Army Foundation College Archives - Page 3 of 4

Junior soldiers in Harrogate among first to swear oath to King Charles III

Junior soldiers in Harrogate have become some of the first British army service personnel to swear the oath to King Charles III.

A total of 211 junior entry soldiers at the Army Foundation College, on Penny Pot Lane in Harrogate, swore the oath on Sunday night, signifying their enlistment into the army.

The college provides basic training to recruits aged 16 and 17. The courses last for either 23 or 49 weeks.

22 junior soldiers in Harrogate complained of sexual assault last year

Twenty-two junior soldiers at the Army Foundation College in Harrogate said they were raped or sexually assaulted last year.

Figures released by ministers reveal 47 British army recruits under the age of 18 claimed to have been raped or sexually assaulted last year.

Dave Doogan, the Scottish National Party MP for Angus, asked armed forces minister Leo Docherty how many of those were from the Harrogate college.

Mr Docherty replied:

“Of the 47 victims in those statistics, 37 were female and of those cases one has been proven, four are ongoing, and 11 have been transferred to the civilian police.

“Twenty-two were based at the Army Foundation College at the time of the offence.”

The Harrogate college, which recruits about 1,500 recruits each year, is the only British army establishment that delivers military training to junior soldiers aged 16 and 17. Recruits undertake 23-week or 49-week basic training at the college on Penny Pot Lane.

The college on Penny Pot Lane.

Colonel Philip Ingram a former army commanding officer and NATO planner was quoted in The Sun saying:

“These statistics are shocking whatever way you look at them.

“They highlight the most basic of failures in command at a number of different levels and yet it takes a parliamentary question to get the information into the public domain, delivered by the very minister who continuously says the MoD is making huge progress in addressing inappropriate behaviours.

“It is clear that either he is lying or is being lied to in his briefings and the result is the lifetime of trauma imposed on the victims, some of whom are still children. Until defence gets some form of independent oversight then it will continue to cover up what can only be described as atrocious acts.”

The Stray Ferret asked the Ministry of Defence to respond to the allegations and asked why so many abuse claims were made by recruits at Harrogate.

An MoD spokesperson said:

“There is absolutely no place for unacceptable behaviour in the army. We recognise the great courage it takes to come forward and report a sexual offence and commanding officers will always refer any allegation of rape and sexual assault, or any other offence which may have a sexual element, to the service police. All allegations are thoroughly investigated, and support provided to alleged victims.

“At the Army Foundation College emotional, psychological and the physical safety of our young junior soldiers is taken extremely seriously and is central to the ethos at the college. Junior soldiers are empowered to call out unacceptable behaviour and should have confidence that their complaint will be investigated.”

Series of claims

This is not the first time concerns have been expressed about behaviour towards junior soldiers at the Army Foundation College.

Claims of bullying and abuse were raised in the House of Lords in November last year.

Last year also saw a female instructor at the college demoted after being convicted of punching teenage soldiers and three parents call for the college to be closed after claiming their children were abused.

But the college was rated ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted last year. Government inspectors gave positive feedback on safeguarding at the college, saying it investigated incidents thoroughly and made necessary improvements.

Last year Carol Monaghan, the Scottish National Party’s spokesperson for the armed forces, attempted to introduce a clause in the Armed Forces Bill preventing 16 and 17-year-olds enlisting in the army. Anyone under the age of 18 in the UK is legally classified as a child.

But Kevan Jones, Labour MP for North Durham, defended the college. He said:

“I suggest that anyone who wants to see the positive way individuals can and do improve their lives visits the Army Foundation College in Harrogate.”

Junior soldiers graduate at Harrogate’s Army Foundation College

Junior soldiers from Harrogate’s Army Foundation College took part in a passing out parade yesterday.

More than 500 graduates, who are all under the age of 18 when they joined, marked the end of their initial training by marching off the parade square.

The event was watched by a crowd of around 4,000 family members and friends.

