King’s Worcester CCF Officer promoted to Lieutenant Colonel

We are delighted to announce that the Contingent Commander of our Combined Cadet Force, Stuart Ellen, has been promoted to the highest rank a CCF Officer can attain, Lieutenant Colonel. He is one of the youngest CCF Lieutenant Colonels in the country. 

Stuart joined King’s as our contingent commander in June 2020, right in the heart of lock-down, so had to adapt the training programmes to work in the metaverse from day one. The contingent has thrived under his leadership, with a more diverse and challenging range of opportunities open to all cadets. He has had to organize not one but two consecutive summer camps for the contingent, a complex logistical task usually handled by a large team from the Regular Forces. Such achievements are typical examples of his boundless energy and enthusiasm as well as his organizational expertise. 

Stuart attended Mill Hill School, joined the CCF and moved through the ranks, becoming Cadet Regimental Sergeant Major. He was a Gap Student at the Royal Grammar School, High Wycombe and while there he was commissioned as a CCF Officer. He has continued to serve as an adult officer from that time. 

Concurrently he served in the Reserve Forces, first in C Company (The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers) The London Regiment and then in 144 Parachute Medical Squadron. He now runs his own Outdoor Education Company and teaches First Aid to a high level, training our cadets and many of our staff. He is also an active member and Training Officer of the West Mercia Search and Rescue Team. 

He is supported in life, work and cadet activities by his wife Rachel, formerly an Art, Craft, Design and Technology Teacher and Contingent Commander at Reigate Grammar School CCF; she also supports our CCF on various weekend activities and camps. 

Commenting on his promotion, Stuart added, “It is an honour to receive this recognition for my service to the Combined Cadet Force and I feel extremely proud to be a small part of the history of the King’s School, Worcester CCF. I am very lucky to be a part of such a dedicated team of Officers, Staff and Cadets and I look forward to further expanding the unit’s horizons for many years to come.”