This summer NW RFCA was proud to again facilitate the Lord-Lieutenants’ and Lieutenant Governor’s Awards for the North West of England and the Isle of Man.
Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenants are the representatives of the Crown for each county in the United Kingdom. Men or women of all backgrounds, they are appointed directly by Her Majesty The Queen, on the advice of the Prime Minister. The Lieutenant Governor of the Isle of Man is Her Majesty The Queen’s Personal Representative, and is appointed by Warrant of HM The Queen.
The annual Lord-Lieutenants’ and Lieutenant Governor’s Awards for Reservists, Cadet Force Adult Volunteers, cadets and employees of the Reserve Forces and Cadet Organisations of the Armed Forces are recognised as laudatory honours throughout the Ministry of Defence. These awards are intended to supplement Honours bestowed by HM The Queen in the New Year and Birthday Honours Lists, and, in precedence, rank after such awards.
This year over 80 awards were presented to Reservists, Cadet Force Adult Volunteers, cadets and civilian staff across the region. Awards include the appointment of the Lord-Lieutenant’s Cadet and Deputy Lieutenant’s Cadets for each county, the Certificate of Meritorious Volunteer Service, the Certificate of Meritorious Cadet Service and the Lord-Lieutenants’ and Lieutenant Governor’s Commendation.
The Lord-Lieutenant’s and Lieutenant Governor’s Cadet
Each year, the Lord-Lieutenants and Lieutenant Governor appoint young people to serve as the Lord-Lieutenants’ or Lieutenant Governor’s Cadets. They are drawn from the SCC, ACF, ATC and CCF. The appointment is recognised as one of the highest honours a cadet can achieve. When on duty, the Lord-
Lieutenants’ and Lieutenant Governor’s Cadets wear a distinctive badge of their appointment to denote their role. They assist the Lord-Lieutenant or Lieutenant Governor as required, often on parade for Royal visits, and act as ambassadors for their organisations and the young people of the region.
Lord-Lieutenant’s Cadet for Merseyside, Cdt SSgt Eve Salter, Merseyside ACF
Cdt SSgt Eve Salter, aged 16 and from Liverpool, was awarded the appointment of Lord-Lieutenant’s Cadet for Merseyside for her exceptional service with Merseyside Army Cadet Force. The presentation was made by Dame Lorna Muirhead, Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Merseyside, at a ceremony at Liverpool Town Hall.
Eve: “I first joined Army Cadets in 2012. As a cadet I’ve been involved in First Aid, football, swimming, and competed at regional and national levels. Cadets has helped me learn to communicate with people at all levels and become more confident. The proudest moment I’ve had as a cadet is when I found out that I had been awarded the appointment of Lord-Lieutenant’s Cadet.”
Lord-Lieutenant’s Certificate of Meritorious Volunteer Service
The Lord-Lieutenants’ and Lieutenant Governor’s Certificates for Meritorious Volunteer Service may be awarded to any serving Reservist in the RNR, RMR, Army Reserve or RAuxAF, and CFAVs in the SCC, ACF, ATC and CCF. Civilians (e.g. Civil & Crown Servants) who are employed in direct support of the Reserve Forces and Cadet Organisations are also eligible for the award. The award is not intended as a routine recognition of long and faithful service; the criterion of exceptional service must be the principal factor.
Maj Matt Lynch, 208 (Liverpool) Field Hospital
Maj Matt Lynch, aged 47 and from Macclesfield, was awarded the Lord-Lieutenant’s Certificate of Merit for exceptional service with Army Reserve unit 208 (Liverpool) Field Hospital. The presentation was made by the Lord Shuttleworth KCVO, Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Lancashire, during a ceremony at Lancaster Town Hall.
Matt joined the Territorial Army, now the Army Reserve, in 1995. In 2008 he moved to 208 (Liverpool) Field Hospital and has deployed twice to Afghanistan working in Camp Bastion Hospital. He is currently Officer Commanding C Squadron in Blackpool. In his civilian life, Matt works at Macclesfield General Hospital as an Emergency Medical Practitioner. When not with the Army Reserve he devotes much of his spare time to Help For Heroes. Over the last four years, he and his wife have taken part in the Help For Heroes 4×4 European Rally, both competing as a team and providing medical cover. To date his team has raised £10,000 by participating in the event.
