Outstanding service and devotion to duty recognised by His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Gwynedd
Eight people from across Gwynedd were recognised by His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Gwynedd, with four receiving the Lord-Lieutenant’s Certificate of Merit — Major Tracey Cooper, Major William LeCras, Lieutenant Aled Hughes, and Warrant Officer Second Class (Company Sergeant Major) Carwyn Bee — at a Bangor University ceremony on 5 March 2026, and Elliw-Mai Jones honoured as the Lord-Lieutenant’s cadet. Elliw-Mai was nominated for the cadet role by cadet group leaders and the Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association for Wales, reflecting her selection for a role that involves attending official engagements. The ceremony also featured warrants presented to Warrant Officer Second Class (Company Sergeant Major) Carwyn Bee and Warrant Officer Second Class (Company Sergeant Major) Joseph Jones, a Commander 160th (Welsh) Brigade Commander’s Coin awarded to Cadet Company Sergeant Major Tomos Jones for the Festival of Remembrance, and a Certificate of Merit on behalf of the Lord-Lieutenant of Dyfed to Colour Sergeant Nigel Phillips (presented by Miss Sara Edwards). The event underscored the activity of nearly 4,500 cadets in Wales and 1,850 volunteering instructors, organized by the Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association for Wales, which has supported the Armed Forces for over 100 years.
The efforts of eight people from across Gwynedd have been recognised by the King’s representative for the county.
In recognition of their outstanding service and devotion to duty, four people were awarded the Lord-Lieutenant’s Certificate of Merit by the Lord-Lieutenant of Gwynedd, Edmund Bailey Esq CStJ FRAgS in the awards ceremony at Bangor University, Bangor on Thursday 5th March, 2026.
These were Major Tracey Cooper, Major William LeCras, Lieutenant Aled Hughes and
Warrant Officer Second Class (Company Sergeant Major) Carwyn Bee all of Clwyd and Gwynedd Army Cadet Force.
The achievements of the Lord-Lieutenant’s cadet, Cadet Corporal Elliw-Mai Jones of Clwyd and Gwynedd Army Cadet Force was also recognised and celebrated during the event.
The role of Lord-Lieutenant cadet includes attendance with the Lord-Lieutenant, who acts as the King’s representative, at a number of official engagements, including Remembrance events, Royal visits and parades.
Elliw-Mai was selected for the prestigious Lord-Lieutenant’s cadet role after being put forward for nomination by cadet group leaders and the Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association for Wales.
Also during the evening two warrants were presented, a Commander 160th (Welsh) Brigade Commander’s Coin and also an additional Certificate of Merit on behalf of the Lord-Lieutenant of Dyfed.
Warrants were presented to Warrant Officer Second Class (Company Sergeant Major) Carwyn Bee and Warrant Officer Second Class (Company Sergeant Major) Joseph Jones both of Clwyd and Gwynedd Army Cadet Force.
A Commander 160th (Welsh) Brigade Commander’s Coin was presented to
Cadet Company Sergeant Major Tomos Jones in recognition of his impeccable performance in carrying the Army Cadet Force standard at the Festival of Remembrance in the Royal Albert Hall.
The Lord-Lieutenant also presented a Certificate of Merit on behalf of the Lord-Lieutenant of Dyfed Miss Sara Edwards to Colour Sergeant Nigel Phillips of Wales Universities Officers’ Training Corps. The onset of COVID 19 restrictions in 2021 regrettably meant that it had not been possible to present the award face-to-face previously.
There are nearly 4,500 cadets in Wales who gain skills and qualifications through working with local communities, charities and taking part in a variety of practical activities.
The cadet syllabus is delivered by 1,850 volunteering adult Instructors and civilian assistants, who give up their spare time on weeknights and weekends.
The awards event was organised by the Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association (RFCA) for Wales – an organisation that has supported the Armed Forces for over 100 years.
