On the 21st of March at an Extraordinary meeting of the City Council honoured Humberside and South Yorkshire Army Cadet Force by awarding us the Freedom of the city of Kingston upon Hull.
This honour, that gives the unit the freedom to march through the streets of the City with drums beating and Colours flying, provides a dignified and satisfactory means of enabling a City to honour a distinguished unit of His Majesty’s Cadet Forces. Colonel Fred Owen; Commandant, accepted an illuminated scroll at the meeting marking the honour from Councillor Kalvin Neal; Lord Mayor and Admiral of the Humber.
Colonel Owen said: “As Commandant of the Humberside and South Yorkshire Army Cadet Force, it is with immense pride that we receive the Honour of the Freedom of the City of Kingston upon Hull. This recognition not only symbolises the strong bond between our Cadet Force and the community of Hull but also echoes the city's rich history of supporting the wider Military Family.
"Hull's tradition of honouring the armed forces dates back centuries, reflecting a deep-seated respect for those who serve our nation. By extending this honour to the Army Cadet Force, the City not only acknowledges our dedication but also invests in the future of our community.
"For the cadets and adult volunteers of our force, this recognition is a testament to their commitment and service. It highlights the invaluable contributions they make to our society through their selfless dedication to learning, leadership, and community engagement.
"This historic occasion not only strengthens our ties with the people of Hull but also reaffirms the mutual benefits of our partnership. Through shared values of discipline, resilience, and service, both the Army Cadet Force and the City of Hull stand to gain, fostering a brighter future for generations to come."
The Lord Mayor and Admiral of the Humber, Councillor Kalvin Neal, said: “With a military background of my own, I was so pleased to grant the Honorary Freedom award to the Humberside and South Yorkshire Army Cadet Force, and the 152 (City of Hull) Squadron, Air Training Corps.
“It was a ceremony that I was very proud to hold at the Guildhall last Thursday (21 March), as both cadet forces provide an excellent service to the city.
“The activities they do are fun, exciting, and rewarding, and they help to develop young people of all abilities and backgrounds, both physically and mentally.
“These groups allow young people to develop so many skills, such as teamwork and leadership, whilst also boosting things like their self-confidence.
“The award is also a testament to the hard work of the adult instructors, who give their time and effort to train and educate our young people. The confidence and skills learnt as cadets is proven to improve their learning at school, home life and give them better opportunities during their working life."
The county will exercise their Freedom for the first time on the 14th of April