Matt: ‘I’m overwhelmed by this award. As far as I’m concerned, I am doing things which I enjoy – if that benefits others or the country as a whole then that makes it so much better.
SSI Kenneth Thain, Cumbria ACF
SSI Kenneth Thain, aged 61, from Cumbria ACF was presented with his Certificate of Merit by Mrs Claire Hensman, Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant of Cumbria, during a ceremony at Sedbergh School. Kenneth took over command of Dalton-in-Furness detachment in 2010 and, according to senior staff, is entirely responsible for the fact that the detachment is still open and functioning. A hands-on Commander, he has run the detachment almost single-handedly during his command, tirelessly helping out with vital work such as driving minibuses to get the cadets to activities and charity fundraising events.
Kenneth: “It was a real honour to be told of this award. I’m very happy and pleased. I joined the Army Cadets to help young people, and to be recognised in this way is very special.”
Mrs Doreen Jackson, Greater Manchester Wing ATC
Mrs Doreen Jackson, aged 73 and from Bury, was awarded her Certificate of Merit by Mr Warren Smith, Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Greater Manchester, at Gorton Monastery, for her service as a Civilian Assistant with the Air Cadets. It was by pure chance that Doreen originally joined the Air Cadets: as a 15 year old Girl Guide she was invited to a Christmas party at 1036 (Bury) Squadron, to which she subsequently transferred. In 1965 she joined the Squadron’s Civilian Committee, and remains a member to this day. Over the past 50 years, along with her fellow committee members, Doreen has been tireless in raising funds for the squadron. In 1989 the Squadron embarked on what was to become a 25 year fundraising activity, collecting waste paper locally every six weeks. Since then, Doreen has attended over 200 collections come rain or shine, raising much needed funds to purchase new band equipment and a flight simulator.
Doreen: “I’m very proud. Although I’ve never formally joined the Squadron as an Adult Instructor, I feel like I’ve been a member since first visiting as a guest with the Girl Guides.”
Lord-Lieutenant’s Certificate of Meritorious Cadet Service
The Lord-Lieutenants’ and Lieutenant Governor’s Certificate for Meritorious Cadet Service is awarded to cadets serving in the SCC, ACF, ATC and CCF in recognition of exceptional service. The Certificate for Meritorious Cadet Service is in the form of a mounted, illuminated scroll signed by the Lord-Lieutenant of the County or the Lieutenant Governor of the Isle of Man and the President of NW RFCA.
Cdt FS Jessica Reed, Queens School Chester CCF
Cdt FS Jessica Reed, aged 17 and from Prestatyn, was awarded the Lord-Lieutenant’s Certificate of Merit by Mr David Briggs MBE, Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Cheshire, for exceptional service with the RAF Contingent of Queens School Chester CCF. The ceremony was held at Chester Cathedral. Jessica joined the CCF in 2012, and has since attended RAF Camp at RAF Northolt and participated in gliding, mountain biking, orienteering and flight simulators. Last year she was put forward for the role of Senior Cadet of the RAF Section, and although she was up against other cadets with more experience she performed extremely well and was selected. She is also a Sunday School teacher, and has self-fundraised through sponsored events to twice visit South Africa on missions to build an orphanage and a school. She plans to study Human Biology at University, and hopes to work on the Mercy Ships, a charity providing hospital care to disavantaged countries.
Jessica: “Over the past few years I have put a lot of time and effort into RAF Cadets, and it’s an honour to have that acknowledged in such a prestigious manner.”
Cdt FS Chantelle Luke, Greater Manchester Wing ATC
Cdt FS Chantelle Luke, aged 18 and from Bolton, was awarded the Lord-Lieutenant’s Certificate of Merit for exceptional service with Greater Manchester Air Cadets. Chantelle joined the Air Cadets in 2010, and has since achieved her Master Air Cadet qualification, a BTEC in aviation studies and qualifications in swimming and First Aid. In addition to her Cadet activities, Chantelle is committed to charitable giving and working in the community: she volunteers at Heartlift in Bolton, supporting young people with disabilities, and is a volunteer with the Fire Service. Chantelle is also a Police Cadet, and she hopes to become a Special Constable later this year.
