General Inspection Day, towards the end of May during the mid-1950s,
and the Corps of Drums of the Paston School’s Combined Cadet Force
stand smartly to attention awaiting its turn from the Inspecting Officer.
Out of view in this picture, in a hollow next to the railway line, was a long
building that housed the miniature range. Here, over a distance of 25 yards,
we fired .22 rifles at a target trying to get a one-inch-group with five rounds.
The railway embankment, carrying the line from North Walsham Main to
Cromer and Sheringham, can clearly be seen as well as the overbridge under
which the old Melton Constable, Aylsham to North Walsham Town
railway line used to run.

“I really liked being in the CCF. Starting as a private I soon mastered all
the rifle drill, enjoyed the strict discipline, passed Certificate A, parts I & II
from the Army manual, gained my Marksman badge on the .22 range,
learned how to read a prismatic compass and map read – and gained my
stripes, well, at least one! I really enjoyed Friday afternoons and a chance
to put on my Army uniform – battledress neatly pressed, belt freshly
blanco-ed, brass buckles and cap badge gleaming, and boots so shiny
you could see your face in them!”

The General Inspection Day would start, as usual, with the Contingent
assembling in the School Yard. From there we would march up Grammar
School Road and into the Market Place led by the bugles, fife and drums of
the Corps of Drums with its splendidly-attired Mace Bearer at its head. Many
townsfolk would line the route to witness this yearly spectacle. Then the band
would strike up a tune...

“‘The mademoiselle from Armentieres, parlez-vous,’ we would sing along
to the tune the band was playing, much to the annoyance of Captain
Cooper who would yell ‘Quiet in the ranks!’”

The contingent would then march along King’s Arms Street and along
Norwich Road and into Station Road where, almost at the far corner of the
School Field, was a large gate. Once on the field we would form up in
platoons and await the Inspecting Officer from either Nelson or
Britannia Barracks in Norwich. Sometimes we would be on parade for the
best part of an hour in scorching sunshine!

“‘Water, water,’ cried one boy next to me, and began staggering about
eventually fainting from the heat. Though my mouth was dry, and others
quickly succumbed as well, I stood firm awaiting my turn to be inspected.
Once the ‘brass hats’ from Norwich had been along the line of cadets we
then demonstrated our various skills at taking compass bearings or
stripping down Bren guns. At the end of the day we were exhausted!”

During the summer term, the Combined Cadet Force would go on manouvres
on Kelling Heath, in north Norfolk, where the contingent would engage in
‘war games’ – but that’s another story!

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