03/06/2026
Thank you 🙏
It is with a heavy heart that we announce the retirement of our much loved and respected Commanding Officer, Petty Officer (SCC) Kevan Chatterley.
PO (SCC) Chatterley has been a long standing adult volunteer with Long Eaton Sea Cadets for over 15 years, initially starting on the UMT as the unit treasurer and then transitioning into uniform, initially as an Instructor and ultimately as the XO. In late 2019, with the unit on its knees, PO Chatterley, alongside the current UTO, took over as Commanding Officer and halted the units decline. At the point of taking over unit had approximately 15 cadets on the books, of which we were lucky to see 8 maybe 10 on a parade night.
PO Chatterley and the current UTO set about rebuilding the Unit and turning it into a winning team, this they did, even with the onset of covid restrictions that were about to bite. Just prior to lockdown an aggressive recruiting strategy was put in place, and at lockdown the unit had increased numbers to 20 Cadets, many of them now adult volunteers themselves. During COVID it was recognised that the unit needed a strategy to keep our Cadets engaged and in touch with friends. The CO and UTO came up with a plan and launched online sessions, initially to keep everyone in touch once a week. This was then further developed and we began running CTP Sessions and quiz nights. The CO even called in a favour from a former Long Eaton Sea Cadet who was the EWO in HMS DUNCAN, and organised a virtual tour of this cutting edge type 45 Destroyer.
Even though we were in lockdown, the CO, alongside the UTO, continued to push the recruiting message and we managed to attract a further 10 Cadets, who enthusiastically joined us for virtual parade nights. On returning to face to face training, we were presently surprised to find we had only lost 3 cadets, with non of them being new joiners. On our first night back after lockdown the CO was looking at all the new faces and asking “when did you join?” Only to be told during lockdown PO.
During Lockdown the CO oversaw a record number of Cadets and staff attending virtual courses, this continued as we headed back into the unit, with record numbers heading offshore and taking other courses that became available.
On return to face to face activity, the unit returned to parading two nights a week and again the numbers increased. As a result of the CO’s leadership and support the unit now stands at a record 63 Cadets and 23 staff, and has won five burgees.
As the CO steps down for personal reasons, he hands the unit over in the interim period to CPO (SCC) Goodband, who alongside the UTO, will continue the work started in late 2019 in continuing to keep the “Mighty” in the “Mighty Indomitable.”
PO Chatterley, thank you for your support and energy of the last few years in getting Long Eaton to where it is today. You can be rest assured that we will continue to build on your successes and continue to push forward and break new boundaries as the Mighty Indomitable continues to develop and flourish.
Please join me in wishing PO Chatterley all the very best for the future as he hangs up his cap and crosses the gangway for the final time.
Thank you for your support and be rest assured the unit is in good hands.