Chantelle said: ‘I never thought I would be where I am today in life if it wasn’t for the Air Cadets. I feel overwhelmed at receiving this award.’
Lord-Lieutenant’s Commendation
The Lord-Lieutenants’ and Lieutenant Governor’s Commendation is intended to recognise an exceptional and outstanding act or achievement, either in the line of the individual’s operational or domestic duties as a Reservist when not on deployment, or during service as CFAV, cadet or supporting staff. Such acts or achievements might include quick thinking in a crisis, resulting in a positive resolution, or a selfless act for the benefit of others.
L/Cpl Christopher Mottershaw, D Coy 4 MERCIAN
L/Cpl Christopher Mottershaw, aged 28 and from Middlewich, was awarded the Lord-Lieutenant’s Commendation in recognition of his selfless commitment to maintaining his unit’s physical training programme through a challenging period of change.
Christopher joined the Army Reserve in 2010 and was soon recognised as having drive, fortitude and leadership qualities, and in 2012 he attended and passed his junior non-commissioned officer selection cadre. In 2014, in preparation for future re-basing, D Company relocated to an Army Reserve Centre in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent. Where formerly the company had been split between Crewe and Hanley, Cheshire-based Reservists now faced increased travel and journey times. As the only Physical Training Instructor in the Company, Lance Corporal Mottershaw committed selflessly to the extra requirements. Working in Runcorn, this represented a return journey of almost 70 miles. Lance Corporal Mottershaw rose to the challenge, accommodating his day job to ensure he could meet this regular commitment. His efforts ensured continued and robust physical fitness across the company. A Child Lifestyle Advisor with Bridgewater Community NHS Foundation Trust in his day job, he lives with his wife Linzi and young daughter Sophia in Middlewich.
Christopher: “I’m extremely proud to have been selected for this award. It has really motivated me to continue on and want to achieve even greater things in the future. I have always wanted to be a part of the Armed Forces, wishing to meet new people and learn new skills, all whilst looking to serve my community and improve my skills.”
SSI Mark Davies, Merseyside ACF
SSI Mark Davies, aged 52, serves with Merseyside Army Cadet Force. He was awarded Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant’s Commendation in recognition of his tireless commitment to Merseyside Army Cadet Force Corps of Drums.
Mark joined Merseyside Army Cadet Force in 2009, having no military background. He quickly became a stalwart member of his detachment. Shortly after joining, his passion for music shone through and he took on an additional commitment to Merseyside ACF Corps of Drums. Mark has successfully built the Corps of Drums to ensure that as many young people from Merseyside as possible can enjoy the opportunity of playing in the band. Under his command, the Corps of Drums has played at a number of high profile events in Southport, Lancaster, Preston and at St Georges Hall in Liverpool for HRH the Earl of Wessex. Most recently, Mark set out to raise £3000 to enable ten cadets from the Corps of Drums to travel to Malta to parade during the International Military Tattoo with cadets from Lancashire Army Cadet Force.
Mark: “I feel overwhelmed at receiving this award. I have always had an interest in the military and music and I’m really glad I’ve found a way to combine the two.”
Lord-Lieutenants’ and Lieutenant Governor’s Awards 2016
Nominations will soon be open for next year’s Lord-Lieutenants’ and Lieutenant Governor’s Awards, including: the appointment of the Lord-Lieutenants’ and Lieutenant Governor’s Cadets; the Lord-Lieutenants’ and Lieutenant Governor’s Certificates of Meritorious Volunteer Service for Reservists, Cadet Force Adult Volunteers and civilian staff employed in support of the Reserve Forces and Cadet organisations; the Lord-Lieutenants’ and Lieutenant Governor’s Certificates of Meritorious Cadet Service; and, the Lord-Lieutenants’ and Lieutenant Governor’s Commendations.
For more information about the awards and how to make a nomination on behalf of your unit, call 0151 727 4552, email [email protected] or visit www.nwrfca.org.uk/rfca/awards/
