All aboard: Sea Cadets and museum volunteers gather on deck at HMS Belfast last Saturday

Eighty Sea Cadets from across the capital stepped aboard HMS Belfast on Saturday, June 6 – the 82nd anniversary of D-Day – to learn from volunteer crew and reimagine their place in the ship’s story.

The Sea Cadets were taking part in the Big Help Out,a day of hands-on learning with the volunteers who keep the ship’s stories alive.

Light cruiser HMS Belfast saw action off the coast of Normandy as part of Operation Overlord, the D-Day invasion of France on June 6, 1944, the largest land-sea operation in history, in which Allied forces began the offensive against the Nazis. The Belfast has been moored in the Pool of London, close to Tower Bridge, as a landmark tourist attraction since 1971.

On Saturday, across two sessions, cadets explored the historic warship alongside Imperial War Museums guides, discovering what life was like for sailors at sea and the strong sense of community that defined the original crew.

Cadets heard first-hand accounts from former Royal Navy submariner and ex–Sea Cadet Mike Allen, bringing lived experience to life and connecting past service with future ambition.

Guided tour: IWM guide Ngaire Bushell explaining the role of HMS Belfast

As part of the day, cadets took part in a creative workshop where they produced self-portraits, brought together to form a new “HMS Belfast crew”, a modern, diverse reflection of the ship’s company, reimagined by today’s generation – turning a visit to a historic warship into a moment of personal connection and aspiration.

The event formed part of The Big Help Out, marking the end of Volunteers’ Week and celebrating the role of volunteering in preserving history, strengthening communities and helping young people build confidence and skills for life.

Down to work: the cadets were involved in creative sessions during the visit

Sea Cadets Chief Executive, Guy Holloway, said: “Sea Cadets is about helping young people grow in confidence, resilience and teamwork. On HMS Belfast, they’re not just seeing history, they’re learning directly from volunteers who are passionate about preserving it.

“That connection between generations reflects everything we stand for and shows young people what they’re capable of.”

• The Caterham and Old Coulsdon Sea Cadets unit is recruiting both Junior Sea Cadet Instructors (10–12) and Sea Cadet Instructors (12–18). See below for contact details.

Sea Cadet units in our area are:

• Croydon Sea Cadets
  Arnhem House Barracks, 1 Mitcham Road, CR0 3RU
  Parade nights: Mondays and Wednesdays, 7.15pm–9.30pm
  Email: croydon.scc96@gmail.com
  Tel: 07955 245486

• Sutton Sea Cadets (Wallington)
  Church Path, Off Church Road, SM6 7BE
  Parade nights: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 7.15pm–9.30pm
  Email: enquiries@suttonseacadets.co.uk
  Tel: 020 8669 8219

• Bromley Sea Cadets
  Magpie Hall Lane, BR2 8JE
  Parade nights: Mondays and Thursdays, 7pm–9.30pm
  Email: oic@bromleyseacadets.co.uk
  Tel: 020 8462 3198 (parade nights only)

• Caterham and Old Coulsdon Sea Cadets and RM Cadets
  Army Reserve Centre, Marlpit Lane, CR5 2HD
  Parade nights: Wednesdays and Fridays, 7pm–9.30pm
  (Junior Cadets Fridays; Royal Marines Cadets Wed/Fri)
  Email: info@caterhamseacadets.org
  Tel: 07360 201963

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