime issues,
specifically trade and maritime defence issues. Over the years the Navy
League has drawn to the attention of govermnent the vital need for strong
naval and maritime air forces in order to secure the sovereignty of
the nation including its vital imports and exports.
The Navy League of Australia is
now one of a number of independent Navy Leagues formed in countries
of the free world to influence public thinking on maritime matters and
create interest in all aspects of the sea environment and our use of
it for recreation, food, trade and defence.
The League also takes an interest in and supports the 14-18 year old
Naval Reserve Cadet Corps (NRC) which train the community's young people
in the love of the sea, instilling in them such personal disciplines
as is possible through naval and maritime oriented pursuits.
The cadets from 1973 were sponsored by the Royal Australian Navy (but
from 1920 to 1972 were sponsored by the Navy League and called the Navy
League Sea Cadet Companies (later Corps) (NLSCC) up to 1949 then from
1950 the Australian Sea Cadet Corps (ASCC).
The Navy League of Australia cordially
invites you to join us in what we believe to be an important national
and international task.
APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP
Any person with an interest in maritime affairs, or who wishes to acquire
an interest in, or knowledge of, maritime affairs and who wishes to
support the objectives of the League, is invited to join.
OBJECTIVES
The principal objective of the Navy League of Australia is "The maintenance
of the maritime well-being of the Nation" by:
Keeping before the Australian people
the fact that we are a maritime nation and that a strong Navy and a
sound maritime industry are indispensable elements of our national well-being
and vital to the freedom of Australia.
Promoting defence self reliance
by actively supporting manufacturing, shipping and transport industries.
Promoting, sponsoring and encouraging
the interest of Australian youth in the sea and sea-services, and supporting
practical sea-training measures.
Co-operating with other Navy Leagues
and sponsoring the exchange of cadets for training purposes.
ACTIVITIES
The Navy League of Australia works towards its objectives in a number
of ways:
· By including in its membership leading representatives of the
many elements which form the maritime community.
· Through soundly-based contributions by members to journals
and newspapers, and other media comment.
· By supporting the Naval Reserve Cadets, and assisting in the
provision of training facilities.
· By encouraging and supporting visits by recognised world figures
such as former United States Chiefs of Naval Operations and Britain's
First Sea Lords.
· By publishing The Navy, a quarterly journal reporting on local
and overseas maritime happenings, past, present and projected.
· By maintaining contact with serving naval personnel through
activities arranged during visits to Australian ports of ships of the
Royal Australian and Allied Navies.
· By organising symposia, ship visits and various other functions
of maritime interest throughout the year.
Member participation is encouraged
in all these activities.
To become a Member of The League,
simply complete the Application Form below, and post it, together with
your first annual subscription of $22 (which includes receiving the
'The Navy' magazine), to the Hon Secretary of the Division of the Navy
League in the State in which you reside, or if you are an international
member the federal address, the State Division addresses are as follows:
(For details of State Divisions see their own page)
NEW SOUTH WALES DIVISION: GPO BOX 1719, Sydney, New South Wales
2001, AUSTRALIA.
VICTORIA DIVISION: PO Box
1303, Box Hill , Victoria 3128, AUSTRALIA.
QUEENSLAND DIVISION: c/-
Federal Office
SOUTH AUSTRALIA DIVISION:
GPO Box 1529, Adelaide, South Australia, 5001, AUSTRALIA.
TASMANIA DIVISION: 42 Army
Road, Launceston, Tasmania 7250, AUSTRALIA.
WESTERN AUSTRALIA DIVISION:
23 Lawlor Road, Attadale, Western Australia, 6156, AUSTRALIA.
If you live in the Australian Capital
Territory or the Northern Territory, please post the form to the Hon
Secretary of the New South Wales or South Australian Division respectively.
Subscriptions are due on 1 July
in each year, and your membership will be current to 30 June immediately
following the date on which you join the League, except that if your
first subscription is received during the period 1 April to 30 June
in any year, your initial membership will be extended to 30 June in
the following year. Allow at least three months to receive the first
copy of 'The Navy'.
THE NAVY LEAGUE OF
AUSTRALIA
Application for Membership
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To:
The Honorary Secretary
Navy League of Australia
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Division
Address: (See application form in "The Navy"
magazine for Division address)
I
wish to join the Navy League of Australia, the objectives of which
I support, and I enclose a remittance for $30 (inc GST) being
my first annual subscription to 30 June next.
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Name:
Mr. - Mrs - Ms: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (Please
print clearly)
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Rank:
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Address:
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City:
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. . . . .State: . . . . . . . .
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Postcode:
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Country:
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Telephone:
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Email:
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Subscriptions
are due on 1st July in each year and membership is current to
30 June immediately following the date on which membership of
the League commences, except that if the first subscription is
received during the period 1 April to 30 June in any year, the
initial membership is extended to 30 June in the following year.
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| Please
check the current application form in the centre of the magazine
"The Navy" for the latest subscription rate. |
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18
October 2005
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The Navy League of Australia
- Federal Council Extracts from
MEMORANDUM OF ASSOCIATION
The objects for which the League
is established are:
(1) To keep before the Australian people the fact that we are
a maritime nation and that a strong Navy and a sound maritime industry
are indispensable elements of our national well being and vital to the
freedom of Australia.
(2) To promote, sponsor and encourage the interest of Australian
youth in the sea and sea-services, and support practical sea-training
measures.
(3) To co-operate with other Navy Leagues and sponsor the exchange
of cadets for training purposes.
(4) To lake over all or any part which may lawfully be taken
over by the League of the assets and liabilities of the voluntary Association
known as the Navy League of Australia
(5) To co-operate with other Commonwealth and Foreign Navy Leagues
and with Naval Authorities
(6) To purchase, take on lease or in exchange, hire and otherwise
acquire any lands. buildings, easements or property, real and personal,
and any rights or privileges which may be requisite for the purpose
of, or capable of being conveniently used in connection with, any of
the objects of the League. Provided that in case the League shall take
or hold any property which may be subject to any trusts the League shall
only deal with the same in such manner as is allowed by law having regard
to such trusts.
(7) To enter into any arrangements with any Government or authority,
supreme, municipal. local or otherwise, that may seem conducive to the
League's objects or any of them; and to obtain from any such Government
or authority any rights, privileges and concessions which the League
may think it desirable to obtain; and to carry out, exercise and comply
with any such arrangement, rights, privileges and concessions.
(8) To appoint, employ, remove or suspend such managers, clerks,
secretaries, servants, workmen and other persons as may be necessary
or convenient for the purposes of the League.
(9) To construct, improve, maintain, develop, work, manage, carry
out, alter or control any houses, buildings, grounds, works or conveniences
which may seem calculated directly or indirectly to advance the League
s interests, and to contribute to, subsidise or otherwise assist and
take part in the construction improvement, maintenance, development,
working, management, carrying out, alteration or control thereof.
(10) To invest and deal with the money of the League not immediately
required in such manner as may be permitted by law or the investment
of trust funds
(11) To borrow or raise or secure he payment of money in such
manner as the League may think fit and to secure the same or the repayment
or performance of any debt liability contract guarantee or other engagement
incurred or to be entered into by the League In any way and in particular
by the Issue of debentures perpetual or otherwise charged upon all or
any of the League's property (both present and future) and to purchase
redeem or pay off any such securities.
(12) To make draw accept endorse discount execute and issue promissory
notes bills of exchange bills of lading and other negotiable or transferable
instruments.
(13) In furtherance of the objects of the League to sell, improve,
manage, develop, exchange, lease, dispose, turn to account or otherwise
deal with all or any part of the property and rights of the League
(14) To take or hold mortgages liens and charges to secure payment
of the purchase price or any unpaid balance of the purchase price of
any part of the League's property of whatsoever kind sold by the League
or any money due to the League from purchasers and others
(15) To take any gift of property whether subject to any special
trust or not, for any one or more of the objects of the League but subject
always to the proviso in paragraph (6) of this Clause 2
(16) To take such steps by personal or written appeals public
meetings or otherwise as may from time to time be deemed expedient for
the purpose of procuring contributions to the funds of the League in
the shape of donations annual subscriptions or otherwise.
(17) To print and publish any newspapers periodicals books or
leaflets that the League may think desirable for the promotion of its
objects.
(18) To make donations for patriotic or charitable purposes.
The income and property of the League, whencesoever derived, shall be
applied solely towards the promotion of the objects of the League as
set forth in this memorandum of association; and no portion thereof
shall be paid or transferred directly or indirectly by way of dividend
bonus or otherwise howsoever by way of profit to the members of the
League. Provided that nothing herein shall prevent the payment in good
faith of reasonable and proper remuneration to any officer or servant
of the League or to any member of the League in return for any services
actually rendered to the League. The liability of the members is limited.
Every member of the League undertakes to contribute to the assets of
the League, in the event of the same being wound up while he is a member,
or within one year after he ceases to be a member, for payment of the
debts and liabilities of the League contracted before he ceases to be
a member, and of the costs, charges, and expenses of winding up and
for the adjustment of the rights of the contributors among themselves,
such amount as may be required, not exceeding two dollars ($2).
Extracts of GENERAL CONDITIONS MEMBERSHIP
4. A member of the League may be
4(i) any person or a body corporate formed or incorporated in
Australia or elsewhere (hereinafter called "a body corporate member");
4(ii) the nominee for the time being of a body corporate (hereinafter
called a "body corporate nominee member"); or
4(iii) any person or body corporate or nominee of a body corporate
declared by the Federal Council to be an honorary member (hereinafter
called "an honorary member") PROVIDED THAT each member shall satisfy
the Division to whom he, she or it applies for membership that he, she
or it approves of and supports the objects of the League.
THE FEDERAL COUNCIL
33. The Federal Council of the League shall be known as the Federal
Council and shall be made up of the following persons:-
33(1) the Federal President.
33(2) the Federal Vice-president.
33(3) Additional Federal Vice-presidents
33(4) the Federal Secretary
33(5) the Federal Treasurer.
33(6) the President for the time being of each Division of the
League.
33(7) (a) two other members or one other member and the
Secretary of each Division of the League both of whom shall be appointed
respectively by the President of the Executive Committee of the Division
to which they belong.
33(7) (b) the first Federal Council shall be the persons who
at the time of incorporation of the League comprise the Federal Council
of the voluntary association known as the Navy League of Australia.
The first Federal President, Federal Vice-President, Federal Secretary
and Federal Treasurer so appointed shall hold office until the first
annual general meeting of the League.
