Royal recognition for Dyfed cadets
Four teenagers from Dyfed have been appointed as the Lord-Lieutenant Cadets for 2022 at a virtual awards ceremony.
Lord-Lieutenant of Dyfed Awards. Copyright: RFCA for Wales.
Able Cadet Adam Hughes of Tenby Sea Cadet Corps; Able Cadet Maisie Millichip of Fishguard Sea Cadet Corps; Cadet Flight Sergeant Bethany Valentine of No. 3 Welsh Wing RAF Air Cadets and Cadet Corporal Martha Ashcroft of No. 3 Welsh Wing RAF Air Cadets were appointed by Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant of Dyfed, Miss Sara Edwards at an awards ceremony on Thursday, March 10.
The four were selected for the prestigious Lord-Lieutenant’s cadet role, which will last for one year, after being put forward for nomination by cadet group leaders and the Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association for Wales.
The role includes attendance with Miss Edwards, who acts as the Queen’s representative, at a number of official engagements, including Remembrance events, Royal visits and parades.
Miss Edwards said,
The Cadet Forces are wonderful organisations, in which the mixture of military training, youth and community work as well as civilian qualifications all help to prepare our young people to become responsible adult members of society and to give them confidence and a can do spirit.
The four cadets for 2022 will follow in the footsteps of Petty Officer Cadet Chris Harries of Fishguard Sea Cadet Corps; Petty Officer Cadet Alfie Anderson of Milford Haven Sea Cadet Corps; Leading Cadet Matthew Coburn of Tenby Sea Cadets; Cadet Warrant Officer Sarah Greenshields of No. 3 Welsh Wing RAF Air Cadets and Cadet Warrant Officer Josh Richards also of No 3 Welsh Wing RAF Air Cadets.
Miss Edwards also praised the work of the Cadet Force Adult Volunteers – six of whom received special recognition for their outstanding service and devotion to duty and were awarded the Lord-Lieutenant’s Certificate of Merit during the ceremony.
The six adults were Colour Sergeant Nigel Phillips of Wales University Officers’ Training Corps; Sergeant Major Instructor Thomas Thomas of Dyfed and Glamorgan Army Cadet Force; Flight Lieutenant Kristian Butler of No. 3 Welsh Wing RAF Air Cadets; Sergeant Owen Phillips of No. 3 Welsh Wing RAF Air Cadets; Mrs Rosemary Fitzgerald of Swansea Sea Cadet Corps and Mrs Tina Bushell-Friel of No. 3 Welsh Wing RAF Air Cadets.
There are nearly 5,000 Cadets in Wales who gain skills and qualifications through working with local communities, charities and taking part in a variety of practical activities. The cadet syllabus is delivered by 1,500 volunteering adult Instructors and civilian assistants, who give up their spare time on weeknights and weekends.
The virtual awards event was organised and broadcast by the Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association (RFCA) for Wales – an organisation that has supported the Armed Forces for over 100 years.