National Service continued after the war and hundreds of
officers were needed for the Army. Lt Gen Sir Brian Horrocks
commanding Western Command in Chester recognised the potential of
the then vacant estate of the Duke of Westminster, and with the
Duke's agreement moved 164 Officer Cadet Training Unit to Eaton
Hall.
It became well known to thousands of young men in National
Service days as 'Eaton Hall'. It primarily
trained officers for the Infantry though other Corps were
also trained there, notably for the Royal Electrical and Mechanical
Engineers (REME).
Some 15000 Officer Cadets were trained there between 1946 and
1958 when due to the phasing out of National Service it was
merged with the primarily Cavalry Officer Cadet School at Mons
Barracks, Aldershot.
The 15 week training course was tough and aimed at preparing a
Cadet to command a platoon on operations. Many of them did
just that in Korea, Malaya, Suez, Kenya, Cyprus and other trouble
spots during those years.
They wore their own Regiment's uniform in training and could be
identified as Officer Cadets by the white gorget tabs worn on the
collar of their battledress.
Passing out parade
Officer
selection