The final URNU East Scotland term of 2023 saw a successful round of recruiting with 27 Officer Cadets (OCdts) joining the Unit, and some leavers starting their Naval journeys at BRNC Dartmouth.
Notable achievements in the latter part of the year included the annual Trafalgar Guest Night (main image) held at Edinburgh City Chambers on 20 October. Other achievements (in pictures, below):
The Unit was also very fortunate to benefit from two incredible experiences:
The first was a trip to Prestwick Airport to visit 814 Naval Air Squadron ‘Flying Tigers’ (based in Cornwall but on recent tasking in Scotland) where seven lucky OCdts and Staff were treated to a flight in a Royal Navy Merlin Mk2 helicopter (pictured above and below) taking in a loop of the West Coast, Loch Lomond, Ailsa Craig, and the Isle of Arran.
The second saw a deployment of five OCdts on the Sandown-Class Minehunter, HMS PENZANCE, from November 12-22. Joining the warship in Oban and sailing across the Irish Sea, this amazing embarkation also included an unforgettable first overseas ‘run ashore’ for the OCdts. OCdts are pictured below in firefighter equipment and cooking up a storm in the galley.
The OCdts also continued their excellent work supporting local charities. Fresh Start, an Edinburgh-based charity helping people who have been homeless get established in their new homes, featured again and the proceeds from their final bingo-themed Drill Night generated £585 for the charity. They have also been proactive with generating food banks for Fresh Start and South Leith Church as well as supporting Poppy Scotland with collections on the streets of Edinburgh, Dundee, and St Andrews through Remembrance.
Next term looks just as exciting for the OCdts starting with the RN Ski Champs in Les Deux Alpes and a trip to Sicily to support the International Forum for Peace, Security and Prosperity for a second year. Other plans include an effort to re-establish stronger links with Sea Cadet Units.
◼︎ Unit Senior Training Officer, Lt Iain Maciver, has been recognised with a Lord-Lieutenant’s Award in acknowledgment of 20 years of service to the URNU. He will receive his award at Edinburgh City Chambers in the early part of this year.
For anyone interested in joining the Unit, URNU ES Drill Nights in Edinburgh and Dundee, connected via video link, are every Tuesday from 9 January to 19 March.
