The efforts of 19 people, including four young cadets, from across West Glamorgan have been recognised by the King’s representative for the county.

In recognition  of their outstanding service and devotion to duty, eleven people were awarded the Lord-Lieutenant’s Certificate of Merit by Mrs Louise Fleet JP, in the ceremony at John Chard VC House, Swansea on Thursday 25 January.

The eleven were Lieutenant  Commander Andrew Davies and Karen Osmond both of HMS CAMBRIA; Helen Short of Swansea Sea Cadets Corps; Staff Sergeant Stephen Davies of 157  (Welsh) Regiment Royal Logistic Corps; Captain Simon Chaplin of Gwent & Powys Army Cadet Force; Second Lieutenant Steve Jones and  Sergeant Major Instructor Callum Williams both of  Dyfed & Glamorgan ACF; Civilian Instructor Stewart Lawrence, Flying Officer Julia Havard, Fight Lieutenant Francesca O’Brien and Flight Sergeant Thomas Jenkins all of No 3 Welsh Wing RAF Air Cadets.

The achievements of the Lord-Lieutenant’s four cadets were also recognised and celebrated during the event attended by 110 people.

Cadet Colour Sergeant Madison Chaplin of Gwent and Powys Army Cadet Force; Cadet Flight Sergeant Ioan Osbourne of No 3 Welsh Wing RAF Air Cadets; Cadet Regimental Sergeant Major MacKenzie Bryan of Dyfed and Glamorgan ACF and Leading Cadet Jessica Flynn of Swansea Sea Cadet Corps outlined to the audience their time in cadets, including highlights of their role over the last 12 months.

The role, which continues until September, includes attendance with the Lord-Lieutenant at a number of official engagements such as Remembrance events, Royal visits and parades.

Also during the evening five Joint Military Command Wales commemorative coins were presented to Captain Kyle James, Sergeant Instructor Robert Musgrove, Cadet Regimental Sergeant Major Mackenzie Bryan, Cadet Staff Sergeant Jenson Griffiths and Cadet Corporal Lewis Beasley from B Company, Dyfed and Glamorgan Army Cadet Force in recognition of their involvement during Operation London Bridge in Wales.

The King and the then Queen Consort visited Cardiff Castle during Operation London Bridge in September 2022, following the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

As part of the event at Cardiff Castle, cadet force adult volunteers and cadets from Dyfed and Glamorgan Army Cadet Force, along with other Cadets Forces and Armed Services from Wales, formed a guard of honour for The King and Queen Consort.

There are nearly 5,000 cadets in Wales who gain skills and qualifications through working with local communities, charities and taking part in a variety of practical activities.

The cadet syllabus is delivered by 1,850 volunteering adult Instructors and civilian assistants, who give up their spare time on weeknights and weekends.

The  awards event was organised by the Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association (RFCA) for Wales – an organisation that has supported the Armed Forces for over 100 years.