Page 8 - Cadet Review Spring 2021

Joint Service News NORTH YORKSHIRE
Sub Lieutenant
Gareth Davies MBE
After having a career in the Regular Army and then as a Full Time Reservist at DST Leconfield, Sub Lieutenant Gareth Davies uses all his spare time being the Executive
Officer at Scarborough Sea Cadets. His dedication and commitment to the unit has heavily contributed to the Unit becoming the best in the UK; an outstanding achievement. He pushes the cadets
to be the best they possibly can and allows them to realise their potential and more.
He not only volunteers at unit level, but is also a key part of the Area Training Team; previously being Area Staff Officer for Learning and Development and more recently becoming the Area Staff Officer for Sailing. Whilst in these roles he has been able
to progress the training of both the Adult Volunteers and the Cadets. He also volunteers to deliver training at the National Sea Cadet Training Centres. In addition, Gareth has built up an excellent relation- ship with the other Cadet Forces and has arranged successful courses for the ATC and ACF to get some afloat training done.
During the recent COVID-19 Pandemic S/Lt Davies has shown his dedication by directing and starring in the Unit’s Fall in at home production reaching every cadet in NEY district and further.
Just prior to the Lord-Lieutenant’s awards being presented it was announced that Sub Lieutenant Davies was appointed as a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the delayed Queen’s Birthday Honours List.
Lieutenant Paul Mathers Lieutenant Paul Mathers has been detachment commander of three detachments plus taking on a
staff officer role within company headquarters. With each posting he has taken on every challenge given
to him and he has excelled with each and every
one. Not only has Lt Mathers worked hard within each posting he has also actively increased his own professional development. He has not only completed all the required Frimley Park courses to enable him to fulfil his role, he has also taken a leading role in the shooting fraternity completing a Target Rifle coaching course and a Short Range Course. To enable his current detachment to attend more events he has also spent time passing a Minibus driving course. This has been of huge benefit not only to his detachment but also to the company.
Lt Mathers always goes above and beyond for his cadets and colleagues; he has given up hundreds
of hours to give them the best possible training opportunities. Due to this dedication Lt Mathers has recently been given the role of Adult Development Officer within the company. This role involves mentoring and training new adults through their induction process and sharing his expertise and best practice.
He pushes the cadets
to be the best they possibly can and allows them to realise their potential and more
Alongside his full time job as a behavioural support worker Lt Mathers also has a young supportive family, he still manages to give the ACF 100% commitment and dedication.
Squadron Leader
Paul Crabtree
Following an initial appointment
as a Civilian Instructor Squadron Leader Crabtree was very quickly commissioned and appointed as Officer Commanding 2431 (Keighley)
Squadron in the rank of Flight Lieutenant. During this time, he developed and improved his squadron, which culminated in the squadron being selected, twice, as the Wing nomination for the RAFAC’s Lees Trophy competition.
After serving 7 years as a Squadron Commander, he was appointed as a Sector Commander in the rank of Squadron Leader, initially overseeing six squadrons. There, he brought about an innovating sector wide training programme to ensure that all the cadets across his area of responsibility had the opportunity to participate in the full range of RAFAC activities. This continued, even when his sector grew to that of 16 units.
He also volunteered to assist at one of the Wing’s major cadet camps, specifically, for planning
and running the Fieldcraft element of the camp. Following on from this success, Squadron Leader Crabtree took a leading role in the development
and expansion of the Wing’s progressive Fieldcraft training programme alongside the delivery of Cadet NCO courses, both of which he delivers at Squadron, Sector and Wing level.
After a change of command in March 2020, Squadron Leader Crabtree was appointed as Deputy Officer Commanding, Central and East Yorkshire Wing and, in addition, also accepted the role of Wing Fieldcraft Officer.
Squadron Leader
Stephen Parkes
Squadron Leader Parkes has a particular passion for cadet shooting, an area in which he has absolutely excelled in, providing a wide range
of opportunities for both staff and cadets to participate in at all levels.
One of his most significant achievements in this field is the development and introduction of the new Skill at Arms Instructor course for North Region whilst a member of No 1 (North) SATT (Small Arms Training Team). During his time as a member of
the SATT, Squadron Leader Parkes continued to provide invaluable support to the Wing, attending numerous Wing shooting events and taking the lead for shooting at the Wing’s annual field camp.
Away from cadet shooting Squadron Leader Parkes has shown his commitment and ability in other areas of the RAF Air Cadet experience. As a Squadron commander, Squadron Leader Parkes was instrumental in taking his unit to the final stages of the Lees Trophy, to be named the best squadron in the country.
Squadron Leader Parkes was instrumental in taking his unit to the final stages of the Lees Trophy, to be named the best squadron in the country
8 CADET REVIEW SPRING 2021