Okehampton Army Cadets Make History At Buckingham Palace

From the Palace forecourt to the Cenotaph, Okehampton cadets enjoyed an unforgettable day in London as guests of Her Majesty Queen Camilla.

Okehampton Detachment had a day to remember on Operation Royal Oke. They invited Her Majesty Queen Camilla to a carvery, and she returned the favour by inviting them to London.

The day began at the Royal Mews, where Her Majesty’s Equerry met the group. The cadets were escorted through the Palace gardens to the forecourt. As the gates opened, they marched out in front of tens of thousands of spectators to watch the Changing of the Guard. The Welsh Guards added a special performance to mark 100 years of Winnie-the-Pooh.

The King’s Head Chauffeur then gave the cadets a private tour of the Royal Mews. They saw state vehicles worth more than the average family home, as well as the Gold State Coach.

Next came lunch at Wellington Barracks, home of the Household Division, at the invitation of the Brigade Major. Afterwards, at the Guards Museum, the cadets tried on the famous scarlet tunics and bearskins.

At Horse Guards Parade, Lieutenant Colonel Foinette welcomed the detachment into Wellington’s Office and promoted seven Okehampton cadets. He then headed straight to a meeting at Number 10 Downing Street.

The detachment then paraded down Whitehall to the Cenotaph. Corporal Law and Corporal Raines laid wreaths there on behalf of Okehampton Army Cadets and the Okehampton Branch of the Royal British Legion.

The day ended back at Horse Guards with the traditional Punishment Parade. Staff Sergeant White then drilled the detachment across the parade ground one last time before they boarded the coaches home.

2Lt Sam Caunter, Detachment Commander, said:
“It’s difficult to put into words just how special this day has been. Our cadets have experienced British military and royal tradition at the very highest level and represented Okehampton at the Cenotaph. Being a cadet is about so much more than drill or a uniform. It’s about teamwork, leadership, service and being part of something bigger than yourself. I am immensely proud of every one of them.”