Congratulation from all the members of St John's Lodge, St John's Chapter and St John's Mark on being awarded the BEM
Bryan Catchpole, Newton Abbot
For services to Young People
Bryan Catchpole
- Bryan has, for a quarter of a century, been the sole member of employed staff in full-spectrum support of an Army Cadet Force (ACF) company, comprising a headquarters and 8 cadet detachments dispersed throughout South Devon.
- Throughout, he has rarely been responsible for administering less than 250 adult volunteers and cadets at any one time.
- He acts as the Regional Forces and Cadets Association (RFCA) local officer, providing facilities and estates management for 7 discrete Ministry of Defence (MOD) sites in the South Devon area, 4 of which include MOD rifle ranges and 3 of which are jointly occupied by the Air Training Corps.
- In his spare time, Mr Catchpole serves as a Cadet Force Adult Volunteer in his own right. 2020 will mark his 35th year of loyal service.
- During this time he has held a host of appointments, bringing to each of them a rare combination of military proficiency, honed as a former Royal Marine, and genuine compassion for, and interest in, his cadets.
- In particular, as a Detachment Commander for 3 different ACF detachments and as the Regimental Serjeant Major Instructor for Devon ACF as a whole, he has proved instrumental in ensuring the very highest of standards are maintained.
- Under his direct tutelage, nearly 100 cadets have achieved their Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award.
- In all, he has directly touched the lives and tangibly enhanced the life chances of upwards of 1,500 young people across the County of Devon.