This section is about Dunstable Unit of the Sea Cadet Corps.
Admiral Sir Lionel Preston was instrumental in forming the unit in 1942, as part of the Pioneer Boys Club and was initially located at Britain Street School.
In 1942, the Admiralty granted official recognition of the unit.
In September 1942, Dunstable Sea Cadets took part in the parade for Tank Week.
In 1943, all units were re-numbered in alphabetical order from No. 1 (Aberdare) to No. 357 (York). Dunstable was given number 115. Subsequent units were numbered as they were added.
In 1945 the Old Mill was bought from the retired miller, Frank Simmons. The Admiral put down the initial £15 deposit and the cadets raised the funds to pay off the mortgage.
In 1948 it was named “Training Ship Lionel Preston”. Admiral Sir Lionel Preston, who attended the opening ceremony with Lady Preston, presented the unit with three cups, a pre-Service unit challenge cup, a cup for the year’s best cadet and an athletics cup.
By the end of 1949, the existing contingent of the Girls’ Naval Training Corps (GNTC) had shrunk in number and were closed.
In 1962, a parade for Trafalgar Day took place in the town, only the second time in the unit’s history. On Sunday 21st October 1962, cadets from Dunstable, Luton, Biggleswade, Stevenage, Welwyn Garden City and north Herts attended a service at the Priory Church conducted by the Rector of Dunstable, Canon C Mackonochie.
Following the service, the cadets paraded along Church Street into High Street North before passing Grove House, where the salute was taken by Dunstable mayor Alderman Haydn Parrott and Captain Shaw RN.
The unit was originally part of Midland Area of the Sea Cadet Corps and became part of Eastern Area during the restructure of areas in 1978.
The unit re-established a contingent of the Girls’ Nautical Training Corps (GNTC) in 1989 and in 1992 the GNTC was absorbed into the Sea Cadet Corps.
On Sunday 22nd October 1989, Cambs and Beds District Trafalgar Day Parade was held in Dunstable.
The parade formed up and were inspected in Boscombe Road on the Bedford Vehicles carpark, and then marched with band playing down to the Priory Church for the service.
The Inspecting Officer was Rear Admiral J.O. Roberts CB.
Following the service, cadets paraded along Church Street into Kingsway, with the salute taken in Grove House Gardens opposite the Queensway Hall. The parade then continued on along Queensway, onto High Street North and into West Steet, and back to the unit.
In 2012 Dunstable unit became part of the newly formed Bedfordshire District, moving from the previous Cambs and Beds District.
In 2024, as part of EA24, the restructuring of Eastern Area, Dunstable unit became part of the newly formed South District.