Top honour presented to reservists, cadets and cadet volunteers in West Yorkshire

The ceremony was held at Carlton Barracks, Leeds and was hosted by the Reserve Forces and Cadet Association for Yorkshire and the Humber.

It also marked the presentation of the distinguished 6th Clasp to Major Mike Wootton for service spanning 50 years as an adult volunteer with the cadet force. 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.

The Lord-Lieutenant 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 Awards are 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.

HM Lord-Lieutenant of West Yorkshire, Ed Anderson CBE, said: "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.”

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 Calder Valley Squadron, South and West Yorkshire 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