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Lord Lieutenant's Awards at Waterbeach

Lord Lieutenant's Awards at Waterbeach

12 June 2022

  • Cambridgeshire ACF


On Wednesday 8th June, Cadets, members of the Armed Forces Reserves, and families and friends gathered at Waterbeach Cadet Training Centre for the Lord Lieutenant's awards. The awards were presented by Deputy Lieutenant Colonel Roger Herriot OBE, with the citations read by Captain Charlie Allen. They consisted of the Lord Lieutenant's Meritorious Service Certificate, presented for outstanding service, and the highly prestigious title of Lord Lieutenant's Cadet, which allows the chosen Cadets to accompany the Lord Lieutenant and help with her ceremonial duties.

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Cdt Sgt Bowler-Legate receives her certificate.

Cadet Sergeant Samantha Bowler Legate became a Lord Lieutenants Cadet. Cadet Sergeant Bowler-Legate has given loyal, reliable and committed service to the Waterbeach Detachment, 3 Company, Cambridgeshire Army Cadet Force.

Notwithstanding the challenges presented during the COVID era, she has sustained her participation in all cadet activities, including the period of online sessions during the pandemic, enabling her to complete the Four Star Cadet Award. Furthermore, she has used her time wisely and effectively to secure additional and valuable qualifications such as the Institute of Leadership and Management Level 2 award in Teamwork and a BTEC Level 1 Diploma.

In undertaking her duties, she has demonstrated an effective leadership style. She possesses a calm manner and is always willing to work with and to provide constant encouragement to the junior cadets. She leads by example and is therefore highly regarded as an effective role model within the Detachment and Company.

Whilst the impact of COVID has placed constraints on many, she has worked diligently to support the wider community and this has been illustrated in her fundraising efforts, including can collection for the Helipads for Hospitals appeal. She has also represented Cambridgeshire ACF in sports. Looking further to the future, she has the ambition to become a Staff Cadet, and is undertaking the necessary training to present herself as a strong candidate for such an appointment.

Whilst training opportunities have been curtailed for all cadets during the last two years, Samantha has sustained her cadet commitment in an impressive manner. She will be a proud and capable ambassador for Cambridgeshire ACF.

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Cdt FS Minchin receives his certificate.

Cdt Flight Sergeant Charlie Minchin became a Lord Lieutenant's Cadet. FS Minchin of 1094 (Ely) Squadron (Air Cadets) is a role model for cadets, not only his own squadron, but across East Sector and Wing. He uses his experience, drive and determination to deliver training to cadets and assist staff across Beds & Cambs Wing ATC. He is always smart and well turned out. Like WO Elliot, FS Minchin was a finalist in the Wing's Cadet of the Year for 2022 competition.

FS Minchin has been a cadet since the age of 13, during which time he has striven to participate and excel in numerous aspects of cadet activities. Having completed his Bronze DofE Award in 2018, FS Minchin will shortly complete his Silver Award, and is already working hard towards his Gold Award. FS Minchin uses his experiences at Bronze and Silver levels to publicise the DofE Award to the younger members of the squadron.

FS Minchin has also demonstrated his drive and determination as part of the Wing Road Marching Team, recovering from a serious ankle injury to complete the 100-mile Nijmegen March. FS Minchin continues to strive and develop himself, being a role model for cadets at his squadron and across the Sector and Wing.

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Cdt Cpl Bufton receives her certificate.

Cadet Corporal Paris Bufton has become a Lord Lieutenant's Cadet. Paris has a clear idea of what she wants to achieve in life and where she wants to go. As a LVI RAF cadet, she consistently demonstrates that, despite allowing some others to capture the ‘glory’ of being first, she is the one who is resilient, doesn't allow challenges to hinder her progress and equally she doesn't suffer fools gladly. Paris is strong minded, confident young woman who has wholly benefited and thrives from the cadet experience, and is a role model for those more timid or mild in their demeanour. As a representative of the CCF route, Paris is the flag bearer.

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SSgt Pattison receives his certificate.

