The Peterborough Evening Telegraph
Chief of county’s Army Cadet Force retires after 45 years
Col Mark Knight retires and hands over to new Commandant
The head of the county’s 800-strong Army Cadet Force has retired after more than 45 years service.
Col Mark Knight MBE has handed over to new commandant, Colonel Adam FraserHitchen.
Col Knight said: “Who would ever had thought that having joined Cambridgeshire Army Cadet Force in 1968 as a young 13-year-old cadet at Tydd St Giles Detachment I would now 52 years later be saying farewell after some 45 years of ACF service as the county Commandant!
“For the last four years I have had the privilege of leading the 880 Cadet and Adult Leaders of Cambridgeshire Army Cadet Force for which I honestly believe is the country’s best youth organisation.
“It provides challenge, adventure, builds confidence, friendships, develops life skills which will help both cadets and cadet force adult volunteers in life. All of which are useful to those joining Her Majesty’s uniformed services or those taking up a civilian career.
“The ACF provides the opportunity to gaining external qualifications through the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme and CVQO. Overall it helps makes people better citizens and community spirited.
“45 years is long time to serve as it becomes a major part of one’s life.”
Col Knight some of the highlights of his role had included community work and supportingthe Royal British Legion (RBL), the success of annual training camps, growing the size of the county’s ACF and the Cambs 876 Remember Project – a Project of RBL Riders who set a seven-year project to remember the 876 Men of the Cambridgeshire Regt in WW1 on the 100 year anniversary of their death.
Col Knight added: “Annual training camps – the highlight of the year without a doubt! Our camp at Thetford in 2019 was one of the best topped off by a visit and inspirational talk from Sgt Johnson Beharry, VC, COG.
“It was a great honour to meet a Victoria Cross (VC) holder and to shake his hand.
“A close second was St Martins Plain in 2015 when we were successful in obtaining two Chinook helicopters to airlift all of our 325 cadets to the training area. The smiles on the cadet’s faces were a picture to remember.”
Col Knight was awarded the MBE (Member of the British Empire) in 2007 and appointed as a Deputy Lieutentant of Cambridgeshire in April 2019. He thanked supporters adding: “The many friendships and civic contacts made during my ACF service. The support from my Command Group and the many adult leaders who attend detachment week on week. I shouldn’t fail to the mention my wife Diane and her support to me during the years.”