CCF – Captain Owen Wins London Award

We are delighted that Captain Mathew Owen has been recognised as the Greater London CCF Army Section Commander of the Year for 2024!

The Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association for Greater London annually award outstanding volunteers who support the development of young people. With over 50 CCF Army Sections in the Greater London area, there are many worthy candidates. However, Captain (Capt) Owen’s efforts supporting our cadets at Caterham shone through.

The Awards Ceremony was held on Thursday 13 March at Yeomanry House in Central London, with many senior military and civil dignitaries present, The awards were presented by His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant for Greater London, Sir Kenneth Olisa OBE.

2024 has been a standout year for the Army Section at Caterham, with the following highlights providing the colour to this amazing picture.

The Army Section were Gold medal recipients at the prestigious Cambrian Patrol competition. With 22 teams from across the ACF and CCF, this is a demanding two-day exercise on Sennybridge Training Area. Standards are high, and the gold award was made even more special as it was Caterham’s first time at the event. To top it all the Cambrian Best Patrol Commander was awarded to Cadet CSM Gill – from Caterham!

Capt. Owen spent months running the training to prepare the team, as well as coaching/preparing our patrol commander – time well spent but done outside of normal CCF parade times and activities.

A record number of cadets have attended the Master Cadet course at NCTC Frimley Park; 13 over the past 18 months, seven in 2024. Again, this has involved Capt Owen spending time preparing the candidates, resulting in a 100% pass rate with all receiving glowing reports (several being awarded Highly Commended).

Army Cadet Centre for Adventurous Training courses attendance has also grown during the last year, with 8 places offered (alpine skiing, sailing, climbing and mountain biking). All of this being promoted by Capt Owen, as well as sorting out the administration enabling the cadets to attend.

Whilst all the above additional activities were being worked on, Capt Owen also organised several successful Unit camps and courses as well as planning a Brigade inter-contingent competition, due to run in 2025.

His hard-working ethos, boundless enthusiasm and loyalty are much appreciated, and this award is very well deserved.

Wg Cdr Kevin Bage

Contingent Commander