Inspired by Her Grandfather: A Legacy of Service and Remembrance

From a grandfather who dedicated his career to the Royal Hussars to three generations of a family connected through the Army Cadets, Natasha May shares how military service has shaped her understanding of Remembrance. 

For Cadet Force Adult Volunteer (CFAV) Natasha May, Remembrance is an opportunity to honour the courage and sacrifice of those who served, while celebrating the lasting influence of her grandfather, whose military career still inspires her today. 

Military service runs deep in Natasha’s family, with relatives having served across several branches of the Armed Forces. Her grandfather, Robert (Bob) Standley, served in the Army with the Royal Hussars, while her other grandfather, Shiner Wright, served in the Royal Navy. Her uncle, Andy Moodie, served with the Parachute Regiment, and another uncle, Ray Lloyd, served in the Royal Air Force. 

With such a strong family history of military service, Natasha has grown up surrounded by stories of dedication and commitment. However, her grandfather Bob’s remarkable journey from National Service at 18 to Sergeant Major has had the greatest impact on her. 

Now following in his footsteps through her involvement with the Army Cadets, Natasha is helping pass his legacy of service, pride and commitment on to another generation, with her own daughter also joining as a cadet. 

From National Service to Sergeant Major 

Natasha’s grandfather, Bob, began his military journey at 18 when he entered National Service. 

He initially intended to serve for two years, but discovered a passion for military life that led him to pursue a much longer career, eventually leaving the Army as a Sergeant Major. 

He served in the Royal Hussars, and Natasha has a treasured image of him taken from footage of the amalgamation of the 10th and 11th Royal Hussars in 1969. 

Despite his long military career, her grandfather rarely spoke about his experiences, leaving much of his service history unknown to the family. 

However, Natasha recently discovered a particularly poignant detail about his time in the Armed Forces. 

Her grandfather developed a fear of flying following the loss of nine men, whose names he still remembers to this day. 

For Natasha, this revelation highlighted the lasting emotional impact that military service can have, even many decades later. 

It also reinforced her admiration for her grandfather, whose high standards and dedication have remained a constant influence throughout her life. 

Following in His Footsteps 

Although Natasha grew up with strong military connections, she hadn’t considered joining the Army Cadets when she was younger. 

Later in life, she decided to get involved, motivated by a desire to give back to her community while honouring her grandfather’s service. 

“My grandad has always had high standards. I didn’t really know or think about cadets until I was a lot older. I wanted to give something back to the community and wanted to honour my grandad,” she explained. 

Her decision has also created another connection between generations, with Natasha’s daughter, her grandfather’s great-granddaughter, now joining the Army Cadets. 

From her grandfather’s years in the Royal Hussars to Natasha’s commitment as an adult volunteer and her daughter’s new experiences as a cadet, the family continues to share a tradition of service. 

A Personal Meaning Behind Remembrance 

For Natasha, Remembrance is a time for gratitude and reflection. 

Knowing that her grandfather returned home from military service is something she never takes for granted, particularly when thinking about the many families whose loved ones did not. 

“I am always thankful on Remembrance that my grandad came home, and I think about all those that haven’t. I have a huge amount of respect for those that serve and their families.” 

Her grandfather, now 92, continues to mark Remembrance, demonstrating the importance the occasion holds for him and his family. 

This year will also be particularly meaningful for Natasha, as she prepares to take part in her first Remembrance parade with the Army Cadets. 

Having previously watched parades as a spectator, she will now have the opportunity to participate in uniform, honouring those who served alongside the next generation of cadets. 

Inspiring the Next Generation to Remember 

Natasha believes that Remembrance should encourage young people to reflect not only on historical conflicts but also on the experiences of those serving in the Armed Forces today. 

Through the Army Cadets, young people can develop values such as respect, discipline and commitment, while gaining a greater understanding of the importance of service. 

For Natasha, her grandfather’s story reminds her that the impact of military service can extend far beyond the years spent in uniform. 

By sharing her grandfather’s experiences and encouraging her daughter to embrace the opportunities offered by the Army Cadets, she helps ensure his legacy continues to inspire future generations.