Scarborough Armed Forces Day with the Scarborough Sea Cadets is set to welcome a distinguished international delegation of Sea Cadets from Geel as part of this year’s Armed Forces Day celebrations, marking a significant milestone in a growing friendship between the two units.
The delegation of fourteen includes four staff members led by Executive Officer (XO) Lie Bellens and ten cadets, reflecting a strong tradition of youth development, maritime training, and remembrance.
The relationship began in 2018, when cadets from Scarborough travelled to Geel to take part in 11 November Remembrance ceremonies. The connection was strengthened further in 2024, when Scarborough Sea Cadets returned to Belgium for the 80th Anniversary of Liberation commemorations.
Geel holds a profound place in wartime history, having been the site of intense fighting during the Battle of Geel in September 1944, where Allied forces including the 15th Scottish Infantry Division sustained heavy losses.
This visit marks the Belgian unit’s first trip to Scarborough and, to current knowledge, the first such exchange between Belgian and UK Sea Cadet units in several decades.
The Commanding Officer of Scarborough Sea Cadets, John Webster said:
“It is a great honour to welcome our friends from Geel to Scarborough. This visit reflects the enduring importance of remembrance, international friendship, and the shared values of our cadet organisations.”