11th December 1981

For the first time since the Academy opened in 1947 weather prevented the Officer Cadets of SMC 27 from forming on Old College Square for their Sovereign's Parade!

The address to mark the commissioning of SMC 27 was given by The Sovereign's Representative, Admiral of the Fleet Sir Terence Lewin, GCB, MVO, DSC, DSc, Chief of Defence Staff, at a ceremony held in the Churchill Hall.

Photos in the media gallery (for members only) show the Commandant's Parade which took place a few days before. Snow is visible on the ground however, nothing compared to the weather on the actual day. To date this is the only Sovereign's Parade to date to be cancelled due to bad weather.  

Update March 2025

We were recently sent a cine film recording of SMC 27's parade in December 1981 Recorded by the father of alumnus Michael Relph on his 8mm cine film camera, this footage has been thoughtfully restored by Michael. 

We enhanced it further with music recorded in the Royal Memorial Chapel during the 2024 Service of Remembrance.

We hope you enjoy.