POWERS OF THE FEDERAL COUNCIL
43. The business of the League shall be managed by the Federal
Council, who may pay all expenses incurred in setting up and registering
the League, and may exercise all such powers of the League as are not
by the Act, or by these Articles, required to be exercised by the League
in general meeting, subject nevertheless to any regulations, being not
inconsistent with the aforesaid regulations or provisions as may be
prescribed by the League in general meeting; but no regulation made
by the League in general meeting shall invalidate any prior act of the
Federal Council which would have been valid if that regulation had not
been made.
44. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing the Federal
Council shall have general executive and administrative control of the
affairs of the League in Australia and in particular full powers:
44(a) To direct and control all questions of policy of the League
and of all Divisions and Branches thereof, and from time to time, as
may be by it deemed necessary, declare what matters shall come within
the scope of the Federal Council or of the Federal Advisory Council.
44(b) To consider or seek the advice of the Federal Advisory
Council.
44(c) To receive and administer all funds of the League which
would be regarded as funds of the League as distinguished from funds
of all Divisions thereof, as herein defined.
44(d) To consider the estimates of all Divisions which same are
submitted, and approve or disapprove the same and its decision in this
respect shall be final and binding upon all parties and interests, but
no such approval or other action on the part of the Federal Council
shall render such Council or the League responsible for any obligations
or liabilities incurred by such Divisions under any such estimates so
submitted or otherwise.
44(e) To arrange levies upon Divisions and affiliated organisations
in addition to the annual contribution provided in Article 116 hereof.
44(f) To delegate such of its powers as it thinks fit to the
executive Committee of a Division PROVIDED HOWEVER that the exercise
of such powers has relation to the affairs of the League in the territory
of the Division in respect of which the power is delegated.
44(g) To conduct all correspondence and business with the Commonwealth
Government, the United Kingdom Navy League also with any outside body
when the matter is the concern of the League as a whole.
44(h) To elect and appoint any paid officials and staff of the
League and fill any vacancy caused by the death or resignation of any
official or member of such staff.
44(i) To supervise and control all League publications in general
policy matters.
44(j) To encourage the Australian publication of "The Navy" which
shall be recognised as the official organ of the League.
44(k) To delegate and distribute its works to Committees, with
power to Co-opt, and such Committees shall be responsible to the Federal
Council.
44(I) To invite the attendance upon such Committees of members
of the League for the purpose of advice and counsel.
44(m) To determine who shall be entitled to sign bills, notes,
receipts, acceptances, endorsements, cheques, releases, contracts, and
documents on behalf of the League.
44(n) To purchase or otherwise acquire for the League any property
leases, rights or privileges which the League is authorised to acquire
at such price and generally on such terms and conditions as it thinks
fit.
THE FEDERAL ADVISORY COUNCIL
73. The Federal Advisory Council of the League shall be known
as the Federal Advisory Council and shall be made up of the following
persons:
73(1) The immediate past Federal President of the League who
shall be chairman of the Federal Advisory Council
73(2) The Federal Secretary
73(3) Prominent citizens nominated by the Federal Council.
74. The immediate past Federal President of the League shall
be the Federal President of the League for the preceding twelve months
or in the event of death of the Federal President or his office becoming
vacant by reason of the provisions of Article 47 hereof the Federal
President appointed pursuant to Article 36 hereof.
75. The Immediate past Federal President of the League shall
be a member of the League.
76. In the event of the death of the immediate past Federal President
of the League or of his office becoming vacant by reason of the provision
of Article 47 hereof the office may be filled by the Federal Council.
The Federal Advisory Council shall advise from time to time the Federal
Council the direction of Council on any matter referred to it by the
Federal Council or on any other matter on its motion which it considers
is incidental or conducive to the attainment of the objects and the
exercise of the powers of the League in such manner as the Federal Council
may from time to time determine.
DIVISIONS OF THE LEAGUE
77. One Division of the League may be formed in each State or
Territory of the Commonwealth of Australia.
POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMlTTEE OF A DIVISION OF THE
LEAGUE
111. The function of an Executive Committee shall be to co-ordinate
and control, subject to the control of the Federal Council, all Branches
and Units within the territory of its Division.
112. Each Executive Committee shall regulate its own affairs
subject to its conforming in all respects with the Memorandum and Articles
of Association of the League.
113. Each Executive Committee shall have such general executive
and administrative control of the affairs of the League in the territory
of its Division as are delegated to It by the Federal Council or which
it is authorised to perform by the Federal Council.
114. Each Executive Committee may delegate such of its powers
as it thinks fit to the Committee of a Branch PROVlDED HOWEVER that
the exercise of such powers have relation to the affairs of the League
in the territory of the Division in respect of which the power Is delegated.
115. Each Executive Committee may enter into leases licences
or other arrangements for the occupation of land within the territory
of its Division. 116. Each Division shall pay to the Federal Treasurer
of the League within three months after 31st March in each succeeding
year a contribution made up as follows:
115(a) such sum for "The Navy" as may be determined from time
to time by the Federal Council in respect of each member who has during
the period of twelve months or part thereof immediately preceding paid
to the Division a subscription determined pursuant to Article 8 hereof.
115(b) such sum as may be determined from time to time by the
Federal Council in respect of each member who has during the period
of twelve months or part thereof immediately preceding paid to the Division
a subscription determined pursuant to Article 8 hereof.
PROVIDED THAT the contribution per each member of the Division payable
by the Division being the total of the amounts referred to in sub-paragraphs
(a) and (b) hereof shall not exceed the annual membership subscription
of an ordinary member of the League.
BRANCHES OF THE LEAGUE
137. Branches of the League may be formed in each State or Territory
of the Commonwealth of Australia. The function of Branches shall be
to disseminate in the district in which they are formed a knowledge
of the objects and purposes for which the League is established and
to increase support for it.
138. Application for the formation of a Branch shall be made
to the Executive Committee in the States or Territory in which it is
proposed a Branch be formed.
SPECIAL PURPOSE BRANCHES OF THE LEAGUE (from 1st July 2002)
193A Where in any particular city or town in Australia there is
formed an association (whether incorporated or unincorporated) the principal
purpose of which is the support of an Australian Navy Cadet Unit ("Unit")
in that city or town, that association may apply to the Executive Committee
of the Division responsible for the State or Territory in which the
city or town is located (the "Responsible Executive Committee") for
a special purpose accreditation ("Special Purpose Accreditation") as
a Branch of the League and the following provisions shall apply.
(a) the Responsible Executive Committee shall make such enquiries
as in its absolute discretion it deems necessary to satisfy itself as
to the merits of the application for Special Purpose Accreditation as
a Branch;
(b) if the Responsible Executive Committee shall in its absolute
discretion consent to the Special Purpose Accreditation it shall thereupon
request the Federal Council to issue a Certificate of Accreditation
to the relevant Branch which shall be in such form as the Federal Council
shall from time to time determine;
(c) the Federal Council may in its absolute discretion determine
at any time to withdraw a Special Purpose Accreditation;
(d) a Branch of the League accredited under this Article (an"
Accredited Branch") shall upon its accreditation furnish to the Federal
Council a signed acknowledgement of the conditions applicable to the
accreditation in such form as the Federal Council shall from time to
time in its absolute discretion determine;
(e) any Accredited Branch shall be entitled to call itself a
Branch of the League provided the Branch title includes the name of
the city or town in which the Accredited Branch is located or, if there
is more than one Branch in that city or town, another identifying feature
such as the name of the Unit. The name of the Accredited Branch shall
be subject to the prior approval of the Federal Council;
(f) an Accredited Branch shall not form part of the corporate
structure of the League, its assets or liabilities (if any) shall not
form part of the assets or liabilities of the League and the Memorandum
and Articles of Association of the League shall not apply to it except
to the extent of the provisions of this Article 193A;
(g) the committee of an Accredited Branch shall regulate its
own affairs subject to its conforming in all respects with the provisions
of this Article 193A and the conditions issued by the Federal Council
pursuant to paragraph (d);
(h) an Accredited Branch shall not be entitled to enter into
contracts nor make any binding commitment in the name of the League,
nor hold itself out as being part of the corporate structure of the
League. Any attempt to do so is hereby expressly forbidden;
(i) an Accredited Branch shall not do any act, nor make any statement
which mayor may be likely to bring the name of the League into disrepute;
(j) individual or corporate membership of an Accredited Branch
does not thereby confer upon such individual or corporation membership
of the League. Members of an Accredited Branch are, however, encouraged
to become members of the League in their own right;
(k) each accredited Branch shall furnish to its Responsible Executive
Committee in each calendar year an annual report showing the work done
by the Accredited Branch in support of its Unit during the 12 months
preceding the date of the report; (l) each Accredited Branch
shall furnish to its Responsible Executive Committee in each calendar
year a certified statement of the accounts of the Branch for the 12
months preceding the date of the statement;
(m) each Accredited Branch shall pay to its Responsible Executive
Committee within 3 months after 31 March in each year a contribution
made up of
(i) such sum for the supply of The Navy to the Accredited Branch as
may be determined from time to time by the Federal Council; and
(ii) such sum by way of an Accredited Branch administration fee as may
be determined by the Federal Council based on the number of members
of the Accredited Branch from time to time; and
(n) the provisions of Articles 44 (a), 44 (e), 65, 68.72, 111,
114, 137-193 and 200 shall not apply to Accredited Branches
SEA CADET CORPS
194. Sea Cadet Corps Units of the League may be formed wherever
it may be deemed necessary in any State or Territory of the Commonwealth
of Australia.
195. The League shall support the Naval Reserve Cadets in such
ways as are agreed by the Federal Council and the Department of Defence
and also sponsor such organisations including the Australian Girl Sea
Cadet Corps as shall be determined by the Federal Council.
196. The Divisions may recruit and organise Sea Cadet Units for
young Australians between the ages of fourteen and eighteen years, and
may render them financial assistance from time to time, out of the Divisional
funds of the League available for the purpose.
197. The management and operation of the Sea Cadet Corps Units
shall be under the control of their respective Divisions, subject to
the approval on questions of general policy of the Federal Council.
198. No Sea Cadet Corps Unit shall have power to pledge the credit
of any Division or Branch thereof, or of the League, or to contract
liabilities on their behalf.
199. An Executive Committee upon the recommendation of the Committee
of the relevant Branch, may authorise the formation of a Parent's Auxiliary,
or other subsidiary organisation, the activities of which must be solely
confined to the interests of the Sea Cadet Corps Unit under the jurisdiction
of the relevant Branch.
