Lanarkshire cadet force volunteers honoured for exceptional service

The super six received certificates of meritorious service from the lord lieutenant at a ceremony at Summerlee

Inspiring volunteers from across Lanarkshire were honoured for their “incredible service” to the area’s cadet force organisations with the presentation of prestigious Lord Lieutenant’s certificates of meritorious service.

The super six adult volunteers with both the Airdrie & Coatbridge and East Kilbride sea cadet units, Glasgow & Lanarkshire Battalion army cadet force and the RAF air cadets’ West of Scotland wing headquarters and 449 (Lanark) squadron were recognised at a special event at Summerlee industrial heritage museum in Coatbridge.

Among those receiving awards for their “exceptional” contribution were Lieutenant Robert (Robin) Thomson, whose involvement with the sea cadets stretches back to 1956 when he first joined as a teenager and who has gone on to give more than four decades of service to the organisation.

Lord lieutenant Lady Susan Haughey CBE, the King’s representative in Lanarkshire, welcomed guests to the Coatbridge venue for the annual ceremony to recognise cadet force adult volunteers’ “dedication to supporting and mentoring young people in their communities”.

She presented each recipient with a mounted and illuminated scroll which she had signed along with Lowland reserve forces’ and cadets’ assocation (RFCA) chair Air Commodore James Linter OBE, who was in attendance.

The prestigious meritorious service awards were presented to RAF air cadets members Squadron Leader Andy Sutherland of West Scotland wing and Flight Lieutenant Anne Sutherland of 449 (Lanark) squadron; Sergeant Major Instructor Ian Rodger of Glasgow & Lanarkshire Battalion army cadet force; Warrant Officer 2 John Leber of East Kilbride sea cadets; and Airdrie & Coatbridge sea cadets duo Lieutenant Thomson and Lieutenant Eamonn Gallagher.

Lieutenant Thomson’s nomination told how he had first joined the Training Ship (TS) Nelson unit in Rutherglen nearly seven decades ago as a 13-year-old cadet, and said of the “selfless and highly dedicated” officer’s lengthy volunteering contribution: “Many officers attribute their own longevity in the sea cadet corps to [his] guidance and leadership.”

It added: “He is to be commended that TS Enterprise is still here, and the unit is fortunate to have an officer who has not only provided it with buoyancy but had a peerless impact on the promotion of communications and information systems within the sea cadets.”

He said: “I feel very humbled and honoured to be given this award – during my years as a cadet force adult volunteer, I’ve enjoyed seeing so many young people grow up into confident and mature members of society, and would say that any adult wishing to achieve something and to dedicate themselves to a worthy cause should absolutely consider becoming a volunteer with the sea cadet corps.”

Airdrie & Coatbridge colleague Lieutenant Gallagher said his surprise award “really is an honour”, and said: “The Lanarkshire community has had a great impact on our work as cadet force adult volunteers through their continuous support to their local youth organisations, for which I feel both very proud and very grateful.

“For me, the biggest highlight of being an adult volunteer is knowing that I can help the cadets to learn self-discipline and self-respect, which will no doubt help them in their future lives.”

The ceremony at Summerlee was attended by special guests including North Lanarkshire provost Kenneth Duffy and West Scotland wing RAF air cadets commanding officer Wing Commander Jim Haley.

Lady Haughey said: “I am delighted to once again offer my congratulations and heartfelt thanks to this year’s recipients of the Lord Lieutenant’s certificate of meritorious service.

“The contribution of cadet force adult volunteers to their community is valuable beyond words – through their dedication and diligence, young people from all walks of life enjoy so many unique and exciting opportunities that allow them to grow into confident, capable adults and form long-lasting friendships along the way.”

Lowland RFCA chief executive Colonel Ted Shields praised the award recipients as “‘twice the citizen’ – committed to serving our nation and their communities on top of their everyday jobs and personal lives, and those who have received certificates of meritorious service have gone above and beyond in this respect”.

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