Ballygowan pair rewarded for their army reserve work

Ballygowan pair rewarded for their army reserve work

5 April 2017

BALLYGOWAN duo Pipe Major Corporal Alan Barr and Cadet Sergeant Alexander Lane have been honoured at a formal ceremony at Hillsborough Castle.

Pipe Major Barr received The Lord Lieutenant’s Certificate for Outstanding Meritorious Service Above and Beyond The Call of Duty. The award which is second in importance only to one presented by the Queen and one of the highest accolades that can be conferred on members of the Reserve Forces and Cadet movements, while Alexander Lane was appointed to the role of Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant’s Cadet for Co Down.

Pipe Major Barr was presented with his award by the Queen’s Lord Lieutenant for Co. Down, Colonel David Lindsay, during the recent ceremony at Hillsborough and is praised in his citation as “one of the hardest working and most recognised individuals within the Army Reserve in Northern Ireland, largely due to his exemplary commitment to piping and the sheer number of public and private events that he has supported during his career.”

The Ballygowan man’s musical career includes a dazzling array of high profile engagements from piping for the Queen in 2006 at the National Service of Remembrance in the Albert Hall to The Royal Military Tattoo at Edinburgh Castle.

His citation concludes: “From Saint Patrick’s Day, through supporting Associations and Cadets, to Gallipoli 100 and the Somme 100 events, these events would not have been the same without a Piper’s Lament or the strains of Killaloe. Pipe Major Barr is a most experienced member of the Battalion who has demonstrated loyalty and unstinting commitment to the Army Reserve.”

Sixteen year-old Alexander, who is a student at Methodist College and an energetic and enthusiastic member of the Ballygowan Detachment Army Cadet Force (ACF), is one of just nine teenagers across Northern Ireland to be selected for the prestigious role of Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant Cadet.

He can expect a busy year ahead as he attends Colonel David Lindsay on major civic occasions and in recognition of the award, Alexander will wear a special insignia on his uniform throughout his year in office.

Throughout his time with the ACF, the Ballygowan teenager has shown what his award citation describes as “unrivalled commitment.”  Already a 3 Star status cadet, Alexander is working towards the senior cadet instructor course and already supports the instruction of younger cadets within his detachment, in addition to welcoming and mentoring newcomers. 

The Ballygowan teenager’s citation concludes:  “He joined the organisation as a quiet and timid young man but the ACF quickly brought him out of his shell as he grew in confidence with each success and new achievement. He is one of our finest senior cadets and an asset to this cadet unit.”