Three 18-year-old cadets from the island have received awards from Lieutenant Governor Adam Wood in a ceremony at Government House.
Cadet flight sergeant Stephen Isherwood, 18, from Douglas, cadet sergeant Benjamin Awkal, from Castletown, and cadet flight sergeant William Bradley, from Laxey, all received the lieutenant governor’s Certificate of Merit.
The Lieutenant Governor’s award system is used by the North West Reserve Forces and Cadet Association (RFCA), to recognise service by their adult and cadet forces.
The area commanders of the cadet forces recommend, where appropriate, a cadet or adult member to receive a Certificate of Merit for exceptional service.
The RFCA then consider and approve these recommendations and pass them to the lieutenant governor (in respect of Isle of Man units) for final approval and presentation.
All three Manx cadets won this award.
In addition the cadet forces in each area may nominate a Lieutenant Governor’s cadet and the successful candidate becomes the Lieutenant Governor’s cadet (in the island) for a year, carrying out various parade and escort duties for the governor during their year of service.
Stephen Isherwood is the outgoing Lieutenant Governor’s cadet and has received the Certificate of Merit in recognition for his year of service.
Ben Awkal started his cadet career in 2010 and is a cadet in the RAF section of the Combined Cadet Force (CCF) at King William’s College. He has participated in all aspects of the RAF section training programme and completed his bronze Duke of Edinburgh award. He is working towards his silver award and has become a CCF under officer helping to operate the training programme for other cadets in his charge. He has been a standard bearer attending national and local parades.
William Bradley started his Air Training Corps (ATC) career in the 440 (1st Manx) squadron in 2010 and quickly advanced in the squadron. During his time at the squadron he has participated in all aspects of the training programme, achievig the rank of cadet flight sergeant. He also helps operate the training programme for other cadets and was nominated for Best Cadet Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) last year.