WISBECH: Pride of Fenland nomination for contribution to voluntary movement

WARRANT Officer Les Wardle from 272 (Wisbech) Squadron was nominated for the Pride of Fenland Awards for his contribution in the Volunteer with an Organisation category.

Warrant Officer Wardle joined Wisbech squadron in 1986 as a Civilian Instructor and went into uniform as Warrant Officer in 1987.

After a few months he decided he would like to specialise in an area where he would be able to excel at. He attended a Windermere camp and decided that this was the area he would like to further in his career with the Air Cadets. He then went on the complete a 'Search and Rescue' course in the South West of England.

In 1990 he went to Llanbedr Adventure Training Camp in Wales and has gone to both Llanbedr and Windermere every year since then only missing 2 Llanbedrs in 18 years!

In 1995 he attended and passed a Drill Instructors course at RAF Cranwell. Also this year he received the Lord Lieutenants Certificate for services to Cadets.

In 2001 he gained the qualification of Mountain Leader and has completed many courses associated with this since then and it has been hard work for him, the immense satisfaction he gets every time he takes cadets up the hills and he sees how they enjoy themselves it makes all the hard work worth it.

He was immensely proud in 2006 to be asked to be Parade Warrant Officer at the Wing Parade where he received his 18 year bar for service.

In October 2008 he completed 20 years with the squadron. He has seen young timid people grow into confident young adults through their career with the cadets and had the satisfaction from seeing them return to visit and bring their children to the squadron.

Although he didn't win the category for which he was nominated he was extremely proud to be recognised in the local community and received a certificate.

W. O Wardle said of the nomination "It wasn't something I expected but was very humbling to received both nomination and certificate.