FOUR Ilminster Cadets were awarded for their dedication and success as part of this year’s annual awards.

FS Nicholas Coombs ATC picked up the coveted Jack Sandy Shield of Excellence award at a special ceremony last week after impressing judges with his commitment and aspirations for the future.

Sgt Daniel Craven ACF, Cdt Jemma Kew ACF and Sgt Nicholas Parkinson ATC were all awarded runner-up spots.

The awards are in honour of former cadet president Jack Sandy, and the awards have been running since Mr Sandy’s death 20 years ago. The awards honour members of the Ilminster Platoon for the Army Cadet Force for their service, and they all went before a judging panel to see who would be the eventual winner.

John Robson, former chairman of the branch and co-ordinator for the last 18 years, praised all of the cadets who went up for the award and said their work outside of the cadets also contributed to Mr Coombs’ selection.

Mr Robson said: “The quality of the candidates was remarkable, not only in their achievements within their units, but academically as well.”

The ceremony was held at the end of April in the Minster Rooms in Ilminster, with Mr Coombs also picking up a cheque of £50 for his unit.

The story of Jack Sandy and his commitment to his country and the cadet force is inspiring. He was born in 1919 and joined the Somerset Light Infantry at the start of World War II.

After being demobbed, he found he missed the comradeship of his army friends and so joined The Royal British Legion.

He was branch chairman for many years and was presented with the highest award given by the Legion, the Gold Badge, for loyal service.

He stood down as chairman in 1993 and took up the office of president, which he held until his death in November 1996.

He was known locally as Mr British Legion and was much admired and respected by all. The award has been presented every year since Mr Sandy’s death and is seen as a fitting memorial to a man who gave a great deal of his time to both the Ilminster Branch of the Royal British Legion and the youth of the town.