CCF Pooley Sword of Honour Awarded to Will R

Shrewsbury School CCF has awarded its prestigious Pooley Sword of Honour to Colour Sergeant Will R (UVI, O), senior cadet in the Royal Marines Section.

Inspired by the renowned Sword of Honour presented to the top officer cadet at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, the award recognises the senior cadet who best exemplifies the values of leadership, resilience, integrity and humility. Shrewsbury School CCF now has their own version of this prestigious award following a kind donation from the Pooley family.

Following a staff and pupil vote, Will was announced as this year’s recipient by Contingent Commander Lt Col Nick David during the annual whole CCF photograph. The formal presentation will take place on Speech Day.

Lt Col Nick David, Head of CCF, said:

“We are extremely grateful to the Pooley family for this generous donation. The sword has already generated considerable interest amongst our cadets and will serve as a powerful motivator for pupils to embrace all the opportunities and benefits that cadet service offers.

“I believe the cadet experience is one of the finest personal development opportunities available to pupils at Shrewsbury, and this award brings both prestige and incentive to those senior cadets who continue their commitment into the Sixth Form.”

The Sword of Honour forms part of the many academic and co-curricular prizes awarded annually on Speech Day. While the ceremonial sword itself remains at the School, each recipient receives a named miniature sword, known as a poignard, as a lasting keepsake of their achievement.

The sword was crafted by Pooley Sword, the renowned British sword maker established in 2005 following the closure of Wilkinson Sword’s ceremonial sword division. Founder Robert Pooley acquired many of Wilkinson Sword’s original assets, continuing the tradition of producing British military and Commonwealth swords using time-honoured craftsmanship techniques. Today, Pooley Sword is the leading supplier of ceremonial swords to HM Forces, as well as numerous Commonwealth and overseas defence forces.

Now displayed in the CCF offices, the Shrewsbury Sword of Honour is a striking example of British craftsmanship. The basket-hilted infantry officer’s broadsword features a blade forged from a single piece of high-carbon steel, hand-ground, tempered and polished. Its detailed etchings include the School crest and motto, alongside the cap badges of the three services represented within the contingent: the Royal Marines, The Rifles and the Royal Air Force.

Lt Col Nick David, CCF Contingent Commander