SSI Rudderham is moving onto a new detachment after an extremley successful three years at Linton, during which time he has grown the detachment membership six fold.
Steve Rudderham likes a challenge. After serving nine years as an army medic, including a tour in Northern Ireland during the Troubles, he joined Cambridgeshire Army Cadet Force as an instructor. Steve’s experience and abilities resulted in him quickly becoming a Detachment Commander, first of Longstanton and then of Linton Detachment in 2018. His predecessor, Captain John Kell, had established the detachment the year before (at Linton Heights Junior School) and made great progress, Including obtaining important funds from the local council. However, they had only six cadets and urgently needed more recruits. Steve wasted no time in encouraging new cadets to join, and within a year, Linton Detachment had 36 members.
SSI Rudderham (right) with Linton Cadets on Remembrance Sunday 2019.
He has led by example, established a well organised training structure, kept parents informed of their children’s progress and helped to generate an extremely positive and motivational environment which his cadets have loved. Steve and his cadets have engaged with the local community, including taking a leading role in Remembrance Sunday events and collecting for The Poppy Appeal.
After three years, Steve is looking for a new challenge and is moving on to Newmarket Detachment (which also needs a boost in recruits) and he hopes to repeat his success. He will be greatly missed by Linton colleagues and cadets alike.
3 Coy 2IC Captain Kell said; "The decision to allocate Staff Rudderham as DC Linton, was more impactful than predicted, both due to the well run detachment he has grown and enthusiasm shown by the village in having this new activity."
This article was featured in The Linton News.
Text by PI Doug Stuart
