CADETS ON PARADE GROUND, SIR VARYL BEGG INSPECTING THE CADETS, ADMIRAL BEGG TAKING THE SALUTE, SENIOR UNDER OFFICER IRONSIDE RECEIVING CANE FROM ADMIRAL BEGG, AND CADETS FROM VARIOUS COUNTRIES TALKING AND EXCHANGING CONGRATULATIONS.




Initials DE/V/MR/BB



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Background: THE COMMISSIONING PARADE AT THE MONS OFFICER CADET SCHOOL IN ALDERSHOT, SOUTH-EAST ENGLAND TODAY (THURSDAY) WAS TAKEN BY CHIEF OF THE NAVAL STAFF AND FIRST SEA LORD, ADMIRAL SIR VARYL BEGG. BEING COMMISSIONED WERE A NUMBER OF CADETS WHO HAVE BEEN TAKING COURSES AT MONS -- INCLUDING YOUNG MEN FROM AFRICAN AND ASIAN COUNTRIES.

THE SILVER MOUNTED OFFICER'S CANE WHICH GOES TO THE MOST OUTSTANDING SENIOR UNDER OFFICER WAS PRESENTED TO N.H.W. IRONSIDE, WHO IS GOING INTO THE ARMY AIR CORPS. HE IS THE SON OF A WELL-KNOWN BRITISH SOLDIER, BRIGADIER H.C.W. IRONSIDE C.B.E.

ADMIRAL SIR VARYL BEGG IS HELD IN HIGH RESPECT BY NAVAL MEN EVERYWHERE. HE COMMANDED BRITISH MALAYSIAN, AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND FORCES IN 1964 AND 1965 AT THE HEIGHT OF THE INDONESIA -- MALAYSIA CRISIS. IN THE PARADE AT MONS WERE NUMBER OF CADETS FROM SOUTH-EAST ASIA, INCLUDING CADET MAHDINI OF BRUNEI, AND CADET S.H. LAI OF SINGAPORE.