His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of West Yorkshire recognises reservists, cadets, cadet volunteers and military support staff in the county with top honour
His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of West Yorkshire, Mr Ed Anderson CBE, officially appointed the 2023 Lord-Lieutenant’s Cadets of West Yorkshire and presented Lord-Lieutenant’s Awards to individuals for exceptional commitment to services in the cadet and reserve forces. The ceremony was held last night at Carlton Barracks, Leeds and was hosted by the Reserve Forces and Cadet Association for Yorkshire and the Humber and the Leeds University Officer Training Corps. The ceremony also marked the presentation of the distinguished 6th Clasp to Major Mike Wootton for service spanning fifty years as an adult volunteer with the cadet force.
Committed service
A Clasp is awarded for every six years of further service following the awarding of The Cadet Forces Medal to Officers and Uniformed Adult Volunteers of all three Cadet Forces in recognition of 12 years’ service. Major Mike Wootton started his adult service with Yorkshire Army Cadet Force in May 1973 following his service as a cadet. He has served across Yorkshire as a Detachment Commander, Company Training Officer, Company Administration Officer, commanded three Companies and has served as a Deputy Commandant. Major Wootton is currently serving as an Assistant Commandant.
About the Lord-Lieutenant Awards
The Lord-Lieutenant’s Award recognises cadets, cadet adult volunteers, reservists and military civilian support staff for their extraordinary efforts and supplements honours bestowed by His Majesty The King in the New Year and Birthday Honours Lists.
Cadets awarded become one of the Lord-Lieutenant’s Cadets of their county supporting the Lord-Lieutenant at many ceremonial duties throughout the year. Duties can range from Royal Visits to services such as Remembrance Day. To receive this, cadets must be of the highest standard with excellent bearing, good interpersonal skills and the ability to interact with others. Recipients should hold the rank of at least Able Cadet or Cadet Sergeant and should have been a cadet for at least two years. This award is the highest honour a cadet can achieve and offers opportunities unique only to the cadets recognised as Lord-Lieutenant Cadets.
The Lord-Lieutenant Award is also given to adult volunteers of any rank serving in the reserves and cadet forces and specifically recognise exceptional service rather than the length of time served as well as to military-civilian support staff for their work in the forces.
Recognition for service and duty
HM Lord-Lieutenant of West Yorkshire, Mr Ed Anderson CBE, says:
It is a great pleasure to recognise the 2023 award recipients for their unparalleled impact and commendable commitment to the Reserve and Cadet Forces. My deepest gratitude goes to the reservists who demonstrate unwavering dedication to their duty, the adult volunteers who selflessly offer their time to lead and teach, and the appointed 2023 Lord-Lieutenant Cadets who will serve in their new roles in the upcoming year. Most notably, special recognition goes to Major Mike Wootton for his outstanding service and steadfast support of the cadet force as an adult volunteer.
Congratulations to all recipients, and thank you for your extraordinary efforts.
West Yorkshire recipients
The following individuals were recognised for their outstanding service:
Reservists
Lieutenant Commander Andrew Pogson RN, HMS Ceres
Sergeant David Binnie, Royal Marines Reserve
Major Joseph Stanton, 4th Battalion The Royal Yorkshire Regiment, Corunna Coy
Warrant Officer Class 2 Michael Devanny, 101 Regiment, 269 (West Riding) Battery RA
Staff Sergeant Raymond Gaughan, 150 Regiment RLC, 217 Transport Squadron
Colour Sergeant Robert Winstanley, 8th Battalion The Rifles Regiment, Y Company
Corporal Richard Wilds, 23 Parachute Engineer Regiment, 299 Parachute Squadron RE
Lance Bombardier Andrew Owen, 101 Regiment, 269 (West Riding) Battery RA
Cadet Volunteers
Major (SCC) Mark Prollins RMR, Eastern Area Sea Cadets, Leeds RMC
Chief Petty Officer (SCC) Matthew Hall RNR, Eastern Area Sea Cadets, Leeds SCC
Staff Sergeant Instructor Ian Helstrip, Yorkshire (North & West) Army Cadet Force, D Coy Bradford
Squadron Leader Steven Shaw, 2447 Caldervalley Squadron, South and West Yorks Wing
Major Mike Wootton, Assistant Commandant (personnel), Yorkshire (North & West) Army Cadet Force
Cadets
Petty Officer Cadet Talitha Ridley, SCC Cadet, Wakefield
Cadet Corporal Katie Crompton, ACF Cadet, C Coy, Shipley
Cadet Flight Sergeant Tomasz Wallace, Air Cadet, 59 (Huddersfield) Squadron
Cadet Battery Sergeant Major Matthew McGowan, CCF cadet, Bradford Grammar School
Click here for more information about the Lord-Lieutenant’s Awards.