Three outstanding cadets have been awarded one of the highest honours any cadet can achieve – appointment as a Lord-Lieutenant Cadet for their county.
His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of West Yorkshire Mr Ed Anderson paid tribute to his new appointees who he personally selected in recognition of their exemplary contribution to their units and wider community.
The cadets were among those honoured at a special ceremony at 4th Battalion The Parachute Regiment’s Thornbury Barracks in Leeds which was hosted by the RFCA for Yorkshire and the Humber to enable the Lord-Lieutenant to recognise some of the county’s very best volunteers.
Also awarded were eight reservists and four cadet force adult volunteers – all of whom have shown exceptional commitment and dedication throughout their service.
Commitment to the cadets
Mr Anderson said: “It is a privilege to be able to pay tribute to some of West Yorkshire’s outstanding individuals who volunteer valuable time to support their communities through their commitment to the cadet and reserve forces.
“It is a particular pleasure to welcome my newly-appointed Lord-Lieutenant Cadets. They are remarkable young people and I am looking forward to getting to know them over the next year.
Deepest gratitude
“I am also delighted to recognise the contribution made by the region’s cadet force adult volunteers. They deserve our deepest gratitude for the time they give to help young people gain access to the wide range of opportunities made possible by the cadet movement.
“In addition, I am very proud to recognise the contribution of some of our reservists in the region. Reserves combine lives and careers in the civilian world with valuable roles in the military.
“I am so pleased to honour eight outstanding individuals who represent the very best of our reserves and have shown extraordinary dedication and commitment to their respective units.”
Cadet winners
The cadets awarded honours were:
Cadet Sergeant Reuben Hughes, of Keighley, who is with Eastern Area Sea Cadets. He joined the cadets at 10 and instantly fell in love with it, developing a keen enthusiasm for all forms of watersports.
He said:
“I have done many amazing things that have bettered me and built up my confidence and now I take pride in the fact that I’m now inspiring younger cadets to do the same as I have done and push themselves. “
Cadet Sergeant Florence Shaw is part of the Combined Cadet Force at The Grammar School at Leeds. During her time with the cadets, she has learned to kayak in Scotland and France, gone rock climbing in Wales and is soon to head off to Germany skiing.
She said:
“The cadets have given me a lifetimes worth of adventures and I hope all these experiences will help me throughout the rest of my cadet and adult career.”
Cadet Flight Sergeant Harvey Varazinskis, who is with Batley Squadron, South and West Yorkshire Wing of the Air Cadets, is currently studying for a BA in Geography and hopes to join the RAF when he graduates.
He said:
“It is through the Air Cadets that I’ve been able to gain leadership and teamwork qualifications, teaching practice and academic awards in subjects such as Aviation – something that has helped massively when pursuing flying opportunities or giving me material for my personal statement for university.”
Cadet Corporal Natasha Chamberlain who was appointed as a Lord-Lieutenant Cadet in 2021 will remain in post for a further year.
Winning cadet force adult volunteers
- Colour Sergeant Liam Brook, of Eastern Area Sea Cadets in Leeds
- Captain Ian Corcoran, of Yorkshire (North and West) Army Cadet Force
- Major Shane Hopkinson, Yorkshire (North and West) Army Cadet Force
- Lieutenant Michael O’Connor, Yorkshire (North and West) Army Cadet Force
Winning reserves
- Captain Ian Kilgour, Royal Marines Reserves, Leeds Detachment
- Chief Petty Officer Roger Shuttleworth, HMS Ceres
- Warrant Officer Class 1 Lee Hackleton, 212 (Yorkshire) Field Hospital
- Warrant Officer Class 2 Martin Pearson, Leeds University Officer Training Corps
- Staff Sergeant Joseph Francis, 269 (West Riding) Battery Royal Artillery
- Staff Sergeant Joanna Millican, Leeds University Officer Training Corps
- Sergeant Gareth Bragger, 269 (West Riding) Battery Royal Artillery
- Sergeant Alyson Butlin, 217 (West Yorkshire) Transport Squadron RLC