Irish Guards St Patrick’s Day Parade

On 13 March 12 cadets from Kilkeel High School Combined Cadet Force travelled across to London with Contingent Commander Alison Campbell and School Staff Instructor Denis McKee for a trip they won’t forget in a hurry.

Back in October 2023 Kilkeel High School embarked on a journey to offer the Cadet

Experience to its pupils through the formation of a CCF.

The aim of this recent trip was to encourage the young people to delve deeper into the history and traditions of their sponsor unit, the Irish Guards.

On day one the young people visited the Royal Hospital Chelsea where they were given a tour by one of the Chelsea Pensioners. The RHC is home to British Army veterans from various backgrounds and is dedicated to providing care, camaraderie and support to those who have served our nation. This was a unique opportunity for the cadets to hear stories and ask questions to some of the pensioners who have become iconic symbols of the sacrifices made by generations of soldiers.

As with any important parade, there is a rehearsal. Our cadets were excited to be able to watch the preparations for the St Patrick’s Day parade in Wellington Barracks and were delighted to be able to chat with some of the soldiers who were part of the main parade.

On Saturday the CCF spent a day engaging with some cadets from South West London Sector of the Army Cadet Force. Realising the importance of good mental health, the Army Cadets have developed a Healthy Minds program to help the young people identify how being a cadet can fulfil all the 5 steps to wellbeing. Connect, Get Active, Take Notice, Give and Keep Learning. As part of the wellbeing day they participated in music lessons and visited the Natural History Museum and the Imperial War Museum.

On Sunday morning it was a privilege to have an inside view from Wellington Barracks of the Guard mount. The cadets enjoyed watching as the Guard was inspected and the Band warmed up before stepping out of the gates to make their way to Buckingham Palace for the ceremony of The Changing of the Guard.

Black Sunday is the annual Regimental Day of Remembrance when serving and ex serving Irish Guardsmen gather to pay tribute to those killed and injured in service. The cadets were fortunate to be able to watch on as the poignant Drumhead service took place.

The highlight of the trip was St Patrick’s Day, the Mini Micks, smartly turned out in their uniform watched on as the Regiment paraded. It’s not everyday HRH the Princess of Wales greets you ‘Good Morning’ it was a true honour to be in the company of a member of the Royal Family. HRH The Princess of Wales is the Colonel of the Irish Guards. HRH rose to the occasion, celebrating the cultural roots of the Regiment by presenting the Officers with baskets of shamrock to issue along the ranks, and, joining in by raising a glass of Guinness in the junior ranks club. Each of the cadets was presented with a sprig of shamrock and enjoyed celebrating with HRH by raising their glasses filled with soft drinks!!

Army Cadet Ambassador Sally Orange MBE joined the cadets for the St Patrick’s Day

parade and spent time talking with them about her marathons and challenges. Sally is an endurance runner, adventure athlete and mental health campaigner. She is the only person on the planet to complete a marathon on every continent dressed as a piece of fruit, she holds multiple Guinness world records and world firsts, running over 80 marathons, completing 8 full Ironman triathlons and has completed 22 years’ exemplary service in the Royal Army Medical Corps as a Physiotherapy Officer. Sally got heads turning when she produced a bag full of fruit costumes for the young people to put on outside Buckingham Palace!