Dedicated army cadet leaders from Warminster were honoured for their service to Wiltshire Army Cadet Force by Wiltshire’s Lord Lieutenant Sarah Troughton last week.
Major Alan Johnston, 65, and Warrant Officer Richard Helmn, 50, were presented with the Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire’s Certificate of Meritorious Service during a ceremony at Devizes Town Hall on October 24.
After serving 22 years in the Royal Green Jackets, Mr Johnston, who now runs Bargain Booze in Market Place, Warminster, became a Royal Corps of Signals Captain in the Territorial Army.
His long connection with the cadets began as a Detachment Commander in 2000 and more than 1,000 youngsters have benefited from his training.
Mr Johnston, of Sambourne Gardens, War-minster, said: “The ACF provides a huge range of activities for children and instills in them respect for others and for themselves.”
Mr Helmn, a veteran of 24 years in the Green Howards, is now a training safety adviser and provides support for seven Comb-ined Cadet Force units in Wiltshire, Dorset and Somerset, after joining ACF in 2001.
He said: “It was very humbling to be recognised, as it is a challenging job. It’s nice to see the kids happy when the events that we plan go well.”
A third member of Wiltshire ACF, Sergeant Major Instructor Beverley Cubbon, of Swindon, was also honoured at the ceremony for her leadership and fund-raising efforts.
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