Nine pupils from King’s CCF Royal Marines Section recently competed in the annual military skills and leadership national competition, The Sir Steuart Pringle Trophy, held at the Commando Training Centre in Devon.
This was the culmination of five weeks of intense training that included 6.00 am starts, late evenings and long Sundays.
This year was a decidedly more physical event; day one comprised a number of military stances at the Centre and on Woodbury Common that included a stretcher race, the assault course, marksmanship and first aid.
On day two, the team started with the infamous Royal Marines Endurance Course. Despite being slowed down when caught behind another school, they shattered the King’s record and came in at 19 minutes 27 seconds.
The competition is often decided by very fine margins, but this year King’s were the clear winners, clocking up a huge 45-point lead on their nearest rivals, Winchester College. The team also finished first in the Endurance Course, as well as map reading, observation, modern urban combat and camouflage and concealment.
It is worth noting that in the last ten years, King’s have now won the trophy an incredible SIX times and have been runners-up on two occasions.
King’s College CCF Contingent Commander, Major Steve King, said: “The team are of course elated. This is a fantastic result – our biggest win to date and it fully justifies the long and arduous build up. I would like to make a special mention of Captain Pete Belfield, for his drive, enthusiasm and quality of instruction when training the team.”
The team comprised: Oliver Biggs, Joss Chippendale, Charlie Spurr, Sam Cobb, Jamie Glaisher, George Small, Patch Reehal, Charlie Reehal and Alistair Ramsden.
Photographer: Steve King