Somerset celebrates outstanding contribution to the Armed Forces community

Outstanding individuals, volunteers and employers from across Somerset have been recognised for their contribution to the Armed Forces community at a special Lord Lieutenant’s Awards ceremony held at Taunton Racecourse.

The ceremony, held on Monday 28 September, brought together representatives from across the county’s Armed Forces community to celebrate service, leadership, volunteering and the vital contribution made by employers in supporting Defence. The awards demonstrated the breadth of the Armed Forces community and the many ways in which its contribution extends far beyond military service itself.

From Reservists balancing service with civilian careers, to Cadet Force Adult Volunteers giving their time to develop the next generation, and young cadets already demonstrating exceptional leadership, the individuals recognised at the ceremony are contributing skills, experience and commitment that benefit their workplaces, communities and wider society.

Employers recognised through the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Silver Award are also playing an important role in this picture. By putting supportive policies into practice, they help make it possible for Reservists and Cadet Force Adult Volunteers to balance their military commitments with employment, while creating workplaces that recognise and value the skills and experience gained through service.

The ceremony was organised and facilitated by Wessex Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association (RFCA), which works across the South West to connect Defence with the communities it serves.

Wessex RFCA sits at the point where the different strands of the Armed Forces community meet. It connects Reservists, cadets and adult volunteers with employers, local authorities, communities and the wider Defence network, helping to strengthen understanding of the contribution they make and encouraging greater support for the Armed Forces community.

Certificates for Meritorious Service

Certificates for Meritorious Service were presented to Reservists and Cadet Force Adult Volunteers in recognition of outstanding commitment and service.

These awards recognise people who give their time and energy to support Defence alongside their other responsibilities, whether through military service, volunteering with the cadet organisations or both.

Their contribution has a value that extends well beyond the Armed Forces. Reservists bring leadership, resilience, specialist expertise and teamwork into their civilian workplaces and communities, while Cadet Force Adult Volunteers provide young people with opportunities to develop confidence, leadership, discipline and practical skills.

Recipients:

· Commander Clive Smith RN Ret’d – South West Area Sea Cadets

· Sub Lieutenant Kerri Partington – Yeovil Sea Cadets

· Mrs Rachael Brannagan – Yeovil Sea Cadets and Royal Marines Cadets

· Captain John Ledgister – 43 (Wessex) Signal Squadron

· Major Kym Booker – Somerset Army Cadet Force

· Warrant Officer Two Damon Farnell – Somerset Army Cadet Force

· Staff Sergeant Antony Finnis – Somerset Army Cadet Force

· Flight Lieutenant Chelsea Ollason – 93 (City of Bath) Squadron RAFAC

· Mr Philip Crowther – 1032 (Yeovil) Squadron RAFAC

Lord Lieutenant’s Cadets

The ceremony also saw the investiture of the Lord Lieutenant’s Cadets for Somerset for the coming year.

The Lord Lieutenant’s Cadets are young people selected for their outstanding leadership, dedication and commitment within their respective cadet organisations. During their year of appointment, they will accompany and support the Lord Lieutenant at civic and ceremonial occasions, acting as representatives of their Services and ambassadors for the cadet movement.

Their appointment is a reflection of what young people can achieve when given the opportunity to lead, take responsibility and serve their communities.

The experience gained through the cadet organisations can help young people develop confidence, communication, teamwork, leadership and decision making skills, qualities that have value throughout their education, future careers and lives.

Lord Lieutenant’s Cadets:

· Cadet Lance Corporal Simon Simukaitis – Yeovil Sea Cadet and Royal Marine Cadets

· Cadet Serjeant Thomas Greaves – Somerset Army Cadet Force

· Cadet Flight Sergeant Ewan Glossop – 93 (City of Bath) Squadron RAF Air Cadets

· Cadet Sergeant James Hargreaves – Wellington Combined Cadet Force

Outgoing Lord Lieutenant’s Cadet, Cadet WO2 George Monk reflected on his year in the role, saying: “I was able to participate in many outstanding events throughout my time as a Lord-Lieutenant’s Cadet. There was a wide range of opportunities that I participated in ranging from celebrating the amazing people in our community via handing out the British Empire Medals to welcoming new people into our community at the Citizenship Ceremony.

“Along the way you get to meet some amazing people whether that be recipients or guests at events or the Deputies themselves.”

Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Silver Awards

The contribution of employers was also recognised through the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Silver Awards.

The awards recognise organisations that have gone beyond simply expressing support for the Armed Forces community and have put that commitment into practice.

This can include providing additional paid leave for Reservists and Cadet Force Adult Volunteers, developing supportive policies for Service spouses and partners, supporting cadet organisations, or providing financial, training and development opportunities for young people.

For employers, supporting the Armed Forces community can also bring significant benefits. Reservists and veterans bring skills and experience developed through service, while organisations that support cadets and their adult volunteers are investing in leadership, confidence and resilience within their local communities.

Creating workplaces where military commitments are understood and supported also helps ensure that people can continue to contribute to Defence without having to choose between their military service and their civilian careers.

Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Silver Award recipient

· ARK at Egwood CIC

· IMSL

· Montvieux Limited

· South West Advocates (Pardoes)

· Taunton Town Council

For Wessex RFCA, the ceremony demonstrated why recognising and supporting the Armed Forces community matters not only to Defence, but to society as a whole.

The Association works across seven counties and the Channel Islands, supporting thousands of Reservists and cadets and working with hundreds of Reserve and Cadet sites. Its role extends across the three Services and into the communities, businesses, local authorities and organisations that support them.

By bringing these communities together, Wessex RFCA helps create the connections that enable people to serve, volunteer, employ, mentor and support others.

The Somerset ceremony provided an opportunity to celebrate individual achievement, but also to recognise the wider value created when communities support people who choose to give their time, skills and commitment to Defence.

The people recognised at the ceremony represent just some of the many individuals and organisations across Somerset whose contribution helps create a stronger, more connected and more resilient community.

View the full gallery at Wessex Lord Lieutenant’s Awards 2026 – Photo Album – Wessex Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association