Staff Sergeant Pattison was awarded the Lord Lieutenant's Meritorious Service Certificate. He joined the Army in 1978 and has been a loyal, dedicated and thoroughly professional member of the armed forces for the past 43 Years and has been employed as a Squadron Quartermaster Sergeant in 254 Medical Regiment. Staff Sergeant Pattison's career began with 1 Royal Anglian, joining as a private soldier in 1978 and serving until 2001, leaving them after a full career as a highly respected Colour Sergeant. Whilst with the Royal Anglians, he deployed on military operations to Northern Ireland under Op BANNER on 7 different occasions and was based in Aughnacloy, Dungannon, Crossmaglen and Londonderry. He also deployed to Bosnia under Op GRAPPLE where he provided peacekeeping duties. In peace time, he has deployed on numerous exercises and has served in the United Kingdom, Belize, America, Canada and Bermuda. His role in Bermuda saw him placed within a small team responsible for training the Bermudan Defence Force. In this busy and rewarding time with 1 Royal Anglian he also spent 2 years at ATR Bassingbourn where he was employed as a Training Corporal.

After leaving the regular army, SSgt Pattison joined the Army reserve, serving with 36 Signals Regiment until 2008 and for the past 13 years employed as the SQMS, 161 Medical Squadron, 254 Medical Regiment. He has been instrumental in improving the regimental medical stores and equipment making them more accessible, accountable and auditable. His service to the Army Reserve cannot be underestimated and he has fully immersed himself in wider squadron, regimental and local community events and is always the first to volunteer for extra curricula events. He works tirelessly to promote the Army Reserve, and his engaging and helpful persona has been key to retaining and motivating others. SSgt Pattison has been an outstanding and loyal servant to the Army Reserve and is an inspiration to all who know him.

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OCdt Procter receives his certificate.

Officer Cadet James (Juo) Procter received a Lord Lieutenant's Meritorious Service Certificate. OCdt Prockter joined the CUOTC as a student at Cambridge Regional College in Oct 2019 and has become an enormous asset to the CUOTC. He is extremely popular, charismatic, engaging, reliable and a natural leader. On joining the CUOTC these characteristics were not so noticeable, but after a year he took a very proactive decision to attend Mod A-B at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, a 4-week module of the reserve commissioning course. He attended this alone which truly transformed him. He matured, gained confidence in himself and relished responsibility, pushing himself to excel and take on additional tasks on his return.

OCdt Prockter was quickly promoted thereafter to Junior Under Officer in 2020, a grade only 10% of the OCdts will get to. He has taken this promotion very seriously, diligently turning up to all unit activities and supporting all extra-curricular events. He will 'rally the troops' and post links on social media to get wider participation. He provides a layer of middle management to keep the RHQ informed of issues at the cadet level keeping us appraised of what is happening amongst the cadets, and is always diligent in reporting both up and down.

He is hugely respected by the junior OCdts and provides real mentorship and guidance to them. He is truly concerned about their welfare, and demonstrates considerable compassion. He is a confident and able instructor and one of the only OCdts who is trusted to teach fieldcraft lessons to new OCdts. He absolutely thrives in the military environment and enjoys anything 'green'. He will be the one that leads from the front and will have the best and most up to date military kit that the younger ones aspire to. He takes weekly drill parades and recently got his marksman in shooting. He has been involved with, and taken a leading role in, it the highest profile events including fundraising and recruiting.

He is now more than ready to pass the Army Officer Selection Board due to his tenacity and overwhelming determination. He epitomises what the CUOTC represents; personal development, leadership, mentorship and exuding the army's values and standards.

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Cdt WO Elliot receives his certificate.

Cadet Warrant Officer Joseph Elliot becomes a Lord Lieutenant's Cadet. CWO Elliot is a role model for cadets, not only his own squadron, but across North Sector and Wing. He uses his drive and determination to deliver training to cadets and assistance to staff across Beds & Cambs Wing Air Training Corps. He is always smart and well turned out, with the pose and deportment that exemplifies the role of Lord Lieutenant’s Cadet, and he was a finalist in the Wing's Cadet of the Year for 2022 competition.

CWO Elliot has been a cadet at 2331 Sqn ATC since the age of 14. He applied himself as soon as possible across all aspects of cadet training, and has fully taken onboard the 'cadet experience', representing the squadron in community activities around St Ives and Huntingdon area.

Having completed his Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE) in 2021, CWO Elliot has become a DofE Leader at his squadron and is using his experiences across all levels to publicise the DofE Award to the younger members of the squadron.

CWO Elliot continues to develop himself, being a role model for cadets at his squadron and across the sector and Wing, and pushing for personal development opportunities through Junior Leaders as well as assisting the Squadron Training Officer to deliver a meaningful training program to squadron cadets.

