Dorset Army Cadets

Join Dorset Army Cadets and discover what you’re capable of!

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Cadets from Dorset ACF on Annual Camp standing with arms crossed over their chests

About Dorset Army Cadets

Adventure Starts Here

The Dorset Army Cadets is a youth organisation offering exciting adventures for young people aged 12 to 18 across Dorset. As part of the national Army Cadets, we provide a safe, fun, and challenging environment where cadets develop confidence, leadership, and teamwork through activities like fieldcraft, first aid, adventurous training, and community engagement.

Join us and discover what you’re capable of!

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Cadets from Dorset enjoying ice creams

Find a detachment

Beaminster

Beaminster ACF
Barrowfields West
Beaminster
Dorset
DT8 3DJ

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Parade Times: Monday, Thursday: 19:00 - 21:00
Status: Open to new cadets

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Blandford

Blandford ACF
Kingston Close
Bradley Estate
Blandford
Dorset
DT11 7UQ

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Parade Times: Monday, Thursday: 19:15 - 21:30
Status: Open to new cadets

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Bournemouth & Boscombe

Drill Hall

Portman Road
Boscombe
Dorset
BH7 6EU

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Parade Times: Monday, Thursday: 1930 - 2130
Status: Waiting list for new cadets

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Bovington & Purbeck

RWxY TA Centre
Allenby Barracks
Bovington
Wareham
Dorset
BH20 6JB

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Parade Times: Monday, Thursday: 1900 - 2100
Status: Open to new cadets

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Bridport

Bridport ACF
Gundry Lane
Bridport
Dorset
DT6 3RL

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Parade Times: Monday, Thursday: 19:00 - 21:00
Status: Open to new cadets

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Christchurch

Portfield Drill Hall
Portfield Road
Christchurch
Dorset
BH23 2AQ

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Parade Times: Monday, Thursday: 1930 - 2130
Status: Open to new cadets

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Dorchester

TA Centre
Poundbury Road
Dorchester
Dorset
DT1 1SZ

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Parade Times: Monday, Thursday: 19:00 - 21:00
Status: Open to new cadets

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Gillingham

Gillingham ACF
Cemetery Lane
Gillingham
Dorset
SP8 4AZ

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Parade Times: Monday, Thursday: 19:30 - 21:30
Status: Open to new cadets

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Lyme Regis

The Target Sports Centre
Charmouth
DT6 6BY

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Parade Times: : Detachment is Closed The nearest Dorset ACF Detachment is Bridport Detachment
Status: Currently closed to new cadets

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Lytchett Matravers & Upton

ACF Centre
Playing Fields
Old Lytchett Matravers School
Lytchett Matravers
Dorset
BH16 6HF

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Parade Times: Monday, Thursday: 1930 - 2130
Status: Open to new cadets

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Parkstone

Parkstone ACF
Weymouth Road
Parkstone
Dorset
BH14 0DS

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Parade Times: Monday, Thursday: 1900 - 2130
Status: Open to new cadets

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Poole

Wimborne Road
Fleetsbridge
Poole
Dorset
BH15 3EF

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Parade Times: Monday, Thursday: 1900 - 2115
Status: Waiting list for new cadets

Join cadet waiting list Join as a Volunteer
Portland

Portland ACF
Easton Lane
Portland
Dorset
DT5 1BW

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Parade Times: Monday, Thursday: 19:00 - 21:00
Status: Open to new cadets

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Rossmore

Rossmore Community College
Herbert Avenue
Parkstone
Dorset
BH12 4HS

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Parade Times: : This Detachment is now closed The nearest Detachments are as follows: a Parkstone Detachment b Poole Detachment c Wallisdown Detachment
Status: Currently closed to new cadets

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Shaftesbury

Old TA Centre
Victoria Street
Shaftesbury
Dorset
SP7 8AG

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Parade Times: Monday, Thursday: 19:30 - 21:30
Status: Open to new cadets

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Sherborne

Sherborne ACF
Blackberry Lane
Sherborne
Dorset
DT9 4DE

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Parade Times: Tuesday, Thursday: 19:00 - 21:00
Status: Open to new cadets

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Wallisdown

TA Centre
Wallisdown Road
Parkstone
Dorset
BH12 5AD

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Parade Times: Monday, Thursday: 1900 - 2130
Status: Open to new cadets

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West Moors & Verwood

Petroleum Centre
RLC West Moors
Wimborne
Dorset
BH21 6QS

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Parade Times: Monday, Thursday: 1930 - 2130
Status: Open to new cadets

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Weymouth

SCTC
Weymouth Sea Cadet Centre
Bincleaves Barracks
Barrack Road
Weymouth
Dorset
DT4 8TZ

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Parade Times: Wednesday: 1900 to 2100hrs
Status: Open to new cadets

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Wimborne

156a Leigh Road

Wimborne
Dorset
BH21 2DB

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Parade Times: Monday, Thursday: 1900 - 2100hrs
Status: Open to new cadets

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Our stats

581+

Cadets

120+

Adult Volunteers

20

Detachments

Key Information

Find everything you need to know about Dorset Army Cadets here, including key information, important updates, and how to contact our staff.

Colonel M Thomsett

County Commandant

Lt Colonel M Griffiths

Deputy Commandant

Major D Westmoor

Assistant Commandant - Senior Cadets

Major A Garrett

Assistant Commandant - Adults

Dave Abbott

Dorset ACF Designated Safeguarding Lead

Major O Wells

Company Commander

Captain M Tilsed

Company 2IC

Lieutenant G Whittaker

Company Training Officer

Major T Jackson

Company Commander

Captain D Ody

Company 2IC

CSMI R Morris

Company Sergeant Major

Major J Stockford

Company Commander

Captain S Temple

Company 2IC

Lieutenant C Owens

Company Training Officer

  • Major Kerry Barker

    Success Stories

    Major Kerry Barker

    Watching a shy, unsure young person grow into a confident leader—that’s why I keep volunteering.

    Latest News & Media Updates

    Get all the latest news from detachments across the UK, including inspiring stories, amazing expeditions, and upcoming events

      Female with sunglasses and beanie poses with snowy mountain peak behind her

      Volunteers’ Week Spotlight: Lt Gina Allsop

      News & Media
      Cheshire ACF
      Volunteering is about inspiring young people, building confidence and encouraging others to achieve more than they thought possible.

      6 June 2026
      Adult volunteer with ear defence on at shooting activity

      Volunteers’ Week Spotlight: Sgt Helen Hughes

      News & Media
      National
      Sgt Hughes first saw the positive impact the Army Cadet Force (ACF) was having on her two sons and wanted to help ensure other young…

      5 June 2026
      Lt Col Sarah Oxford hands certificate over to a cadet

      Volunteers’ Week Spotlight: Lieutenant Colonel Sarah Oxford

      News & Media
      National
      “You get out of cadets as much as you put in. It’s a great platform for helping adults develop themselves and become great leaders too.”

      4 June 2026
      Explore Latest news

      Contact Information

      DORSET ACF
      Headquarters
      Poundbury Road
      DORCHESTER
      Dorset
      DT1 1SZ
      Start your adventure

      Join Army Cadets today!

      Join the Army Cadets to embark on an exciting adventure, develop valuable skills, and build lifelong friendships for young people between 12 to 18.

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      Female cadet firing weapon