AUSTRALIAN NAVAL
RESERVE CADET CORPS
HOW TO JOIN
If you are between the ages of
13 and 18 years:
The Naval Reserve Cadets, under the direct sponsorship of the Royal
Australian Navy, provides for the spiritual, social and educational
welfare of boys and girls and help to develop them in character, a sense
of patriotism, self-reliance, citizenship and discipline. Uniforms are
supplied free of charge. Cadets are required to produce a certificate
from their doctor to confirm they are capable of carrying out the normal
duties and activities of the Cadet Corps. If injured while on duty,
Cadets are considered for payment of compensation. Parades are normally
held during a weekend, Saturday or Sunday, or on Friday evening. Training
Syllabus includes seamanship, boat handling - sail and power, navigation,
physical training, rifle shooting, signalling, rope splicing, general
sporting activities and a variety of other subjects. Instructional camps
are arranged for Cadets and they are also given opportunities, whenever
possible, to undertake training at sea in ships of the Royal Australian
Navy. If Cadets are interested in pursuing a maritime career, then they
are given every assistance to join the Royal Australian Navy, Mercantile
Marine or such other maritime career option they choose. For further
information, please contact the Cadet Senior Officer in your State,
using the addresses provided below.
- ROYAL AUSTRALIAN NAVY - TRAINING
COMMAND
ANC NATIONAL
HEADQUARTERS
Naval Training Command
HMAS CERBERUS
ANC Cadets
Ph:03 5950 7804, F: 03 5983 8673
NATIONAL
ANC COMMAND STAFF
National ANC Commander: CAPT ANC Gavin Reeves (WA)
Mob:0407 425 011 Email: Gavin.Reeves@defence.gov.au
NRC
STATE DIVISIONS - CADET SENIOR OFFICERS
NSW & ACT
CMDR ANC Gary Cook, NSW & ACT,
46 North Styne Rd, Woodbine, NSW 2560,
QLD
CMDR ANC Peter Gould, 11 Counsel
ST., Cleveland, QLD 4163
SA
CMDR ANC Sandy Coulson, P.O.Box
3488, Mount Gambier, SA, 5290
TAS
CMDR ANC Michael Mann, 12 Kent St.,
Lindisfarne, TAS 7015
VIC
N/A
WA
CMDR ANC Jim O'Neill, P.O.Box 92,
PALMYRA, WA 6157
UNIT
COMPLEMENTS
(For details of Units see relevant listings on Navy League State
Division pages)
NAVY
LEAGUE OF AUSTRALIA
- ANNUAL CADET EFFICIENCY TROPHY
Awarded & presented by Chief of Navy on behalf of the Navy League
of Australia.
FOR DETAILS OF EACH UNIT SEE RELEVANT STATE OR TERRITORY LISTING ON
WEB
(A) NAVY LEAGUE OF AUSTRALIA
- Control & Admin. Period 1930 - 1972
YEAR AWARDED/WINNER/Finalists: QLD/NSW-ACT/
VIC/
TAS/
SA/ WA/
NT
(click on each state
to go to the Cadet unit details)
1959 BARWON (VIC) MAGNUS
GAYUNDAH SYDNEY ALBATROSS BARWON AVALON DERWENT TAMAR
1960 MAGNUS (QLD) MAGNUS GAYUNDAH ALBATROSS SYDNEY BARWON HENTY
LEVEN TAMAR BEDFORD
1961 GAYUNDAH (QLD) GAYUNDAH SIRIUS VOYAGER EMU ADELAIDE BEDFORD
1962 BEDFORD (WA) GAYUNDAH ALBATROSS BARWON DERWENT ADELAIDE
BEDFORD
1963 WARREGO (NSW) GAYUNDAH WARREGO BARWON DERWENT FLINDERS BEDFORD
1964 FLINDERS (SA) MAGNUS SIRIUS LATROBE LEVEN FLINDERS CRESWELL
1965 DERWENT (TAS) PALUMA TOBRUK VOYAGER DERWENT FLFNDERS CYGNET
1966 PALUMA (QLD) PALUMA ALBATROSS VOYAGER DERWENT FLINDERS PERTH
1967 TOBRUK (NSW) GAYUNDAH TOBRUK BARWON LEVEN ADELAIDE PERTH
1968 MELBOURNE (VIC) PALUMA TOBRUK MELBOURNE LEVEN FLINDERS BEDFORD
1969 MAGNUS (QLD) MAGNUS TOBRUK VOYAGER TAMAR ADELAIDE PERTH
1970 GAMBIER (SA) PALUMA CANBERRA ALBATROSS BARWON MERSEY GAMBIER
PERTH
1971 PERTH (WA) TYALGUM SIRIUS BARWON DERWENT ADELAIDE PERTH
1972 ADELAIDE (SA) BUNDABERG PARRAMATTA BENDIGO DERWENT ADELAIDE
MORROW
A special joint subcommittee comprising
the Director of Naval Reserves, CMDR Neil Bowes, Federal President of
NLA, John Howse, & Fed V-Pres. NLA, CMDR F.Geoffrey Evans, investigated
all Australian units in the late 1960s. In consultation with the joint
RAN/NLA "Sea Cadet Council" they recommended to the Naval Board that
the cadets forming NLAs 2500+ strong 14-18 year old 'Australian Sea
Cadet Corps' (ASCC) become part of a new Royal Australian Navy "Naval
Reserve Cadets" organisation to be formed by the Government. In January
1973 the Navy League of Australia (NLA) transferred all cadets to the
RAN's new NRC. The Navy League's ASCC continued and Western Australia
Division of Navy league continues with cadets in the under 14 age bracket,
after which they may elect to join the NRC on reaching the age of 14.
(B) ROYAL AUSTRALIAN NAVY - Australian
Navy CADET ORGANISATION 1973 -
1978 ANZAC (WA) BUNDABERG
SIRIUS VOYAGER DERWENT FLINDERS ANZAC
1979 HAWKESBURY (NSW) GAYUNDAH HAWKESBURY BARWON MERSEY FLINDERS
VANCOUVER
1980 BARWON (VIC) PALUMA SIRIUS BARWON MERSEY WHYALLA PERTH
1981 BARWON (VIC) GAYUNDAH CONDAMINE BARWON DERWENT ADELAIDE
GASCOYNE
1982 CONDAMINE (NSW) NORFOLK CONDAMINE VOYAGER DERWENT GAMBIER
ANZAC
1983 TAMAR (TAS) ENDEAVOUR HAWKESBURY VOYAGER TAMAR WHYALLA CANNING
1984 CANNING (WA) CORALSEA CANBERRA MELBOURNE TAMAR WHYALLA CANNING
1985 BUNDABERG (QLD) BUNDABERG ALBATROSS HENTY YORK ADELAIDE
MORROW
1986 FLINDERS (SA) PIONEER ALBATROSS MELBOURNE MERSEY FLINDERS
1987 BARWON (VIC) PIONEER TOBRUK BARWON EMU FLINDERS BUNBURY
1988 VANCOUVER(WA) BUNDABERG VAMPIRE MILDUPA LEVEN NOARLUNGA
VANCOUVER
1989 CORAL SEA (QLD) CORAL SEA SHROPSHIRE BARWON TAMAR NOARLUNGA
1990 BUNDABERG (QLD) BUNDABERG VAMPIRE LATROBE LEVEN STURT PERTH
1991 STURT(SA) TYALGUM VENDETTA BARWON DERWENT STURT CANNING
1992 MARMION (WA) NORFOLK CANBERRA VOYAGER TAMAR NOARLUNGA MARMION
1993 VENDETTA (NSW) NORFOLK VENDETTA VOYAGER EMU FLINDERS PILBARA
1994 MARMION (WA) NORFOLK VENDETTA TINGIRA EMU WHYALLA MARMION
1995 NORFOLK (QLD) NORFOLK SHOALHAVEN MELBOURNE MERSEY FLINDERS
VANCOUVER MELVILLE BAY
1996 TYALGUM (WA) TYALGUM SHOALHAVEN BARWON MERSEY ADELAIDE ANZAC
1997 TYALGUM (QLD) TYALGUM NEPEAN TINGIRA MERSEY AUGUSTA MARMION
1998 MERSEY (QLD) TYALGUM CANBERRA VOYAGER MERSEY STUART
MARMION DARWIN
1999 HAWKESBURY (NSW-ACT)ENDEAVOUR HAWKESBURY VOYAGER
DERWENT AUGUSTA MARMION DARWIN
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
SEA CADETS 1920 - 2000
History of its Beginnings and
Spread World Wide
The Navy League's Australian
Sea Cadet Corps ASCC 1920 - 1972.
The Australian Naval Cadet Corps ANCC 1907- 1929
NLSCC - History during the 1939-45 World War
Naval Reserve Cadets NRC 1973 - 31 March 2001
Australian Navy Cadets 1st April 2001 -
Navy League
Sea Cadet Corps' History
The (UK) Sea Cadets are a uniformed,
disciplined youth movement based upon the customs and traditions of
the Royal Navy.
To help young people towards responsible adulthood by encouraging valuable
personal attributes and high standards of conduct using a nautical theme
based on Naval customs. The oldest and most enduring youth organization
in the World and Great Britain, is the Sea Cadet Corps.
This Corps can trace its heritage back to the Crimean War, when, in
1856, sailors returning home from the campaign set up "Naval Lads Brigades"
to give orphans and disadvantaged youngsters a taste of self discipline
and leadership.
These origins can be traced back to the Kent port of Whitstable where
the first of the Naval Lads Brigades was established.
So successful were the Brigades in helping disadvantaged youth that
the Navy League, a national organisation with a membership of a quarter
of a million dedicated to supporting the Royal Navy, adopted them in
1910.
Four years later (1914) with sponsorship of the Admiralty, the Sea Cadet
Corps was formed. Sea Cadets served with distinction in both world wars
- From those early beginnings in the backstreets of Britain's seaports
grew the Sea Cadets, now a 16000 strong youth movement with 400 units
the length and breadth of England.
Based on maritime traditions the
Corps, having become independent in 1910 under the auspices of the Navy
League and then the fully-fledged Navy League Sea Cadet Corps nine years
later after World War 1, pledged to uphold Britannia's naval heritage.
In the Second World War, the Corps provided communicators for the Fleet,
with their Units receiving a "bounty" for every trained signalman who
went to sea. They were known as "Bounty Boys".
