An example of the work that can be done by the Association is shown here:
'Col Canipel (retd.) noticed a photograph in his local paper of the Romsey ACF band taken in 1948. He contacted the paper and was put in touch with the local artist who was recreating the scene as a painting (shown above).
The artist (Peter Willis) agreed to allow the Hampshire and Isle of Wight ACF to become guardians of the painting, and after a ceremony in September 2007 the painting was presented to the Lord Lieutenant and then hung in the conference room at Newburgh House.
Monday 17 September 2007:
The Former Commandant, Col. Brian Court, Peter Willis, Terry Wheedon and two cadets from Romsey
On Monday 17th September 2007 in a small ceremony at Newburgh House, Peter Willis presented the portrait to the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Army Cadet Force. Col. Canipel (rtd) opened the ceremony on behalf of the Association, and introduced Terry Wheedon.
Terry was one of the cadets pictured in the portrait and has been associated with the Army Cadet Force since 1945, later returning to the ACF as an Adult Instructor. He took over command of the New Forest area (now X Company) when Col. Canipel (rtd) moved from that post to County Training Officer.
Terry Wheedon gave some background to the event depicted in the portrait and explained that in 1945 almost every town had an ACF detachment (battalion), and all were parading large numbers of cadets. Number 1 Btn. Romsey was unusual in that it had independent status and had satellite units in many of the surrounding villages.
West Wellow detachment was formed in 1945 and like many other detachments set about forming a 'band' (more accurately a Corps of Drums). At the County Camp at Leepe in 1946 Major Dereck Batson MBE recruited the then cadet Wheedon into the 'band'.
Over the next few years cadet numbers fell and in 1948 West Wellow amalgamated with Romsey. Terry's association with this cadet band has continued to the present day and he is now the President of the Romsey Old Boys Cadet Band. Two of the cadets from the band featured in the painting went on to become Area Commanders (now Company Commanders).
In 1954 the Romsey cadet band finally won the County Band Cup and went on to win it more times than any other band in the county.
In 1963 the Romsey Old Boys Cadet Band was formed and is still in existence today. Peter Pullen, an ex cadet, who is now the Chairman of the Romsey Old Boys Cadet Band was also present at the presentation at Newburgh House.
Colonel Brian Court, Former County Commandant, spoke briefly and introduced the artist, Peter Willis, who has lived in Romsey since 1957. Peter took up painting after he retired and specialises in scenes 'from times gone by'. In fact it was the background of Romsey High Street in the original photograph that first caught his eye!
The painting took three months to complete, but needed a great deal of research - talking to those who were there - to ensure that colours and other details of dress were correct (the original photograph was in black and white).
Colonel Court felt that the painting should be accepted on behalf of the ACF not by himself, but by two cadets from Romsey as they represented the future of our organisation. LCpl Maxwell and Cadet Botto are shown in the photograph at the top of this page.
Peter Willis presents a print of the painting to LCpl Maxwell, cadet Botto and the detachment commander of Romsey Sgt. Rishton.
The artist presented a print of the painting to Romsey Detachment, and this must surely become one of their treasured possessions.
shown here with the artist are Terry Wheedon and Ray Wheedon both of whom are shown in the painting.
Present at the presentation were both serving members of the ACF including the Former CEO Lt. Col John Clutson and the current Company Commander of Z Company, Major Peter Groves and members of the Association. Col. Gerry Canipel (rtd), Major Tony Trown (rtd), Major Ian Reid (rtd), Lt Col Joe Cloke (rtd), Capt Les Curle (rtd) and SMI Ron Pegram (rtd).