CWO Elliot is the future of RAFAC. He is moving to a young adult role and has a clear future, drive to succeed and determination to deliver a programme for younger cadets.

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Cdt Cpl Corner receives her certificate.

Cadet Corporal Olivia Corner (Combined Cadet Force) becomes a Lord Lieutenant's Cadet. Olivia has gone on quite a journey as an Army Cadet, growing greatly in confidence and willingness to seek out opportunities for herself. As a LVI Cadet, Olivia successfully completed the gruelling SCIC course where she was tested and challenged, but her quiet determination and desire to be one of the best stood her in good stead to successfully pass the week. As a leader, Olivia has a quiet calmness and she commands the attention of younger cadets through her manner and deportment, either when she delivers lessons or leads a platoon. She is a worthy Lord Lieutenant's cadet and an excellent example of a young person who has achieved through the Army Cadet experience.

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Major Fidell receives her certificate.

Major Karen Fidell received a Lord Lieutenant's Meritorious Service Certificate. Major Fidell joined the Army in 1992 and has been a loyal, dedicated and thoroughly professional member of the armed forces for the past 30 Years. Currently employed as a Physiotherapist in 254 Medical Regiment, Major Fidell's career began with as a CMT with 254 (V) Field Ambulance and has subsequently served with 3 Brigade, Northern Ireland, BFG Hohne, ATR Bassingbourn, Regional Rehabilitation Unit Portsmouth, HMS Nelson, HQ Army Primary Health Care services, Camberly, 33 Field Hospital, Gosport, DMRC Healdley Court, RCDM, HQ SG DMS and HQ DPHC Whittington and then back to 254 Medical Regiment to finish her career. Major Fidell has deployed on military operations to Op AGRICOLA, Kosovo, Op BROCKDALE, Kuwait and Op HERRICK 11, Afghanistan.

She has been instrumental in improving the Army's delivery of Physiotherapy and implementing new and innovative ways to treat patients. Starting as a Private Soldier, commissioning and working her way up to Lt Col rank has been inspirational to both her peers and to those who follow her. Her service to the Army Reserve cannot be underestimated and she has fully immersed himself in wider squadron, regimental and local community events and is always the first to volunteer for extra curricula events. She works tirelessly to promote the Army Reserve and her engaging and helpful persona has been key to retaining and motivating our regimental soldiers. Major Fidell has been an outstanding, inspirational and loyal servant to the Army Reserve.

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Lt Swift receives his certificate.

Lieutenant Jon Swift has received a Lord Lieutenants Meritorious Service Certificate. Over the last 26 years, he has selflessly give his time to develop the young people under his care in the University Royal Navy Unit, and also through his work in the wider community. Delivering training to 51 URNU Officer Cadets every year, Swift has inspired more than 400 young people who received a Royal Navy experience alongside their university studies.

Leaving the Royal Navy in 1994, Jon Swift immediately joined Cambridge URNU as a founding member and Reservist Training Officer He has gone on to become the longest serving Training Officer in the entire URNU organisation.

Taking on the role of Senior Training Officer sixteen years ago, Lt Swift has been responsible for the planning and delivery of all training within the unit over that time. Always happy to adapt to new directions, his refreshing attitude has ensured that Cambridge URNU immediately switched to online training during the COVID-19 pandemic and continued to deliver to the young people in their care. He also provides a wise ear and coaching and mentoring to those young Lieutenants sent to Command the unit, to ensure they develop and meet their full potential.

Always keen to go above and beyond, Lt Swift regularly exceeds his minimum requirement of Reserve service days and become immersed in national projects and activities - much of which he has completed unpaid over the years.

Outside Cambridge URNU, Jon Swift is also an active member of his local community in his hometown of Bury St Edmunds. He has been a governor of the King Edward VI School since 2014, initially as a parent governor but continuing the role even after his sons left, where he has responsibility for safeguarding and child protection.

His consistent and exemplary performance over a number of years proves him to be an individual who is dedicated to giving his time for others and he continually demonstrates and exemplifies the Royal Navy's Core Values.

Text edited by SI Doug Stuart based on citations written by Wg Cdr Robert Bradshaw RAFAC, Squadron Leader Karen Dunn, Major Huw Roberts, Adrian Garrett and Ian Woodward.

Photos by SI Doug Stuart.

Contact SI Stuart at 2497stuar@armymail.mod.uk