THE QUEEN’S CADET COMPLETES HER GOLD DUKE OF EDINBURGH EXPEDITION

Cadet Company Sergeant Major (CSM) Emma Lee Wray recently completed her Duke of Edinburgh Gold Expedition along with other Army Cadets from 1st (NI) Battalion Army Cadet Force (ACF) who were involved in both Gold and Silver Awards.

The Ballymena A-level student, who has recently represented the ACF as the Queen’s Cadet at the Windsor Great Park’s ceremony for HM The Queen’s 90th birthday celebrations this year, was relieved she had completed her expedition.  She said:
“There were some tough weather conditions out on the Mourne Mountains  and our tents didn’t fair too well, but now it’s over we have all thoroughly enjoyed the challenge and our achievement”.

The team’s navigational skills were excellent and the inclement weather conditions made it very challenging for both the Gold and Silver expeditions.

But they all overcame the many obstacles along the journey and bonded well showing determination, positivity, loads of enthusiasm and  most of all they all had a good sense of humour, finishing with a smile on their faces.

Picture below shows (left to right) Katie Vernon (2nd Battalion), Emma Lee Wray, Ruth Watters, & Mark Townsley (1st Battalion) who successfully completed their Gold Qualifying Expedition in the Mournes:

Pictured below are the Silver Duke of Edinburgh team (left to right):  Jack Ford, Ewan McElhinney, Andrew Monaghan, Zoe McManus, Greame McGonigle, Andriy McClenaghan, & Joel Roxborough.

The cadets took the time to thank all the adult staff who had also braved the elements to ensure the cadets successfully completed the final hurdle of their expedition section of their Gold and Silver Duke of Edinburgh Award.

Pictured below are the hardy adult staff from 1st Bn: Gareth McKelvey, Amanda Roxborough, & Jason Jack.

 Well done and congratulations.