Our History

In 1949, Sutton Coldfield had an establishment of 100 cadets in uniform and 60 boys on a list waiting to enter and had outgrown its Headquarters. The Unit secured a lease for a disused orchard on the other side of what is now Stonehouse Road.  Under the Command of Lt Cruxton, it was decided that the staff and cadets would build the new H.Q. themselves.

The ground was cleared by Mr R.M Douglas- who was on the committee and owned a large civil engineering company, and the guidance of  architect Mr Reginald Stone for the design of a new unit

The plans were drawn to strongly resemble the shape of  HMS SUTTON. Materials were gathered and by working mostly weekends the task of building took 3 years and it was estimated at the end that some 2,500 hours had been spent working on it.

In 1952 The main construction was ready, and arrangements were made for the grand opening.  The Mayor of Sutton Coldfield Councillor W.M Taylor was still serving with the civilian committee as all Mayors did at the time.

The Lady Mayoress, Mrs Dorothy Taylor, carried out the opening as a Lady Sponsor would commission a Ship of the Royal Navy.

A nameplate bearing the name Sutton Coldfield has been fitted to the side of the ship and this was to be unveiled on the day.  Contingents from other units were paraded. 

A full ceremonial Guard paraded, and the inspection carried out by Admiral W.R. Patterson K.C.B., C.V.O., C.B.E. Royal Navy.

The Mayors Chaplin, the Rev W.C. Russell, carried out the service of dedication.  The whole project to this stage had cost an estimated £2,000 4s 11d – equivalent to roughly £50,000 in 2020 – money that has to be raised as the bank balance around this time was £70.0s 0d.

The inspiration of these unit pioneers continues to motivate the units’ members to this day.