Gloucestershire Cadets honoured

Sir Henry Elwes (centre) with his Lord Lieutenant's Cadets

Seventeen dedicated Gloucestershire adults and cadets have been honoured by Sir Henry Elwes, the Lord Lieutenant of Gloucestershire, for their contribution and dedication to the reserve forces and cadet organisations of the county.

The seventeen, comprising seven adult instructors, nine cadets and a special constable, were presented with their certificates at Sir Henry Elwes' residence in Colesbourne.

Five adults received the Lord Lieutenant's Certificate of Meritorious Service and two received clasps to their ACF medals, while the cadets were appointed the Lord Lieutenant's Cadets for the coming year - a privilege only given to the brightest and best across the cadet forces in the county.

Determination

Commended for his determination and commitment to Cadet activities, Cadet Sergeant Major Ashley Skerten, 17, was appointed one of the Lord Lieutenant's Cadets for the coming year and therefore will have the opportunity to accompany Sir Henry Elwes on royal duties across the county.

Ashley was nominated having shown a great passion for being involved with community and charity initiatives with the Stroud Platoon of Gloucestershire Army Cadet Force (ACF).

You realise that there is always something more to learn and add to your skills. Cadet Sergeant Major Ashley Skerten

He has raised money for a number of charities including the Rotary Club, Cotswold Care Hospice, the PDSA and The Poppy Appeal.

He was awarded the title of Top Senior Cadet in the County in 2008 and 2009 and has represented Gloucestershire at national Athletics and Rugby as well as representing the UK at the Annual Arnhem Airborne March in Holland.

Ashley said he felt very honoured to have achieved such a prestigious accolade: "I joined the ACF six years ago as I'd heard lots of good things about it and it seemed like an interesting and rewarding past-time.

"The ACF really puts you through your paces and you realise that there is always something more to learn and add to your skills.

"I'm very much looking forward to being one of the Lord Lieutenant's Cadets."

Boosted morale

Nominated for his efforts in rejuvenating 2382 Squadron, Air Training Corps (ATC) in Bishops Cleeve, Flight Lieutenant Lee Blanchard, 36, from Tewkesbury, received high praise for his inspirational leadership, which has boosted morale and cadet numbers in the unit.

A former cadet in the ATC, Lee was keen to get involved again after leaving the Royal Navy and make a difference to the young people in the area.

I was stunned to find out I had been awarded the Lord Lieutenant's certificate. Flight Lieutenant Lee Blanchard

He explained: "I got an awful lot of out of being a cadet when I was younger and so I wanted today's youngsters have the same experience.

"It is very rewarding to work with the ATC and I was determined to give the Squadron a boost when I joined.

"These young people are very much part of the community they live in and being a cadet helps them give something back.

"I was stunned to find out I had been awarded the Lord Lieutenant's certificate.

"I wasn't expecting it at all but it is a complete honour to be identified for it, especially as the units across the region are so strong and work together closely."

Certificate

Those receiving the Lord Lieutenant's certificate were:

• Lieutenant Commander Susan Lampert, the former Commanding Officer of Forest of Dean Sea Cadet Corps, was commended for her 'unstinting commitment to young people in the Sea Cadet Corps'.
• Flight Lieutenant Lee Blanchard from Tewkesbury, for his commitment and leadership of 2328 Squadron, Air Training Corps in Bishops Cleeve.
• Colour Sergeant Paul Butler Edwards from Cheltenham who is Troop Commander for 2 Troop of Alpha Company in the South West. He was acknowledged for his hard work and expert guidance in leading six Marine Cadet detachments.
• Flight Lieutenant Laurence James Clark from Newnham for his unselfish commitment and dedication to 614 Squadron ATC in Lydney.
• Lieutenant Colonel Paul Rothwell, a PE teacher at Wycliffe College from Stroud who has committed his time to the College's Combined Cadet Force for the past 13 years.
• Divisional Officer Edward Gregson-Barnes, a Special Constable from Lydney who leads 50 officers in the Gloucestershire Special Constabulary.

Landmark

Colonel Mike Bennett OBE from Twyning, near Tewkesbury also received a fifth clasp to the Cadet Force Medal for 48 years of outstanding service to the Army Cadet Force.

Mike Bennett with Sir Henry Elwes

Records suggest he is only the fourth officer in the UK to achieve such a landmark.

Colonel Bennett, a former Army cadet joined the ACF at the age of 19 as a sergeant Instructor and has spent a lifetime inspiring many thousands of adults and cadets to help them to achieve success in life and to become better citizens.

He said: "The ACF is a wonderful Voluntary Youth Organization and I have seen many thousands of young people benefit from a structured, disciplined, fun youth club and it has always been part of my life."

In addition to Colonel Bennett, Captain Alan Brewster of Gloucestershire ACF also received a clasp to his ACF medal.

Anniversary

The Lord Lieutenant's Cadets, who will have the added honour of carrying out their duties during the 150th anniversary of the cadet forces, were announced as:

• Ben Manley, 17, from Cheltenham who attends Pate's Grammar School CCF
• Ashley Skerten, 17, from Stroud who is a member of Stroud Platoon ACF
• Kamilla Gebicka, 17, from Dursley who is a member of Dursley Platoon ACF
• Laurence Baldwin, 18, from Barnwood, who is a cadet with 181 (City of Gloucester) Squadron Air Training Corps
• Bethanie Burford, 18, from Coleford, who is a cadet with 614 (Lydney) Squadron Air Training Corps
• Emma Shephard, 17, a member of Wycliffe College CCF in Stonehouse
• Charlotte O'Brien, 16, from Prestbury, a member of St Edward's School CCF
• Carly Russell-Taylor, 16, a cadet with Stroud Sea Cadets from Dudbridge
• Katherine MacDonald, 16, a member of Cheltenham Sea Cadet Corps.