A Royal Air Force Reservist and five Cadet Force Adult Volunteers (CFAVs) have received a prestigious award from the Ministry of Defence in recognition of their exceptional service.
The awards ceremony, held at Edinburgh City Chambers on Thursday 6 March, saw recipients receive Certificates of Meritorious Service from the Lord-Lieutenants for the City of Edinburgh, Berwickshire and East and West Lothian for their valuable contributions to both their military and civilian communities.
The annual Lord-Lieutenants’ Award presentations for Reservists and Cadet Force Adult Volunteers are recognised as exceptional honours throughout the Defence community.
His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenants are the representatives of the Crown for each county in the United Kingdom.
The Right Honourable Lord Provost Councillor Robert Aldridge, Mrs Jeanna Swan, Mr Roderick Urquhart and Ms Moira Niven MBE, who act as The King’s personal representatives for the City of Edinburgh, Berwickshire and East and West Lothian respectively, signed and presented each certificate to thank the recipients for their selfless dedication to serving and protecting the Nation.
In an official statement, the Lord Provost paid tribute to the Edinburgh and wider Defence communities, saying: ‘It is my pleasure to offer my congratulations and thanks to those who have received the Certificate of Meritorious Service this year.
‘The City of Edinburgh is proud to be home to hundreds of Reservists and CFAVs, all of whom make an exceptional contribution to their community.
‘The incredible array of skills and knowledge that members of the Reserve Forces bring to both their military and civilian communities are valuable assets that deserve to be recognised and celebrated.
‘Cadet Force Adult Volunteers, likewise, deserve praise and acknowledgement for the time they freely give to supporting and developing young people, not just in Edinburgh but across the whole of Scotland.’
‘I am pleased to congratulate this year’s recipients of the Lord-Lieutenant’s Certificate of Meritorious Service,’ commented Roderick Urquhart. ‘Cadet Force Adult Volunteers are remarkable people who make a vital commitment to young people within our community, balancing their volunteering duties with their everyday lives and careers.
‘These awards recognise that selfless dedication to encouraging, inspiring and motivating Cadets to become their best possible selves. As Lord-Lieutenant of East Lothian I thank all the adult volunteers for all the excellent work they do for the Cadet Force Units across our county.’
Jeanna Swan was also keen to praise the CFAVs in her Lieutenancy of Berwickshire, remarking: ‘I believe it’s important to present Certificates of Meritorious Service to the adult volunteers who teach, organise and inspire the members of the Cadet Forces.
‘They fulfil such an important role, allowing Cadets to develop their personalities and confidence. When we have had Cadets attend Lieutenancy functions, they have been very smartly turned out, been friendly and helpful and have impressed everyone with their ability to tackle public speaking with confidence and eloquence.’
Moira Niven was equally pleased to praise the adult volunteers of West Lothian, saying: ‘The contribution of Cadet Force Adult Volunteers, both to young people and to the wider community, is highly commendable, as evidenced by the outstanding individuals receiving Certificates of Meritorious Service this evening.
‘Their selfless commitment in giving their time to help the young people in their charge grow into skilled and mature adults is nothing short of inspirational.’
Sergeant Daniel William Blake, a Reservist with 603 (City of Edinburgh) Squadron Royal Auxiliary Air Force, was delighted to receive his certificate following a nomination from his Commanding Officer, Squadron Leader Derek Read.
Awards were also presented to CFAVs from Lothian & Borders Battalion Army Cadet Force, as well as 870 Dreghorn Squadron, 297 Musselburgh Squadron and 1271 Bathgate Squadron RAF Air Cadets, praising their commitment to providing the best possible Cadet experience for young people in their units.
297 Musselburgh Squadron’s Flight Lieutenant Lyall Downie, who enjoyed his eight years as a Cadet so much that he went on to spend forty-five years as a CFAV, was delighted to receive such a prestigious acknowledgement for his many years of service.
‘I have enjoyed every aspect of the RAF Air Cadets: as a Cadet I attended camps in the UK and Germany, getting qualifications in flying, gliding and parachuting. As a CFAV I have been able to promote and encourage Cadets and other adult volunteers to participate in all the activities I enjoyed.
‘Cadets is so much more than just a youth organisation. It offers life skills that can take members through Cadet or CFAV service and will be of great benefit to themselves, their employers and their communities in the future.’
‘Honestly, I was speechless when I got the news to say I had been picked to receive one of these awards,’ said Staff Sergeant Instructor Natalie Hume, a CFAV with Lothian & Borders Battalion.
‘I do not expect anything in return for being a CFAV, I am just giving back to the Cadets what I got out of it, but it means so much to receive this kind of recognition.
‘For me, the best thing about being a CFAV is seeing the Cadets achieving their goals and being able to take their experiences and qualifications into their adult lives. Watching Cadets grow from shy twelve-year-old children to outgoing, strong and independent young adults, and knowing that you’ve helped them on that journey, is a feeling unlike any other.’
Highlighting the immense value of the supportive relationship between Reservists and their civilian employers, the awards ceremony included the presentation of an Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Gold Award revalidation to the City of Edinburgh Council, Midlothian Council, Edinburgh Napier University and aberdeen. A Bronze ERS Award was also presented to Terra Mechanica Maris Ltd. Presenting the awards on behalf of the Defence Secretary was Lowland Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association (RFCA) Chairman, Air Commodore James Linter OBE.
Colonel Ted Shields, Chief Executive of Lowland RFCA, said of this year’s winners: ‘I congratulate and thank all our Reservists, Cadet Force Adult Volunteers, Cadets and Civilians whose dedication and service have been officially recognised by His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant for the City of Edinburgh, Berwickshire and East and West Lothian.
‘It is often said that our Reservists and 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. They are a credit to the Defence community and the Nation. Thank you and well done.’
