Cadet CSM Jack Badcock has performed his first duties as a Lord Lieutenant’s Cadet, assisting with the presentation of a medal to a local lady in Comberton.
Although he was appointed ten months ago, this was his first opportunity to perform his duties due to the pandemic. The appointment as Lord Lieutenant’s Cadet is for one year, and the duties are to accompany the Lord Lieutenant and assist her with her ceremonial duties. Fellow Lord Lieutenant's Cadet Staff Sgt Rhyder Cameron-Wickes and Cadet Colour Sgt Charlie Rice were able to briefly start their duties during gaps in between lockdowns last year.
CSM Badcock with HM Lord Lieutenant (left) and Pam Fisher BEM (front) and High Sheriff Mrs CLEM Bewes DL (right).
On 30th May, CSM Badcock (17) accompanied HM Lord Lieutenant Mrs Julie Spence OBE QPM to Comberton Village Hall, to award Pam Fisher a British Empire Medal. Pam has been involved for over 50 years with the Brownies, whilst also being a doctor and helping to deliver physician training in her local community. She is still a prominent figure in Comberton, and celebrated her 94th birthday the day after her investiture.
CSM Badcock said: ‘It was a great honour to be able to be able to meet people who make a real difference and assist in rewarding them accordingly.’
Jack Badcock (third from left standing) on a 3 Star fieldcraft excercise.
The position of Lord Lieutenant’s Cadet is a prestigious one, given to only our best cadets. CSM Badcock joined the ACF in May 2016 at St Ives Detachment, where he continues to parade, and his cadet career so far has been extremely impressive. He has completed Basic, 1 2 3 and 4 star and Master Cadet, the Junior and Senior Instructors Cadre, BTEC level 1 and BTEC Level 2 diploma, and the CVQO Award for young leaders. He has further achieved Bronze and Silver Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards, and is coming towards completion of Gold. He won both the drill competitions on annual camps that he has competed in, and was part of the winning team for both March and Shoot competitions in which he participated. He won an individual event at regional swimming and competed at nationals, where our Eastern Region won and he personally came 4th in his event. He was part of the winning regional football team, unbeaten (senior boys), and the national football team unbeaten (senior boys), and has coached football for the ACF. County Sports Officer SSI Bullman noted CSM Badcock's commitment and selflessness, saying; 'he is a dedicated young man who will go beyond his power to make sure others succeed.'
As well as taking a leading teaching role at detachment, he was standard bearer for the Royal British Legion for three years. He was appointed 2 Company Cadet Company Sergeant Major last week. In addition to his duties at St Ives, he has also been helping out at Swavesey detachment for the last year and a half.
Jack Badcock (back middle) as part of the winning national football team. (picture; Doug Stuart)
He is currently studying A Levels in Law, Politics and History alongside a BTEC Level 3 in IT at St Ivo Sixth Form. In his spare time, he is a Level 6 Hunts FA referee and referees at senior level in the county. He intends to make refereeing a career.
He said; ‘The cadet force organisation is really good to me as I would never had had any of the opportunities I have had to meet such influential people.’
Text by PI Doug Stuart
