Queen honours Lisburn man for services to the cadet movement

A LISBURN man has been honoured at a ceremony at Hillsborough Castle, receiving one of the highest accolades that can be conferred on members of the Reserve Forces and Cadet movement.

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 – was Major Noel McConnell, Cadet Executive Officer of the 2nd (Northern Ireland) Battalion Army Cadet Force.

In the Citation which accompanies the Award, Major McConnell was praised as “an example of outstanding dedication and loyalty” and was praised for steering his Cadet Battalion through changing and often challenging times.

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The “care and quiet leadership” which he showed over the years were highlighted and the Citation pays tribute to his “exemplary diligence and single-minded devotion while serving with the Cadets in Northern Ireland”, describing his commitment as “second to none and far in excess of the steadfast and conscientious service expected.”

Major McConnell received his Award from Colonel Joan Christie, Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant for the County of Antrim.

Playing his role at the ceremony was another well known Lisburn character - Bugler Andrew Carlisle. As Bugler of the Hillsborough Guard he has the honour of serving with the oldest, and by far the smallest, military presence in Ireland, this year celebrating 350 years in existence.

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