IT was a momentous occasion when a group of Barnsley Army cadets were presented with the Montgomery of Alamein Cup.

The presentation was made in 1952 during a dinner at Barnsley Town Hall and a letter from Field-Marshall Viscount Montgomery congratulating the team was given a place of honour.

The cadets were members of the 1st (C) Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment (Barnsley).

The presentation was made by GOC-in-C, Northern Command Lieutenant-General Sir Philip Balfour. He also presented the Northern Command Cup for .303 shooting.

Field Marshall Viscount Montgomery's letter was read out by Major CE Sayer, Officer Commanding the Battalion, who said: “We shall always treasure this letter because when a busy man in the position of Field-Marshall Montgomery can find time to sit down and write a personal letter to us, it is a very great honour indeed.”

The Barnsley cadets had the honour of being the first in the North of England to be awarded the Montgomery Cup.

Colonel T Chadwick (County Commandant of the West Riding) who presided, said Barnsley had every reason to be proud of the cadets. He referred to the work of RSM Jack McGarry who received the Meritorious Medal for 25 years’ service in the Army.