Two Yorkshire Air Cadets were keeping a very important appointment this week. Lunch with HRH The Earl of Wessex at Sheffield Town Hall. Cadet Warrant Officer Joe Hedley of 1053 (Armthorpe) Squadron and Cadet Warrant Officer Richard Fleming of 868 (Mirfield) were selected to meet Prince Edward during his recent visit to South Yorkshire and during a reception and lunch to celebrate the achievements of young adults from the Yorkshire Region.
Both Joe and Richard have a lot to be proud of. Both hold the highest cadet rank of Cadet Warrant Officer, the highest grade of Staff Cadet, both are qualified Glider Pilots and both hold the Silver Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. In addition, both are Lord Lieutenant’s Cadets, Joe for South Yorkshire and Richard for West Yorkshire. In addition Joe will be starting his Flying Scholarship very soon and Richard is one of only a few Qualified Aerospace Instructors in the Air Cadet Organisation.
Although delayed by foggy weather, Prince Edward made a real effort to attend the function and meet members of various local youth organisations including colleagues from the Sea Cadet Corps and the Army Cadet Force. Having spent some time meeting the other groups, Prince Edward chatted to both Air Cadets for some time taking a particular interest in their Duke of Edinburgh’s award.
Accompanying the two cadets, North Region Media Communications Officer, Squadron Leader Mike Wadsworth commented, “It was a real pleasure to see two of our most senior and qualified cadets chatting so easily with a member of the Royal Family. It’s a credit to them that they were so comfortable and relaxed with the Earl and they confidently explained what they had done and what they hoped to achieve. The Earl seemed very interested in what they had to say and made a point of asking about when they would gain their Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.”
