His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of North Yorkshire recognises reservists, cadets, cadet volunteers and military support staff in the county with top honour
His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of North Yorkshire, Mrs Johanna Ropner, officially appointed the 2024 Lord-Lieutenant Cadets of North Yorkshire and presented the Lord-Lieutenant’s Awards to individuals for their exceptional commitment to services in the cadet and reserve forces. The ceremony was held last night at Worsley Barracks, York and was hosted by the Reserve Forces and Cadet Association for Yorkshire and the Humber. The event was attended by military officers and personnel including the Commanding Officer HMS Ceres, Commander David Noakes, and Air Officer North England, Air Commodore Adam Sansom.

About the Lord-Lieutenant’s Awards
The Lord-Lieutenant’s Award recognises cadets, cadet adult volunteers, reservists and military civilian support staff for their extraordinary efforts and supplements honours bestowed by His Majesty The King in the New Year and Birthday Honours Lists.
Cadets awarded become one of the Lord-Lieutenant’s Cadets of their county supporting the Lord-Lieutenant at many ceremonial duties throughout the year. Duties can range from Royal Visits to services such as Remembrance Day. To receive this, cadets must be of the highest standard with excellent bearing, good interpersonal skills and the ability to interact with others. Recipients should hold the rank of at least Able Cadet or Cadet Sergeant and should have been a cadet for at least two years. This award is the highest honour a cadet can achieve and offers opportunities unique only to the cadets recognised as Lord-Lieutenant Cadets.
The Lord-Lieutenant’s Award is also given to adult volunteers of any rank serving in the reserves and cadet forces and specifically recognise exceptional service rather than the length of time served as well as to military-civilian support staff for their work in the forces.
Deepest Gratitude
HM Lord-Lieutenant of North Yorkshire, Mrs Johanna Ropner, says:
“It is always an honour to present His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant Awards to those North Yorkshire RFCA Volunteers who have made such an impact through outstanding service in their communities with significant contributions to the Reserves and Cadet Forces. They have all demonstrated extraordinary commitment and an unwavering dedication to duty. My congratulations to each and every one.”
North Yorkshire award recipients full list
The following individuals were recognised for their outstanding service:
Reserves:
Staff Sergeant Robert McNaught, The Queen’s Own Yeomanry
Staff Sergeant Paul Thirlwell, 4th Battalion The Royal Yorkshire Regiment
Acting Corporal Francesca Carlin-Barrett, 37 Signal Regiment, 50th (Northern) Signal Squadron
Corporal Stuart Cousins, 607 (County of Durham) Squadron
Flight Sergeant David Ashmore, 607 (County of Durham) Squadron
Corporal Spencer Lee, 607 (County of Durham) Squadron
Cadet Force Adult Volunteers:
Sergeant Major Instructor Karl Methven, Yorkshire (North & West) Army Cadet Force
Civilian Instructor Fiona Preston, Central and East Yorkshire Wing
Cadets:
Leading Cadet Sonny Hague, Eastern Area Sea Cadet
Cadet Sergeant Zoe McCosh, Yorkshire (North & West) Army Cadet Force
Cadet Warrant Officer Kiyan Eiles, Central and East Yorkshire Wing ATC
Cadet Flight Sergeant Leon Tabiner-Taylor, Read School Combined Cadet Force

Statements from the 2024 Lord-Lieutenant of North Yorkshire Cadets
Leading Cadet Sonny Hague said,
“Representing Scarborough Sea Cadets as Lord-Lieutenant Cadet of North Yorkshire is a huge honour for me. This is an amazing opportunity to showcase Scarborough Sea Cadets and make my family and the town of Scarborough proud.”
Cadet Sergeant Zoe McCosh added,
“Being the Lord-Lieutenant Cadet is a great honour and I am very thankful to have received this appointment. I do hope to be seen as a role model to inspire other cadets and help give them the confidence and motivation to become the best cadet and person they can be with all the opportunities and learning that can be offered cadet forces.”
Cadet Warrant Officer Kiyan Eiles said,
“Being appointed as a Lord Lieutenant’s Cadet is a huge honour that I am privileged to have received. I hope to be a role model for all younger cadets and let them know that their goals and aspirations can go a long way. Just by putting in that time and effort into themselves and everyone around them, it makes those goals even more attainable.”
Leon Tabiner-Taylor added,
“To be appointed Lord Lieutenant Cadet is truly a great honour and I hope to fulfil the role to the best of my abilities and the utmost standards”.
Meet the 2024 Lord-Lieutenant’s Cadets of North Yorkshire
Click here for more information about the Lord-Lieutenant’s Awards.