Royal invitation for Guernsey's Cadet of the Year

Sunday 24 June 2018

Matthew Holland, Guernsey's Cadet of the Year, has recently returned from attending two significant national events in London.

Matthew was firstly invited to represent St John at the Buckingham Palace garden party to celebrate the 70th birthday of HRH Prince of Wales.

A week after this, he attended the service of remembrance to mark the centenary of the destruction of the St John Ambulance Brigade hospital in Northern France.

Matthew was one of the eight St John Cadets chosen to represent the organisation at Buckingham Palace as part of 'Youth United', a group which also contained young people from the Sea Cadets, Army Cadets, Scouts and Girl Guides.

Cadets attending the event were given important roles in order to maintain the smooth running of the event, with Matthew being responsible for looking after wheelchair users and other guests with access issues.

Pictured: Matthew with other cadets being honoured at Buckingham Palace.

Matthew said: "After Prince Harry made his speech about Prince Charles we went to our allocated Tea Tent, ours was right next to the Royal Tea Tent", before adding his enjoyment at attending such a prestigious event: "It was really cool. I couldn't quite believe I was in the back garden of Buckingham Palace.

"The atmosphere was great, it was both exciting but formal. The grounds were very impressive and everything looked elegant".

Matthew also got the opportunity to speak with Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall: "She approached me in the guard of honour as she left Buckingham Palace and asked me about the day and whether I was enjoying it. She was very nice."

During the trip to London Matthew also visited the national St John HQ, where he attended a meeting to discuss the future of the cadet programme and possible changes which are being considered.

The following week Matthew returned to London for another important occasion. The teenager who has been a member of St John's since he was eight attended a memorial event at the St John Church in London. This event marked the centenary of the destruction of the St John Ambulance brigade hospital in Etaples during the First World War.

His appointment as Commandery Cadet of the Year for the offshore island led to his invitation to this event amongst the other regional cadets. 

Matthew said: "It was a more sombre event. It is important to remember and I was honoured to be invited.

"Representing both Guernsey and the wider community was a great responsibility."

He was part of the guard of honour which lined up on the steps of the church to welcome the VIP guests, the likes of which included the Grand Prior of St John, HRH Duke of Gloucester and the Prior, Surgeon Rear Admiral Lionel Jarvis.

Pictured main image: Matthew Holland.