Robert Gordon’s College (RGC) Combined Cadet Force (CCF) held their annual Service of Remembrance and Parade on November 8.
RGC CCF was finally able to organise their first full event since COVID-19, after limited numbers at last year’s event. Over 150 cadets and 100 Pipe Band musicians took part in the Remembrance Parade this year.
The service was once again led by Reverend Louis Kinsey QVRM TD VR in the College’s MacRobert Hall. Prior to becoming a minister at St Columba’s Church in Aberdeen, he served in the King’s Own Scottish Borderers. Around 150 guests attended the service, with cadets providing readings throughout.
Following the moving service, the cadets paraded in front of the floodlit Auld Hoose for a Contingent Inspection. The Reviewing Officers were former pupils (Class of ’90), Royal Navy’s Captain Gavin J. Edward BEng MSc (GW) CEng MIET and member of The Royal Company of Archers, The King’s Bodyguard for Scotland Major (Retd) Nicholas Champion MBE (Mil) BSc Hons (STA) MBA MA FRGS.
RGC CCF Contingent Commander, Wing Commander Daniel Montgomery, said: “We were delighted to welcome our former pupils back to the College as Reviewing Officers.”
Major (Retd) Champion stood watch over the coffin of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in Westminster Hall along with former RGC pupil and cadet Maj (Retd) Timothy Allan CBE DL. A former Lord Lieutenant’s Cadet Maj Neil Cargil also played a major role making arrangements for the transportation of Her Majesty’s coffin south from Balmoral.
After the parade, a wreath was placed at the College War Memorial by Dr David Cameron, Lord Provost and Lord-Lieutenant for the City of Aberdeen.
During the evening reception, Gordon Campbell Senior presented the Gordon Campbell Sword to Pipe Major Sam R for his outstanding contribution to the Pipe Band over several years. The sword was donated by the Campbell family in memory of their son and brother Corporal Gordon Campbell (RGC Class of ’97) of the Royal Marines and Special Boat Service, who lost his life in 2006 while serving his country. His mother and sister, Mrs Meg Campbell and Ms Cheryl Brown, were in attendance.
On the morning of Remembrance Day on November 11, Lord-Lieutenant of Aberdeenshire Sandy Manson Esquire and Wg Cdr Montgomery placed poppy crosses on Corporal Campbell’s grave in Oldmeldrum.
Robert Gordon’s College signed the Armed Forces Covenant in 2016 and revalidated their Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Silver Award in 2021.
To find out more about Robert Gordon’s College, click HERE.
To find out more about the Armed Forces Covenant, click HERE.
To find out more about the ERS Awards, click HERE.
- Photo Credit: Aberdeen City Council.