And tradition lives on. Sea Cadet officers still wear the wavy lace
insignia of the wartime Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve - heroes of the
battle of the Atlantic. Although sponsored by the Royal Navy, the Corps
is also supported by its own national charity, the Sea Cadet Association
which raises funds for the Corps and maintains the Sea Cadet fleet including
the Corps' flagship, the square rigged brig 'Royalist'.
In late 1944 the age limit was changed to allow for lads up to
their 18th birthday to serve in the UK cadets. Prior to this they were
retained up until their 17th birthday. This change had some qualifications:
· The CO desired to retain them.
· Passed Examination for Cadet PO or Cadet Leading Seaman.
· If Cadet Seaman must have served not less than one year in the Corps.
· Be accepted for the Admiralty "Y" scheme Reserve.
· Not adversely affect recruitment of younger boys.
· Cadets who attain 18th birthday are supernumeraries, additional to
both establishment and strength - not eligible for capitation or proficiency
grants unless they are "Y" Scheme Reservists.
In late 1944 the Navy League Gallantry Cross was awarded
to three UK Cadets, Kenneth Seavers from TS York; LS Kenneth Gamble
from TS Stockton-on-Tees and Cadet V. Stead from TS Whitby.
In 1976, the Navy League
became the Sea Cadet Association (SCA), the parent charity which
raises funds to support the Corps and provide the educational and adventure
facilities for the cadets, including traditional sail training aboard
the Corps' own flagship, the square rigged brig TS ROYALIST.
Cadets also experience hands-on sea duty aboard Royal Navy ships. Under
the umbrella of the SCA, each Sea Cadet Unit is an independent charity
in its own right, staffed by volunteer officers and senior ratings holding
Sea Cadet ranks under the auspices of the Royal Naval Reserve. Boys
and girls aged 12 to 18 years are welcomed into the cadet ranks and
wear traditional Royal Navy uniforms.
Junior sections cater for the 10 to 12 age group, whilst the Royal Marine
Detachments for boys aged 13 to 18 have also been introduced to complete
the nautical mix, and thus offer a broad range of interest and activities.
The Corps Today (2000 AD)
Although supported and partly funded by the Royal Navy, the UK Sea Cadet
Corps is not a pre-service organization, and training programs undertaken
by cadets, basic seamanship and nautical skills, also offers recognized
qualifications in subjects such as electrical and mechanical engineering,
computers, communications and catering which stand the cadets in good
stead whatever career they pursue. Each Sea Cadet Unit has developed
close ties with the local community, cemented through a Management Committee,
which works alongside the Unit's Commanding Officer to provide a worthwhile
programme of activities and spearhead fund raising initiatives at local
level.
Into the Future Looking forward to the Millennium and beyond, the British
Sea Cadets are rising to a new and exciting challenge, carrying forward
the time-honoured image of a maritime nation onto the international
stage, forging links with like minded nautical youth training movements
around the globe through the newly formed International Sea Cadet
Association (ISCA).
"Encouraging good citizenship and mutual understanding among young
people through nautical training world-wide"
is the ISCA slogan and with a total membership of over 2500 000
cadets, a truly global investment for the future.
CADET UNITS (Partial listing
only)
UK Sea Cadet Corps (1944)
TS Aberdeen TS Acton TS Battleaxe TS Bebbington TS Birkenhead TS Braintree
TS Brentwood TS Chelmsford TS Chingford TS City of Bath Boys' School
TS Clacton TS Colchester TS Dagenham TS Ellesmere Port TS Essex TS Falmouth
- TS Farnworth TS Holylake TS Kearsley TS Merthyr - second anniversary
in December 1944. TS Romford TS ROYALIST square rigged brig TS Southend
- 48 cadets obtained their RNVR Commissions, eleven in 1944. TS St Clement
Danes - 1000 cadets passed through the Unit before September 1939, the
outbreak of the 1939-45 war. Their headquarters were within the area
where 7 Nazi flying bombs fell, one slightly damaging their building.
TS Stockton-on-Tees Unit TS Stoke-Newington TS Tunbridge Wells TS Wallasey
TS Whitby Unit TS Winchmore Hill TS Wirral TS Wood Green TS York
NEW ZEALAND
- New Zealand had become a Dominion in 1907. For many years New
Zealand paid an annual sum to the Admiralty as its share towards Naval
Defence. The Navy League Branches in New Zealand had formed (4) Sea
Cadet Corps Units . TS Wellington TS Canterbury - formed at Christchurch
in 1928 by the Navy League Canterbury (New Zealand) Branch. This
branch also secured Quail Island in Lyttelton Harbour as a residential
and training camp for Sea Cadets in the New Zealand Dominion. TS Waireka
- at Dunedin TS Auckland
1952 - Plans announced to expand the Sea Cadet system in
New Zealand. The New Zealand Minister of Defence, the Hon. T.L.
Macdonald, announced that New Zealand Naval Board will give more help
in training Sea Cadet Corps, which is organised by the New Zealand Navy
League. They will issue free uniforms to all officers and cadets and
they plan, with the co-operation of headmasters, to establish Sea Cadet
units in 15 secondary schools in the four main centres. This has been
decided, after a successful experiment in three Auckland schools.
Sub-Lieutenant L. F. Luxton, R.N.Z.N.V.R. (Sp.) comments about the
RNZN:-
New Zealand's past is rich in naval history. Names like Cook, Hobson,
Jellicoe, Scott and Sanders V.C., are a part of their tradition. The
Royal New Zealand Navy is administered by a Navy Board from the capital.
Wellington. Because the Service is so young and has few senior officers,
most of the senior posts are held by officers on loan from the Royal
Navy. Under the Naval Board are the Various Staff Officers in charge
of departments, as the Director of Reserves and Mobilisation. NZ seagoing
forces-" The New Zealand Squadron " consists of two light cruisers
of the " Dido " class, Bellona and Black Prince, both of which are loaned
by the Admiralty though manned chiefly by New Zealanders. There are
six frigates of the "Loch" class which have been renamed after New Zealand
lakes. Two frigates have been serving in Korean waters since soon after
the commencement of hostilities, where they do a 12 months' tour of
duty. There are six AIS trawlers, two New Zealand built minesweepers
and-a recent addition-four new sweepers, which are a present from the
Australian Government. This gift was much appreciated by New Zealand.
There are, of course. other smaller craft and New Zealand has also a
Survey Ship of 1,420 tons. Then there are the shore establishments,
including the new entry training establishment, H.M.N.Z.S. Tamaki on
Motuihe Island, Auckland, where Sea Cadets take one of their annual
courses.
There are four R.N.Z.N.V.R. Divisions, one in each of the four
main cities, Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin. Practically
all advanced training is carried out in Australia or the United Kingdom
and cadets and midshipmen are also sent to Naval Colleges in these countries.
New Zealand has a small Naval Reserve, a Volunteer Supplementary
Reserve and a Women's Royal New Zealand Naval Service. They have a wide
range of responsibilities. The boundaries of the Station border the
Equator in the North and the shores of Antarctica in the South. . Last
year they even ran a coal mine during industrial trouble, but, just
as in the Royal Navy, " it's all in the day's work."
AUSTRALIA
Federated the six previous colonies formed between 1788 and 1900
to form the Australian Commonwealth in 1901. Before this happened
Tasmania had formed the first Navy league Branch in Australia in November
1900 and from this beginning the Navy league expanded into all States
of the new Commonwealth with the NSW Branch starting in November 1918
and within eighteen months had the honour of starting Australia's first
Sea Cadet Corps with the inception of the Balmain Company in 1920.
At the same time this branch started the world's third only Navy League
Journal after England and Canada.
Lieut. (E) J.G. Shillington RN who was serving in Sydney towards the
end of the 1939-45 war (in the first half of 1945) commented
about the navy league and the Sea Cadets "The ACNB did little more
than recognise the existence of the Navy League Sea Cadets, although
more interest was starting to be shown. The ACNB allows the 7 NSW, 4
Victorian & one or two in South Australian Navy League Sea Cadet Units
to buy boats, when available. The seventh NSW NLSCC Unit was located
at Orange, a small country town of about 15,000 inhabitants, 150 miles
inland. Of the four units in Victoria two are in Melbourne and two in
other towns. All Units in NSW parade on Saturday afternoons with usually
an evening parade on Wednesday or Thursday as well. The Units are known
by the name of their depot, which they wear on their cap ribbon, prefaced
by the letters "NLTD" (Navy League Training Depot). All are named after
RAN and RN Ships , past and present; Australia, Canberra, Endeavour,
Perth, Sirius, Victory and Warrego." (He makes no mention of TS
Sydney?). "At the beginning of 1946, owing to the war and the lack
of assistance from the ACNB, the Corps was very badly off for officers
and equipment, and hence was low in strength. Most officers had left,
either going into the Services or doing other war work. Of the officers
who remained most were ex-cadets who had been promoted to fill the vacancies;
about two-thirds of the officers in the Corps were under 23, many being
much less. Boats and similar gear were, of course, unobtainable and
the average strength of units at this time was about thirty or forty.
Now, however, things are looking up; officers are being released from
the Services and gear is beginning to come through. When the Navy League
(NSW) Committee heard that I was to be in Sydney for some months, they
asked me to help them rebuild the Corps on Service Lines, and as nearly
as possible on the same basis as the Corps in England. For this I was
appointed Training Officer on the staff of the Sea Cadet Commander,
who was the Senior Officer of the Corps. This was a spare-time job -
there are no whole-time officers in the Corps in Australia. One of the
main problems was that most of the officers and instructors had no sea
or naval experience. Textbooks and training manuals were difficult to
get, and there was no comprehensive set of orders governing the details
of running the Corps. We dealt with these matters first, as they were
necessary before we could start to build up the Corps to its old strength
of about 600 cadets in Sydney alone. Classes were arranged for officers
(intended for the younger ones promoted from the Cadets), CPOs and POs;
we tried to give them a naval background, and help them with power of
command and instructional techniques - a formidable task, successful
only because of the enthusiasm of most of the young officers. The existing
rules and regulations were extended and altered to bring them up to
date, and in accordance with the practice at home. The training syllabus
is now exactly the same as the British one, and the uniform and advanced
regulations are very similar to those in force in England. In order
to get over the lack of drill books, I had the relevant sections of
the Field Training manual typed out and duplicated. It ran to twenty-eight
foolscap pages in all and took one man a week to do! Notes were prepared
and distributed on such subjects as Leadership, Training, and How to
Instruct. I was not able to arrange gunnery instruction, which I would
have liked to do, as it was first necessary to concentrate on the simplest
aspects of training. Between January and May (when I left) cadets in
Sydney has a fairly full programme of ceremonial. They took part in
two displays, the larger one at the Sydney Sports ground, before about
30,000 people. The Sea Cadets were the smartest drilled contingent in
this grand parade of Sydney's youth, although they did not provide an
individual turn afterwards, as did some of the other organsiations.
