Surrounded by many friends and adult instructors from all over the County Dave Gaskell (18) from Ramsey, celebrated the end of his glittering cadet career at a special ceremony hosted at the cadet building in the grounds of Ramsey Abbey School.

 

Dave had held the highest rank in the County’s cadet force for two years having been appointed in 2007 at the tender age of just 16. Whilst studying at Abbey School he joined the local cadet detachment headed by his Dad – also called Dave – at the age of 12 in 2003, and his progress through the ranks – purely on his own merits - was rapid. Demonstrating to his instructors a maturity and willingness to learn that far outshone many others of the same age, he took part in the whole range of activities offered in the army cadet force syllabus working steadily towards his  Duke of Edinburgh Silver Award and BTEC award in public service.

 

Dave’s many other achievements included mastering rock climbing and mountain proficiency qualifications during several expeditions to rugged parts of the world including Bavaria and the Scottish Highlands. As an active member of the county shooting team he regularly took part in competitions at the world famous Bisley rifle ranges in Surrey.

RSM Dave Gaskell receives the tankard from his proud father

On receiving an engraved tankard formerly presented by his dad as a memento of his service he said, “As I leave the cadet force I am taking away important life skills including the confidence to be an individual and also part of a team. I have most enjoyed instructing others and passing on the skills that I have learned to younger cadets.”

 

Dave’s cadet service saw him carrying the National Army Cadet Force Standard before the Lord Lieutenant of Cambridgeshire, Hugh Duberly CBE as part of national TA100 celebrations held in June 2008 at Ely Cathedral - and also being part of the guard of honour on a visit to Cambridge by Her Majesty The Queen in 2006. He will now take up a place at Nottingham University studying Physiotherapy, and intends to make good on his cadet training by joining the Officer Training Corps.

 

“He has been a very active cadet and will be sorely missed”, said his proud Dad. “He developed into one of the best cadet instructors we have in the county and is well liked and respected by fellow cadets and instructors all over Cambridgeshire”.