Each year the Lord-Lieutenant of Suffolk—Lady Clare, Countess of Euston—invites outstanding Cadets from local units to support her during official events and learn more about public service.
The Lord-Lieutenant, who is His Majesty the King’s direct representative in the county, welcomed her newest group of Cadets earlier this month in a ceremony at the Army Reserve Centre in Yarmouth Road, Ipswich.
The cadets can be drawn from the Sea Cadets, Suffolk Army Cadet Force, RAF Air Cadets and Combined Cadet Forces in schools. For 2024, they are (above, left to right) Leading Cdt George Hinton, Cdt Warrant Officer Class 1 Oscar White, Cdt Staff Sgt Jacob West and Cdt Flt Sgt Fraser Woodward.
Citations for the Lord-Lieutenant’s 2024/25 cadets
LC Hinton (above left) is part of the Beccles and Lowestoft Sea Cadets Unit. His citation praised his enthusiasm for being a Peer Educator, “particularly after passing his promotion Board with distinction”, his fundraising during the annual Poppy Appeal and his eagerness to secure high-level qualifications, “embracing the cadet experience”.
Cdt WO1 White (above right) is in his final year at Woodbridge School CCF and has been instructing younger cadets for the past year, embracing his role as senior cadet and encouraging his peers try new activities and share information with one another. His professionalism won particular praise in his citation.
Cdt Staff Sgt West (left) is part of Kesgrave Parachute Detachment. He earned his recommendation to be a Lord-Lieutenant’s Cadet through inclusive treatment of other cadets, effective leadership of fellow cadet non-commissioned officers and promoting the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme. His citation noted his particular interest in gaining and sharing Signals skills.
Cdt Flt Sgt Woodward (right), despite being a late joiner to 1334 (Manningtree) Squadron of the Royal Air Force Air Cadets, showed “exceptional ability to lead and develop cadets”, setting up “initiatives…leading to a surge in cadets gaining progressive training badges”. His recommendation for invitation further stated, “the legacy of his efforts will be felt by the squadron for many years.”
Marking the meritorious service of adult cadet staff
Standing alongside these four exemplary cadets were adult instructors and volunteers whose dedication was also honoured at the ceremony. Each received HM Lord-Lieutenant’s Certificate of Meritorious Service from Lady Clare.
Lt Simon Spillings (upper left), along with being a teacher and Marine Detachment Commander of Beccles and Lowestoft Sea Cadets Corps, is an Advanced First Aid instructor and fosters safety throughout his community, coaching cadets, sailing clubs and other community organisations in life-saving skills. He also fundraised for his cadets’ new building, giving future generations a place to meet and train.
Lt Spillings has taken the Marine Detachment from a suspended unit to a very successful part of the Beccles Sea Cadet ship. Lt Spillings has widened his coaching to all detachments in Suffolk and Norfolk.
Chief Petty Officer David Taylor (upper right) has also expanded his Sea Cadet Corps volunteering beyond the norm during his 24 years’ service. CPO Taylor’s Paddle Sport Coach qualification, his citation said, allows cadets from his own Beccles unit as well as from the wider region to “go afloat, train, compete and gain recognised qualifications in a safe and competent environment”.
CPO Taylor travels to other units lacking a paddle sport coach, at his own expense, to deliver training as he does for his home unit. He gives further time every year to support District parade training.
Sgt Major Leigh Smith has served with Suffolk Army Cadet Force since 2001 and had appointments up to Regimental Sergeant Major Instructor for SACF. Sgt Maj Smith (pictured mid left) has shown real commitment to delivering a child-centred cadet experience, including running more than one detachment simultaneously during times of staff restrictions.
His citation for the Certificate of Meritorious Service said, “He looks for little recognition and is always satisfied just by knowing the job has been well done.”
Flt Lt Jason Baxter (pictured mid right) joined the Air Cadets in 2003 as a 13-year-old cadet. Now a teacher, Flt Lt Baxter found the cadet experience so rewarding that when he returned to his home town, he rejoined his old unit, 301 (Bury St Edmunds) Squadron, first as a civilian instructor, then as a commissioned officer serving as adjutant and now as Officer Commanding.
He has earned several expedition leader qualifications and updated the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award process across the RAF Air Cadets’ Norfolk and Suffolk Wing, increasing the awards going to cadets.
Last but certainly not least, Flt Lt Robert Cates, who works as a police officer, has served with several local Air Cadet squadrons, first as a civilian instructor, then senior NCO and since December 2022 as a commissioned officer. He is now Officer Commanding 1331 (Stowmarket) Squadron but maintains his interest in developing paddle sports across the cadets’ Norfolk and Suffolk Wing.
From running taster sessions with the support of the Scouts, the hard work of Flt Lt Cates (pictured lower left) allows squadrons from around the Suffolk and Norfolk area to gain paddle sport qualifications. He has supported other Air Cadet staff to do the same, “giving selflessly of his time and experience” according to his citation.
The RFCA sends its congratulations to the Lord-Lieutenant’s cadets for their coming year of service, and offers our additional thanks to the adults who have made such a different to the cadet experience of the young people in their charge.