Two unsung Air Cadet volunteers from Wantage were awarded top commendations for their work supporting Oxfordshire youth at a glittering Thames Valley ceremony in December.

The awards were presented by the Lord Lieutenant of Berkshire, Mrs Mary Bayliss, at Edward Brooks Barracks near Abingdon. The two recipients were volunteer Flt Sgt Matt Jefferies and Cadet Sergeant Chris Matthews. Both parade with the Wantage-based 1861 (Wantage) Squadron who meet on Tuesday and Thursday evenings at their Headquarters located in Icknield Lane. Their dedication to the cadets went far beyond the expected, and both have provided ongoing support for the cadets and local Oxford youth. In Flt Sgt Matt Jefferies’ case he rose to prominence over the last two years as the Radio Communications Officer for cadets across Oxfordshire and Berkshire and is the driving force behind the area’s highly successful radio communications training and support. In the last year, he has helped cadets achieve 30 Cadet Communicator badges, trained 20 staff to Basic Communicator level and issued 24 squadrons with standardised and fully operational radio equipment.

As a cadet, Cadet Sergeant Chris Matthews exceeded his aviation skills, by going solo on his gliding scholarship course and achieving a rare advanced gliding certificate before moving on to be awarded his full graded pilot wings and completing an Air Cadet Pilot Navigation Training Scheme with the Royal Air Force.

Upon completing this, he continued his commitment to the cadets by volunteering in his spare time. He organised and delivered cadet training on weekend activities as well as parade nights, and instructed cadets in aviation subjects for their leading and senior classification exams with considerable success. Wing spokesman Sqn Ldr Mark Trevena said: “Both Wantage heroes have worked quietly and tirelessly, displaying endless commitment and dedication to the Air Training Corps. Indeed, they have all been an inspiration to us all.”

For more information about the Air Cadets and how to join in the Thames Valley region visit, www.aircadets.tv, or www.aircadets.tv/join/list respectively.