Army Cadet Force Unit 43 Cadet Attachment
The Company has a strong and growing affiliation with the Army Cadet Force Unit, 43 Cadet Detachment, based in East Ham. 43 Cadet Detachment unit, which is badged currently as a Royal Horse Artillery unit, provides opportunities for young people to develop self esteem, leadership qualities and learn about the benefits of discipline and teamwork. The affiliation between the Company and the Unit is governed by a Memorandum of Understanding which provides for an annual funding grant to the Unit to enable it to purchase uniforms and other kit for the Cadets. The MOU also cover reciprocal visiting arrangements between the Company and the Unit, including the opportunity for the CO of the unit to attend the annual Installation Dinner (see below). Members of the Company have attended the Annual Cadets Summer Camp and cadets from the Unit provide support to the Company at the Annual Sheep Drive Read More
The Queen’s Own Yeomanry
Past Master John Nickell-Lean TD, during his year as Master of the Company (2003/04), arranged an affiliation with The Queen’s Own Yeomanry. The Queens Own Yeomanry is a Territorial regiment which was originally formed on 1st April 1971 as the 2nd Territorial Armoured Car Regiment. It was then established from The Northumberland Hussars (RHQ), The Yorkshire Yeomanry (formerly the Yorkshire Hussars, Yorkshire Dragoons and East Riding Yeomanry), The Cheshire Yeomanry and the Ayrshire Yeomanry. However since that time the Regiment has had changes adding the Sherwood Rangers (which were then promptly lost) and regaining the Ayrshire Yeomanry and most recently bringing in the Fife and Forfar and the Northern Irish Horse. Therefore it has elements in Yorkshire and the north of England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
The Queen’s Own Yeomanry with its distinctive cap badge of a stalking fox was one of two armoured Reconnaissance Regiments formed specifically with a role in BAOR, to stand against the threat from the East, particularly of a Russian Invasion of Western Europe. Today it serves in a formation reconnaissance role, equipped with the CVR(T) family of armoured reconnaissance vehicles, including Scimitar and Spartan. On mobilisation, the QOY provides squadrons to reinforce the regular formation reconnaissance regiments and has provided personnel to both Operation HERRICK in Afghanistan and Operation TELIC in Iraq. Most of the serving members of the regiment have served with their regular counterparts in the Royal Armoured Corps and other arms and services.
Today the regiment is part of the 15th (North East) Brigade of the 2nd Division. Every year the Worshipful Company of Woolmen presents a silver trophy in the shape of a ram’s head to the Squadron judges by the Commanding Officer to have performed best during the preceding year Read More
HMS Raleigh
The Woolmen have enjoyed an affiliation with HMS Raleigh since 2022. HMS Raleigh is the largest Royal Navy training establishment in the South West. It’s made up of a 239-acre main site, a maritime training centre on the River Lynher, and satellite bases for leadership and team-working exercises on Dartmoor and the Rame peninsular. The seven schools on site provide a broad spectrum of training, ranging from the Submarine School, to Damage Control and Board & Search, which also train members of the Royal Marines, Royal Fleet Auxiliary and the Royal Navy Reserve.HMS Raleigh consists of a ‘sea sense’ training centre on the River Lynher, Pier Cellars, close to Torpoint in South East Cornwall, plus Gutter Tor refuge on Dartmoor. Both are used to conduct leadership and team-working exercises. Read More
Red Arrows
The Royal Airforce Aerobatic Team, the Red Arrows, is one of the world’s premier aerobatic display teams, with which the Woolmen have enjoyed an affiliation since 2022. Representing the speed, agility and precision of the Royal Air Force, the team is the public face of the service. They assist in recruiting to the Armed Forces, act as ambassadors for the United Kingdom at home and overseas and promote the best of British. Flying distinctive Hawk fast-jets, the team is made up of pilots, engineers and essential support staff with frontline, operational experience. Together, they demonstrate the excellence and capabilities of the Royal Air Force and the Service’s skilled, talented people. Often, with their trademark Diamond Nine shape and combination of close formations and precision flying, the Red Arrows have been displaying since 1965. All Red Arrows display pilots have flown operationally in frontline aircraft, such as the advanced Typhoon, and helped the Royal Air Force to secure the skies every day of the year. Based at RAF Waddington in Lincolnshire, the Red Arrows had flown almost 5,000 displays in 57 countries by the beginning of 2022 – the team’s 58th season. Read More
131 Commando Squadron
131 Commando Squadron is the Army Reserve sub-unit of 24 Commando Royal Engineers and the Woolmen have enjoyed an affiliation with the unit for a number of years. The part-time Commando Sappers work with their regular counterparts to enable 3 Commando Brigade to live, move and fight. 131 Commando Squadron has served in over 60 nations and territories worldwide and since 1978 it has supported the Royal Marines and Commando Forces. Before that it was a parachute unit, supporting the Parachute Regiment. The original ‘131’ was a field company in the Salonika Campaign during WW1. The unique Squadron allows members to develop in their civilian careers or study, while enjoying the widest range of challenges, experiences and opportunities available anywhere in the Reserve Forces. Read More