Lieutenant Colonel Simon Farebrother MC, Commanding Officer of the AFC, said:

“These soldiers represent the very best of our nation’s young people. They are now ready for their second phase of training which will hone the skills learnt here and develop those required for their chosen trade.

“They follow in the footsteps of those who have graduated from the Army Foundation College before them and gone onto great careers in the British Army.”

The mascot of the Queen’s Dragoon Guards with his handler, walk down Sir Tom Moore Walk at the Army Foundation College Harrogate as the graduation parade begins.

Members of the public take photos of their loved ones during the graduation parade at Army Foundation College Harrogate.

The parade not only marked the end of the graduates training, but also the 75th anniversary of Harrogate’s Uniacke Barracks.

The Senior Inspecting Officer, General Sir Patrick Sanders KCB, CBE, DSO, ADC Gen, Chief of the General Staff, said:

“There are some moments in a person’s life that they remember forever. These are the moments that matter. This is one of those moments.

“This is an army that is currently mobilising to prevent the spread of war in Europe. It is a task inherently linked to our core purpose – to protect the nation by being ready to fight and win wars.”

The Chief of the General Staff, General Sir Patrick Sanders, KCB, CBE, DSO, ADC Gen makes a speech during the graduation parade at Army Foundation College Harrogate.

The Chief of the General Staff, General Sir Patrick Sanders, gives a speech.

Wife’s plea to find missing Harrogate army college volunteer

A wife has issued a plea for help finding a missing volunteer at Harrogate’s Army Foundation College.

Mark Nieuwoudt, who has now been missing for three days, lives with his wife Sal in one of the college’s married quarters.

He works for Sandes, a Christian charity that provides friendship to military personnel and runs a cafe at the site on Penny Pot Lane.

Lt Col Simon Farebrother, commanding officer at the college, issued an appeal for help finding Mr Nieuwoudt last night.

https://twitter.com/CO_AFC/status/1533144123485700097

Lt Col Farebrother told the Stray Ferret:

“Police are aware and searching. He’s classified as vulnerable.”

Mr Nieuwoudt’s wife Sal think he may have caught the train from Harrogate on Friday morning.

She posted on social media:

“Please share this picture near and far in the hope that someone will spot him today.

“He is probably wearing a short black jacket and and brown suede boots.

“If you’ve seen him or had contact with him please contact your local police.”

Ms Nieuwoudt added the police reference number is 030620220249.

Police and army officers amongst Harrogate district residents honoured by Queen

A Boroughbridge police officer and an army officer based at the Army Foundation College in Harrogate are amongst the local residents recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours.

In this jubilee year, the Queen has recognised the service of four Harrogate district residents.

Knighthood

Martyn Oliver, chief executive of Outwood Grange Academies Trust, has been knighted for services to education.

The trust sponsors 40 schools in northern England, including Outwood Primary Academy Greystone and Outwood Academy in Ripon.

MBE

Barry Appleton, at the Army Foundation College in Harrogate, has been made an MBE for his military service.

The warrant officer’s role at the college is to take care of the welfare of the 300 military staff and their families.

The college provides basic training to 1,300 under 18s. The honours list describes how he uses his imagination to “engage with and support his community, providing constant oversight and support in excess of what seemed possible”.

He has worked at the college for more than a decade and in that time looked after hundreds of military and civilian families.

Elizabeth (Lizzie) Ellen Hughes, from Harrogate, has been made an MBE for services to sport during covid.

Ms Hughes is currently director of special projects at Sport England after starting her career in grassroots sport as a project manager at North Yorkshire County Sports Partnership.

She has been responsible for delivering the government’s £600million sports survival package to support spectator sports during covid when fans weren’t allowed in venues.

She has given funding to more than 1,200 organisations through this scheme and was also responsible for giving £32.7million worth of covid funding to rugby league teams.

Colin William Rodham, from Knaresborough, has been made an MBE for services to flood risk management in the Yorkshire region.

Mr Rodham currently works as a senior officer in the Environment Agency.