The Cadets lined part of Martin Place, near the Cenotaph, for Australia's
National Remembrance Ceremony, the Anzac Day March. All the ex-Service
men of the World Wars marched in this parade, and the column marched
twelve across, and took two and a half hours to pass. This march is
held every year on 25th April, the anniversary of the landing of the
Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) at Gallipoli in 1915.
A parade of 3,000 members of youth organisations through the centre
of Sydney included the Sea Cadets contingent headed by the drum band
of NLTD Australia. In addition to these large parades, cadets took part
in several smaller ones, including tow church parades. During January
a party of cadets visited HMS Anson (in which I was serving at the time)
and were shown around and given tea on board. I have heard since that
the cadets were invited to form part of the naval contingent in Sydney's
Victory Day parade."
Brisbane - Reported that the Merchant Service was training Sea
Cadets in Brisbane in 1945.
AUSTRALIA'S 13 SHIPS
The Navy League of Australia listed the following Sea Cadet Training
Ships in last year's (1951) presidential report :
In New South Wales there is T.S. Australia at Lavender Bay ;
T.S. Warrego, Woolwich ; T.S. Perth, Manly T.S. Sirius, George River
; and T.S. Beatty, Woollongong. And there is T.S. Sydney at Snapper
Island, Sydney Harbour, which is affiliated to the New South Wales Division.
In Victoria there are six units : T.S. Melbourne, Port Melbourne
; T.S. Cerberus, Black Rock. T.S. Anzac, Footscray Technical School
; T.S. Lightning, Geelong ; T.S. Henty, Portland ; T.S. Avalon, Geelong
Grammar School.
And in Tasmania there is T.S. Hobart, of Hobart and Burnie.
In October 1949, was published an article on Australia's "Ship
on an Island", the Sea Cadet training establishment on Snapper
Island, one of the westernmost islands in Sydney Harbour. Commenting
in an article on the first H.M.A.S. Sydney which appeared in The Navy
magazine, Sub-Lieutenant John H. O'Connell wrote that the Sydney Training
Depot is a " living " memorial to H.M.A.S. Sydney. Here, in his
own words, is the history of T.S. Sydney.
"Founded in 1928 by Commander (S.C.) L. E. Forsythe, on the shore
of Iron Cove as a memorial to H.M.A.S. Sydney." (O'Connell is not
correct about this detail as TS Sydney started out as the Navy League
of NSW's Drummoyne Company formed in 1922, the third unit to be formed
in Australia, which in the late 1920s adopted the name for its training
depot, 'Sydney', as a memorial to HMAS Sydney just before it moved to
Snapper Island. See separate history of TS Sydney for details.- JMW).
"This unit of the Navy League Sea Cadets transferred in 1931 to Snapper
Island, a cruiser-sized outcrop of rock in the harbour. In the 20 years
which have elapsed the cadets, with the inspiration and assistance of
Sea Cadet Commander Forsythe, built the finest Sea Cadet Headquarters
in the British Commonwealth. The depot houses many relics of H.M.A.S.
Sydney, Tread Plate, Telemotor, Telegraphs, and even Topmast. There
are relics of other ships ranging from the bath tub from H.M.A.S. Anzac
1, to the survey cutter Silvio, once carried by H.M.A.S. Moresby (ex-H.M.S.
Silvio). "Almost 3,000 Sea Cadets have been trained here through the
years, and it is only within the last 12 months that any assistance
has been given by the Navy. (This assistance is still limited to the
issue of uniforms and a limited quantity of instructional equipment.)
The depot now comprises the T.S. Sydney, unit of the Australian Sea
Cadet Corps and also the headquarters of' the New South Wales division
of the Corps. Also established here is a unit of the G.N.T.C."
1952 -
Canadian, Australian and New Zealand Cadets went to England for
the Commonwealth Course in HMS Osprey. They attended a reception by
her Majesty the Queen, where they met Admiral Sir Louis Hamilton- Chairman
of the Navy League. Later they met Mr J.P.L. Thomas First Lord of the
Admiralty at their Empire camp where they were attending their Commonwealth
Sea Cadet training Course. He was accompanied by Capt (E) J.W. Bull
representing the Australian High Commissioner (HC), Mr F Hudd H.C. for
Canada, Mr F.W. Doidge HC for new Zealand, Vice-Admiral Sir Gilbert
Stephenson KBE CB CMG DL RN, Maj-General T.N.F. Wilson CB DSO MC, and
Captain A.D.H. Jay DSO DSC RN representing Admiral Commanding Reserves,
Executives from Portland Naval Base and many other officers including
Captain-in-Charge Captain S.J. Boord and Captain J.B. Frewen of the
Osprey - all of whom were most enthusiastic about the course. Later
the cadets had the opportunity to visit many scenic and historic places
of interest.
INDIA
News of the Sea Cadet Corps in India 1952.
The Commanding Officer of the Corps in Bombay, Rao Sahib G.S. Ahuja.
They had two inspections, one by His Excellency Raja Mahraj Singh, the
Governor of Bombay and another by Rear Admiral N. V. Dickinson, D.S.O.,
D.S.C., Flag Officer (Flotilla) Indian Fleet. We shall hope soon to
reproduce these photographs in the magazine. Meanwhile here are extracts
from Admiral Parry's address to the cadets, after the farewell parade
which was held in his honour in September last at the Castle Barracks,
Bombay: - "I think the thing that pleases me most about your body here
is that you come here voluntarily. You are here not because you have
got to do it but because you want to do it, and that is one thing I
should like to see here in India- people wanting to do things on the
sea, and taking a real interest in the sea. It is tremendously important
to India that as many people as possible should be keen about it. "You
must not forget that everything that comes into India-whether it is
food or oil or anything else comes in ships. Everything that leaves
India goes in ships. . . . "You chaps are setting a jolly good example.
. . . I should like to see some of you join the Navy or go to sea in
some shape or form. "I do congratulate you, Mr. Ahuja, on the start
you have made and I hope a lot more boys will join you. Good luck to
you all." His Excellency the Governor of Bombay also addressed the cadets
after inspecting them in May last. He remarked on their smart and happy
appearance and said that a man who does his work and enjoys it should
go a long way to making a " good man and a good officer." He told them--"
I have had the pleasure of meeting some of your old boys. Two of them
are holding high pests in the Scindia Steamship Company, and I have
no doubt that many of you will also do well in your after life." After
he had congratulated the officers and men for their smart appearance
on parade, His Excellency announced a gift of 300 rupees to be spent
at the discretion of the Commanding Officer and Commodore R. M. T. Taylor,
R.N., Commodore-in-Charge Bombay and Honorary Patron of the Corps, on
a trophy or challenge cup for the Corps. His Excellency ended his speech
with a compliment to the excellent Sea Cadet band, " which I have
had the pleasure of hearing on more than one occasion," and he praised
them on their earlier rendering of the National Anthem.
CANADA
Parts of Canada became a Dominion in 1867. The first Canadian
Branch, of the British Navy League, was formed at Toronto, Ontario (very
much an inland city, although on the Great Lakes) in December, 1895,
being the 5th Branch in the Empire. At the time there was no
Canadian Navy, as it was not established until May, 1910. So
the League was active on 2 fronts: support for a strong Royal Navy,
in various forms, and in urging the Canadian Government to establish
a Canadian Navy. At the time, no Sea Cadets, although youth were to
be encouraged to "follow the sea", i.e. in a modestly flourishing Merchant
Marine, or by joining the RN. Other Branches were formed, in Montreal,
Vancouver, Victoria (in 1901), Quebec City and elsewhere, but tended
not to last, only being re-activated with the onset of war in 1914.
However in 1904 there were 11 Branches in the Dominion, but only 3 "had
attempted to do any active work." The first of the reasonably documented
youth operations, and only boys at that, was possibly in 1902 when the
Canadian Branch of the Boys Naval Brigade was possibly formed, copying
the British Boys Naval Brigades. But then again, later the BNB group
refers to being started in 1917 in a Toronto church basement, as does
later NLC (Navy League of Canada) publications of the day! All quite
vague. Decisions to offer moral, and sometimes financial support for
the BNB was strictly local, voluntary and unofficial.
The Navy League IN Canada was replaced in June, 1917 by The Navy
League OF Canada, a body corporate in its own right, with headquarters
in Montreal, who had a very active Branch from before the war.
The NLC then offered to subsidise the local Boys Naval Brigades in 1918.
There were, evidently although not officially, cadets being supported
by Branches on an ad hoc and local basis by 1920 or so - certainly in
British Columbia... probably of the Boys Naval Brigades, which did not
come under NLC management or direction. In 1924 the already existing
BNBs supported by Barnches were arranged to be re-titled Navy League
Sea Cadet Corps.
That year there were reported 19 Corps, some with "names" such as HMS
LION and HMS VICTORY, others with titles: "HMS Boy Travers Cornwall"
(in Winnipeg - still existing!), "White Ensign" and "Captain Vancouver"
They had, reportedly, 1,416 member Cadets, although this may have included
instructors and commanders. So, in reality and officially, these were
the first Corps and 1924 the first OFFICIAL Sea Cadet Corps date.
However all the above and still existing corps object to this, saying
"they were in existence much earlier!!" It's all a bit shady and not
officially recorded, except by occasional side notes in early annual
meetings of Branches, and then the NLC. Detailed (i.e. Naval!) record-keeping
seems not to have been a strong point. After the 2nd War, a parallel
series of girls Corps were established, the Wrennettes, by 1954.
Also in the 1950s the Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Corps became that
in name, and a junior series of Corps, for youngsters 10 to 13 were
formed where wanted by Divisional (i.e.) Provincial commands, these
being, and still are our Navy League Cadets. Currently the Royal Canadian
Sea Cadet Corps are administered, trained and financed jointly by the
League and our Department of National Defence; they include as absolute
equals boys and girls, ages 13 to 18.
The officers hold commissions in the Reserves, but on a special "List"
of Cadet Officers, with their Army and Air force counterparts.
