Friday 26th August 2011

It was a proud but nervous moment for 16 new recruits to The Army this morning as they swore an Oath Of Allegiance to The Queen in front of the Deputy Mayor of Chesterfield at the Town Hall.


Some of the 16 cadets after taking their Oath with Deputy Mayor Donald Parsons and Dep Mayoress Diane Parsons and Commanding Officers

The young soldiers, including twins, were officially becoming part of several regiments including The Mercian, The 9/12 Lancers, The Royal Artillery and The Mechanical Engineers. One young man was going on to become a member of The Household Cavalry.

The boys swore their Oath in the Mayoral Parlour where Deputy Mayor, Donald Parsons spoke of his pride at seeing the lads make their Oath and passed on words of advice given to him, "Learn to take an order and you'll grow to be able to give one".

Afterwards we spoke with the twins and their parents to find out why a career in the Army beckoned and just how their parents felt about the life ahead.

Ben and Sam Cawley are both 16 and from Chesterfield. They have both served in The Cadets, having been interested in a career in the Forces from an early age. Their Granddad was previously a Captain in the Army but their dad doesn't think that was a factor in their decision to join up, saying that they had been interested in the Services since they were very small.



Next month Sam (pictured above) will be joining the 9/12 Lancers and Ben, The Royal Artillery.

Firstly we asked why the Army, and Sam said that for him there was no contest, "It's an ambition, something I've always wanted to do - it's been in the family".



Ben (pictured above) agreed wholeheartedly, "I've always wanted to do it, and am really happy we've got in - It's something we've both always wanted to do".

Both the boys and their parents were full of praise for the Cadet service, saying that it's a great start for anyone considering a military career - as Sam told us "We've been Cadets for four years, and are now Corporals. We've taken part in our fourth camp and love it - it's brilliant, it gives you a head start."

Dad agreed saying, "It gives you a knowledge, they're not recruited - it's not a recruitment thing, it is just a youth service but it will give you a good taste of what it's like."

The boys will both go to Harrogate for 42 weeks in September and then will separate for the first time in their lives, with Sam going to Bovington and Ben to Larkhill on Salisbury Plain for Phase Two training. They admit they're daunted by the possibility, "It'll be a shock, it's going to be hard", says Ben, "We're not thinking about it now, about when we leave each other - but, we’ll work through it."

They are though, despite any difficulties that may be part of the journey, committed fully to army life and see themselves having long careers ahead, with Ben saying, "I want to make sure I last and have a good career in the forces."

And their advice for anyone wanting to join up at their age?

"Go for it, work for it, especially the selection time - it's a brilliant feeling when you've done it. Whilst your mates are in 6th form, you'll have a job and be at Harrogate - it's brilliant."

They also advise getting help and support from the Army Careers Service who they say have been great, "They'll make sure you're comfortable in the trade - we had wanted to be Engineers but they felt that may not be right for us, so they talked to us and supported us going into our Regiments."

It was also a big day today for Mum and Dad who watched proudly as the twins took their Oaths. They of course are losing both sons to the Army at once and mum admitted she was apprehensive, "I'm not looking forward to September 11th when we take them to Harrogate, but I'm very proud of them both. We have concerns but it's a good career. They've always been interested and it's a good opportunity for them both."

Dad is fully behind his sons too, "It's a good ambition for them. They've always said that's what they're going to do. They've done their exams, and a lot of preparation. It's been a long trudge for them all here today - they should all be really proud of themselves, and their families too."

But he added, "In a couple of weeks time, the house will be very quiet!"

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