BEM

Sharron Moverley-Homes, from Boroughbridge, has been made an BEM for services to policing.

Ms Moverley-Holmes is a special chief officer in the North Yorkshire Police Special Constabulary. Since joining the police in 1984 she has remained in the North Yorkshire force calling it “the family I could never leave”.

Over the three decades, she said she has worked in a number of departments but being out in the community remains the most rewarding part:

“The bread and butter of policing is being visible and speaking to members of the public. That could be walking the streets or it could be when they need us the most and are at the worst point in their lives.”

Ms Moverley-Holmes manages the special constabulary which is a collection of part-time volunteer officers. She said working with those willing to give up their free time is “truly rewarding” and dedicated her award to their hard work.

She said another passion of her’s is to ensure the force is as open and inclusive as it can be, she said to serve the community we must represent it, adding:

“Policing was very different when I started and so was the world. I hope my legacy is that we are open to everyone and inclusive.”

Talking about receiving the award, she said:

“I was shocked, surprised, I had to hide it away for a few hours and go back and check I hadn’t read it wrong. It’s a huge privilege to be recognised for a job I love.”

This weekend, on June 5, a group of special constables and Ms Moverely-Holmes will be walking 30 miles from York to Tadcaster to mark the 30th anniversary of the death of Special Constable Glenn Goodman who was fatally shot whilst on patrol in Tadcaster.

Queen’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service

Lisa Winward, the Chief Constable of North Yorkshire, has been awarded the Queen’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service.

Ms Winward joined Humberside Police as a regular officer in 1994, before transferring to North Yorkshire in 2008, and took the position of Chief Constable in April 2018.

She is a national ambassador for volunteering, taking the National Police Chief Council lead for Citizens in Policing for a number of years and is national lead for women’s health and the intelligence portfolio.

Ms Winward, said:

“I simply wouldn’t be where I am today without all of the people who have helped me, taught me, inspired and motivated me and worked alongside me in the wonderful team that is policing. It is a privilege to be a public servant and a police officer.”

Hundreds of junior soldiers graduate from basic training in Harrogate

A graduation parade in Harrogate today marked the completion of training for over 400 of the British Army’s newest soldiers.

A crowd of around 2,000 family members and friends witnessed the occasion at the Army Foundation College on Penny Pot Lane.

The college provides training tailored exclusively to junior soldiers, who are all under the age of 18 when they join up.

army college graduation MOD Crown Copyright 2022 / Cpl Danielle Dawson RLC

Lieutenant Colonel Simon Farebrother MC, commanding officer of the college, said:

“Those graduating today have proved equal to the test and represent the very best of our nation’s young people.

“They are now ready for their second phase of training which will hone the skills learnt here and develop those required for their chosen trade.”

MOD Crown Copyright 2022 / Cpl Danielle Dawson RLC

The event was presided over by Lieutenant General Sir Christopher Tickell, deputy chief of the general staff in the British Army.

The parade, which featured music from the British Army Band Catterick, marked the culmination of months of military training and education at the college.

A statement by the Military of Defence said:

“Through leadership development, The Duke of Edinburgh’s award scheme accreditation, sporting prowess, adventurous training, and education — no other military invests the time, energy, and breadth of resources into its soldiers as the British Army does through the Army Foundation College.

“The college is also one of the most effective education establishments in the United Kingdom and, as an Ofsted outstanding institution, it represents the jewel in the crown of the British Army’s training engine.”

Traffic and Travel Alert: Delays expected due to Army Foundation College parade

Motorists should expect delays around the Army Foundation College in Harrogate as it holds its annual passing out parade.

Delays are expected around the college today from 8.30am to 10am and 1pm to 2pm on Rough Road and Penny Pot Lane.

The Stray Ferret has changed the way it offers Traffic and Travel alerts.

We will now notify you instantly through app notifications and flash tweets when there is an urgent alert. This could include heavy traffic, dangerous weather and long delays or cancellations of public transport.

