Cadets search for old crew mates

Sea Cadets, the national youth charity, has launched a search for people in the North East of England that once wore its navy blue uniform and white sailors cap.

The search, called My LegaSea, aims to inspire former cadets to reconnect with the charity, share their stories from time spent at sea, on powerboats or travelling the world on expeditions.

The Sea Cadets has commissioned an independent researcher who has been travelling the country, meeting former cadets and hearing their stories.

The study’s lead researcher Anna Spencer has uncovered the heart-warming story of a group of musical Sea Cadets veterans who served on TS (Training Ship) Kelly, based in Hebburn - on the banks of the River Tyne – in the 1970’s.

Stephen Symer (58), Dave Berry (65), Barry Turner (62), George Sanger (61), Les Turner (61) and Peter Atherton (61), were all part of an award winning cadet band in their youth and have stayed friends to this day.

They meet monthly to rehearse and socialise and perform every November in the Armistice parades.

If you, or anyone you know, has served in the Sea Cadets and would like to share their story, you can by completing the My LegaSea survey online at: https://www.sea-cadets.org/ my-legasea, or by emailing: Legasea@ms-sc.org and aspencer@ms-sc.org

For people who are not online, you can write to the Sea Cadets My LegaSea Team at 202 Lambeth Road, London, SE1 7JW, addressed to Anna Spencer, Lead Researcher, My LegaSea.