Major Barton right with the first bar to the Cadet Force Medal marking 18 years of service to the cadets alongside Honorary Colonel Macrae

Orkney Volunteer marks 18 years

Orkney Volunteer marks 18 years

12 May 2021

  • 1st Battalion The Highlanders ACF

A dedicated adult volunteer from Orkney has been recognised for his long service to Young People of the island. Major Andrew Barton (58) was presented with the first Bar of the Cadet Force Medal, which marks 18 years of service to the Cadet Force, last Wednesday evening.

The Cadet Force Medal is awarded to all officers and uniformed Adult Instructors in recognition of long service of proved capacity in the Cadet Forces. The medal is awarded after 12 years unbroken service, with a Bar awarded for every 6 years of further service.

Major Barton is currently the Medical Support Officer for the Battalion, given his many years as a paramedic with Orkney’s Ambulance Service. Over his years with the Army Cadets he has held several roles, including the Commandant of Orkneys Independent Cadet Battery Army Cadet Force prior to the cadet unit’s amalgamation into the Highlanders alongside Shetland Independent Cadet Battery Army Cadet Force as the Battalion’s ‘Orkney & Shetland Battery’ where he was the unit’s first Battery Commander.

On top of his 18 years to the Cadets Major Barton further years of service with the Mountain Rescue services of the RAF for 13 years, and a further 3 years with the Territorial Army.

Major Barton was presented with his Bar by one of the Battalion’s Honorary Colonels Malcolm Macrae at Kirkwall’s Army Reserve Centre as part of an Adult Training Evening in preparation for the cadets returning to face to face training. Major Bruce Durrand, Battery Commander of the Orkney & Shetland Battery (Lovat Scouts) ACF said “Myself and the other adult instructors are very happy to be able to be here a see Andy receive official recognition for his long, dedicated, and conscientious service to not only the youth of Orkney, but also the youth of the Highlands and Islands.”

“Myself and the other adult instructors are very happy to be able to be here a see Andy receive official recognition for his long, dedicated, and conscientious service to not only the youth of Orkney, but also the youth of the Highlands and Islands.”

Major Bruce Durrand, Battery Commander, Orkney & Shetland Battery
  • Major Barton right with the first bar to the Cadet Force Medal marking 18 years of service to the cadets alongside Honorary Colonel Macrae

    Major Barton (right) with the first bar to the…

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