High-flying Dunmow cadet selected for prestigious role with Lord Lieutenant

A 16 year-old sergeant in the Dunmow branch of the Army Cadet Force has been selected as one of two cadets in Essex to be the Lord Lieutenant’s cadet.

Olivia Whittle’s new position means she will join the Lord Lieutenant of Essex, Jennifer Tolhurst – who gives out awards and attends events on behalf of the Queen - at a number of civic duties, “from carol services to award ceremonies”.

Olivia has been part of the Army Cadet Force for two years, and says she is incredibly excited about her appointment.

She said: “Holding this position gives me immense pride and I was extremely pleased when I heard the news.

“I was put forward by my detachment commander, Sergeant Major Chalmers, out of the 25 cadets we have in Dunmow detachment. I then went to an interview with the chief officer of our company, Major Cager, and Lieutenant Colonel Davis. I was phoned the next week and told that I and one other got the position out of around 950 cadets.”

Olivia added that she has been “able to meet members of the community who otherwise [she] would not have the pleasure of being acquainted with” and that was what she enjoyed most about the role.