Duke of York School
Combined Cadet Force
Kenya Regiment (TF)
The Duke of York School Combined Cadet Force was affiliated to the Kenya Regiment in which many of the pupils resident in Kenya (as opposed to Uganda) went on to do their National Service. Like most schools in the fifties, membership of the Combined Cadet Force - so called because the officers were teachers at the school - was compulsory.
The General Inspection
Initially all three services were represented, but first the Air Force and then the Navy section was disbanded. The above photographs show the CCF Band (left) and the Naval Contingent (right) marching out to the playing fields for the 1958 General Inspection.
General Inspections were held annually on a Saturday morning each October. Pupils not in the CCF, because they had not yet achieved the age of fourteen-and-a-half had the morning off classes, but were obliged to don Town Dress and observe the proceedings (right above). During the 1958 General Inspection Major I C Reid - extreme left - accompanies the Inspecting Officers from the Playing Fields after the parade had been inspected. PHOTO - unknown pupil
The CCF Band in front of the Tower in 1960 (left). The General Officer Commanding (East Africa Command) takes the salute at the 1962 General inspection (centre and right) while Headmaster, Victor Laing looks on.
Over 215 cadets were on Parade for the 1962 General Inspection (above and left) with all cadets now affiliated to the Kenya Regiment (TF). The Contingent Commander was Major I C Reid, a geography teacher at the school. The photograph (left) was cut out of the East African Standard and shows the Inspecting Officer from East Africa Command, Brigadier S C Chambers ahead of Major Reid with Headmaster Victor Laing bringing up the rear. The Inspections always took place on a Saturday and this picture appeared in the paper the following Monday - on the back of the extract advertisements appear for "an attractive wooden house with two bedrooms in Karen - £21 per month furnished or £15 per month unfurnished".
The cadets have drill purpose standard No 4 rifles. The uniforms were the latest to be issued to the Kenya Regiment and replaced the standard British Army Khaki Drill Jacket and Trousers for cadets' dress uniform. Until 1960 non-dress cadet uniform simply meant adding an army belt, gaiters and beret to everyday grey drill school uniform.
Annual Camp 1961 - Nanyuki
Annual Camp was held at the end of July each year. In 1961 it was held at Nanyuki. The highlight of the week's camp was the excursion to Archer's Post (centre) - where everyone got a swim in the pool of the man-made oasis. A poor quality black and white photograph shows 2/Lt Eddie Green (right) with another officer at the Northern Frontier Division (NFD) Checkpoint. The picture was taken from tailgate of the last 3 tonner in the convoy which included both Police and Ministry of Works lorries as well as army lorries belonging to the Kenya Regiment. In the 21st Century Archer's Post has come to the attention of the public both in Kenya and the UK with allegations that the British Army has not cleared up unwanted and/or spent ordnance abandoned there over the years.
Mount Kenya (left) - PHOTO Ron Leese
During the week's camp at Nanyuki it rained continuously and Mount Kenya refused to reveal itself. Like Mount Kilimanjaro, Kenya can remain hidden for days. Occasional glimpses of the mountain occurred at dawn, but never in sufficient light for my camera to cope with.
1939 Prince of Wales School CCF Inspection (right) PHOTO - Oliver Keeble
