LORD LIEUTENANT’S CADET FOR THE COUNTY OF ANTRIM

16-year-old Catherine Hill from Ballynure, a student at Ballyclare Secondary School was recently appointed to the role of Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant’s Cadet for the County of Antrim.

Catherine who is a high-flying member of the Larne Squadron Air Training Corps, will be one of eleven Lord Lieutenants’ Cadets taking on a year-long role which is largely ceremonial. She can expect a busy year ahead, attending Mrs Joan Christie, Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant for the County of Antrim, on major civic occasions.  In recognition of the award, Catherine will wear a special insignia on her uniform throughout his year in office.

In the Citation which accompanies Catherine’s award, she is praised for exemplary turnout and bearing and for outstanding commitment to her Cadet Squadron.  In the four years since she became a Cadet she has attended Summer Training Camps at RAF Henlow, RAF Wittering and MOD Boscombe Down as well as taking part in significant events at USAF Ramstein Air Base in Germany and the Royal International Air Tattoo.  Catherine has also attended all the Battle of Britain and Remembrance Sunday events over the past four years and was commended for taking time and pride in talking to, and learning from, the Veterans who were honoured at those ceremonies.

The Citation adds, “Cadet Sergeant Hill always leads the way for her fellow Cadets when it comes to interfacing with the public, whether it is at formal events such as the Air Training Corps 75th anniversary, RAF 100 anniversary parades, Armed Forces Day, Bentra Airship Station Memorial unveiling or public recruitment … to mention a few!”

Catherine’s lead role driving the Squadron’s Charity Team is highlighted, as is her commitment to mentoring Junior Cadets, putting them at ease when they first join the Squadron and helping them with their ongoing training programme.  Her Award Citation also recognises a sheaf of Cadet achievements including successfully completing her own training in subjects as diverse as Swimming, Radio Operation, HeartStart (defibrillator use), Risk Assessment and St John Ambulance First Aid.