Page 37 - The Constructor 2017

Our Military Affiliations

replacement of laundry equipment, the sonar bow dome and the overhaul of refrigeration and fresh
water systems. There will also be a programme of maintenance and minor upgrades on weapons
systems, while a full structural survey of the ship will highlight any repair work required.
Among the challenges involved in the refit is the completion of a major dry blast and painting
programme (involving almost total renewal of the ship’s paint coatings from the water line up) while
completing other maintenance and upgrade work within the necessary timescales, requiring careful
scheduling and programme management.
All of this work will make HMS Lancaster one of the most up-to-date weapons platforms in the Royal
Navy, and should see her through to the end of her service life in the mid-2020s. After the
contractors have finished their tasks, the next step will be the “Ready For Sea Date” Inspection,
which will be a final check prior to sailing, after which the ship and its new crew will undertake sea
acceptance trials for all the new and overhauled sensors, weapons, and equipment, and then sea
training to check the crew’s ability to safely operate the new equipment and deal with ship-borne
emergencies like fires and flood. At the end of this process, the ship will be accepted back into the
Fleet, refreshed and ready to respond to whatever tasks the Royal Navy are presented with, around
the world. We hope that as we celebrate our return to operational status in late 2018, we will be
able to welcome you as guests to visit us and see for yourselves the impressive capability of your
refurbished and enhanced affiliated ship”.

NEWS FROM 14 Company, South West London Army Cadet Force
Our affiliated Cadet Force now has a new Acting Company Commander – Captain
Emma Burtenshaw.
Emma joined the ACF as a Sergeant adult instructor in May 2008 after being a
cadet with South West London ACF for 7 years. She spent 18 months at 145
Detachment as 2IC before taking over as Detachment Commander at 148
Detachment, Old Coulsdon where she remained in position for 7 years.
She gained the rank of 2LT in November 2012 after successfully completing the CFCB. She was
appointed as Acting 14 Company Commander in January 2017.
Emma’s career highlights include attending a cadet exchange in Hong Kong, participating in a garden
party at Buckingham Palace with Prince Charles and running the Senior Cadet Training for SWL ACF.
Outside of the ACF, Emma lives in Merstham, Redhill and works for the Military Preparation College
as an English and Maths tutor based in Croydon and Farnborough. She has just returned from
Summer Camp and writes “From the 29th July until the 11th August, 14 Company South West
London Army Cadet Force deployed to Chickerell Camp, Weymouth along with the rest of the Sector
for 2 weeks of summer camp madness. Although a turbulent start with the 1 of the coaches
breaking down on the way there, cadets and staff arrived in high spirits and ready for a fully loaded
programme to commence.
During the 2 weeks, the cadets participated in numerous activities including expeditions along the
Jurassic coast, challenging navigation courses with views of the countryside, fieldcraft exercises in
torrential downpours, sailing and kayaking (or attempting to) in Portland and various other in camp
activities such as drill and weapons training.
14 Company was the largest company in attendance by far and was pleased to be able to hand out
over 40 APC certificates and several promotions on the final parade of camp whilst proudly parading
the banners donated by The Worshipful Company of Constructors during the march past.”

Autumn 2017 | The Journal of the Worshipful Company of Constructors | 37