By SSI Debbie Callaghan, HQ Company, GMACF
Whilst most stories gathered by the media team are about the achievements and activities of the Cadets (about 90%) and Adult Volunteers (pretty much the remainder), we rarely write stories of the dedicated permanent staff based at the Holcombe Moor Training Centre. They are there to provide assistance to the adults and Cadets and to run the Cadet Training Centre and accommodation on a daily basis – which is a tall order because it’s in use one way or another pretty much every day of the year NOT just weekends, when generally one or more Companies or detachments are in residence. Without the permanent staff team, led by the noble, silvery-haired Major Tom Cormell, Cadet Executive Officer (CEO) the activities of the Cadets or the Centre would not be possible.
And now, one of the CEO’s staff, Captain Edward (Ted) Ridings, Cadet Administration Assistant (CAA) at Greater Manchester Army Cadet Force (GMACF) has finally hung up his uniform as he slides gracefully into well-earned retirement, after 53 years in uniform.
Ted was born on the 7th December 1950 in Bolton, the son of a miner and one of 10 children. Father was sadly killed in a mining accident when Ted was only two years old. Ted left school at the age of 15 to become an apprentice butcher in his local abattoir. Over the years, in between his time spent in the Regular Army and the Reserve Forces, Capt Ridings became skilled in other trades, becoming a skilled Wood Machinist, HGV Driver and window fitter. It was the latter qualification that decided Ted to set up his own double-glazing business after leaving the Regular Army.
His uniformed service began in 1963, at the age of 13, when he joined Farnworth Detachment, West Lancashire Army Cadet Force as an Army Cadet. During his time as a Cadet, he was to rise to the rank of Cadet Sergeant.
In 1966 he left the ACF to enlist as a Junior Soldier at the Junior Tradesman’s Regiment, Troon, Scotland. During his service in the Regular Army, 1966-74 he reached the rank of Junior Sergeant. He also earned his Regimental Colours for Boxing and was also the Captain of the Regimental Rugby Team.
He served initially with “The Loyals” – The Loyal Regiment (North Lancashire) in Dover and between 1969 and 1974, served in five tours of duty in Northern Ireland. During this time The Loyal Regiment amalgamated with the Queens Lancashire Regiment (QLR), and Ted was later posted to the Staff Training Team at Fulwood Barracks, training junior soldiers. Here he remained until the closure of that unit in 1974, whereupon he was attached to a Yorkshire Regiment, The Green Howards, in Chester for his final six months as a regular soldier and took part in the resettlement program to help with his return to civilian life.
But he wasn’t finished yet with his life in uniform. After leaving the regulars he enlisted with the Territorial Army, (now the Army Reserve), and remained on home retention until 1987, which meant he reported annually for training to ensure he remained competent in all the skills he had learnt whilst serving in the Regular Army. In that year, he took the momentous decision to join GMACF, initially as a volunteer in the role of Staff Sergeant, later taking on the position of Detachment Commander at Farnworth Detachment in what was now 5 (Anzio) Company. In 1990, after a lot of hard work, he was commissioned. Outside of his work with the ACF, he was self-employed, running his own business, whilst also helping his wife of 45 years, Joyce, to raise their two children, Tina and Darren.
In 1995, when a vacancy arose with the Reserve Force Cadet Association (RFCA) to become a Cadet Administrative Assistant for No. 5 (Anzio) Company, he leapt at the chance and has been a loyal servant of the organisation until his official retirement on 29 January 2016.
So what does he plan to do now? That’s easy – says Ted, “I have 2 adult children Tina and Darren who have both done me proud. I also have two amazing grandsons, Jacob and Joseph and I plan to spend time with them as they are both keen footballers. So I’ll be off to watch them play at more of their games. Although I have played darts in my local team and crown green bowling, my wife and I, who is also due to retire, plan to enjoy our retirement taking holidays which will include cruises as we enjoy them. I will need to catch up on my gardening too. Oh! Wait. That won’t take long as I only have a hanging basket.”
Ted will be missed by his colleagues. All had good words to say about the time they have all spent together in helping GMACF to become the success it is today.
His leaving presentation was presided over by Colonel Mark Underhill OBE, Chief Executive of North West RFCA who made a special visit from his office in Liverpool. The Commandant of GMACF, Col Mike Glover, also attended the presentation and thanked Capt Ridings for his years of dedication.
As happens very often in GMACF, the CEO, Major Cornmell, had the final word, “Ted has served the ACF in Greater Manchester for 29 years, and during that time, for 20 years as a member of the Permanent Staff as the Cadet Administrative Assistant for our Number 5 Company. Ted will be missed. He has held a valuable position within the Team. He has been the glue that hold the team together, so important to the team dynamics, and a man with a wealth of Cadet experience. All the Permanent Staff wish Ted and his wife Joyce a long and happy retirement.”
Do you have what it takes to serve with GMACF, as an Adult Volunteer. Could you be another Ted Ridings? Are you looking for an opportunity to work hard and develop new skills? If so, why not contact GMACF County HQ on 01204 512600.
Greater Manchester Army Cadet Force can also be found in other locations on the Internet
… at our official ACF Web Page at:
https://armycadets.com/county/greater-manchester-acf/
… on Facebook at:
https://www.facebook.com/GreaterManchesterACF
… on Twitter at:
on YouTube at:
This is a great story and hopefully shows the permanent staff that they are appreciated as like the story says. Nothing would happen without them. The volunteers also do a great job.
Congratulations Ted on a well earned retirement. Many thanks for all your support, help and advice you gave me as a Det Cmdr at Clifton Detachment right up Company Commander 5 Coy. We had some excellent good times as well as some hairy moments eg Penhale !! Hope you and Joyce chase your dreams and enjoy your new lives. Get in touch if you are ever in my area of sunny Spain and we can meet up for a drink and chat. All the best. Sheila Fearon, La Cala Finestrat, Costa Blanca, Spain