Five Air Cadets are celebrating after achieving their Gold Duke of Edinburgh Awards. Adult Sergeant Heather Rose, Cadet Flight Sergeant Richard Trezise, Cadet Sergeant Alex Moore, Cadet Corporal Joseph Wood and Cadet Spenser Lowes, who are all members of 479 Rubery Squadron Air Training Corps, were presented with their awards at the Squadron HQ in Callowbrook Road.

Squadron Leader P. J. McCarroll presented the decorations in front of fellow cadets and staff.

‘The Duke of Edinburgh Award is one of the most worthwhile experiences in the Air Training Corps' said Sqn Ldr McCarroll.

Flight Lieutenant P. McAuley, Commanding Officer of 479 Rubery Sqn added: ‘It is always a fantastic achievement for one cadet to gain their Gold D of E, but to gain five is an amazing achievement by the cadets and staff alike'.

To gain so many together has only been achieved previously by three other Squadrons in Warwickshire and Birmingham , 479 Sqn has also previously achieved this but some 20 years ago.

The Gold D of E Award consists of five sections including Physical Recreation, Service and an Expedition which is a 50 mile walk over tough terrain. It generally takes Cdts 3 – 5 years to achieve this level of the Award.

Later in the year they will receive an invitation to St James' Palace, London to be presented their certificate by the Duke of Edinburgh along with other recipients of the Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award.

Articles Submitted by:-
Pamela Mcauley - 479 (Rubery) Squadron
26 Mar 09