The Lord-Lieutenant’s Cadets
The Lord-Lieutenant is able to appoint young people from the Cadet Forces to become Lord-Lieutenant’s Cadets. These cadets are chosen from the Sea Cadets, Army Cadets and Air Training Corps and stay in this role for one year. The cadets are chosen as recognition of their outstanding contribution to their cadet community and are recommended to the Lord-Lieutenant by their senior offices.
The role of the Lord-Lieutenant’s cadets is to assist the Lord-Lieutenant most usually at large civic and military events and parades. On these occasions they wear their Lord-lieutenant Cadet badge on a red sash.
My name is able cadet Amelia Harrison. I joined Kettering Sea Cadets 5 years ago as a junior cadet and I would like to share with you some of my achievements and experiences.
In 2019 I went to Gloucester Tall Ships Festival to be part of a crew on the T.S Royalist. This was a great opportunity because of the experience I gained and the pride in steering the T.S Royalist.
This year I went on the keelboats to do my sailing with spinnakers and passed but also got the opportunity to helm one of 6 keelboats in the Sea Cadets.
Later on this year I hope to pass my dinghy instructor to help other people sail and have the enjoyment and opportunities I have had sailing,
Sea Cadets has given me the confidence and knowledge to be able to pursue a job in the Royal Navy. I look forward to continuing to pass my knowledge and enthusiasm to the next generation of cadets.
I would like to thank my unit and the staff in the wider Sea Cadets organisation for making all these opportunities for myself and young people possible.
I am extremely proud of this prestigious appointment to serve as a Lord Lieutenant’s cadet for the county of Northamptonshire. I very much look forward to accompanying the Lord-Lieutenant and my fellow cadets on engagements.
Able Sea Cadet Amelia Harrison
2021/22
My name is Flight Sergeant William Thomas and I am a member of the Royal Air Force Air Cadets, serving with 858 Squadron in Rushden where I have been a cadet for a little over 5 years.
I am 17 years old and have lived all my life in Thrapston. I am currently studying physics, chemistry and business A levels at Bishop Stopford in Kettering.
Over the years, the Air Cadets have given me many fantastic opportunities and experiences. Far too many to recall them all tonight.
However, some of my most memorable highlights have included:
– A week at the drill and Ceremonial camp near Grantham. This taught me rifle drill for the first time which enabled me to take part in a 600 personnel parade at RAF Scampton in front of numerous VIP’s.
– I have also enjoyed a 2 week overseas camp to the American air force base at Ramstein in Germany. Here we undertook aviation skills training and also went on visits to local German attractions.
– But I have to say, my most beneficial course and proudest moment so far, has been attending the Air Cadet Pilot Scheme at Dundee airport in Scotland. This was 2 weeks of flying instruction which culminated in me being allowed to fly a solo circuit of the airport.
Since starting with cadets I have progressed through the entire classification syllabus to become an instructor cadet. This qualification enables me to teach the young cadets on the squadron. Being the squadrons subject matter expert in aviation and one of the drill instructors, my favourite lessons to teach are those related to flying and drill.
I enjoy being able to educate and guide the cadets down the path I once took, and I am pleased that I can now give back to the organisation in this way.
I am always encouraging the cadets to do as much as they can, and take every opportunity that comes their way, as I know from experience, how much it will help them in the future.
I was once told, “you get out what you put in” and this is certainly true.
The past 18 months have been a struggle at cadets, but we rose to the challenge that the pandemic brought! We had to rapidly adapt and achieved ‘business as normal’ by moving our parade nights online. I am proud to have delivered over 50% of the lessons throughout that time, and proud that the squadron received a commendation for the number of virtual parade nights we put on.
Outside of normal squadron Parade nights, I volunteer as a flight staff cadet at RAF Wittering. Here I give safety briefings and escort other cadets to and from the aircraft for their air experience flights.
Through the cadets I am now in the final phase of my Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award which I hope to complete next year.
Outside of cadets, I play cricket for Thrapston Cricket Club, and fly gliders at the Welland gliding club where I became a solo pilot at the age of 15. I am now in the process of finishing off the bronze endorsement to add to my gliding licence.
All these activities and successes would not have been possible without the support of staff members at the squadron. These experiences have given me confidence, self-discipline and determination which will help me through my life.
It is my intention, once I leave education, to continue flying in some capacity. In the near future I will be submitting an application to join the RAF as aircrew, and my backup plan is to start commercial flight training.
When I found out I had been selected to be one of the Lord Lieutenant’s cadets I felt so proud. I am looking forward to representing the Air Cadets, working alongside my colleagues from the other cadet services, and serving the Lord Lieutenant to the best of my ability.
Flight Sergeant William Thomas
2021/22
Firstly I would like to say thank you for the opportunity and honour I have been awarded as the Lord Lieutenant’s cadet. My name is Cadet Sergeant Tom Kenney and I am Head of the Marine section within Wellingborough School CCF. I joined the CCF 5 years ago working my way up from a cadet with no idea of what I was doing to being one of the leaders and teachers, helping others find their voice and talents in the CCF. In my time in the CCF I had many opportunities, achieving First Aid qualifications, going on adventure training and making life-long friends as well as achieved many things I am very proud of, such as being the youngest person in my school in the Combat Cadet Competition in only Year 10. In my experience CCF has been one of the most valuable parts of my time at school, giving me confidence, discipline and tenacity.
Outside of CCF I am also interested in History, particularly military history and hope to study this at university. I also love playing all types of sport and have been involved in both cross country and rugby competitive leagues. I have completed my Bronze and Silver Duke of Edinburgh awards and am close to completing my Gold, having finished my expedition this year by tramping my way around Snowdon and the Peak District with varying levels of enthusiasm. I also play the trumpet and am heavily involved in environmental issues and measures in my school.
CCF and my other activities have shown me the type of person I want to be as an adult. The role of Lord Lieutenant’s cadet is a role which is ultimately about service to others and this is what I feel is the most important role I could aspire to. I hope to bring my commitment, enthusiasm, kindness and positivity to my year as Lord Lieutenant’s cadet.
Finally, I would like to express my thanks and appreciation to my school and my Contingent Commander for supporting me and to the Lord Lieutenant for choosing me. I am conscious of the privilege I have been given and am excited for the coming year and the opportunities it will bring.
Cdt Sgt Thomas Kenney – CCF (Combined Cadet Forces)
2021/22
Staff Cdt CSM Simeon Raines (ARMY) 2021/22