Three outstanding cadets have been awarded one of the highest honours any cadet can achieve – appointment as a Lord-Lieutenant Cadet for their county.
HM Lord-Lieutenant of West Yorkshire Mr Ed Anderson paid tribute to his new appointees who he personally selected in recognition of their exemplary contribution to their units and wider community.
The cadets were among those honoured at a special ceremony at Carlton Barracks in Leeds which was hosted by the RFCA for Yorkshire and the Humber to enable the Lord-Lieutenant to recognise some of the county’s very best volunteers.
Support for their forces
Mr Anderson said: “Every year it is my great honour to be able to pay special tribute to some of the county’s most outstanding citizens who volunteer their time to support their communities through their commitment to the cadet and reserve forces.
“My newly-appointed Lord-Lieutenant Cadets represent the very best of our county’s young people and I am delighted that they will accompany me on many civic events over the next year.
Adult volunteers and reserves
“I am also very pleased to recognise the contribution made by those who volunteer their time and energy to supporting cadet units across West Yorkshire. They play a considerable role in helping our young people to gain access to unique opportunities to learn new skills and develop fresh confidence and they truly deserve our deepest thanks.
“In addition, I am very proud that here in West Yorkshire we are home to reserves serving in the Royal Navy, the British Army and the Royal Air Force. Reserves combine lives and careers in the civilian world with valuable roles in the military. It is a pleasure to recognise the contribution of some outstanding reserves who volunteer their service with huge skills, dedication and commitment.
Cadet appointments
The cadets awarded honours were:
Able Cadet Joshua Peach, aged 16, of Wakefield, who a pupil of Silcoates School, is at Wakefield Sea Cadets.
Joshua said:
“The thing I enjoy most about the cadets is being with likeminded people. My friends at cadets make even the coldest, rainiest of days fun and enjoyable and the cadets has showed me the benefits of hard work and what I am able to achieve when I really put my mind to it. I am thrilled and honoured to have been chosen to be one of Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant’s cadets for West Yorkshire and I am looking forward to working with the Lord-Lieutenant throughout the coming year.”
Sergeant Natasha Chamberlain, aged 16, of Methley, who is a pupil at New College Pontefract, is with Castleford Army Cadet Force.
Natasha said:
“I joined the Army Cadet Force because I wanted to have adventures and to do something more purposeful with my life. I take great pride in being a cadet, and I try to inspire other cadets to feel the same.
“It’s a great honour and privilege to be selected as a Lord-Lieutenant’s Cadet and I’m truly looking forward to carrying out my duties in the year ahead.
Sergeant Toby Mathews, aged 16, of Mirfield, is at 868 (Mirfield) Squadron of the South and West Yorkshire Wing of the Air Training Corps. He is a pupil at Heckmondwike Grammar School Sixth Form.
Toby said:
“Being a cadet has given me confidence I will use for the rest of my life. The air cadets has given me opportunities that are second to none – like flying, shooting and the expertise to teach others.
“I’d like to thank the Lord-Lieutenant for making me a Lord-Lieutenant Cadet and I look forward to working with him during my appointment.”
Adult volunteers at cadet units
- Monica Graham, Eastern Area Sea Cadets, Wakefield
- Captain Gavin Atherton, of Huddersfield, is with D Company, Huddersfield, Yorkshire (North & West) Army Cadet Force
- Warrant Officer Adrian Burbridge, of Rotherham, is with South and West Yorkshire Wing and is based at wing headquarters in Castleford.
- Warrant Officer Christopher Nichols, of Huddersfield is with 59 (Huddersfield) Squadron Air Cadets, South & West Yorkshire Wing
Reserves
- Colour Sergeant Gary Flowitt, of Halifax is with Corunna Company in Huddersfield, which is part of 4th Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment
- Captain Aimee Charnell, of Leeds is with A Squadron, 212 Field Hospital
- Lance Bombardier Oliver Miller, of Leeds, is with 269 West Riding Battery in Leeds
- Carole Brown, a civilian from Wakefield who works for 299 Parachute Squadron Royal Engineers in Leeds
- Staff Sergeant Steven Cadman, from Wakefield, is with 299 Parachute Squadron Royal Engineers in Leeds.