The League manages entirely on its own the Navy League Cadets, also
now boys and girls, ages 9 to 13. There is no direct link between the
Sea Cadets and DND service, although they very much dictate policy,
issue all training manuals, provide for Camps, etc. And sadly and rather
surprisingly, very little connection between the RCSCC and the Naval
Reserves. While they come under a single Reg. Force Senior Officer,
thereafter there is little connection officially, although often there
is at the local level, where Corps and Reserves often share the same
buildings. Canadian Sea Cadets were publishing their Sea Cadet Log
in January 1946.
UNION OF SOUTH AFRICA was
formed in 1907 as a result of the 1899-1902 civil war
. SOUTHERN RHODESIA
- East AFrica TS Salisbury - formed in 1936. "In 1944 the
Government suddenly became aware of its value and its sister unit TS
Bulawayo. The TS Salisbury Unit was incorporated into the Southern Rhodesia
Defence Force as the "1st Division, Southern Rhodesian Sea Cadet Corps".
In 1950 the unit was re-organised into a semi-territorial Unit
under the command of Lieutenant S.W. Burn RNVR and is now run on the
lines of a Royal Navy Ship's Company, with strict service discipline
and routine. The units Training Ship Mashona has been redecorated by
the ship's company. The cadets receive their practical seamanship training
during the weekend camps at Mazoe Dam, where brick-built mess decks
have been provided for them. They had a fleet of one Admiralty Whaler,
two Sharpie yachts and a Dinghy and a Sun Class yacht. In July 1951
ten cadet joined HMS Bermuda, flagship of C-I-C South Atlantic, for
a three weeks training cruise from Durban to Lourenco Marques. The cadets
who were on this cruise were later given permission by Admiral Sir Herbert
Packer KCB to wear the HMS Bermuda cap ribbon as a mark of his appreciation.
The TS Mashona ship's complement was increased to allow for two officers
and 60 ratings, but at present their strength is one officer and 59
ratings. In view of the fact that a senior cadet, on reaching the age
of 19, may now join the Territorial Armed Force for his National Service,
and then be seconded to the Sea cadet Unit for further training, there
is an added incentive for cadets to take a long-term view of their service
in the unit. Only four cadets enjoy this privilege at present. A further
advantage is that they will probably be required to go to sea for at
least three weeks each year."
- HISTORY
IN the UK & AUSTRALIA during the 1939-45 World War
When H.M. The King became Admiral
of
'The Navy League Sea Cadet Corps'
The Navy League Journal March 1943 p3
Large numbers of the youth of the country and of the Dominions overseas
have a love of the sea in their hearts, and from its inception, in 1896,
the Navy League endeavoured to educate youth in what the sea means to
the British Empire, and to assist those boys who wished to join the
Royal Navy or Mercantile Marine. At that time few organisations existed
for those high-spirited youngsters who enjoyed little discipline or
moral training, especially after leaving school at the age of 14 years,
and the Committee of the Navy League were disturbed at the lack of provision
of a reserve of seamen for the Royal Navy, and at the dwindling proportion
of British seamen in British merchant ships. As a start, therefore,
a Sea Training Home" was established at Liverpool: this is still in
existence. In the same year (1900) the Windsor and Eton Branch of the
Navy League established a training ship on the Thames, and eight years
later another training ship was started by the Reading Branch. It was
from these small beginnings that the Navy League Sea Cadet Corps grew,
until, in 1910, the annual Trafalgar Day appeal was launched and the
various Boys' Naval-Training Brigades working under the auspices of
different branches were reorganised and the several units were affiliated
to the Navy League. The urge to form a Unit came in most cases from
those who had already formed themselves into a local Branch of the Navy
League; in other cases, in places where no Branch existed, from prominent
local residents, who had at heart the interests of the country and the
welfare of the boys. By 1914 there were twenty-seven Boys' Naval Brigades
affiliated to the Navy League and three Navy League training brigs.
The movement having been established on sure foundations, Admiralty
recognition was sought and readily granted, on 14th January, 1919, to
the thirty-four Navy League Naval Brigades, provided the unit passed
an inspection by an officer detailed by the Admiral Commanding Reserves.
The name "Navy League Sea Cadet Corps" was then formally adopted. Each
Sea Cadet Corps was administered by a local committee who accepted responsibility
for providing financial support; conducted the unit in accordance with
the Regulations laid down; and rendered an annual statement of accounts
to the Headquarters or the Navy League. Units, especially those in the
poor districts, received regular financial assistance from Navy League
Funds, and special grants were also made to meet the casual requirements
of any unit which met unexpected calls on its finances. On receipt of
official recognition from the Admiralty each Corps was granted stores
from naval sources (if available) to the value of £50 and a capitation
grant of 3s. 6d. for the number of boys between the ages of 12 and 18
present at the annual inspection. The officers were granted Navy League
Sea Cadet Commissions, and their names figured in the Official Navy
List. Naval uniform, authorised by Admiralty, was provided for the Cadets
by Navy League funds; but it was a general rule that no boy received
uniform until he had proved himself worthy of the honour - usually after
about three months. Authority was also given for a Sea Cadet Corps Banner
- the Union Flag, defaced with the Badge of the Navy League. Patriotic
men, with some knowledge of the sea - and a wish to help youth, voluntarily
gave their services and their leisure to act as officers and instructors.
No praise is too high for their splendid work, and a debt of gratitude
is due also to those who carried on under difficult conditions and,
during the fifteen years which preceded the present war, not only with
lack of encouragement from the public, but often against actual opposition
from local bodies and societies whose dislike of "uniform" and any form
of drill and discipline over-rode any desire for the "moral social and
physical training of boys," which was one of the main objectives of
the movement at that time. For two years, from 1925-27, the small capitation
grant was withdrawn. Criticism and opposition did not, however, discourage
the Sea Cadets. With the loyal help of the local Committees, the officers
of the Sea Cadet Corps and, most important of all, the boys themselves,
the movement grew steadily in strength and efficiency. The value of
the discipline and training was fully appreciated by the Police who
kept in touch with Commanding Officers thereby benefiting many a boy
who was good at heart, but was drifting into bad company. Navy League
Sea Cadet Corps were also formed in the overseas Dominions and in Southern
Rhodesia. and although these Corps did not enjoy exactly the same official
recognition and financial assistance as those in Great Britain, they
were organised on similar lines to those of the parent Navy League,
and they flourished with the help given by local Committees and a degree
of recognition from the Dominion Governments which varied in each country.
Owing to the untiring energy and enthusiasm of the late Lord Lloyd the
sea Cadet Corps made rapid strides in numbers and efficiency after he
assumed the Presidency of the Navy League in 1930. By 1939 the number
of Sea Cadet Corps in the United Kingdom had nearly reached the hundred
mark; this being the maximum then authorised to receive Admiralty recognition.
The Cadets numbered about 9,000. The outbreak of war came as a great
blow to the Sea Cadet Corps, because owing to the recent consolidation
and expansion a steady flow of officers and instructors was essential,
instead of which many officers and ratings were recalled to naval service.
Deprived of many of their officers and with those remaining over-worked,
faced with problems of accommodation which in many cases had been commandeered
by the Army, it is not surprising that some units closed down. Winded,
but with heart and lungs still sound, the vitality of the Sea Cadet
Corps soon reasserted itself. Fresh accommodation, of a sort, was found
and fresh officers and instructors enlisted. Cadets were, with marked
success, promoted to officer's rank. A certain London, unit compelled
to close down for some months, was revived by two Cadets, both under
the age of 18, and at a subsequent Admiralty inspection the unit received
special praise. Such a spirit could not but triumph over difficulties,
and by January, 1940, the tide turned. All but two units were in full
operation, but, recruits had often to be refused owing to lack of accommodation.
A valuable step taken by the Navy League was the opening of establishments
for the training of signalmen for the Royal Navy. The "Bounty," an old
Bristol Channel sailing ship, was purchased and another establishment
opened at Slough. In December, 1940, at a conference at the Admiralty,
the assistance of the Navy League was sought to meet a demand for Signalmen
and Telegraphists. The Navy League undertook to supply some four hundred
partly-trained boys annually. So successful was this "Bounty" scheme
that it was suggested the number should be very largely increased. It
was just not possible to do this without some financial assistance,
and official backing to overcome the difficulty of obtaining uniforms,
equipment and accommodation. The following arrangements were, therefore,
made, and came into force on 1st February, 1942. The Admiralty assumed
control of the training of the boys; appointed salaried Area officers;
granted temporary, unpaid RNVR Commissions to the Sea Cadet officers;
and provided the following: - uniforms for boys between 14 and 17; uniform
grant for officers ; naval stores, if available; an equipment grant
of £25 for each unit and an annual capitation grant of 12s. for boys
of 14 to 17, and 3s. 6d. for younger boys; £14 capitation grant for
each "Bounty" entrant. The Administration of the movement was left in
the hands of the Navy League and of Local Committees. Courses for Sea
Cadet officers; PT Courses for selected cadets; and Summer Camps at
which instructional courses were held, were also arranged by the Admiralty.
It is probable that this 'Bounty" Scheme will be still be further extended.
Owing to the number of applicants to join the Sea Cadets being greatly
in excess of the numbers that are required, a high standard is achieved.
The aim is efficiency rather than numbers. Owing partly to the limited
number of-competent officers and instructors available at a this time
and partly to the undesirability of "raising false hopes of a sea career
to all, the present maximum number aimed at is 50,000. It has also been
found desirable to limit the number of units, and to concentrate on
centres equally distributed throughout the country, rather than to have
an unlimited number of very small units. Efficient instruction is impossible
if the unit is too small, and experience has shown that a boy who is
keen will willingly travel by bicycle or bus for some miles to attend
his drills. The wearing of uniform by officers or cadets is prohibited
except when actually at instruction or on parade, or when going to and
fro. The Sea Cadet Corps has been, and is still, organised and operates
quite separately from the cadets normal home life, employment or school;
but this does not imply that ordinary education is ignored. An Education
Liaison officer is attached to each unit, not for the purpose of giving
continuation education to boys in uniform, but to encourage the cadets
to continue their education, under the education authorities, at times
when they are not employed at technical instruction. An educational
standard is necessary to qualify for the "Y" Scheme, which enables Sea
Cadets of 17 and above to volunteer for service in the Royal Navy, including
the Fleet Air Arm, and while still remaining with their Corps to be
placed on an Unpaid Reserve until required to commence regular training.
