7th/11th Royal Warwickshire Cadets

Was anyone here a member of this detachment of the Army Cadet Force in the early-to-mid 60's? We paraded on a Tuesday and Friday at Woodlands School but had to move to Templars Junior School on Tile Hill Lane when the "new" headmaster kicked us out! We had some great times at weekend camps - and Wednesday nights at the Massey Ferguson Rifle Range at the bottom of banner lane, then Saturdays over at Kingsbury Rifle Range firing 303's

Hi Tony, I was not a member of the Army Cadet Force myself but if my memory serves me correctly one of the teachers, Mr Trollope, managed it at Woodlands in the mid 60's. Did you train with real rifles?

You're absolutely correct! I'm impressed! It was Lieutenant Trollope on parade nights. I recall Seargent (George) Albrighton & Corporal (Charlie) Harlock, there was also Steve Mayor, John Atkins, ? Blenkinsop and many others. Happy days! (apologies to these people if I've spelt their names wrong) Yes we certainly did use "real rifles" We used .22 calibre single shot when at the Massey Ferguson rifle range - I got my "Marksman" badge using one of these. I could put 6 shots through a hole the size if a sixpence from 25 yards! At Kinsgbury we mainly used Lee Enfield 303's - with a 5 shot magazine. I only managed a "1st Class" badge with these. I also fired an officers revolver and a Thompson Sub-Machine gun. I cannot believe now that a 13 year old was trusted to handle these weapons with LIVE AMMO!

Anyone belong to the ACF in Woodlands? Our OC was Mr Trollope. On first meeting him you would think "who the **** is this". Once you got used to his sence of humour he was a smashing bloke. We used to have drill nights in his day class in Gibraltar Block. Don Thompson turned up and kicked the ACF out which moved to Templars.

Do you remember Trollope setting up his Scalextrix four lane track in his classroom? I recall spending a couple of parade nights racing the cars round his amazing figure-eight layout! Also many memories of the rifle range at Massey's (.22 calibre), Kingsbury (still going strong), parades and weekend camps at Hednesford.

Hi Tony, I wasn't in the ACF at Woodlands, but I joined it when it moved to Wolfe Rd, Canley, Ted Evatt was the C.O. and yes I do remember Massey's rifle range, also the rifle range at Melford House opposite Henry's on the Warwick Rd. Kingsbury range we visited quite regularly, our local weekend camps were to the RE depot at Long Marston.