Three local people have been honoured at a formal ceremony at Hillsborough Castle, receiving some of the highest accolades that can be conferred on members of the Reserve Forces and Cadet movements.
Presented with the Lord Lieutenant’s Certificate for Outstanding Meritorious Service Above and Beyond the Call of Duty – an award which is second in importance only to one presented by Her Majesty The Queen – were Crossgar dentist, Lieutenant Colonel Richard Crutchley and Sea Cadet Corps volunteer, Lieutenant Hector Wanliss from Killyleagh.
At the same ceremony Ballygowan teenager, Cadet Company Sergeant Major David Spratt was appointed to the role of Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant’s Cadet for the County Borough of Belfast.
David, who joined the Army Cadet Force Ballygowan Detachment as a 12-year-old, will be one of nine Lord Lieutenants’ Cadets, taking on a role which is largely ceremonial. The seventeen-year-old Grosvenor Grammar School student can expect a busy year ahead, attending Mrs Fionnuala Jay-O’Boyle CBE, Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant for the County Borough of Belfast, on major civic occasions. In recognition of the award, he will wear a special insignia on his uniform throughout his year in office.
David has already enjoyed an illustrious Cadet career, earning Best Cadet Award during his Senior Instructor Cadre last year and receiving a glowing report following his attendance at the Cadet Leadership Course at Frimley Park. The citation which accompanies his award praises David’s ‘dedication and enthusiasm’ and wishes him well as he competes this summer in the National Champion Cadet Competition.
Lieutenant Colonel Crutchley who serves with 204 (North Irish) Field Hospital was commended for his ‘selfless commitment, exemplary loyalty and dedication to Service’, and for consistently rising to the challenges of Army Reserve service. The award citation highlighted his work while on operational tour in Afghanistan, in treating civilians as well as military personnel. Invaluably, Lieutenant Colonel Crutchley used his many years’ experience in hospital-based oro-facial surgery to assist general and plastic surgeons in treating casualties who had received life changing fascial injuries.
In addition to service overseas, Lieutenant Colonel Crutchley has taken on the role of Unit Adventurous Training Officer and has organised and led UK expeditions in support of unit recruitment and retention as well as personally taking on the challenges of climbing Mount Elbrus in Russia and Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa as well as completing the gruelling Nijmegen March several times.
The citation states, ‘An example to others, he promotes esprit de corps and delivers professionalism in all he does. He truly is a credit to 204 Field Hospital and the Army Reserve.’
Lieutenant Hector Wanliss, who has served as an Adult Volunteer with the Sea Cadets since 2011 also recieved his award and the citation which accompanies it highlights Lieutenant Wanliss’s success in helping young people to gain self-confidence and self-discipline, many achieving recognised awards and valuable qualifications.
On his ‘watch’ the once-struggling Training Ship Broadsword has grown in strength and profile, becoming the top Sea Cadet Unit in 2013, 2014 and 2015. He is a prominent figure within the Cadet Offshore Fleet and has been responsible for getting 150 Cadets to sea, as well as committing to voluntary work as the Co-ordinator for Northern Ireland Sea Cadet District Competitions. He is an energetic ambassador for Lifelong Learning and continues to study and attend courses, currently studying for the RYA Yachtmaster Qualification.
The citation concludes, “As a former Padre, Hector maintains close liaison with many churches and works tirelessly with his own. His personal morals are closely aligned with many of the Cadet Core Values and he offers support throughout the organisation and to those around him. Lieutenant Hector Wanliss has exceeded the role expected of him and is widely admired for his attitudes and caring nature.”
