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First Lord-Lieutenant of Kent Engagement for Cadet Sergeant…

First Lord-Lieutenant of Kent Engagement for Cadet Sergeant Wilkins

6 December 2022

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Recently Cadet Sergeant Jonny Wilkins from Gillingham Detachment, Kent ACF Squadron Royal Engineers, attended his first public engagement as an assistant to the Lord-Lieutenant of Kent.

The Cook Kitchen, Sittingbourne, received the Queen's Award for Enterprise, in the promoting opportunity category. Jonny attended with his family in unform to support the Lord-Lieutenant, Lady Colgrain - she is the county's official representative of His Majesty The King.

Lord-Lieutenant's Cadets are given the chance to assist the Lord-Lieutenant at civic and military occasions. They may also get the chance to attend Royal Visits. Subject to individual Service regulations, Lord-Lieutenant's Cadets will wear the Lord-Lieutenant's Cadet Badge on the right arm.

Cadet Sergeant Wilkins said:

"I was very surprised upon being nominated as the Lord Lieutenant's Cadet; I knew that I must have done something right to be selected. Upon receiving the award, I gained the sense of having more responsibility and pushing myself further towards greater challenges that come my way and providing any assistance I can to the Lord Lieutenant and to my County.

I can honestly say, becoming a Lord-Lieutenant's Cadet is one of the proudest moments of my Cadet career. Anyone can be eligible for this award, even newcomers who show great personality and passion.

To anyone who is interested in our Armed Forces or looking for something to do, to belong to, you would not go wrong with the Army Cadet Force. I would personally say it was one of the best decisions of my life, submitting my application to go join the ACF.

It has built me as a much stronger person, learning new skills, meeting fantastic people and giving me a little glimpse of life in the army".

Jonny's family were present to see his first engagement, his father Darren is a Cadet Forces Adult Volunteer for Kent ACF.

The other Kent Lord-Lieutenant's Cadets are:

Cadet Corporal Lillie-Belle Harris, Gillingham

Cadet Corporal Jayden Poullard, Whitstable