Meeting HRH The Princess Royal and the First Sea Lord were two of the highlights during training for former Yeadon Air Cadet Matthew Davison who recently successfully passed out into the Royal Navy to begin his phase two training at HMS Collingwood to become a weapons engineer.
In the first nine weeks of his training at HMS Raleigh, Matthew was trained on the SA80A2 Rifle and on the range achieved a commendable grouping of 20mm; this was of course in between many hours of drill and physical training. One of the many weekends was spent on Dartmoor carrying out leadership and team building exercises whilst carrying 60kg of kit. Matthew also had the opportunity to carry out ceremonial sun-set with the rest of his division on an open day in front of a Rear Admiral.
In his Phase two training which will last for 17 weeks Matthew will complete his specialist training to become a weapons engineer, He will finish his training on a Frigate, which he will be placed on at the beginning of January. Matthew said “I didnt enjoy the first few weeks but when I got into the routine of the early starts I started to set uniform standards and with my past experience in the Sea Cadets and Air Cadets I found the drill easier than most recruits”. Matthew added “My favourite part was when I met the First Sea Lord in my first week at HMS Collingwood”.
Squadron Media Communications Officer, Dr. Peter Isherwood commented, “Matthew has done very well at HMS Raleigh. He always applied himself very well to all tasks at our squadron. I am sure he will have a very successful career in the Royal Navy. Everyone at the Yeadon Squadron wishes him well for the future”.
The Yeadon Squadron is recruiting at present. Girls and boys aged 13 to 17 years are invited to find out more by visiting the Cadet Centre, Coney Park Yeadon at 7pm on Wednesday or Friday night.
