Volunteer Cadet Corps Marks 125th Anniversary in 2026

The Volunteer Cadet Corps (VCC), one of the United Kingdom’s oldest uniformed youth organisations, will proudly mark its 125th anniversary in 2026, celebrating more than a century of service, discipline and youth development.

Founded on 14 February 1901 at the Mission Hall on Prince Albert Street, Portsmouth; the Volunteer Cadet Corps was established to provide young people with structure, leadership skills and a strong sense of civic duty.

The VCC ‘legend’ has it that, the children of Royal Marines Artillerymen (all of whom lived ‘on board’ in the barracks) had very little to gainfully occupy their spare time and were often to be found outside playing around throughout the barracks.  This included impromptu football games and sometimes the ball would be ‘accidentally’ kicked through a barrack room window.  But on one occasion the ball was kicked through the Commanding Officer’s office window and so he summoned the Adjutant to find a way to keep this from happening.  The VCC was subsequently born although only with the sons of serving Royal Marines Artillerymen; thankfully today we are much more diverse and accepting.

Its first Commanding Officer was Captain William Harkness RMA, with the VCC’s first parade night held at the then Royal Marines Barracks. Since those early days, the VCC has played a significant role in shaping generations of young people through training, education and service.

It was in 1904 that the first Royal Naval Cadet unit was established at the then HMS Victory Royal Naval Barracks (now HMS Nelson).  It was modelled on the RMA Cadets at Eastney and it was in this year that further RMA and Royal Marines Light Infantry (RMLI) cadets were stood up in Chatham and Plymouth. Such was the success of these cadets’ units, all sponsored and recognised by the Admiralty, more units were set up at HMS Excellent, Forton Barracks in Gosport and Royal Marines Deal in Kent, and later on at all the Royal Navy ‘stone frigates’ located in the Portsmouth area. 

We don’t know when the title Volunteer Cadet Corps was first used, but the earliest record we have is from a Navy List in 1913.  The word ‘volunteer’ was used a lot at the time especially in territorial units and indicates that the instructors were drawn from volunteers in the respective barracks, although we wonder if they were perhaps ‘volunteered’ rather than being so willing!  Nevertheless, and indeed to this day, a service helper volunteer was often excused barracks duties.

Over the past 125 years, the Corps has adapted to social change while remaining true to its founding principles. Thousands of cadets have passed through its ranks, many going on to serve in the Armed Forces, emergency services, maritime industries and a wide range of civilian careers. The values instilled by the VCC – teamwork, resilience, leadership and respect – continue to have a lasting impact well beyond cadet service.

The VCC has Units in Arbroath (Arbroath Division RMVCC – RM Condor), Chivenor (Chivenor Division RMVCC – RM Chivenor), Fareham (HMS Collingwood RNVCC – HMS Collingwood), Gosport (HMS Sultan RNVCC, Gosport Division RMVCC, Band of the RMVCC Gosport – HMS Sultan), Lympstone (Lympstone Division RMVCC – Commando Training Centre Royal Marines), Plymouth (Plymouth Division RMVCC, Band of the RMVCC Plymouth – RMB Stonehouse), Portsmouth (Portsmouth Division RMVCC, HMS Excellent RNVCC), Rosyth (Band of the RMVCC Scotland – HMS Caledonia) with its Headquarters based at HMS Sultan (Hampshire).

The 125th anniversary will be marked throughout 2026 with a programme of commemorative events, including parades (Ceremony of the Dues at the Tower of London), ceremonial activities (Mountbatten Festival of Music at the Royal Albert Hall) reunions of former cadets and staff, and community engagement initiatives (VCC Showcase at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard and Caledonia Canal Challenge). These events will not only honour the VCC’s rich history but also highlight its ongoing relevance and contribution to youth development in the modern era.

Speaking ahead of the anniversary year, Warrant Officer Second Class Russell Piner RM, Commander VCC, said:

“Reaching 125 years is a remarkable milestone and a testament to the dedication of the volunteers, instructors and cadets who have sustained the Corps across generations. Our anniversary is an opportunity to reflect on our proud heritage while looking forward to the future and the next generation of cadets.”

Today, the Volunteer Cadet Corps continues to offer young people unique opportunities to develop practical skills, confidence and leadership in a disciplined yet supportive environment. With strong links to maritime and defence traditions, the Corps remains firmly embedded in the communities it serves.

As the Volunteer Cadet Corps enters its 125th year, it stands as a living legacy of commitment, service and youth empowerment – proud of its past and focused on inspiring the leaders of tomorrow.

Those interested in joining as cadets, or volunteering to support this historic organisation, are warmly encouraged to visit www.volunteercadetcorps.org to learn more about the VCC’s proud past, vibrant present and exciting future.