After an enforced delay of several years Cadets from Llandudno, Penmaenmawr, Conwy, and Colwyn Bay detachments have just returned from a cadet tri-service commemorative visit to France and Belgium.
The army cadets joined with Sea and Marine Cadets from TS Aberconwy and Chester and 418 (Aberconwy) Squadron RAF Air Cadets together with a civic delegation to visit Llandudno’s twinned town of Wormhout in France.
During the visit, the group took part in Acts of Remembrance in Wormhout cemetery where following a wreath laying crosses were laid at individual graves as personal acts of remembrance. The cadets also visited the memorial site of La Plaine au Bois which stands in remembrance of those soldiers, several of whom came from Llandudno, from The Royal Artillery, The Royal Warwickshire, and The Cheshire Regiments who were slain by troops of the SS Leibstandarte in and around a barn which stood on this site on May 28th 1940. This barn is a faithful recreation of the original building and stands as a monument to the memory of those men who died on that day. The cadets along with the Mayors of Esquelbecq, Wormhout, and Llandudno together with the town twinning delegations held a short act of remembrance and wreath lying.
The delegation also took part in a Civic Parade and wreath laying in Wormhout and afterward, the cadets attended a civic reception hosted by the Mayor of Wormhout.
The delegation visited the La Coupole WW2 Museum. This huge bunker, built by the Todt Organisation in 1943-1944 had to be the base for launching the V2 rockets against London. La Coupole is one of the most impressive remnants of the Second World War in Europe. It is a symbolic place of Nazi oppression, due to its overwhelming mass, the nature of its underground facilities, and the suffering of the slave labourers who built it. Cadets found the displays very moving and thought-provoking.
The group also visited Ypres and participated in the Last Post Ceremony at the Menin Gate.
The Mayor of Llandudno Cllr Greg Robbins thanked the cadets for their efforts adding “The cadets from Llandudno were once again superbly turned out. They were well-drilled and professional and represented our town with dignity and respect. All cadet leaders should be proud of their troops.” Adding “The cadets were magnificent, a real credit to their units and superb representatives of the town and of the quality of young people that being a cadet fosters.” adding “Their presence brings a degree of gravitas to all of the Twinning activities that everyone appreciates and helps build relationships with many in our twin town.”
Cadet Ella Williams said “I thought the activities we took part in were a great way to commemorate those who lost their lives during both WW1 and WW2 and it was also emotional. I also thought they were informative as I’ve learned a lot about certain things that happened during the wars.”
