Rhyder

LORD LIEUTENANT'S CADET SGT. CAMERON-WICKES PERFORMS HIS…

LORD LIEUTENANT'S CADET SGT. CAMERON-WICKES PERFORMS HIS FIRST DUTIES

1 November 2020

  • Cambridgeshire ACF

On Friday 23rd October, The Lord Lieutenant of Cambridgeshire, Mrs Julie Spence OBE QPM presented March Boxing Club with their Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service at The Braza Club. She was accompanied by Lord Lieutenant’s Cadet Rhyder Cameron-Wickes, performing his first duties in his new role.

The position of Lord Lieutenant’s Cadet is one of the most prestigious cadet positions available, and only the best are chosen. Sgt Cameron-Wickes joined the ACF three years ago and is currently playing a key teaching role at his detachment. 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. Sgt Cameron-Wickes is one of three Cambridgeshire cadets appointed to this role, along with Sgt Charlie Rice of Whittlesey Detachment and Sgt Jack Badcock of St Ives.

The High Sheriff of Cambridgshire Brigadier Tim Seal TD ADC DL (left) Lord Lieutenant's Cadet Cameron-Wickes (second from left), Lord Lieutenant Julie Spence OBE QPM (holding the award) and others after the ceremony. Picture; Colonel Mark Knight.

The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service is the highest award given to local volunteer groups across the UK to recognise outstanding work done in their own communities. The Lord Lieutenant presented the award to Frank Allen, Chairman, and Dave Cole, Head Coach. The High Sheriff of Cambridgeshire, Brigadier Tim Seal TD ADC DL read out the citation on the certificate, and Deputy Lord Lieutenant Colonel (Rtd) Mark Knight MBE DL read out the award nomination.

Virus safety was of top priority, with social distancing being observed and mask being worn indoors.

Sgt Cameron-Wickes said; ‘It all went smoothly and according to what I expected. My duties were to accompany The Lord Lieutenant to the Boxing Awards ceremony, and to assist her with any tasks that she had ranging from holding doors open to carrying her bag which contained the awards and certificates. What I liked about the ceremony best was that it was a completely new experience for me.’

The Queen's Award for Voluntary Service. Picture; Colonel Mark Knight.

Mrs Spence said ‘I was delighted that Rhyder was able to support me for this prestigious presentation. He met both the dignitaries and the award recipients and witnessed the ceremony. Rhyder is a credit to his local ACF Detachment and Cambridgeshire ACF, as his attendance helped make it a truly local community event.’

Sgt Cameron-Wickes said; ‘One of the highlights of being in the Army Cadet Force is the people I have met, and progressing through the ranks, because it comes with a feeling of accomplishment and fulfilment. For me, becoming a Lord Lieutenant Cadet has been amazing. It is something that I wish everyone could experience.’

Text by PI Stuart and Col (Rtd.) Knight MBE DL