For the first time in the history of the Army Cadet Force a National ACF Museum has been created at Octavia Hill’s Birthplace House in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire. So it was fitting the Cadets from the local Wisbech Detachment, Cambridgeshire ACF would be the first Cadets to visit. The ACF Museum is being created as a project in conjunction with ACCTA, Regional Command along Col (Rtd) Mark Knight MBE DL. A former Commandant of Cambridgeshire ACF,
The idea is to bring together memorabilia covering the start of the ACF in 1859, Octavia Hill’s involvement from 1889 in the formation of the modern day ACF as we know it today right up to year 2023. The present conception of the Army Cadet Force as a voluntary youth organisation, helped and inspired by the Army, really stems from that time and has continued throughout the ACF’s. Octavia is well known for her work as a founder of the National Trust, social reformer but not generally for her pioneering work with the ACF.
Although many ACF items are in circulation with private individuals it is hoped to secure donations or loans of items for display in the ACF Museum. It is a major task and relies on the support of ACF members and former cadets who have served.
