CELEBRATING THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF C COMPANY 1st (NI) BN

Cadets from C Company, 1st (NI) Battalion Army Cadet Force (ACF) have been working hard on different projects over the past year and at a recent ceremony some of these young people received recognition for their achievements.

The various certificates/badges were presented by Her Majesty’s Deputy Lieutenant for County Antrim, Dr Norman Walker.

Lt Col Brian Sykes, Deputy Chief Executive of the Reserve Forces and Cadets Association for NI (RFCA NI) highlighted the prestige of holding these awards and in the presence of cadets and their family and friends he gave an inspirational talk.

“Parents and Guardians should be proud of the outstanding commitment and determination of these cadets.  They have gained valuable experiences and opportunities either through their Star levels within cadets, or with BTEC Diplomas and Duke of Edinburgh Awards which are widely recognised by employees and universities. This will stand them in good stead as they apply for courses or start on the career ladder”.

Among the cadets, there were also former cadets, Mark Townlsey, Ballyclare Detachment, Harry McGaughey & Harry Dempster, Cambridge House Detachment, Hannah Robinson, Larne Detachment, Emma Lee Wray & Eve Mathewson both previously from Ballymena Detachment, who will all be greatly missed within C Company ACF.
Harry McGaughey, ex Cadet Staff Sergeant from Cambridge House Detachment, who competed for Great Britain in the Under 19 Rifle Team in South Africa said:

“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time within the Cadets and the experiences I’ve had, which I would never have been able to gain through any other organisation!”

Eve Mathewson of Ballymena Detachment, Silver Duke of Edinburgh Award holder and formerly the Lord Lieutenant’s Cadet for County Antrim added:

“A big thanks to all our instructors without whose contributions to the ACF we would not be here today.”

“Double hatting” as both instructor and parent at the event were Major Thomas Robinson, Company Commander, with his daughter ex Cadet Company Sergeant Major, Hannah Robinson, Larne Detachment, who recently gave a very confident speech at Hillsborough Castle on behalf of the ACF and was receiving her BTEC Award. Also attending was SSI Amanda Roxborough, C Company Duke of Edinburgh Officer with her son Cadet Lance Corporal Joel Roxborough, Cullybackey Detachment, who was presented with his Silver Duke of Edinburgh Award.

For Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award Holders ex Cadet Sergeant Mark Townsley and ex Cadet Sergeant Major Emma Lee Wray, this was their local presentation of the badges/brooches and they have both been invited to Buckingham Palace in London to receive their certificates.  However for Emma Lee formerly of Ballymena Detachment this is not her first Royal meeting, as last year she was honoured to represent the ACF as The Queen’s Cadet at Her Majesty’s 90th Birthday celebrations at Buckingham Palace.

BTEC Awards

Ex Cadet Colour Sergeant, Eve Mathewson, Ballymena
Cadet Sergeant, Josh Graham, Antrim
Ex Cadet Sergeant, Emma Lee Wray – Ballymena
Ex Cadet Colour Sergeant, Harry McCaughey– Cambridge House
Ex Cadet Sergeant, Harry Dempster – Cambridge House
Ex Cadet Company Sergeant Major , Hannah Robinson – Larne

 

Duke of Edinburgh Awards

Ex Cadet Sergeant, Mark Townsley – Ballyclare – Gold DofE
Ex Cadet Sergeant, Emma Lee Wray – Ballymena – Gold DofE
Cadet Lance Corporal, Joel Roxborough – Cullybackey – Silver DofE
4 STAR Awards
Cadet Colour Sergeant, Adam Pidgeon – Cullybackey
Cadet Sergeant, Joshua Graham – Antrim
Ex Cadet Colour Sergeant, Eve Mathewson – Ballymena
Cadet Sergeant, Harry Dempster – Cambridge House
Cadet Sergeant, Chloe Davison – Larne
Cadet Sergeant, Claire Stirling – Cambridge House
Cadet Corporal, Josh Logan – Cambridge House
Cadet Sergeant, Thomas Patterson – Glengormley

Other Awards

Cadet Sergeant Thomas Patterson – Glengormley – CLC

Well done to all involved, we were extremely proud to have C Company cadets past and present gaining these fantastic experiences and achieving these awards.