Award recognises individuals from the Reserves and Cadet Forces in the county with top honour
His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of South Yorkshire, Professor Dame Hilary Chapman DBE, officially appointed the 2025-26 Lord-Lieutenant’s Cadets of South Yorkshire and presented Lord-Lieutenant’s Awards to individuals for exceptional commitment to services in the cadet and reserve forces. The ceremony was held last night at Manor Top Training Centre in Sheffield and was hosted by the Reserve Forces and Cadet Association for Yorkshire and the Humber. The event was attended by The Right Worshipful the Lord Mayor of Sheffield, Cllr Safiya Saeed, The Worshipful the Mayor of Barnsley, Cllr David Leech, The Mayor Of Doncaster Councillor Ros Jones CBE and The Civic Mayor of Doncaster Councillor Tim Needham.
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.
Reservists and Cadet Force Adult Volunteers recognised
The awards are 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 South Yorkshire said:
“It is with immense pride that I present the 2025 Lord-Lieutenant Awards to this year’s recipients, who exemplify the finest qualities of dedication, leadership, and service to our communities across South Yorkshire. These remarkable individuals, through their tireless efforts, embody the spirit of volunteerism and the admirable commitment that strengthens our region.
I am particularly delighted to announce the appointment of our new Lord-Lieutenant Cadets for 2025, who represent the very best of our Cadet Forces, demonstrating exceptional commitment and inspiring their peers. Their appointments are a testament to the outstanding talent within our youth and the enduring impact of our cadet programmes. I look forward to working alongside them as they support ceremonial duties and champion the values of service and community engagement throughout the year.”
South Yorkshire award recipients full list
The following individuals were recognised for their outstanding service:
Reserves:
Major Ruth Tupper, 214 Multi-Role Medical Regiment, 212 Squadron
Captain Malcolm Birkett 4th Battalion, The Royal Yorkshire Regiment, Burma Company
Civilian Service:
Mark Buxton, 75 Engineer Regiment, 106 Field Squadron
Cadet Force Adult Volunteers:
Captain Adam Fidment, Humberside and South Yorkshire Army Cadet Force, C Company
Staff Sergeant John Wise, Humberside and South Yorkshire Army Cadet Force, D Company
Civilian Instructor David Frost, 2008 (Bawtry) Squadron, South and West Yorkshire Wing
Cadets:
Lance Corporal Alfie Bretton, Royal Marine Cadets, TS Diomede, Barnsley
Cadet Sergeant George Coddington, Humberside and South Yorkshire Army Cadet Force, Corps of Drums
Detachment
Cadet Flight Sergeant Isaac Bleything, Air Training Corp, 103 (Doncaster) Squadron, South and
West Yorkshire Wing
HM Lord-Lieutenant of South Yorkshire, Professor Dame Hilary Chapman DBE and the 2025-25 Lord-Lieutenant Cadets of South Yorkshire from left to right, Cadet Sergeant George Coddington, Cadet Flight Sergeant Isaac Bleything, Lance Corporal Alfie Bretton
Meet the 2025 Lord-Lieutenant’s Cadets of South Yorkshire
Cadet Sergeant George Coddington:
“I find it a huge honour and privilege for me to have been put forward and selected for the prestigious role of being the Lord-Lieutenant’s cadet. Through being appointed, I wish to continue to teach, mentor, and inspire other cadets to reach heights they never thought they would.”
Cadet Lance Corporal Alfie Bretton:
“I feel such privilege to have been chosen for this incredible opportunity, to represent South Yorkshire and the sea cadets.”
Cadet Flight Sergeant Isaac Bleything:
“Being appointed south Yorkshire the lord lieutenant’s cadet for the RAFAC shows that my hard work and dedication to my squadron, wing and corps has not gone unnoticed and I am being rewarded for all the effort I have put in for my time in cadets. It also allows me to show the cadets in my squadron and wing that perseverance’s and hard work is rewarded, and they should aspire for greatness during their time in the RAFAC.
Click here for more information about the Lord-Lieutenant’s Awards.