The Lord-Lieutenant of Norfolk‘s cadets for the year ahead were announced at a ceremony last month, confirming which young people who will support her during special occasions in 2025.
The King’s personal representative in the county, HM Lord-Lieutenant the Lady Dannatt MBE, also presented Certificates of Meritorious Service to members of the reserve forces and cadet force adult volunteers (CFAVs) at the same event. The adults had been nominated by their comrades and members of the public for the certificates celebrating outstanding public or military service.
The ceremony took place at the Norfolk Army Cadet Force headquarters in Dereham, 10 miles west of Norwich with dignitaries, families and friends of the cadets and certificate recipients all in attendance.
The Lady Dannatt first greeted the four cadets chosen to support her during her 2025/26. They are: Able Cdt Amelia Walters, Sea Cadet Corps; and Cdt Battery Sgt Maj Owen Lack, Norfolk ACF (both pictured above), along with Cdt WO2 (RN) James Goldsmith, Langley School Combined Cadet Force; and Cdt WO Finlay Allan, RAFAC (1249 (Dearham) Sqn), both pictured below.
The Lord-Lieutenant then presented Certificates of Meritorious Service (CMS) to five adult reservists and volunteers (with a sixth unable to attend). In terms of UK honours, each certificate is the next tier below the British Empire Medal.
Capt Michael Smith of 677 Sqn AAC (pictured below as he saluted the Lady Dannatt) was nominated while serving as a WO2 non-commissioned officer in 6 Regt Army Air Corps (Reserves). His citation lists him as a WO2, but Michael was commissioned to the rank of captain following his nomination—ample demonstration of the professional respect he commands.
Norfolk Army Cadet Force (ACF) had two of its uniformed CFAVs receive the CMS: 2nd Lt Simon Woodbridge of Britannia Company and Staff Sgt Instructor Garry Wright of Cadet Norfolk Artillery Battery (both pictured with Lady Dannatt below).
There were also two Royal Air Force Air Cadet CFAVs on hand to receive their CMS from the Lord-Lieutenant: Flt Lt Kristian Crittenden, of 231 (Norwich) Sqn and Flt Sgt Paul Barnard of 1986 (Wymondham) Sqn (both pictured below to Lady Dannatt and Air Cdt WO Allan’s left and right respectively).
Staff Sgt Instructor Ian Hampshire of East Norfolk Sixth Form College’s Combined Cadet Force also earned a CMS along with the other six adults. Unfortunately he could not attend the ceremony and so missed the opportunity to receive the certificate from the Lady Dannatt.
East Anglia RFCA sends its congratulations to all the CFAVs, cadets and reservists who have earned recognition from their Lord-Lieutenant over the past few months. You do your comrades proud.