The alerts are sponsored by The HACS Group.

Abuse allegations at Harrogate Army Foundation College raised in House of Lords

Allegations of bullying and abuse at Harrogate’s Army Foundation College were raised in the House of Lords this week.

The college on Pennypot Lane recruits about 1,500 young men and women each year. It is the only British Army establishment that delivers military training to soldiers under the age of 18.

The issue of how the soldiers are treated by staff and instructors at the AFC has been back in the spotlight this month.

A female instructor at the college was demoted after being convicted of punching teenage soldiers and three parents also called for the college to be closed after claiming their children were abused.

A letter from the parents to Ofsted said that there had been 60 complaints from parents or trainees about the way 16 and 17-year-old soldiers were treated at the AFC between 2014 and 2020. These complaints included allegations of assault and battery.

Speaking in the Lords during a debate on the Armed Forces Bill, Lord Browne of Layton said that the scale of complaints from parents make him want to “reconsider many of the things said in support of AFC Harrogate and what it was actually doing with these young people.”

He added:

“My suspicion is that this issue will not go away—that, like many issues over the last 10 years that have become apparent about institutions, it will be a slow burner but eventually much more will come out.

“History tends to suggest that there is something there that needs to be investigated.”

The college was recently rated ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted. It gave positive feedback on safeguarding at the college saying it investigated incidents thoroughly and made necessary improvements.

In response to Lord Layton, Baroness Goldie, who is a minister at the Ministry of Defence, defended the college and said it has been doing “a very good job”.

“I, on behalf of the MoD, think that this is a good system for young people aged between 16 and 18. It serves them well and is good for the Armed Forces.

“I totally understand the natural interests in issues of governance, well-being and welfare where this training is provided. I absolutely accept that and it is right and proper, but it would be quite wrong to cast this college in a negative light.

“The evidence is that it has been doing a very good job and a lot of young people have benefited as a result of their attendance at it.”

A British Army spokesman told the Stray Ferret:

“We have very strong duty of care and safeguarding mechanisms at AFC (Harrogate) to ensure Junior Soldiers have the right support structures. This includes multiple methods of accessing welfare support, including confidential support lines.

“We take every incident seriously and will refer an allegation to the RMP for investigation. We also have a Ministry of Defence Police Officer based at AFC (Harrogate) to assist in education and investigation.”

Harrogate Army Foundation College instructor demoted for punching teenage soldiers

A British Army instructor who told junior recruits at Harrogate’s Army Foundation College “you’re mine now, bitches” has been demoted after being convicted of punching teenage soldiers.

Corporal Kimberley Hey worked as part of the directing staff at the college on Penny Pot Lane, where junior soldiers undergo training for six months, split into three terms of around six weeks.

Following a court martial, Corporal Hey was found to have hit one 16-year-old in the stomach on his first day of training and delivered a similar blow to another recruit because he had ‘smirked’ at her.

Reducing the 34-year-old in rank to Lance Corporal, Judge Advocate Alistair McGrigor told her that although the punches were at a ‘low level’ she had ‘abused’ her relationship with the recruits and her acts had the potential to ‘erode public trust’ in the armed forces’ training.

Cpl Kimberley Hey. Photo: Solent News and Photo Agency

“You were a very experienced instructor in charge of junior soldiers.

“You had the interests of the junior soldiers at heart but this was an abuse of your relationship.

“It’s an extremely bad example to give young, impressionable soldiers at the start of their army life. Such behaviour had the potential to erode public confidence in training young soldiers.

“You have forfeited your rank by such behaviour.”

Cpl Hey, who has served in the armed forces for 18 years, had denied the charges, insisting her actions only amounted to ‘mutual flicking’ that was part of ‘bonding’ with the soldiers.

But she was found guilty during a three-day trial at Bulford Military Court, Wilts, of two counts of battery relating to junior recruits Craftsman Joseph Wiggin and Craftsman Jonathan Bryan.

