CCF - Royal Grammar School Newcastle

Attention! A History of the RGS Contingent of the Combined Cadet Force

The RGS contingent of the CCF has a long and distinguished history, established over a century ago.

The Force has undergone three name changes during that time, along with many developments in how it is run, but it remains a popular co-curricular activity that students continue to enjoy today. Cadets gain all kinds of skills and unique experiences, with a focus on developing personal responsibility, leadership and self-discipline. RGS has Army, Navy and RAF sections within its contingent.

*Photograph of Ben Banerjee as CSM, at the Lord Mayor's visit 1984. RGS Archives, CCF Collection.*

Some CCF members have gone on to pursue careers in the military. Notably, Colonel Ben Banerjee (ON 1978-85), who served as Cadet Company Sergeant Major of the CCF during his time at RGS. He later became a Consultant Vascular Surgeon and an Army Reserve Colonel. He was appointed Queen Elizabeth II's honorary surgeon in 2020 and a deputy lieutenant to the lord-lieutenant of Tyne & Wear in 2014.

*CCF Infiltration Exercise notes, 14 December 1984. Colonel B Banerjee Papers RGS Archives [ref: RGS/ONS/31]*

Discover more about the history of our CCF across 12 decades.

1910s

An Officer Training Corps (OTC) was established at RGS in 1911.

The earliest photograph of the OTC was taken before a Church Parade at St Thomas the Martyr in the Haymarket, in 1912.

*RGS OTC metal badge, c.1930s. RGS Archives, CCF Collection*

*RGS Officer Training Corps, 1912. RGS Archives.*

*Photograph of the opening ceremony for the rifle range, 1915. RGS Archives*

1920s

Many Old Novocastrians who were part of the OTC went on to fight in the First World War. The Corps was almost a fast-track to military service. 161 Old Novos gave their lives during the war.

They are commemorated on the RGS memorial organ in the Main Hall, which was opened and dedicated in June 1923.

*Programme from the event dedicating and opening the RGS Memorial Organ, 1st Jun 1923. RGS Archives [ref: 790]*

1930s

The OTC (Junior Division) became the Junior Training Corps (JTC) in 1938.

A major part of the year for the JTC was inspections, still an important part of the CCF calendar today. This inspection report from 1939 describes the RGS contingent as "...imbued with an excellent spirit". Only a few weeks later the Second World War broke out and RGS was evacuated.

*CCF Field Service Pocket Book, 1938. RGS Archives [ref: 263]*

*Uniform patch for the RGS JTC, "Junior Training Corps", c.1940s. RGS Archives*

*Photograph from the 1934 OTC Camp at Strensall, Novo magazine. RGS Archives, CCF Collection*

*Photograph of the Junior Training Corps pipe band in Penrith, 1941. Headmaster ER Thomas is shown. RGS Archives [ref: ERT Papers 35]*

1940s

During the Second World War, RGS was evacuated to Penrith as a whole school. The Corps continued its activities during the evacuation. This set of Northumbrian pipes was used at Penrith, as the JTC had a pipe band. The photograph shows them being played during a march through Penrith.

The JTC became the Combined Cadet Force in 1948.

115 Old Novocastrians were killed during active service in WW2. A memorial to the fallen was dedicated at a ceremony on 19th July 1948. Names were added to the organ and a new memorial lectern was obtained. The lectern was designed by Head of Art Cecil Marfitt-Smith, and carved by Mr E. Johnson of Penrith, Woodwork Instructor, both of whom would have taught some of the boys that gave their lives.

*RGS Northumbrian half-long pipes, c.1930s. RGS Archives*

1950s

The central CCF Association was set up in 1952, then in 1953 HM Queen Elizabeth II became Captain-General.

A new RGS CCF Drum Major’s Sash was designed in 1955. Drum manufacturers Henry Potter & Co. of London created a suggested design. Major Bertram then made alterations and produced this updated design, including the RGS coat of arms.