This brief account of the aims and objects of the Sea Cadet Corps can
best be concluded by quoting an extract from a letter written by the
late Lord Lloyd, President of the Navy League, shortly before his lamented
death in 1941:- "I believe that in its system of training, its discipline,
its physique, its eager recreation and practical self-control lies the
secret of perfect youth training. This great organisation has proved
itself in peace; it has more than justified itself in war. But its value
lies in the future, too, when Victory has been achieved and we find
ourselves faced with the immense task of reconstruction. Then we shall
need, as perhaps never before, young men trained in habits of discipline
and loyalty, and imbued with the ideals of self-sacrifice and service.
In them, indeed, lies the whole future of our race. They will be found
in the Sea Cadet Corps, not only in the Home Country, but in Canada,
Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Rhodesia; a great imperial
family of which we may be proud."
Vice Admiral J.P.G. Vivian's
extract of address to the Rotary Club of London - 1943 regarding the
Navy League Sea Cadet Corps.
An historical survey is usual on
an occasion such as this, and I cannot let you off, gentlemen, for I
want to make it quite clear that the Sea Cadet Corps is no hastily conceived
baby bred by war out of necessity. Far from it, for the original baby
from which the present organisation is directly descended celebrates
its 84th birthday this year; I found it hale and hearty when I visited
it last year. The growth of that sturdy baby was slow, but it grew up
and eventually gave birth to half-a-dozen children, which were somewhat
weakly until in the early 1900's the Navy League appeared as a fairy
godmother and, by 1941, was nourishing about 100 Navy League Sea Cadet
Units, with a strength of some 11,000 Cadets. I now come to modern history.
Almost exactly one year ago, after delicate and, if I may say so, extremely
amicable negotiations with the Navy League, the Admiralty took over
the organisation and training of the Sea Cadet Corps and decided to
expand the Corps to about 400 units, with a total of 50,O00 cades, with
its officers holding commissions in the RNVR. His Majesty the King graciously
consented to become the Admiral of the Corps; thus the Navy League Sea
Cadet Corps was reborn on February 1, 1942, as The Sea Cadet Corps.
To-day, just a year later, there are 390 units and 49,000 cadets. Without
the willing help and assistance of the Navy League, which put into this
effort all its vast experience, the difficulties could hardly have been
overcome. The League now carries out the whole of the financial administration
of the Cadet Corps on behalf of the Admiralty, and also is responsible
for organising the welfare and social side. As I have indicated there
was no lack of boys only too anxious to join the Corps, but there was
a serious difficulty in finding suitable officers and instructors. Gradually,
some 1,760 devoted men have been found, who not only give their services
in what would otherwise be their very exiguous leisure hours, but make
opportunities to go to naval establishments to undergo officers' courses
for a week or so, to rub up their knowledge of seamanship and so forth.
And what of the cadets themselves? Gentlemen, if you had had the privilege
of seeing and talking to several thousands of them as I have you would,
I am sure, have come to the same conclusion as I have done; the shades
of that great host of seamen of the past, who gave us our heritage,
can be satisfied that these boys are made of the same stuff and have
the same spirit as they had in their generation. Boys can join the S.C.
Unit at the age of 14; many have, in the past, joined much younger than
that. Our sea history has taught us that the earlier a boy begins to
learn the ways of the sea and of ships the better. The reason is obvious;
the seaman's life is one long fight with those unrelenting elements,
the wind and the weather, which give no quarter to the ignorant or unhandy
sailorman. That fight starts the day a boy joins his first ship, for
the elements won't treat him gently because he is young and inexperienced;
so it is just commonsense to see that he starts off with confidence
in his ability to contend effectively with his lifelong enemies. I had
a letter only last week from a man who asked if his son, just aged 18,
could join as a midshipman RNR, although he had not done the required
year at sea. He would have done this twelve months had his ship not
been sunk in the Atlantic four months ago. This boy had found himself
in charge of a lifeboat full of survivors, and for four days and four
nights he had to bring that boat through gales and storm in the North
Atlantic until they were eventually picked up by a rescuing ship. No
boy without very early training as a seaman could have taken on a job
like that. The function of the Sea Cadet Corps is to train boys for
the Sea Services, the Royal Navy and the Merchant Navy. Many of these
boys prefer the Merchant Navy. I asked one such boy, not long ago, what
sort of merchant ship he would like to sail in, and he said that he
was determined to go in a tanker, and his reason for that was that his
father had lost his life in a tanker during the war and he wanted to
take his place. That is just typical of the spirit one finds in these
lads. The ceiling of 50,000 cadets has been fixed because the annual
output will then be roughly, very roughly , related to the number which
the Sea Services may be expected to absorb in peace. Our aim is not
confined to teaching these lads the technical side of their future profession;
it goes far beyond that. We aim to produce the best type of citizen,
lads with clean minds, strong bodies, mentally alert and full of leadership
and initiative; boys with a sense of that esprit de corps and good discipline
without which a ship's company can neither be efficient nor happy, those
I two things which always go hand in hand. Much of this training is
common to the three Services; some of the technical training is also
common to the three Services; so we have formed an Inter-Services Cadet
Committee on which the Director of Army Cadet Force, the Director of
the Air Training Corps and the Admiral Commanding Reserves sit. That
Committee exists to devise methods by which we can co-operate with one
another, its aim being that the only rivalry between the three Service
Pre-Entry Training Corps shall be a healthy rivalry, for our ultimate
object is the same - to train boys for the defence of our country and
empire. Of course, in all this training we have had, considerable initial
difficulties. Equipment has been difficult to find for so many new units.
Boats are hard to come by these days, but I appealed to yachtsmen to
lend me dinghies in which, at any rate, boys could be taught watermanship,
and I am having a very encouraging response. If any of you or your friends
have small boats which would be of value to Sea Cadet Units I would
ask you to lend them for the duration of the war , when I can promise
that they will be returned to the owners in good condition. Suitable
premises as headquarters have been a great difficulty. I look forward
to the time in the near future when every unit will have its own headquarters,
its ship, or stone frigate, as the Navy terms a shore establishment.
What a difference that makes! Not only .to training, but to the whole
outlook of the cadet. This year we hope to get 10,000 Sea Cadets into
summer camps, where they can put into practice much of what they have
been taught; where they will get plenty of fresh air, good exercise,
good companionship. I earnestly hope that employers will give these
lads a holiday at the right time so that they can attend these camps.
I sometimes wonder if all employers are fully aware of the amount of
voluntary work these boys put in after working hours. Is it not the
duty of each one of us to do his part to ensure that, never again, shall
this country suffer from that loss of memory? You may build ships -
ships that fly, ships that float, ships that swim under the water, and
fill them with all the most scientific instruments of destruction which
the wit of man can invent or with all the desirable merchandise in the
world, but if you haven't got the men, and good men, to man those ships,
they are not much better than useless scrap iron. The Sea Cadets about
whom I have talked to you to-day are those men of the near future.
****************
NLSCC in AUSTRALIA
From Britain, Canada, South Africa, New Zealand and other parts
of the Empire come good reports of the usefulness of the Navy League
Sea Cadet Corps. When His Majesty King George VI became Admiral of the
Navy League Sea Cadet Corps in 1942, the Corps received its greatest
honour. Never before had Royalty set its seal on the name of the Navy
League; never before had the value of the Cadet Corps achievements been
so highly recognised. Boys of the Navy League have distinguished themselves
in all the Fighting Services and especially in the Navy and Merchant
Navy. And many of these former trainees of the League have expressed
in simple language their debt to the Navy League and to its voluntary
officers and instructors for the great benefits of elementary training
received when they were boys in the Navy League. Here in New South Wales
every medically fit Sea Cadet over 17 years old is in Australia's Fighting
Forces and hundreds of ex-cadets trained as boys in the years before
this war are also among the free enlistments to do battle for their
country. It Is a great record in ratio to the number of lads who received
and benefited from early training under the auspices of the Navy League.
Such training is only possible if Quarters, equipment and instructors
are available, and the task of maintaining this work, which largely
depends on the donations of patriotic and generous citizens, is a difficult
one. The League therefore appeals to the public for additional financial
help, for equipment - especially boats and oars, boxing gloves and other
items used in gymnasiums. Offers of help should be addressed to the
Navy League, Royal Exchange Building, Bridge Street, Sydney. The Navy
League Journal of NSW (new Series) Vol.6 No.11 November 1943 p1
HISTORY
IN AUSTRALIA
To those in Australia who have been associated with the Navy League
for a long time, the connection between the present day Cadets and the
Navy League is obvious and close; the Naval Reserve Cadets (NRC) were
formed from the "old" Australian Sea Cadet Corps (ASCC) with a new name
Naval Reserve Cadets (NRC) and under a new management - Royal Australian
Navy instead of the Navy League. The NRC commenced operations
in January 1973; time enough for hundreds of youngsters to become
cadets since that time now with little or no idea of the Navy League's
historic connection with their organisation. Time enough, too, for officers
to assume NRC responsibilities and for new Navy League members to join
the League for its wider maritime activities with scant knowledge of
the part played by the League in developing the (sea) cadet movement
in Australia. Very little information exists concerning the early history
of the Navy League and its sea cadets in Australia, but it is on record
that a branch of the U.K.Navy League was formed in New Zealand in
1895, Launceston, Tasmania in 1900 and Melbourne, Victoria
in 1915, and Geelong, Victoria in 1932. The commencements Navy League
Cadet Training in Australia was 1920 and this was the work of the NSW
Branch of the Navy League.
After federation in 1901 the Federal Government provided for military
and naval cadet training in the new 1903 Defence Act. The various Permanent
Naval Forces of the several States formed the Commonwealth Naval Forces
(CNF) the Permanent Forces, in 1903, and the Victorian Naval Brigade
(VNB) and the N.S.W. Naval Artillery Volunteers (NAV), formed
the "Naval Militia", in 1903, as the Citizen Naval Forces of the new
Commonwealth Naval Forces.
The States' detachments of the Australian Naval Cadet Corps (ANCC)(Voluntary)
were only formed as the Cadet Corps of the Citizens Naval Forces
(CNF) on 1st July 1907. These were not part of the Navy League Sea
Cadets.
Cadets were created in the first Naval Defence Act of 1910; and
remained as such until the Militia became [RANR (M)] Royal Australian
Naval Reserve (Militia) on 1st July 1911, at the time the King
George V granted the right to the British Dominions, Canada, Australia
& New Zealand to use the title 'Royal'.
The last of the Australian Naval Cadets (who were not liable for the
new Universal Compulsory training) ceased to exist in 5th September
1911.
