The evening was combined also as a family and friends night to give friends and relatives an insight to cadet activities, as well as giving the cadets an opportunity of demonstrating the skills that they have learned. Captain Cheryl Haynes, Battery Commander, took the parade and ensured that trophies were awarded to deserving cadets. Also in attendance were Lord Lieutenant of Shetland Bobby Hunter CVO, and the former Honorary Colonel of the Shetland Independent Cadet Battery Army Cadet Force John Taylor QGM and the Battery’s former Commandant Jim Nicolson BEM.
The Lord Lieutenant awarded three cadets with shooting trophies; Cadet Leighton Mullay (13) for Best Air Rifle Shot, Lance Bombardier Evie Leslie (14) for Best .22 Rifle Shot and Bombardier John Falconer (17) for Best Full-Bore Rifle Shot with on the Cadet General Purpose Rifle. He also presented Lance Bombardier Kira Irvine (17) with the Best Attendance trophy. Kira was a regular attendee throughout 2023, both on parade nights at Lerwick as well as weekends and camps. She continues to keep up her good attendance in 2024.
John Taylor presented the shield for Most Improved Cadet to Cadet Zack Arthur (13) who has gained confidence and become a very capable cadet. The trophy for Best Cadet 2023 went to Bombardier Kyran Wishart (17) and was presented by Jim Nicolson. Kyran has had a very good year at Brae Detachment and on camps which he manages when college commitments allow. Captain Haynes then promoted Bdrs Vaila Thompson (16) and John Falconer to the rank of Sergeant.
This is the last time that Bobby Hunter will attend an Army Cadet event in his official capacity as Shetland’s Lord Lieutenant. All of the adult instructors and cadets wished Bobby and his wife Mabel all the best for the future and thanked them for the tremendous support given to all Shetland Youth Organisations for the last 13 years.
Captain Haynes said “The Army Cadets from Shetland have had another outstanding year which saw many of the cadets attend camps both on the mainland and in Shetland. The Annual Camp in the summer was at Barry Buddon near Carnoustie and this was a great success for both senior and junior cadets who all gained qualifications. This was followed in October by a week-long shooting camp at Dingwall utilising the ranges at Fort George. Additionally, there was a fieldcraft weekend at Voxter with cadets travelling north from Orkney to attend and various other training weekends throughout the year. The Shetland cadets also had the opportunity to experience adventure training and community activities such as the Voe and Cunningsburgh Shows as well as events for Remembrance Weekend. There have been many individual achievements with cadets attending courses for promotion, Duke of Edinburgh award activities and courses that promote healthy minds and wellbeing. 2024 is lining up to be an equally busy activity packed year”.
