Teenage cadets from Buttershaw and Yeadon win top honour from Lord Lieutenant (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Teenage cadets from Buttershaw and Yeadon win top honour from Lord Lieutenant

10:00am Saturday 6th October 2012 in News By Kathie Griffiths, T&A Reporter

Two talented teenage cadets have been awarded the prestigious appointment of Lord-Lieutenant’s Cadet – an achievement recognised as the highest honour in the Cadets.

The cadets were among only 12 cadets – selected from a total of 5,400 cadets across the whole Yorkshire and Humber region – to be awarded the Lord Lieutenant’s Certificate.

Certificates was presented to 16-year-old Petty Officer Peter Wood, of Buttershaw, and Staff Sergeant Jake Dowdeswell, 17, of Yeadon, by Dr Ingrid Roscoe, the Lord-Lieutenant of West Yorkshire, at a ceremony at the headquarters of the Air Training Corps Wing in Castleford this week.

Petty Officer Wood has risen to his rank since joining the cadets at 12. He has qualifications in sailing, windsurfing, power-boating and is about to start a rowing instructors course. He has helped raise money for cancer charities, the Royal British Legion and smaller charities as well as the Sea Cadet Unit.

After the ceremony he said: “Joining cadets has been a fantastic experience and has helped me well on the way to fulfilling my life-long dream to join the Royal Navy.”

A dedicated member of the Army Cadet Force also since the age of 12, Staff Sgt Dowdeswell is well-respected by cadets and adult instructors and is now a Senior Cadet Instructor Cadre, recently taking part in a cadet exchange to Canada on a leadership course. He is a keen sportsman and has represented the ACF at County, Regional and National levels in a number of sporting activities. He has completed his Bronze Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and is currently working towards his Silver award.

He said: “I enjoy my life in the cadets enormously and have had experiences and opportunities that very few of my age have. I feel very proud to represent the Army Cadet Force as the Lord-Lieutenant’s Cadet.”

Lieutenant Colonel Jeremy Bleasdale, Deputy Chief Executive of the Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association (RFCA) in Yorkshire and the Humber, said: “The Lord Lieutenant’s Certificate is a prestigious award that recognises cadets who have performed above expectations. I’m delighted for these cadets who are shining examples of what can be achieved when young people involve themselves in extra-curricular activities.”

To find out more about the cadet movement or about becoming an adult volunteer, visit the Reserve Forces’ & Cadets’ Association website at: rfca-yorkshire.org.uk.