West Berkshire Reserve Forces honoured
Lord Lieutenant recognises services and welcomes new team
THE achievements of Reserve Forces from West Berkshire have been recognised by the Lord Lieutenant for the Royal County of Berkshire.
James Puxley presented Lord Lieutenant Certificates to members of the Reserve Forces and appointed his new Lord Lieutenant Cadets for 2016/17, at a ceremony held at Arlington Arts, Snelsmore.
Squadron Leader and Cadet Force adult volunteer Chris Tocher received the Lord-Lieutenant’s Meritorious Service Award.
Squadron Leader Tocher, who lives in Thatcham, is an adult volunteer officer serving with the Thames Valley Air Training Corps.
He said: “I am really surprised and humbled that my effort and contribution would be recognised in this way, having been a Lord Lieutenant Cadet myself, receiving this award is a particularly special recognition.”
His motivation to volunteer was, he said: “Seeing the impact of just giving my time and effort on the cadets and the opportunities it opens up for them.”
Squadron Leader Tocher is a business consultant and teaches gliding, climbing and weapon-training in the ATC. He said that the highlight of his ATC career is teaching 16- to 20-year-old Cadets to fly a glider to gold standard.
Receiving the Lord Lieutenant Certificate for more than 40 years service to the Combined Cadet Force was Major Alan Patrick.
Major Patrick, who lives in Newbury, is a Combined Cadet Force adult instructor volunteer at St Bartholomew’s School. He was a teacher until he retired in 2008, but remained an active member of the St Bartholomew’s CCF.
He said: “I am humbled and very proud. “Being an adult volunteer added variety to my working life, with lots of very different challenges, and my motivation to continue to be involved is seeing the value that I can give to young people.”
Lord Lieutenant Certificates were instituted in order to give public recognition to people and the Reserve Forces whose efforts are not recognised in the Honours lists.
Lord Lieutenant Cadets are appointed each year, marking the achievement of outstanding service by an individual to their Cadet movement.
Mr Puxley, who lives at Welford Park, congratulated those who had received their awards.
“It has been a fascinating evening and I have been most impressed to hear about all the achievements of all the award recipients,” he said.
The Lord Lieutenant also thanked his outgoing Cadets and welcomed his new team, adding: “I look forward to working with you all.”
The evening was hosted by the Berkshire Army Cadet Force, and was sponsored by South East Reserve Forces and Cadets Association.
The event was attended by senior members of the military from across the county.
