The Victoria Cross Trust enters its third year of working with trip-service cadet groups whose members are seeking to gain evidence for their cv's, Duke of Edinburgh Award or simply their personal interest. The project dove-tails with the work undertaken by the charities volunteers who clean and restore military graves around the region. They also work as volunteers for the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Eyes on Hands on (EOHO) programme inspecting seven cemeteries in the Doncaster area.
The cadet project allows trips-service units to assist the VCT in locating and inspecting the CWGC and other military graves to ensure they are accessible and maintained. The cadets also learn how to undertake research into the histories behind the casualties from their area often leading to the uncovering of family history that would otherwise be forgotten.
In the first year of the project Army, Sea and Air cadets took part helping to identify the locations of military graves in Sheffield City Road, Arksey and Adwick-le-Street Doncaster. Around 50 cadets took part and culminated in them presenting their research to the civic mayor in the Doncaster Mansion House. A total of 320 hours of community service was registered and 33 grave locations identified.
Since that time over 100 cadets have benefitted from the work of the VCT and in return Keith Lumley from the VCT was awarded Volunteer of the Year by the Armed Forces Covenant Board in Doncaster with the charity recognised also as the Business of the Year at the same ceremony.
Following the project the CWGC accepted an Army cadet group as a EOHO team providing City Road Sheffield with cover from a large group of enthusiasts for the foreseeable future. The project also led to one cadet volunteering to work with the VCT and subsequently be employed by them at their Frenchgate shops. Cadet Georgina Trick led her first restoration with the team in Eston in 2025. This was after she had spotted a sunken headstone and her curiosity led her to clear away soil and uncover a lost family memorial. She supported the stonemasons over three days which saw 32 memorials cleaned and restored.
Already local cadet groups from Finningley, Askern and Rotherham have enquired into undertaking similar in projects and plans are underway for the VCT volunteers to support their endeavours. all of this adds to the outcome and aims of the VCT - maintaining the memory and educating the public.
If you are a cadet or group leader interested in taking part you can contact the VCT via email at Info@VC-Trust.org.
