A new Combined Cadet Force unit has officially opened in Greenwich.

The new unit opened on September 13 at the Stationers' Crown Woods Academy and the first cadre of Cadets paraded and took part in training exercises.

They were under the close scrutiny of Lt Col Jason Durup, Commanding Officer of the City of London Royal Marines Reserves and all passed with flying colours.

Lt Col Durup said it was a great honour and privilege to open the unit and welcomed the cadets into the Royal Marine family.

Through the youth training programme cadets develop many qualities that would serve them well in whatever they chose to do in life: teamwork, leadership, resilience and commitment.

Lt Col Durup said: "Treat others as you would wish to be treated, always do the right thing, always behave with integrity and humility, never stop listening and learning and always, always be infectiously inclusive.”

Invited guests included The Mayor of Greenwich, Cllr Christine May, Master of the Stationers’ Company David Allan, Past Masters Helen Esmonde and Kevin Dewey, Mr Hugh Player from Greenwich Hospital, Chair of Governors & Stationer, Sue Pandit, members of the Stationers’ Company, parents and carers and grandparents of cadets.

Stationers’ Crown Woods Academy said that they were very proud to be only the third Royal Marine unit in London and it had only been made possible by sponsorship from the Stationers’ Company and Greenwich Hospital.

The CCF takes on all students from Year 10 upwards.

Hugh Player, Director of Greenwich Hospital, a co-sponsor of this initiative, said: “Greenwich Hospital, the longest established charity supporting the Royal Navy, is pleased to have provided start-up funding for the first five years of the new CCF unit’s life.

"We feel privileged to have worked with great people with great ideas, and to have been able to support the School and the Stationers’ Company in this exciting project. We are confident it will be a great success, strongly positive for all, and a key strand in the School’s future growth and development.”