The National Training (NT) Cadets (compulsory RANR Cadets
aged 14 to 17 years) were established on 1st July 1911.
The training of cadets in the initial stages appears to have been under
the guidance of the Defence Department as the earliest known Navy League
Sea Cadets are only recorded in the immediate post World War 1 period.
Besides the formation by the defence department of defence related RANR
Cadets the main burden of providing basic sea training for volunteer
14 - 18 year-old boys between the 20th century World Wars 1 & 2
fell on the Australian branches of the U.K. Navy League in Tasmania,
NSW and Victoria. The newly formed Australian Defence RANR(O)
and RANR(M) cadets were in existence for only half that period.
The only other non-Government Naval Cadets from 1907 to 1914, in Victoria,
were boys aged 10 to 14 years in the Church of England "Boys Naval
Brigade".
The story of the formation of the defence department's cadets was additional
to the Navy League's post war, 1918, initiatives.
On lst. July 1911, 340 cadets of the defence department's ANCC,
aged 15 to 17, plus 1660 compulsorily registered youths aged 14 to 17,
were selected for naval training, constituting the "first intake" of
the first 2000 RANR(0) cadets.
Every year, from 1st. July 1912 to November 1929, RANR Cadets
on reaching 18 years of age transferred into the RANR(O) as "adult"
trainees. Their places as RANR Cadets were filled by a yearly
intake of 14 years old compulsory trainees throughout the Commonwealth
who had volunteered for, and had been selected for, training as RANR
Cadets.
For instance the 14 years old yearly "quota" for the RANR Port Melbourne
Division Cadets averaged 120. Hence from July 1911 to November 1929
the Port Melbourne Division -alone - trained a minimum of 2520 RANR
Cadets.
There were also RANR Divisions at Williamstown and Geelong. and
RANR Sub-Divisions at Portland and Port Fairy. In NSW, the Sydney
Division and the Newcastle Sub-Division. In Queensland, Brisbane Division
and several coastal towns sub-divisions, and a small sub-division at
Thursday Island. In Western Australia, Fremantle Division and Albany
Sub-Division. Tasmania, the Hobart and Launceston Sub-Divisions.
All these divisions had RANR Cadets. Thus the approximate number of
Navy trained RANR Cadets, from July 1911 to November 1929 exceeded 8,000.
After 1929, when the Scullin Government suspended the compulsory training
of the RANR and RANR Cadets, the RANR(M) Naval Militia & Australian
Naval Cadet Corps (ANCC) reverted to a voluntary basis; similar
to the voluntary training that operated prior to 1st.July 1911. Thus
the numbers of RANR men and Cadets became considerably reduced.
From 1st July 1907 - 5th September 1921 there were only the Australian
Naval Cadet Corps (ANCC) (Volunteers).
From 1st July 1911 - November 1929 there were the NT (Compulsory)
RANR Cadets.
From November 1929 - September 1939, there were only a few Voluntary
RANR Cadets.
From 1st July 1911 - November 1929 Universal (compulsory)Training
was in force.
For nearly 50 years this country has had a Navy League Sea Cadet Corps
(NLSCC) followed by the Navy's NRC for the last 27years with
ANCC-RANR defence cadets running in parallel for the latter part
of the period 1911 to 1929.
RANR Cadets ceased to exist when they joined the RANR, or
RANR (Hostilities Only), for service in the 20th Century World
War Two. From July 1907 to early in 1940, a minimum of at least 10,000
Australian youths had been "Navy Trained" in the RANR Cadets,
either as Voluntary or Compulsory Trainees.
From about the early 1920s to the end of the 1939-1945 world war the
Navy League had formed 12 NLSCC companies in Victoria and NSW. The other
States formed NLSCC units after this time.
Navy League Magazine - It was in 1920 that the NSW Branch of
the UK Navy League first published a magazine that ran up until 1932
when it appears that the world wide economic depression forced its closure.
It restarted its publication in April 1938 and this had continued up
until the present date - a publishing record of nearly 75 years for
the Navy League. It is interesting to note that the magazine in the
post 1929 period up to 1932 was devoted almost entirely to Navy League
Sea Cadets with some very influential members of the public being involved
in the Navy League.
Royal Australian Navy Assistance
At the end of World War II, there were 12 companies (as they were called)
of Australian Navy League cadets, 8 in NSW and 4 in Victoria. In addition,
a similar independent group operated on Snapper Island in Sydney Harbour,
but this company was not connected with the League. There were about
300 cadets at this time, wearing naval uniform, which they were allowed
to purchase from naval clothing stores.
It appears that Commonwealth assistance for Navy League cadets was first
seriously considered in 1946, and one of the first steps taken was to
form a central Council of the independent Navy League branches to make
arrangements with the Naval Board. This Council subsequently became
the Federal Council of the Navy League of Australia, the branches separating
from the UK parent and becoming State and Territorial Divisions of the
Australian body.
Unfortunately, it was not found possible to include the Snapper Island
Training Depot in the Navy League organisation, but it became affiliated
with the League for the purpose of negotiating with the Naval Board.
LEGISLATIVE ACTION
The Naval Board accorded "recognition in principle" to the Navy League
cadets in 1949 and during the next four years the Naval Defence Act
was amended (in 1952) and regulations made (1954) enabling the Board
to provide assistance to the Australian Sea Cadet Corps, as the UK Navy
League in Australia had by then been made an Australian Company and
re-named the Navy League of Australia Inc. Limited practical assistance
was provided by the RAN during this period. The new regulations specified
the headings under which naval assistance would be provided and in broad
terms responsibility for the Navy League's ASCC was divided as
follows:
Royal Australian Navy:
· Composition and strength of Units.
· Appointment of officers and instructors nominated by the League.
· Training programmes.
· Provision of uniforms, stores and equipment.
· Financial assistance in the form of an allowance for officers and
instructors, and a capitation fee for cadets.
Navy League:
· Provision of buildings for training purposes.
· Administration.
· Provision of facilities not provided by the Navy, eg, recreational
equipment.
The regulations also provided for a Sea Cadet Council to advise
the Naval Board on sea cadet matters formalising the work of a group
that consisted of serving officers and members of the Navy League who
had in fact been "advising" both the Navy and the League since 1950.
A small sub-committee of this group was largely responsible for establishing
the framework of the ASCC essentially unchanged for the next thirty
years.
ROYAL AUSTRALIAN NAVY - NAVY LEAGUE: PARTNERSHIP
Under the new arrangements, the ASCC prospered. Reliable figures are
hard to find but the following will provide an indication of the post
World War 2 growth rates as cadets units were established by the Navy
League in all States:
1948/9 430 members in 9 units (47 per unit ave.)
1953 883 members in 18 units (49 per unit ave.)
1958 1700 members in 31 units (55 per unit ave.)
1963 2502 members in 38 units (66 per unit ave.)
1998 3450 members in 75 units (46 per unit ave.)
Due largely to Treasury requirements a limit was placed on the expansion
of the Corps towards the end of 1961, at which time the strength was
approximately 2000 members. The limit suggested by the Director of Naval
Reserves (now Director of Naval Reserves and Cadets) and accepted by
the Navy League of Australia was a growth rate of 200 cadets per annum
over a period of five years, the figure to be reviewed in 1966. Two
years later however, with Navy League's ASCC strength at 2500,
the Sea Cadet Council decided that no further expansion should take
place and that the organisation should be consolidated. In fact, during
the remainder of the sixties, cadet numbers declined and eventually
steadied at about 2000.
In the intervening thirty-five years the unit numbers have gradually
increased but the average number of cadets per unit has fluctuated from
47, fifty years ago, to a high of 66 in Navy League days and now back
to 46 today.
PROBLEMS
The growth of the Navy League's ASCC brought problems to the
League in two of its main areas of responsibility -
· provision of buildings for training purposes and
· administration.
Nearly all the money required by the League to discharge its obligations
- and large sums were involved - was raised from the general public.
As a general rule people don't mind seeking, or subscribing, funds for
a youth organisation but at the same time they like to see something
for their money.
In one way or another the training premises were acquired (at least
they could be "seen") but administrative funds were another matter.
In voluntary organisations generally, "administration" seems to be a
suspect word, and administrators regarded with disfavour, especially
if they have to be paid; the Navy League was no exception.
A youth organisation operating on an Australia-wide basis along service
lines, striving for common standards between States, between units and
between cadets, needed an effective central administration but there
was never enough money available to provide it. In the event, most of
the essential administrative work was done by the ASCC officers themselves,
particularly the State Divisional officers who managed to achieve a
reasonable degree of cohesion within their own particular areas.
A further complication was caused by the basic division of responsibility
between Royal Australian Navy and the Navy League of Australia, which
resulted in the ASCC lacking central direction as well as sound
administration. To some extent, the Sea Cadet Council formed a bridge
between the Navy and the League, but it lacked executive authority and
in the long run, its members were responsible only to their own organisation.
Despite its legal limitations, the Sea Cadet Council played an
invaluable part in the formation of the ASCC, provided guidance throughout
the growth period and in preparing the way for the NRC.
TOWARDS NAVAL CONTROL
Compared with the Army's School Cadets and the RAAF's Air Training Corps,
the Navy League's ASCC was a very cost-effective organisation.
It was however, much smaller than the other two and if it was to expand
it was clear changes would have to be made.
As a result of reports submitted by the Director of Naval Reserves (DNR)
to the Naval Board, and by F.G.Evans to the Sea Cadet Council, a committee
of inquiry was established to report on the ASCC.
The committee consisted of the Director (Captain Neil Boase, RAN), the
Federal Vice-President of the Navy League (Commander John Howse, RANR)
and the writer, and after visiting all States to confer with local Navy
Leagues made a number of recommendations to the Sea Cadet Council and
after much discussion the Council "advised" the Naval Board and the
Navy League that the Commonwealth should accept financial responsibility
for the ASCC.
The advice was accepted and in February, 1971, the Minister for the
Navy (Mr D. J. Killen) introduced a Bill in the House of Representatives
to amend the Naval Defence Act.
The purpose of the 1971 Bill was to repeal the separate sections of
the Act relating to RANR cadets and to fuse the Navy League's
Australian Sea Cadet Corps (ASCC) with them into a single organisation
to be called "Naval Reserve Cadets (NRC)".
At the time, there were 3 RANR cadet units in schools, about
120 cadets in all, and 39 Navy League ASCC units with some 2000
cadets.
The Bill was passed with the support of all parties and much praise
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