MORE than 50 years ago Evesham Sea Cadets marched through the town at the annual Trafalgar Day parade.

The event, which took place in October 1956, featured about 150 people – including some familiar faces still living in the town.

One of these belongs to Tony Willoughby, of Bretforton, who shared his memories of the day with the Journal.

Mr Willoughby, centre in the first full rank, said he still recognised most of the people in the photo – which has been digitally enhanced by his talented granddaughter Becky Coyle – including Sub- Lieutenant Taylor leading the group and Chief Petty Officer Pincher Martin to the rear.

“It was taken at the annual Trafalgar Day parade in 1956 in High Street and the Evesham cadets provided the colour guard. The march started at the entrance to the station.

“The parade was led by the Worcester Sea Cadet Band. The man with the big bass drum kept dropping his sticks and we were picking them up for him each time.”

Standing next to Mr Willoughby to his left and slightly obscured by the Sub Lieutenant is someone still very well known in the town.

“To my immediate left is one John Smith before he became a councillor. Our ages ranged from 13 to 16 years of age. I was about 13 at the time and stayed with the cadets until I was around 15. Then you left school in those days and I suppose I thought I was grown up. I think John Smith and another cadet, Dave Watkins, went on to become Petty Officers.

“We were carrying Lee Enfield 303 rifles of an unknown vintage, some longer than the cadet carrying it. They were big pieces of kit manufactured around the 1900s. I wonder what health and safety would make of the bayonets today?”