*Photograph of the visit to RGS of Field Marshal Montgomery of Alamein, 1953. RGS Archives, Speech Day programme 1953.*

*Illustrated design of the CCF drum major's sash, c.1950s. RGS Archives [ref: 270]*

*Photograph of CCF Lord Mayor's visit, c.1960, by PS Warren. RGS Archives [ref: 272]*

1960s

The CCF opened its new headquarters on 24th May 1962. The opening ceremony included an Inspection of Guard by Sir Henry Wilson Smith, Chairman of the Governors. The new building contained an office, stores and lecture room.

*RGS visitors book, with page for the opening of the new Headquarters of the CCF, 24 May 1962. Illustrated by Head of Art, Cecil Marfitt-Smith. RGS Archives [ref: 319]*

1970s

The 1970s saw further developments to CCF facilities at RGS. This 1971 form details an application to construct a new CCF Miniature Rifle Range. The rifle range was located underneath what was then the Technology and Biology block. It was used until building work started on the new PAC – this was the last time we had a rifle range in school.

*Photograph from a CCF camp, c.1950s. RGS Archives [ref: 279]*

*CCF Royal Navy Bass Drum. RGS Archives*

*Photograph of CCF at the Lord Mayor's visit, 1984. Photographer: Nicholas Posner. RGS Archives [ref: RGS/ONS/42/534/051]*

1980s

Camps have always been a major part of the CCF experience. Back in the 1980s there were three types of camps:

1. Adventure Training: during the Easter break. This took place in various locations over the years including Faslane and Garelochhead in Scotland, Totley in the Derbyshire Dales, and now in Cumbria.

2. Self-reliance expeditions to the Cheviot Hills, which took place most weekends between September and March

3. Summer camps: usually for a week focused on the military aspects of training. Locations would be used on rotation: Cultybraggan Camp, Barry Buddon, Balmoral Barracks, Warcop Camp and Wathgill.

1990s

In 1991, RGS CCF enrolled girls for the first time, working with Central Newcastle High School.

The following year, 1992, we welcomed the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers to RGS. They performed the famous 'beating the retreat' - a military ceremony dating back to the 17th century, originally used to recall patrolling troops to their castle. Around this time, the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers formally presented our CCF with the red –over-white hackle, a type of plume or feather worn on the cap badge.

*Photograph of the Royal Fusiliers, 'beating the retreat' at a visit to RGS, 1995. RGS Archives, CCF Collection*

*Royal Navy helicopter visits RGS, 1994. Photographer: Margaret Eagle. RGS Archives, CCF Collection.*

*RGS Yearbook 2006, report on CCF. RGS Archives*

2000s

In 2006, the school opened new buildings, including the PAC and a new CCF and outdoor pursuits space. That same year, the CCF Army Section senior team won the Welbeck Leadership Challenge. This was a major annual competition held at Welbeck Defence Sixth Form College, involving many different schools.

2010s

In 2010, RGS marked the 200th anniversary of the death of Old Novo Vice Admiral Lord Cuthbert Collingwood, who took charge of the battle of Trafalgar and was instrumental in Great Britain’s success. To this day, our CCF cadets still attend a memorial service each year in Newcastle Cathedral, and the school is represented at a ceremony at the Collingwood monument in Tynemouth.

Find out more about Collingwood

The CCF Centenary was celebrated in 2011 with a Mess Dinner on 25th June.

*Invitation to the CCF Centenary Mess Dinner, 2011. RGS Archives, CCF Collection*

*Photograph of CCF Lord Mayor's visit, 2011. RGS Archives [ref: Acc 0220]*

2020s

A new RAF Division of the CCF was set up in 2020.

In 2021, Caroline Hutton-Stott became the first woman to be Contingent Commander of the CCF at RGS.

Text adapted from a 2022 display produced by Louise Piffero, RGS Archivist, and Mike Barlow, Old Novo, former Head of Craft, Design & Technology and Captain of the CCF Army Section.