A TERRITORIAL Army officer from Great Sutton and an Ellesmere Port air cadet have been honoured for their exceptional service.
TA Warrant Officer Nigel Hunt and Cadet Warrant Officer Samuel Johnston received the Lord Lieutenant’s Certificate from David Briggs MBE, HM Lord Lieutenant of Cheshire, at a ceremony at Fox Barracks, Chester.
Nigel, 58, is the company sergeant major of B Company, 4 Mercian at Ubique Barracks in Widnes, while Samuel is a member of 1074 (Ellesmere Port) Squadron of the Air Training Corps.
The citation for Nigel’s award was read by colonel Gerry Wells-Cole, chief executive of the Reserve Forces and Cadets Association for the North West (NWRFCA).
He said: “Warrant Officer Hunt has served for 37 exemplary years as a member of the reserve forces and as an officer in the Army Cadet Force. He has always achieved more than could be reasonably expected.”
Nigel’s service has included infantry tours in Germany, the USA and six years as an Army Cadet Force officer. He saw further TA service with the Royal Engineers, including six months mobilisation in Afghanistan, where he helped support the Helmand Province Task Force.
Nigel, who works as a pipeline inspector at Stanlow, is a founder member of the South Cheshire branch of the Cheshire Regimental Association and helped raise more than £6,500 for Help the Heroes in 2010.
Nineteen-year-old Samuel, who joined the air cadets seven years ago, is hoping for a career in the RAF.
He is a community sports leader, holds the Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold award and has helped raise funds for the Royal Air Force Association, the Royal British Legion and Help the Heroes.
Colonel Wells-Cole added: “He (Samuel) inspires the cadets in his charge and thrives on bringing out the best – both in himself and all those with whom he comes into contact.
“He is a superb ambassador for the Air Training Corps and is a credit to his family. He is fully deserving of the award of the Lord-Lieutenant’s Certificate of Merit.”
