Book on Whanganui's sea cadet history released

Doug Bradley holds his new book, The Sea Cadet. Photo/Stuart Munro

A Whanganui man has written a book on the history of the Wanganui Sea Cadet Unit.

Doug Bradley, a former sea cadet himself, joined the unit last year as their public relations officer. It was while he was working there that he began to write The Sea Cadet.

While in the role, the New Zealand Cadet Force historian sent a message asking for information on how the unit's historical documents were saved.

"It was asking how we saved all our historical papers and training programmes, and it was handed to me and I was asked to be the spokesperson for the unit. So I agreed to do it.

"I realised I'd only been in the unit five minutes, however I knew the history, so I started researching the history and decided, 'Well, if I'm researching it I might as well write a book'."

Doug Bradley (centre) at the book launch on July 9. Photo/supplied

The Sea Cadet covers the history of Training Ship Calliope; the Wanganui Sea Cadet unit since it began in 1960.

Some highlights of the book for Mr Bradley included the fact the unit started off with enough cadets to send two teams to the annual regattas, rather than one.

Another highlight was in 1964 when the unit introduced their first female cadet.

The book was launched on July 9 at the end of the Central Area sea cadet parade. The launch was held in Lower Hutt.

Mr Bradley was pleased to see Royal New Zealand Navy assistant chief of navy captain Maxine Lawes at the launch, "because I taught her when she was 15 years of age".

Mr Bradley's book is $56 and can be bought from Mr Bradley by emailing him on dougbradley@vodafone.co.nz.