Three Cadet Force Adult Volunteers (CFAVs) have received a distinguished award from the Lord-Lieutenants for Ayrshire & Arran and Dumfries & Galloway for their outstanding service.
The ceremony, hosted at the A’ The Airts Community Art Centre in Sanquhar on Thursday 2 April, saw the worthy recipients, all adult volunteers with the Sea Cadet Corps (SCC) receive their Certificates of Meritorious Service from the Lord-Lieutenant for Ayrshire & Arran, Sheriff Iona McDonald OBE, and the Lord-Lieutenant for Dumfries, Mrs Fiona Armstrong, Lady MacGregor.
The annual Lord-Lieutenants’ Certificates of Meritorious Service Awards for Reservists, CFAVs and Defence civil servants are recognised as exceptional honours throughout the Armed Forces and Cadet communities.
Mrs Fiona Armstrong said of the awardees from her Lieutenancy: ‘Tonight’s award ceremony celebrates the best in the members of the Cadet Forces and the partnership between them, their employers, and the Lieutenancies. It also celebrates the significant commitment of the adult volunteers who supervise the Cadet Forces and their positive impact on young people in the South West of Scotland.
‘To this evening’s award recipients: each of you has made a significant contribution that has touched many lives, both in your units and community and—in many cases—far beyond. You represent your organisation’s enviable ethos, core values and standards—an organisation where commitment and service are at the forefront of everything you do.’
Sheriff Iona McDonald was also keen to praise the CFAVs receiving awards from Ayrshire & Arran, saying: ‘I echo all of Mrs Armstrong’s words, and would like to reinforce our gratitude for the delivery of the Cadet experience across our Lieutenancy. In parallel, we also have to thank our local employers for allowing Cadet Force Adult Volunteers time away from work to conduct their Cadet activities.
‘It is wonderful to see the Cadet movement flourishing across the two Lieutenancies, which benefits the many communities that come into contact with the young people of all three services.’
During the event, the two Lord-Lieutenants presented certificates to volunteers from the following units:
- Ayr Sea Cadets
- Irvine Sea Cadets
- Stewartry Sea Cadets
Lieutenant William Mullin of Irvine Sea Cadets was deeply moved at receiving his Certificate of Meritorious Service, commenting: ‘After forty years in the Sea Cadets, getting an award like this means the world to me.
‘I joined the Sea Cadets in 1954 and left to join the Royal Navy in 1960. I then rejoined in 1984 as an Officer at the Ayr unit, but was later asked to take over the Irvine unit as it was under threat of closure. After helping Irvine Sea Cadets get back on its feet I continued working between it and the Ayr unit until I retired in November 2024.
‘For me, one of the most rewarding aspects of being a CFAV is running into former Cadets out on the street and hearing about all the positive impacts that their time in the SCC has had on their lives.’
Colonel Ted Shields, Chief Executive of Lowland Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association, said of this year’s winners: ‘I congratulate and thank all our Cadet Force Adult Volunteers whose dedication and service have been officially recognised by His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenants for Ayrshire & Arran and Dumfries & Galloway.
‘It is often said that our volunteers are “twice the citizen” – committed to serving our Nation and their communities on top of their everyday jobs and personal lives. It is a tall order, and those who have received Certificates of Meritorious Service have gone above and beyond in this respect. Their respective units and organisations have all benefited from their skills, determination and selflessness. Thank you and well done.’
