Unit History

Brighton Sea Cadet Unit was formally commissioned 70 years ago as part of the Naval Brigade and, having led a rather nomadic life, was finally presented with the Benson Hall by the widow of the late Lieutenant Commander Benson, who had been a stalwart member of the Sussex RNVR and a member of the Navy League. 

The Unit was initially commissioned as T.S. Dolphin and later T.S. Brighton, after the demise of any naval ship bearing that name.

The Benson Hall has had a chequered history being a tannery and a garage for horse drawn trams before becoming a Sea Cadet Unit.

Within living memory, the access between lower and upper decks was by rope ladder and the only safety barrier between cadets and the rifle range was a rope!

Over the years many volunteers have carried out repairs and improvements on an ad hoc basis. It is only recently that large sums of money (or at least large to those people who have to raise them) have been spent on professional builders to try and bring the hall up to the standards required and expected for the present day cadets.

In the last three years, by team efforts and thanks to many supporters of Brighton Cadets, over £20,000 has been raised to pay for renovations which have included the almost complete replacements of the front of the building, a new shower block and toilets, a new Wardroom and a new Galley.

Through this generous and ongoing support the Unit continues to serve the local children to grow into responsible adults, in a building which we hope will be worthy of the aims of our Corps.