Gwynedd’s Teen Cadets Get Top Honour at Star-Studded Ceremony
Three local teenagers have been named Lord-Lieutenant Cadets for 2023 in a proud moment for North Wales. The young stars were officially appointed at a glittering event held at the 1 Army Reserve Centre, Caernarfon.
Meet the Cadets Leading the Pack
- Cadet Sergeant Joshua Bracegirdle from Clwyd and Gwynedd Army Cadet Force
- Cadet Lance Corporal Elinor McGregor also from Clwyd and Gwynedd Army Cadet Force
- Cadet Sergeant Luke Rees of No 2 Welsh Wing RAF Air Cadets, hailing from Anglesey
Each was handed their prestigious badge by Lord-Lieutenant Edmund Seymour Bailey Esq CStJ FRAgS on Thursday, May 4, 2023. Their appointment will last for a full year, marking them as the elite representatives of the cadet forces in Gwynedd.
Young Talents with Big Ambitions
All three were handpicked by cadet leaders and the Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association after outstanding performances in their units. Joshua, 17, dreams of becoming a doctor and thrives on first aid tasks. Meanwhile, Luke, who earned his Silver Gliding Wings after a solo flight in September 2022, hopes to take to the skies as a commercial airline pilot. He also loves training younger cadets.
Volunteers and Community Spirit Shine
The event also honoured five dedicated adult volunteers, including Colour Sergeant Rhys Owen and Staff Sergeant Instructor Kelly Murray-Jones. Among them is Mark Walton, a former Royal Navy Chief Petty Officer in the Submarine Service, now passing on his mechanical engineering skills to the Sea Cadets.
Nearly 5,000 cadets across Gwynedd and beyond build vital skills through practical activities, community work, and charity. Their growth is supported by 1,500 committed adult instructors and civilian assistants who volunteer their time during evenings and weekends.
The ceremony was hosted by the Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association for Wales, an organisation proudly supporting the Armed Forces for over a century.