Jonathan Bryan. Photo: Solent News and Photo Agency

She was acquitted of six other charges of battery relating to three other soldiers including allegations that she had punched recruits for failing in tests.

‘You’re mine now, bitches’

One trainee told the court martial Cpl Hey, of 3rd Regiment Royal Logistics Corps, told new recruits, ‘You’re mine now, bitches’ shortly after they first arrived.

Signaller Hannah Harwood, who gave evidence via video link from the Falkland Islands, spoke of multiple incidents on ‘the company line’ — a line running down a corridor at the base along which recruits would line up. She said:

“Cpl Hey addressed the platoon at the beginning of the first term, when we first arrived.

“She said something along the lines of, ‘You’re mine now, bitches’.

“At the start of the second term Cpl Hey addressed the platoon again. She asked us, ‘Who thinks they’re hardest?’.

“Three people put their hands up and Cpl Hey punched them all in the stomach.”

Craftsman Wiggin told the court Cpl Hey had punched ‘everyone in the platoon’ on their first day in training, when he was just 16 years old.

Cfn Wiggin said:

“The platoon was called onto the line on the first day of training.

“Our section was on the line and we were all punched. There was no malice behind it – it was more of a sort of bonding thing.

“My arms were behind my back as we were all at ease. She didn’t say anything or give any reason, and I didn’t know she was going to punch me.

“I would have been 16 at the time.”

The Army Foundation College in Harrogate.

‘Strict but fair’

Craftsman Bryan told the court:

“Cpl Hey gave me a jab in the stomach on one occasion.

“The whole platoon were on the line. I was smirking at the time and she jabbed me in the stomach.

“I slightly anticipated it because she would do it as a joke with a few from her section.

“Cpl Hey was a good DS; she was strict but fair. She treated us more like friends and joked around with us.”

Handing down the sentence, Judge Advocate McGrigor said:

“You punched Private [Joseph] Wiggin on his first day as he stood in line with his whole platoon.

“Later you punched Private [Jonathan] Bryan because he smirked at you. The court rejected that this was ‘mutual flicking’ as you said.

“We do, however, accept that these punches were at the very low level.”

Harrogate companies pay tribute to Captain Tom

Two Harrogate district companies have paid tribute to Captain Sir Tom Moore at a newly unveiled memorial.

Horticultural services provider Ray Skelton (Harrogate) and Johnsons of Whixley, a nursery, both sponsored the walkway, which was opened at the Army Foundation College in Harrogate this month.

Captain Sir Tom’s daughter Hannah Ingram-Moore, her husband and children, visited the college on Pennypot Lane to cut a ribbon and unveil a plaque that includes details of his life.

Ray Skelton (Harrogate) commissioned Kris Elvidge, a local stone mason, to engrave the stones that can be found at the front and back of the college headquarters.

Meanwhile, Johnsons donated two Magnolia ‘Double Diamond’ 200-250 110L trees and 50 Hydrangea arborescens ‘Annabelle’ worth a total of £765 to the memorial.

Stuart Skelton, director of Ray Skelton (Harrogate), said:

“It has been an honour and a privilege to be involved in the Capt Sir Tom Moore Memorial. Hopefully, this will continue to inspire future generations of junior soldiers”

Eleanor Richardson, Johnsons of Whixley’s marketing manager, said:

“We were delighted to be part of this fitting tribute to Capt Sir Tom Moore, who was a true inspiration.

“The donation is particularly fitting as the magnolia is native to Asia, where he served during World War Two.”

Captain Sir Tom was made an honorary colonel of the Army Foundation College in Harrogate last year.

He later visited the college to speak to junior soldiers and was invited back for their graduation in September.

He raised almost £33m for NHS Charities Together by walking lengths of his garden in Bedfordshire, hitting the headlines in the process. He died aged 100 in February this year.

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Series of claims

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Knighthood

MBE

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BEM

Queen’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service

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‘You’re mine now, bitches’

‘Strict but fair’

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